Disneyland Resort

Disney Embraces ‘The Princess and the Frog,’ Incorporates It Into Iconic Railroad Attraction

Weeks away from debuting Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, Disneyland Resort is busy integrating The Princess and the Frog (2009) further into the park.

Announced in 2020 for both Disneyland Park and Magic Kingdom Park, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure has been eagerly anticipated following the official retirement of Splash Mountain in 2023. The decision came after longstanding criticism of the ride’s ties to Song of the South (1946).

Splash Mountain
Credit: Disney

Florida’s Splash Mountain closed first, giving Walt Disney World guests the earliest look at Tiana’s Bayou Adventure when it debuted in June. Though highly anticipated, the Florida debut was met with mixed reactions due to persistent technical issues that lasted for months.

This week, Disneyland Resort began early previews of its own Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, exclusive to cast members and Magic Key holders who managed to snag an elusive virtual queue boarding group. Reviews are already suggesting that Southern California’s version makes better use of the available space than Florida’s, although it, too, has seen a few technical hiccups during these previews.

Disney Prepares For Bayou Country

Walt Disney Imagineering is using these final weeks to iron out any remaining issues before the official public debut on November 15. This opening will also unveil the transformation of Critter Country into Bayou Country, featuring two new gift shops: Ray’s Berets and Louis’ Critter Club.

Louis' Critter Club (left), sign for Bayou Country (right)
Credit: Disney

Meanwhile, the beloved Hungry Bear Restaurant has been transformed into Hungry Bear Barbecue Jamboree, a nod to the former residents of Bear Country and the Country Bear Jamboree.

Just yesterday, Disneyland introduced Bayou Country’s new sign, complete with characters from Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, and The Princess and the Frog has also found its way onto the Disneyland Railroad.

https://twitter.com/MouseInfo/status/1849960138704289884

The reopening of the railroad includes updated narration:

We’re now entering the bayou, home to Tiana’s Bayou Adventure! Take a sneak peek at the big party princess Tiana’s throwing, where the welcome is warm, the music is hot, and the company is sweet as honey.

And when it comes to sweetness, the inhabitants of the land we’re passing over are the bee’s knees. Here in bayou country you can join Winnie the Pooh, Tigger, Louis the Alligator, and other beloved critters on their fun-filled adventures.

As we steam past the Hungry Bear Barbecue Jamboree, we’re now joining up with the Rivers of America and entering the frontier as it looked more than a century and a half ago.

The narration, which used to reference Splash Mountain’s characters Br’er Rabbit and Br’er Bear, now offers a warm welcome to the world of Tiana and co.

Last year, the park also added Tiana’s Palace – a New Orleans-themed quick-service restaurant inspired by Tiana’s restaurant of the same name in the animated film – to New Orleans Square.

Are you hyped for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure?

Chloe James

Chloë is a theme park addict and self-proclaimed novelty hunter. She's obsessed with all things Star Wars, loves roller coasters (but hates Pixar Pal-A-Round), and lives for Disney's next Muppets project.

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