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She dug a little deeper and found herself at the Walt Disney World Resort!
In 2020, the world was grappling with the COVID-19 pandemic, and Disney was forced to shutter all of its theme parks around the world. They did not know how long the parks would be closed, but they did know that things would be different when they could finally reopen.
While Disney prepared to operate its theme parks during a pandemic, they also used that time to think about how they could make the parks bigger and better than before.
Credit: Disney
Related: Disney Parks Attendance Dipped, but Is Post-COVID Really To Blame?
In June 2020, Disney announced that it would be closing one of its most iconic attractions at Walt Disney World and Disneyland — Splash Mountain. The attraction had been under increasing scrutiny since it was based on the racially biased 1946 film Song of the South.
Disney announced that while Splash Mountain would be closing, the attraction would not be going away. Instead, it would be rethemed after the hit 2009 animated film, The Princess and the Frog.
Credit: Disney
We are just a couple of weeks away from Tiana’s Bayou Adventure officially opening in the Magic Kingdom, and the rethemed attraction is currently undergoing test rides. Annual Passholder previews are set to take place this week and next, so even more people will be able to ride the attraction before it officially opens.
Guests riding Tiana’s Bayou Adventure on June 10 were treated to not only early access to the ride, but also a surprise performance from one of the stars of The Princess and the Frog!
Credit: Disney
Related: Disney Is Celebrating Tiana’s Bayou Adventure With Scrumptious New Food!
The Hollywood Reporter shared a video of some of the stars of The Princess and the Frog riding Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, including Jenifer Lewis, who voiced Mama Odie. The attraction paused while she was riding, so much to the delight of her fellow riders, Lewis broke into her iconic movie song, “Dig a Little Deeper.”
And she encouraged everyone to sing along with her!
Mama Odie voice actress Jenifer Lewis sings “Dig a Little Deeper” with fans while they wait to disembark on #TianasBayouAdventure
Mama Odie voice actress Jenifer Lewis sings “Dig a Little Deeper” with fans while they wait to disembark on #TianasBayouAdventure pic.twitter.com/Kda5hkzP5D
— The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) June 10, 2024
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure will take place after the events of The Princess and the Frog. Tiana has expanded her restaurant dreams to an entire food line — Tiana’s Foods. She and Naveen even purchased an abandoned salt mine and turned it into a very successful co-op, where the employees have part ownership and grow a ton of great food.
Tiana is throwing a party to celebrate the success of Tiana’s Foods and thank her friends, family, and employees for all their unwavering support. Just as the party is about to start, Tiana realizes she is missing the secret ingredient that will make everything perfect. So she invites guests to join her on a fun trip down the bayou!
Are you excited to ride Tiana’s Bayou Adventure? Let us know in the comments!
Bob Iger, Disney CEO was heard to say after trying it that the new ride was boring.