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The grand opening of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure in Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World Resort is just weeks away. On June 28, thousands of guests will head down the Bayou for the party of a lifetime with Princess Tiana, Prince Naveen, Louis, and Mama Odie.
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Earlier this month, Walt Disney World Resort made history by uploading the first-ever official full-ride POV on YouTube before Disney cast member and Annual Passholder previews began. The Central Florida Disney park one-upped influencers by ensuring no one else would have the first look at the Princess and the Frog (2009) themed log flume ride!
Now that Disney cast members and media guests have gotten their first looks at Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, social media has ample spoilers for the attraction. As Disney cast members allege that the former Splash Mountain repeatedly breaks down, fans online who haven’t had the opportunity to ride have complained about its storyline and theming.
On Wednesday, Disneyland Resort fans on Reddit shared their thoughts on Walt Disney World Resort’s version of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. The Disneyland Park attraction doesn’t open until later this year, so apathetic Disney Park fans proposed replacement themes for the ride.
Credit: Ed Aguila, Inside the Magic
Many Disney Parks fans suggested other modern Splash Mountain rethemes, including Moana (2016) and Zootopia (2016).
“Zootopia,” said u/my1p. “Each level would’ve been a different habitat following Judy trying to catch a bad guy. Not sure what song you’d fit in there. Could’ve left a few [Splash Mountain] Easter eggs since they’re all still animals.”
“Moana would’ve been fun,” u/ZeeG66 wrote.
Credit: Inside the Magic
“I am Moana of Motunui!” u/Purplewildfire replied. “You will board my log, drop down the big descent, and restore the heart of Splash Mountain.”
Some suggested older Disney properties, like Winnie the Pooh and The Jungle Book (1967). At Disneyland Park, this could mean renaming Critter Country after The Hundred Acre Wood crew– the only other ride in the land is The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh.
“I said from the beginning Pooh themed Splash Mountain with Heffalumps and Woozles as the antagonist was beyond perfect,” u/onetwentyonegigawatt argued. “The ride itself fits in with the 100 acre woods theming so well. Imagine the ‘BEWARE’ song playing as you climb the final drop.”
Credit: Joe Penniston, Flickr
“The Jungle Book has almost zero representation in the parks and could fit pretty well,” u/slawnz commented. “‘The Bare Necessities’ would make a great soundtrack, the laughing place could become the Wanna Be Like You sequence, and the lift hill could be a showdown with Shere Khan, with simulated fire etc.”
Other users met in the middle, arguing that something from the Disney Renaissance era or shortly thereafter would’ve been the best choice. The most popular suggestions were Pocahontas (1995), Fantasia (1999), Aladdin (1992), and The Lion King (1994).
“Pocahontas,” u/Kissing_Cats wrote. “Some of the music could be just around the river bend, and colors of the wind. I always imagine that could add Flick and Meeko to the drop photos.”
Credit: Walt Disney Animation Studios
Fans overwhelmingly supported this idea. From u/MonstarHU:
‘Pocahontas’ would be my choice as well. It almost writes itself.
One fan suggested putting Mickey Mouse into the attraction.
“I’d do a Fantasia theme / Night on Bald Mountain,” said u/PrunyBobJuno. “Splash up the water and marching broomsticks from Sorcerers Apprentice. Pass thru pastoral mythology, and splash down thru Satan’s fury to the peaceful float through of prehistory to a glorious critter dance party.”
Credit: Disney
Still, most Disney Parks fans were happy that The Princess and the Frog replaced the racist Song of the South (1946) but wished Walt Disney Imagineering had included more from the movie in the ride. The most popular comment from u/angrybox1842 reads:
“I think Princess and the Frog is a perfectly fine license to put on Splash. I wouldn’t have gotten rid of all the America Sings animatronics, I wouldn’t have set it fully at night, and I would have put Friends on the Other Side on the Lift Hill. Bing bang boom, attraction fixed.
Seriously, it’s a dropped ball of historic proportions to not use Facilier or the best damn song in the ride. It’s such an obvious slam dunk that they look foolish for avoiding it.”
“I actually love Princess and the Frog for [the] theme, especially at Disneyland where we have New Orleans square already,” u/stellalunawitchbaby agreed. “What a killer song it would’ve been, before the hill…I understand not wanting to depict Voodoo practice in such a villainous way either though.”
Credit: @DrewDisneyDude via X (formerly Twitter)
What do you think about Tiana’s Bayou Adventure? Would you replace the New Orleans theme? In the comments, share your thoughts with us.
