Tiana’s Bayou Adventure Hit With “Crushing” Setback Before Reaching Its Second Year

Disney likely expected Tiana’s Bayou Adventure to settle into a long, dependable run, but less than two years after opening, the attraction is already raising eyebrows. Guests have noticed repeated downtime, Cast Members have observed the scrambling behind the scenes, and anyone checking the My Disney Experience app can see how frequently the ride slips into unavailable status. Something about this early phase isn’t lining up with what fans imagined, and the concerns are building fast enough to make people wonder how we got here.

Splash Mountain’s Exit Set the Stage

The road to Tiana’s Bayou Adventure officially began when Disney announced the permanent closure of Splash Mountain to make way for a The Princess and the Frog (2009)–themed attraction. That announcement instantly created a divide. Some longtime fans mourned the loss of the ride they grew up with, while others celebrated the idea of finally giving Princess Tiana her own space in the Magic Kingdom.

But even with the nostalgia, Splash Mountain came with baggage. It delivered big thrills, but it also dealt with chronic challenges: unexpected shutdowns, frequent evacuations, delayed reopenings after storms, and show scenes that stopped functioning without warning. While the ride remained beloved, it earned a reputation for inconsistencies. So when Disney revealed the attraction would be rethemed—not rebuilt entirely—many wondered whether those deep-rooted issues would truly disappear.

Enter Tiana’s Bayou Adventure

When the new attraction opened, it brought a fresh spirit to Frontierland. Disney introduced vibrant lighting, new animatronics, and lively music that pulled guests directly into Tiana’s world. The story takes place after the events of the film, inviting riders on a journey through the bayou as they help Tiana prepare for a celebration. The tone feels bright, musical, and full of life.

Still, the mountain itself didn’t change. The original flume remained in place, including the iconic drop that continues to dominate the skyline. In theory, combining a proven layout with new storytelling sounded like the perfect match. However, problems began surfacing more quickly than anyone expected.

Old Bones, Old Problems

Splash Mountain’s technical woes seem to have followed Tiana’s Bayou Adventure into its new chapter. The original ride struggled with stalled lift hills, outages, and repeated failures of show elements. Now, Tiana’s version appears to be encountering familiar setbacks. Guests are reporting extended periods of downtime, sudden closures in the middle of the day, and sluggish reopenings—issues that echo the same frustrations people experienced toward Splash Mountain’s final years.

While downtime is regular for any major theme park attraction, the frequency here seems unusually high for a ride of this age. It suggests that the retheme didn’t fully address the deeper mechanical complications that had been inside the mountain for decades.

Weather… and Everything Else

Outdoor water attractions in Florida naturally deal with weather-related closures. Tiana’s Bayou Adventure has exterior segments, so storms can temporarily shut it down, even without lightning overhead. Most guests accept that as part of the experience.

But many closures aren’t weather-related at all. Reports continue to surface of the ride going down on perfectly sunny days, sometimes multiple times. Other outdoor attractions remain open while Tiana’s is unavailable. These moments highlight internal malfunctions that Disney still needs to address.

A Ride Guests Must Monitor

Due to the unpredictability, frequent visitors now recommend checking the My Disney Experience app before heading to the ride. Its operational status can change suddenly, turning a simple walk across Frontierland into a gamble.

Families planning Lightning Lane selections are also feeling the strain. A marquee attraction, this new one shouldn’t be this unstable, especially one tied to a character Disney has invested so heavily in. If Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is going to become the reliable anchor Disney intended, the company will need to address the underlying issues sooner rather than later.

For now, fans can only hope the bayou eventually finds its rhythm.