Disney Struggles To Keep Tiana’s Bayou Adventure in Working Condition
One of the newest rides at Disneyland Resort is showing signs of trouble less than a year after its debut. Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, the controversial reimagining of Splash Mountain, is already facing ongoing technical problems that have left some fans frustrated.
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure opened in Critter Country at Disneyland Park in November 2024, five months after its Magic Kingdom Park counterpart. The attraction brings the world of The Princess and the Frog (2009) to life, sending guests floating through the Louisiana bayou while meeting Princess Tiana (Anika Noni Rose), Louis (Michael-Leon Wooley), Prince Naveen (Bruno Campos), Mama Odie (Jenifer Lewis), and a host of musical critters.
But despite the fanfare, both versions of the log flume ride have experienced setbacks. The attraction struggled during its early days in Florida, with several Annual Passholder and cast member previews canceled hours before Magic Kingdom Park closed. Now, California’s version is showing cracks of its own.
On September 4, X (formerly Twitter) user @DisneyScoopGuy posted a video highlighting a glaring problem with the ride: the first Princess Tiana audio-animatronic had stopped moving. The figure, which greets riders at the start of their journey, has been stuck in place for days.
The first Tiana in Tiana’s Bayou Adventure has been frozen for a few days now. It’s been months since an animatronic stopped working completely for multiple days and I’m wondering if it’s a heat issue.
According to the post, this is the first time in months that an animatronic on the ride has remained inoperable for several consecutive days. While the guest speculated heat may have played a role, Disney has not confirmed any cause.
As is typical with minor attraction malfunctions, Disneyland Resort has not released any public statements about the issue. It remains unclear whether the animatronic has been repaired or whether guests will continue to see a frozen Tiana during their first moments on the Princess and the Frog ride.
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