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Tiana’s Bayou Adventure Plagued by Technical Issues Months After Opening

Months after its highly anticipated debut, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, the reimagined replacement for Splash Mountain at Walt Disney World and Disneyland, continues to be bogged down by significant technical issues. What was expected to be a seamless tribute to Disney’s The Princess and the Frog has instead left many guests disappointed and questioning whether the attraction was rushed to completion.

Animatronic scene from Disney's The Princess and the Frog ride.
Credit: Disney

Since its opening in mid-2024, the ride has been plagued by persistent malfunctions. Guest reports highlight a range of problems, including frequent breakdowns, animatronics that fail to operate correctly, and soundtracks that intermittently cut out, breaking the immersive experience. Ride closures have become so common that guests are growing increasingly frustrated, with many taking to social media to vent their dissatisfaction.

“Some effects just don’t work,” one visitor said. “You can tell they had grand ambitions, but it’s like they didn’t have enough time to make it all come together.” Social media has been abuzz with complaints, with hashtags like #FixTianasBayou circulating among Disney enthusiasts. Videos showing broken animatronics or malfunctioning scenes have further fueled the backlash.

Tiana and Friends at the end of Tiana's Bayou Adventure
Credit: Disney

Adding to the criticism is the fact that these issues are not isolated. Inside the Magic reported that guests frequently encounter long downtimes, often waiting hours for the ride to reopen, only to find many of its key features still not functioning properly. The technical problems have dampened the guest experience and created bottlenecks in park traffic, as frustrated visitors spill over into other attractions.

Critics point to the ride’s development timeline as a possible culprit. Announced in 2020 during a tumultuous period for Disney, the transformation from Splash Mountain to Tiana’s Bayou Adventure was fast-tracked to meet the growing demand for culturally sensitive updates. However, the accelerated timeline appears to have come at the expense of quality.

A wooden water tower stands prominently against a backdrop of lush, green foliage and a bright blue sky. The tower features a sign reading "Tiana's Foods," hinting at an immersive and themed environment that could easily be part of a Disney virtual queue experience. The scene exudes a lively and natural atmosphere.
Credit: Disney

Disney has acknowledged the problems but has offered little in terms of concrete timelines for fixes. A spokesperson assured guests, “We’re actively addressing these challenges to ensure Tiana’s Bayou Adventure meets Disney’s high standards of excellence.”

Despite the ongoing issues, the ride remains popular due to its association with The Princess and the Frog. However, for many, the technical failings overshadow the charm of the new theme. Fans are now left hoping Disney can address these persistent problems and transform Tiana’s Bayou Adventure into the magical experience it was meant to be.

Rick Lye

Rick is an avid Disney fan. He first went to Disney World in 1986 with his parents and has been hooked ever since. Rick is married to another Disney fan and is in the process of turning his two children into fans as well. When he is not creating new Disney adventures, he loves to watch the New York Yankees and hang out with his dog, Buster. In the fall, you will catch him cheering for his beloved NY Giants.

3 Comments

  1. Went yesterday and was so excited to ride… was group 74 and was closed for more than half the day never re-opening. The one ride I was not able to ride and was excited as splash mountain was my favourite Disney ride of all time.

  2. Maybe its the ghost of Walt and Roy Disney saying that Iger should have never change the ride in the first place.

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