Tiana's Bayou Adventure at Disney World makes an even bigger 'splash' than its forerunner.

Tiana's Bayou Adventure stands out as Disney World's most thrilling new attraction this year. However, it's not a brand-new creation; rather, it is a "reimagining" of the iconic Splash Mountain log flume ride, which debuted at Disneyland in 1989 and Disney World in 1992. Splash Mountain quickly became a beloved classic, featuring lively tunes and delightful animal characters. Yet, a deeper look at the narrative revealed some problematic stereotypes and controversies.

When Disney announced the closure of Splash Mountain to transform it with a Princess Tiana theme, many fans — including myself — hoped the new version would retain the beloved aspects of one of Disney's classic "mountain" attractions.

Now, it has received a well-deserved upgrade that befits a Disney princess.

Having experienced the ride myself during a media preview event before its official opening on June 28, I can confidently say that this ride makes an even bigger "splash" than its predecessor ... in multiple ways.

Let’s "explore further" into everything you need to know about Tiana's Bayou Adventure.

The beloved features of this classic ride remain intact.

If you cherished Splash Mountain for its positive attributes, there's truly nothing to be concerned about with its successor.

While Tiana's Bayou Adventure features all-new music, animatronic characters, and storytelling elements, the ride's track, vehicles, and 50-foot drop remain unchanged. If your favorite aspect was singing and dancing along, you can still enjoy that with fresh tunes.

For those who thrill at the main drop, you can still experience that excitement. And if you enjoy taking in the spectacular view from the top of the lift hill, it’s still available.

For fans of charming critter animatronics, there's a delightful new selection — 19 in total.

And yes, you might still end up getting wet.

I believe I've made my point. The elements that endeared Splash Mountain to so many are still present in Tiana's Bayou Adventure.

They're just presented with a new twist. Considering the three decades of storytelling expertise and technological progress Disney has made since Splash Mountain's debut, I would argue that Tiana's Bayou Adventure not only retains the best aspects but enhances them.

Tiana's Bayou Adventure showcases a more refined use of Disney's storytelling abilities.

Tiana's Bayou Adventure picks up right after the events of the 2009 film "The Princess and the Frog": Tiana has opened the restaurant she worked so hard for and lives happily ever after (in her human form) with Prince Naveen.

Fast forward to 1927, and Tiana is now a successful businesswoman. In addition to her restaurant, Tiana's Palace, she runs a co-op called Tiana's Foods from an old salt mine. The waters from the salt mine nourish the crops and set the stage for an exciting river adventure for riders.

The ride follows Tiana as she seeks out a group of musicians for her grand Mardi Gras celebration. Some of this storyline begins to unfold in the queue, and while I found it easy to follow, some guests I spoke with who rode it after the media preview (and missed the backstory) had a bit of difficulty grasping certain aspects of the plot at times.

Throughout the ride, you'll meet a host of new and beloved characters brought to life with cutting-edge animatronics, including the enchanting Mama Odie, Prince Naveen, Tiana, Louis, and a multitude of musical critters.

"We're almost there" after the ride's iconic 50-foot drop, but first, you'll reach the Mardi Gras celebration where you can sing and dance alongside Tiana and her friends for the grand finale.

The storytelling feels more genuine

Tiana's Bayou Adventure places a stronger emphasis on authentic storytelling compared to its predecessor. The team behind Tiana's Bayou Adventure aimed for authenticity and relatability in every aspect, from the music to the artwork and everything in between.

When Disney revealed the ride's name in 2022, they also announced that Imagineers made multiple research trips to New Orleans "to ensure Tiana's Bayou Adventure captures the essence and spirit of the city that inspired Princess Tiana's story;" they collaborated closely with the family of Leah Chase, the woman who inspired Tiana's character in the film.

Leah Chase, who passed away in 2019, was a renowned chef and the former owner of Dooky Chase's Restaurant in New Orleans. The restaurant, originally founded by her father-in-law, became famous as one of the first African American fine dining establishments after Leah took over.

Tiana was both a dreamer and a doer with a genuine story rooted in a real place — and these elements were crucial for Disney as they sought to bring a new narrative to life in this attraction.

As a delightful connection between the ride and its real-life inspiration, the gift shop at the end of the attraction features Dooky Chase's spices and a cookbook.

It wasn't solely the Chase family involved in this endeavor. Disney also collaborated with various New Orleans musicians to craft the ride's distinctive sounds of zydeco, rara, and jazz.

You'll enjoy a blend of beloved songs from the film along with some new tracks. The soundtrack was produced by Grammy Award-winning New Orleans artists PJ Morton and Terence Blanchard. Morton also penned an original song for the ride titled "Special Spice," performed by Anika Noni Rose, the actress and singer who voiced Tiana in the original film.

Much of the artwork featured throughout the ride was crafted by Louisiana locals, further enhancing its authenticity.

A vibrant mural in the queue illustrating Tiana's journey as a business owner was created by Malaika Favorite, a renowned artist whose work is also showcased in Baton Rouge Gallery, while the weather vane atop the ride's mill house was skillfully made by third-generation master blacksmith Darryl Reeves.

The new iteration is both joyful and uplifting.

While the attention to detail and care that Disney invested in bringing the ride to life enriches the experience and allows for a deeper dive into the story, it also remains a delightful, magical attraction that both children and adults are sure to enjoy.

The ride is lively, uplifting, and suitable for both adults and children (who are 40 inches tall and above). Tiana, the ride's protagonist, embodies resilience and determination, inspiring us to be strong, empowered, and brave. This vital message resonates equally with kids and adults, serving as an essential reminder for us all.

"I want everyone to experience joy, happiness, and celebration while enjoying Tiana's Bayou Adventure. Our aspiration is for them to leave feeling inspired, believing that regardless of their background, they can achieve their dreams," stated Carmen Smith, senior vice president of creative development at Disney Parks, Experiences and Products, during the media event.

"We aim for people to understand that no dream is out of reach. At Disney, one of our core beliefs at Walt Disney Imagineering is that we can turn the impossible into reality, and I believe that spirit is felt throughout this ride."

Unlike Splash Mountain, Tiana's Bayou Adventure lacks a sense of danger or a villain, yet a ride can still be enjoyable without suspense or tension.

Without revealing too much, I assure you that Disney has crafted the big drop and thrilling finale to be just as enjoyable as ever, featuring its own unique style and flair. You’ll even get a glimpse of Mama Odie's magic along the way.

What was the reason behind Disney opening Tiana's Bayou Adventure?

Many riders of Splash Mountain — particularly children — may not have realized that the music, characters, and storyline were largely inspired by the 1946 Disney film "Song of the South," which has faced criticism for being outdated and even racist.

In June 2020, Disney revealed on the Disney Parks Blog that Splash Mountain would be reimagined with a theme inspired by the 2009 film "The Princess and the Frog." The announcement emphasized, "It's essential for our guests to see themselves reflected in the experiences we create. This new concept is inclusive, allowing all our guests to connect with and draw inspiration from it, celebrating the diversity of the millions who visit our parks each year."

Splash Mountain ceased operations in January 2023 at Disney World and in May 2023 at Disneyland to pave the way for Tiana's Bayou Adventure.

How to experience Tiana's Bayou Adventure

Once the various previews conclude and Tiana's Bayou Adventure officially opens on June 28, there will be two primary methods to ride: joining the free virtual queue or purchasing Disney Genie+ to secure a Lightning Lane reservation through that paid program.

A standby queue will not be available, at least for the first few days after the ride opens, so you’ll need to utilize one of these two options to be among the first to enjoy this new attraction.

Virtual Queue

As with other attractions at Disney World that feature a virtual queue, guests can join the virtual queue for Tiana's Bayou Adventure twice each day: once at 7 a.m. and again at 1 p.m.

To request access to the virtual queue, you'll need the My Disney Experience app. It's best to start this process about 10 minutes before the queue opens at 7 a.m. or 1 p.m. Many guests find it helpful to use a World Clock site to time their approach to 7 a.m., since this queue fills up quickly.

On the app's main screen, click the "hamburger menu" (the three stacked lines) located in the bottom right corner. Then select the "Virtual Queue" option and tap on "Join Virtual Queue." Next, confirm your party by tapping "Confirm Your Party" to ensure everyone is correctly listed. You can start this process one hour before the virtual queue opens (at 6 a.m.) on the day you wish to ride.

When there are about 10 seconds left before the virtual queue opens (we recommend using the World Clock or time.gov for accuracy), start refreshing the "Join Virtual Queue" screen until the "Join" button appears.

After that, just follow the prompts on the screen, and you should see your boarding group number along with the estimated return time. Once your boarding group is called—notifications will be sent to you—make your way to the attraction where a cast member will scan you in.

You can hold only one virtual queue for an attraction at a time. If you wish to experience multiple attractions with virtual queues in a single day (such as Tron Lightcycle / Run or Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind), you'll need to join one at 7 a.m. and the other at 1 p.m.

Disney Genie+ Lightning Lane

Tiana's Bayou Adventure will also feature a Lightning Lane entrance for guests who purchase the Disney Genie+ service. This paid service allows access to Lightning Lane entrances at select attractions, enabling you to bypass the standby line and enjoy quicker access throughout the day. This helps you experience more attractions with shorter wait times.

To access this ride via Lightning Lane, you must first purchase Disney Genie+, which can be done on the day of your visit anytime after midnight. Pricing varies by park and date, starting around $15 per person per day, with Magic Kingdom typically ranging from $25 to $35 per person. You can buy this service starting at 12 a.m. on your chosen visit day.

Starting at 7 a.m. on the day of your visit, you can make your initial Lightning Lane selection. To secure your chance to ride, choose Tiana's Bayou Adventure. Open the My Disney Experience app, tap the hamburger menu on the home page, go to "Today's Plans," and select the "Tip Board" at the top.

Ensure you're viewing the attractions at Magic Kingdom and scroll down until you find Tiana's Bayou Adventure. A box labeled "Disney Genie+" should appear with a return time. Click on "Book Experience" and follow the steps to reserve your return window. Then, head to the attraction during that time to enjoy the ride.

When will Tiana's Bayou Adventure debut at Disneyland?

Tiana's Bayou Adventure is set to open on November 15 at Disneyland.

In conclusion

While Tiana's Bayou Adventure is not Splash Mountain, it’s designed to be different. If you’re searching for familiar story arcs and a sense of peril with vultures overhead, you won’t encounter that here. Instead, you’ll discover an inspiring Disney princess, an engaging soundtrack, that thrilling 50-foot drop, and delightful surprises that are sure to bring a smile to your face.

In summary, by blending authentic, uplifting storytelling with cutting-edge audio-animatronics, stunning effects, and catchy melodies, Tiana's Bayou Adventure is set for success.