Riders on Tiana’s Bayou Adventure will drop into a Mardi Gras party with Louis the alligator conducting a jazz band of audio-animatronic bayou critters when the transformation of the former Splash Mountain ride is complete later this year at Disneyland.
Walt Disney Imagineering offered a never-before-seen look at the on-ride experience inside Tiana’s Bayou Adventure during the latest episode of “We Call It Imagineering” on YouTube.
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Tiana’s Bayou Adventure opens on June 28 at Florida’s Magic Kingdom and in late 2024 at Disneyland in the former Splash Mountain attractions at both parks.
The latest episode of “We Call It Imagineering” focuses on the new attractions’s musical score by Grammy-winning musician PJ Morton who joined a group of Imagineers for a ride on Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. (Note: The Tiana’s Bayou Adventure segment of the show begins at the 16:15 minute mark of the video.)
Morton’s new song “Special Spice” with vocals by Princess Tiana voice actress Anika Noni Rose is prominently featured in the new attraction.
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The twin Tiana’s Bayou Adventure rides will tell an extension of the “Princess and the Frog” story that picks up after the final kiss between Princess Tiana and Prince Naveen. The new backstory for Splash Mountain will follow Tiana and Louis the trumpet-playing alligator as they prepare for their first Mardi Gras performance.
The ride’s backstory finds Tiana in need of a band for her bayou party and in search of a missing ingredient as she prepares to host a one-of-a-kind Mardi Gras celebration. As you might expect, that missing ingredient is you — the “Special Spice” she’s been looking for.
Concept art of the “Princess and the Frog” makeover of Splash Mountain, scheduled to open at Disneyland in 2024. (Courtesy of Disney)
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A radio program playing in the queue of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure will feature jazz versions of “Down in New Orleans” and “Ma Belle Evangeline” from the 2009 “Princess and the Frog” animated film. Throughout the broadcast, the radio host announces Tiana is looking for musicians to play at her Mardi Gras party tonight.
Riders will spot an audio-animatronic version of Tiana for the first time on the lift hill of the log flume ride. The Disney princess — dressed in adventure gear for our journey through the bayou — will appear to smile at riders as they pass by.
Concept art of a Mama Odie scene coming to Tiana’s Bayou Adventure at Disneyland and Walt Disney World. (Courtesy of Disney)
The former Splash Mountain drop into the Briar Patch has been transformed with yellow and purple lighting to evoke a Mardi Gras vibe.
The finale scene will feature Tiana hosting a party at her Fleur du Bayou mansion with Louis the alligator conducting a jazz band of audio-animatronic bayou critters accompanied by Prince Naveen on ukulele and Prince Ralphie on drums.
A Mama Odie animatronic reminds riders the party wouldn’t be complete without you while “Special Spice” plays in the background.
