New Details and a “First-Look” at Tiana’s Bayou Adventure!

This year is a big year for Walt Disney World, especially Magic Kingdom. Fans of Disney’s Princess and the Frog will get a brand-new, New Orleans- inspired attraction and we cannot wait.

Fans of the movie are ready to experience the re-theming of Splash Mountain in Walt Disney World and Disneyland…and we have a sneak peek.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Led by Ted Robledo, the executive creative director of Walt Disney Imagineering, this project is slotted to open “some time in 2024.” But NOLA.com and Robledo are bringing us along for a behind-the-scenes look and a tour of the attraction in progress. 

The Importance of the Queue 

The Frontierland courtyard that formerly served as a ride queue area for Splash Mountain will once again serve the same purpose and a bit more. The area is currently under construction, but when it is complete it will be a dynamic zone where the storytelling begins.

Photo: Disney Parks

“Like a movie, this is the setting,” Robledo said. “We’ve got to know where we’re at.”

One of the coolest new additions to the courtyard is a colorful mural designed by Baton Rouge-area artist Malaika Favorite. The mural is along the side of the two-story, bright yellow barn.

Photo: Disney parks

According to Robledo, the first floor of the barn is home to the “main offices” for Tiana’s Foods, the food production operation that — according to additional storylines created for the attraction — Tiana founded at the end of the 2009 film.

The Sights and Sounds of New Orleans

Photo: DIsney

Robledo also shared that loud speakers will broadcast an old-time radio show featuring reimagined New Orleans classics. This music will help set the stage and is performed by local musicians gathered by Grammy winner Terence Blanchard.

In addition, Guests will experience the scent of beignets wafting through the air as they approach the ride.

Photo: Disney

Favorite and Blanchard are just two members of the New Orleans team helping to create the authentic ambiance. An intricate metal weather vane crafted by New Orleans master blacksmith Darryl Reeves was recently installed, and musician P.J. Morton and the culinary Chase family are contributing and creating an authentic experience.

Robledo shared, “One of the things that blew my mind (in New Orleans) is the amount of art all over. This is our love letter to New Orleans, and in that spirit, art is everywhere.”

Photo: Disney

Important Details

Rogelio explains that the use of New Orleans artists and artisans is vital to the overall experience.

“The city as a place is as important as a character,” Robledo said. “The story reacts to the place. We’re starting to hint at that in the queue, to try to craft that love letter to New Orleans in every way possible.”

Guests experience all of this and more as they go through the queue. It is similar to Splash Mountain, but not quite the same.

Guests will see cranes hoisting pallets of crates marked “Tiana’s Foods” and ride through a brief outdoor float marked with a few minor drops.

Next, they enter the main part of the attraction, which is where we will see the biggest changes. Stay tuned!

One of the newest features is the addition of greenery and flora native to Louisiana.

Photo: Disney

This includes cypress trees, marsh grasses, Spanish moss and more. There is also a new animatronic band featuring tuneful swamp animals.

And don’t forget Louis the Alligator! This fan favorite will be joined Tiana and other friends as guests help plan the Mardi Gras celebration she’s planning.

The Newest Technology

The new animatronics in Tiana’s Bayou Adventure will be the newest technology,  similar to the high-tech versions used in Hong Kong Disneyland’s new World of Frozen area.

JEFF GRITCHEN/MEDIANEWS GROUP/ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER VIA GETTY

Guests will recognize some of the interior architecture — the rocks, boulders and some architecture have remained from Splash Mountain.

The behind the scenes tour ends at the old ride’s “Laughin’ Place” scene with Robledo promising us that great surprises are coming. “I’ll just say it’s got a lot to do with magic. It’s a magical moment that happens down there.”

Image: MickeyBlog

Stay tuned and be sure to follow along with MickeyBlog to stay updated on this and all things Disney.

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Article Source/Feature Photo: NOLA.com