Disney Headlines for July 3rd, 2024
This week in Disney Headlines: fans learn not to judge a book by its cover, while park officials want guests to party like it’s 2019.
Mayhap We Spoke Too Soon
![Tiana's Bayou Adventure](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/2024-wdw-mk-magic-kingdom-tianas-bayou-adventure-opening-day1-scaled.jpg)
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure
Did you hear that Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is the worst ride ever and that Tony Baxter is spinning in his grave, even though he’s still alive?
Yeah, that’s what the anti-Disney machine was pumping out at high dosage over the past few weeks.
![Tiana's Bayou Adventure](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/2024-wdw-mk-magic-kingdom-tianas-bayou-adventure-opening-day-crowds-1-2-scaled.jpg)
![Tiana's Bayou Adventure](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/2024-wdw-mk-magic-kingdom-tianas-bayou-adventure-opening-day-crowds-1-2-scaled.jpg)
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure
Critics wanted fans to believe that the reboot of Splash Mountain was an absolute debacle.
In fact, one patently absurd rumor suggested that Disney had decided to cancel the project!
![Tiana's Bayou Adventure](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/2024-wdw-mk-magic-kingdom-tianas-bayou-adventure-opening-day-crowds-3-scaled.jpg)
![Tiana's Bayou Adventure](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/2024-wdw-mk-magic-kingdom-tianas-bayou-adventure-opening-day-crowds-3-scaled.jpg)
![Tiana's Bayou Adventure](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/2024-wdw-mk-magic-kingdom-tianas-bayou-adventure-opening-day-crowds-3-scaled.jpg)
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure
That would be a remarkable turn of events for something that was already in guest previews.
While the story didn’t pass the laugh test, some sources picked it up anyway.
![Tiana's Bayou Adventure](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/2024-wdw-mk-magic-kingdom-tianas-bayou-adventure-cast-member-preview-95-scaled.jpg)
![Tiana's Bayou Adventure](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/2024-wdw-mk-magic-kingdom-tianas-bayou-adventure-cast-member-preview-95-scaled.jpg)
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure
That’s because a strange, vocal minority wants this ride to fail, which is like hoping that your dessert beignets will suck. It’s odd.
Anyway, a funny thing happened last Friday, the opening day for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure.
![Tiana's Bayou Adventure](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/2024-wdw-mk-magic-kingdom-tianas-bayou-adventure-cast-member-preview-129-scaled-e1717507155722.jpg)
![Tiana's Bayou Adventure](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/2024-wdw-mk-magic-kingdom-tianas-bayou-adventure-cast-member-preview-129-scaled-e1717507155722.jpg)
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure
Guests flocked to the ride area, hoping to catch a glimpse of early guests splashing down at the start of the park day.
Many of the watchers couldn’t actually ride Tiana’s Bayou Adventure because it doesn’t offer a standby queue.
![](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/2024-wdw-Magic-Kingdom-Frontierland-Closed-Tiana-Bayou-Adventure-12.jpg)
![](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/2024-wdw-Magic-Kingdom-Frontierland-Closed-Tiana-Bayou-Adventure-12.jpg)
The Tiana’s Bayou Adventure virtual queue currently reads “Boarding Paused”
On opening day, the only ways to experience the new attraction were by booking a virtual queue or snagging a Disney Genie+ reservation.
The virtual queue for Tiana booked in a matter of seconds, reinforcing the overwhelming demand.
![Tiana's Bayou Adventure](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/2024-wdw-mk-magic-kingdom-tianas-bayou-adventure-opening-day-crowds-3-scaled.jpg)
![Tiana's Bayou Adventure](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/2024-wdw-mk-magic-kingdom-tianas-bayou-adventure-opening-day-crowds-3-scaled.jpg)
![Tiana's Bayou Adventure](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/2024-wdw-mk-magic-kingdom-tianas-bayou-adventure-opening-day-crowds-3-scaled.jpg)
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure
That’s only part of the story, though. The real conversation piece is how those opening day guests reacted to the new attraction.
The opening weekend word-of-mouth for Tiana was absolutely glowing.
A Strong Showing
![Tiana's Bayou Adventure](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/2024-wdw-mk-magic-kingdom-tianas-bayou-adventure-cast-member-preview-40.jpg)
![Tiana's Bayou Adventure](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/2024-wdw-mk-magic-kingdom-tianas-bayou-adventure-cast-member-preview-40.jpg)
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure
I know that some of you were braced for a different headline, but I can prove my point with some video.
Here are Adam the Woo and Tim Tracker riding Tiana’s Bayou Adventure.
Tracker mentions that he’s already experienced Tiana three times already, which speaks volumes.
![Tiana's Bayou Adventure](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/2024-wdw-mk-magic-kingdom-tianas-bayou-adventure-cast-member-preview-11-scaled.jpg)
![Tiana's Bayou Adventure](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/2024-wdw-mk-magic-kingdom-tianas-bayou-adventure-cast-member-preview-11-scaled.jpg)
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure
Previews had only started less than three weeks before then, yet he’d ridden it as much as possible.
Meanwhile, this was Adam the Woo’s first trip, and his delight was total. Here are some quotes:
![Tiana's Bayou Adventure](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/2024-wdw-mk-magic-kingdom-tianas-bayou-adventure-cast-member-preview-46.jpg)
![Tiana's Bayou Adventure](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/2024-wdw-mk-magic-kingdom-tianas-bayou-adventure-cast-member-preview-46.jpg)
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure
“First impression: I actually really like this a lot. I looove the animatronics.”
“One thing I’m really noticing is the animatronics. There’s definitely less animatronics than Splash Mountain, but the animatronics that are in here are freakin’ legit.”
![Tiana's Bayou Adventure](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/2024-wdw-mk-magic-kingdom-tianas-bayou-adventure-cast-member-preview-60.jpg)
![Tiana's Bayou Adventure](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/2024-wdw-mk-magic-kingdom-tianas-bayou-adventure-cast-member-preview-60.jpg)
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure
“All in all, my first impression…is that I’ll definitely be going on this all the time. It’s definitely gonna be something I think I’m always gonna do.”
I also could have included, “WHOOOOA! GWAH!” That’s what closed captioning thinks they said during the splashdown.
![Tiana's Bayou Adventure](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/2024-wdw-mk-magic-kingdom-tianas-bayou-adventure-cast-member-preview-66.jpg)
![Tiana's Bayou Adventure](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/2024-wdw-mk-magic-kingdom-tianas-bayou-adventure-cast-member-preview-66.jpg)
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure
Later, the three of them mentioned the lack of Dr. Facilier on the ride, which they all agreed was the right choice.
In case you think I’m cherry-picking, here is IGN grading Tiana’s Bayou Adventure a nine out of ten.
![Tiana's Bayou Adventure](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/2024-wdw-mk-magic-kingdom-tianas-bayou-adventure-cast-member-preview-54.jpg)
![Tiana's Bayou Adventure](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/2024-wdw-mk-magic-kingdom-tianas-bayou-adventure-cast-member-preview-54.jpg)
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure
Their review states, “Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is more than just a great attraction, it is an experience filled with love, pride, gratitude, and authentic New Orleans flair.”
The review finishes with, “Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is a worthy replacement for Splash Mountain and sits proudly among Disney Parks’ best.”
![Tiana Bayou Adventure](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Screenshot-2024-06-07-at-14-33-24-Tianas-Bayou-Adventure-Walt-Disney-World-Resort.png)
![Tiana Bayou Adventure](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Screenshot-2024-06-07-at-14-33-24-Tianas-Bayou-Adventure-Walt-Disney-World-Resort.png)
Photo: Disney Parks Blog
Here are similarly positive reviews from Business Insider, the Los Angeles Times, and Polygon.
Friends, the reviews are in, and Disney has created another masterpiece!
The Lightning Lane Change
![Genie+](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/2024-wdw-disney-genie-free-and-plus-screenshots4.jpg)
![Genie+](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/2024-wdw-disney-genie-free-and-plus-screenshots4.jpg)
Photo: Disney
I’m always fascinated when highly technical Disney stories go viral.
That’s what happened this past week when Disney announced the end of its Disney Genie+ program.
![Lightning Lane](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/2024-wdw-lightning-lane-genie-plus-transition-my-disney-experience-app.jpeg)
![Lightning Lane](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/2024-wdw-lightning-lane-genie-plus-transition-my-disney-experience-app.jpeg)
Photo: Disney
We’re talking about a virtual queuing system wherein guests say, “Hey, I’d like to ride that.”
Then, complex Disney algorithms turn those requests into attraction reservations.
![Genie+](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/2024-wdw-mk-magic-kingdom-cinderella-castle-disney-genie-pamphlet-1-4-scaled.jpg)
![Genie+](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/2024-wdw-mk-magic-kingdom-cinderella-castle-disney-genie-pamphlet-1-4-scaled.jpg)
Genie+
Nothing about this is any different from a technological perspective from a plane or hotel reservation.
Historically, the only time people discuss plane or hotel reservation systems is when something bad has happened.
![Phone](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Genie-Service-768x432-1.jpg)
![Phone](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Genie-Service-768x432-1.jpg)
Photo: Park Savers
Alas, when it comes to Disney, everything becomes a major story, and this one’s pretty juicy.
In 2021, when we were still living in the Dark Ages of Bob Chapek, the former Parks Chairman made an announcement.
![Winnie the Pooh Lightning Lane](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/2023-wdw-mk-magic-kingdom-winnie-the-pooh-lightning-lane-genie-plus2-scaled.jpg)
![Winnie the Pooh Lightning Lane](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/2023-wdw-mk-magic-kingdom-winnie-the-pooh-lightning-lane-genie-plus2-scaled.jpg)
Winnie the Pooh Lightning Lane
Chapek introduced the Disney Genie+ system, which was different from the Disney Genie system.
This new product was also different from Lightning Lane, even Disney Genie+ reservations were called Lightning Lanes.
![Lightning Lane](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/2023-wdw-mk-magic-kingdom-peter-pans-flight-lightning-lane-genie-plus-1-2.jpg)
![Lightning Lane](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/2023-wdw-mk-magic-kingdom-peter-pans-flight-lightning-lane-genie-plus-1-2.jpg)
Lightning Lane
I honestly don’t know how this much stupid escapes a boardroom, but in everyone’s defense, it was a pandemic.
Anyway, Disney replaced the FastPass system with a new, paid service. That part was what snagged all the Headlines.
For whatever reason, most analysts overlooked the absurd inconsistencies of the naming conventions.
Instead, stories focused on yet another attempt by Disney to charge guests for something that had formerly been free.
![](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Six-Flags-Logo.jpg)
![](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Six-Flags-Logo.jpg)
Six Flags
Nobody cared that Disney was among the last in the theme park industry to adopt this practice.
In truth, corporations like Six Flags and even the customer-friendly Dollywood had been doing it for many years.
![](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/plan-visit-main-landing.jpg)
![](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/plan-visit-main-landing.jpg)
Six Flags
Now that changes are coming to the system, people have finally recognized the flaws.
What Disney Is Fixing
![Genie+](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/2024-wdw-mk-magic-kingdom-cinderella-castle-disney-genie-pamphlet-1-3-scaled.jpg)
![Genie+](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/2024-wdw-mk-magic-kingdom-cinderella-castle-disney-genie-pamphlet-1-3-scaled.jpg)
Genie+
The brutal truth here is that Disney Genie+ caused too much confusion.
Those naming ambiguities probably hurt the launch of Disney Genie.
That’s a theme park virtual assistant whose only purpose is to provide information to guests.
Since customers were salty about Disney Genie+ costing money, Disney Genie suffered guilt by association.
The two had nothing to do with one another, and the odd decision made Disney Genie a non-factor from the start.
Very few people I know use the virtual assistant any whatsoever, which defeats the purpose of it.
![Robin Williams](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Genie.jpg)
![Robin Williams](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Genie.jpg)
Photo Credit: Disney
Then, we have the Disney Genie+/Lightning Lane confusion caused by the fact that the shorter lines are called Lightning Lanes.
This aspect was avoidable from the start, but Disney failed to avoid it. Thankfully, the company is correcting its mistake.
![genie](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Genie.jpg)
![genie](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Genie.jpg)
Credit: Disney
From now on, guests will know what to expect from the virtual queuing options.
When you purchase Multi Pass, you access the former FastPass inventory, which allows you to skip the long lines at many attractions.
![Disney Genie+](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/2024-wdw-disney-genie-free-and-plus-screenshots1.jpg)
![Disney Genie+](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/2024-wdw-disney-genie-free-and-plus-screenshots1.jpg)
Photo: Disney
Conversely, with Single Pass, you’re paying for the privilege to ride Disney’s newest and most popular attractions.
There’s finally clarity with the naming conventions, and the change may give Disney Genie another shot as well.
![Genie+](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/2024-wdw-disney-genie-free-and-plus-screenshots5.jpg)
![Genie+](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/2024-wdw-disney-genie-free-and-plus-screenshots5.jpg)
Photo: Disney
Disney can brand its virtual assistant as its own thing, which is what should have happened from the start.
Why This Headline Matters
![data](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/binary.jpg)
![data](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/binary.jpg)
Photo: Computer Hope
Since Disney’s technology is night and day better than everything else in the industry, the Headlines are fixating on these changes.
Everyone wants to know how Disney will adapt as it plans for park expansion, and I’m curious myself.
![Frozen Ever After World of Frozen Hong Kong Disneyland](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Frozen-Ever-After-World-of-Frozen-Hong-Kong-Disneyland-2.png)
![Frozen Ever After World of Frozen Hong Kong Disneyland](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Frozen-Ever-After-World-of-Frozen-Hong-Kong-Disneyland-2.png)
Photo: Disney
The updated tech should offload some of the demand, especially with top-tier attractions like Frozen Ever After and Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure.
Under the new system, most Multi Pass users will choose one of those attractions at EPCOT during a visit.
Similarly, at Magic Kingdom, guests pick one of these attractions:
- Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
- Jungle Cruise
- Peter Pan’s Flight
- Space Mountain
- Tiana’s Bayou Adventure
Since guests are limited to one now, more people get to play.
With Tiana being the first choice for a while, it’ll sell out, probably when the seven-day window opens.
![computer](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/dvcresorts-howtobook-story-knowbefore.jpg.webp)
![computer](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/dvcresorts-howtobook-story-knowbefore.jpg.webp)
Photo: DVC
After that, people move along to the next favorite, which should be Space Mountain, and so forth.
Disney Genie+ sold better than park officials ever anticipated, which caused inventory management issues.
![Tomorrowland Speedway](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/tomorrowland-speedway-gallery04-300x169.webp)
![Tomorrowland Speedway](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/tomorrowland-speedway-gallery04-300x169.webp)
Photo: Disney
The new system addresses that problem by load-balancing popular attractions, thereby giving every guest a chance to play.
You can expect other theme parks to mimic this behavior from now on, as it’s brilliant.
![computer](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Screen-Shot-2022-05-30-at-9.54.07-PM-e1709300354564.png)
![computer](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Screen-Shot-2022-05-30-at-9.54.07-PM-e1709300354564.png)
Photo:seoclerk.com
Then again, Disney was already doing it in 2019, which raises the question of why the system ever changed.
Thus, mainstream media outlets are curious about what just happened and will cover the new Lightning Lane extensively over the next month.
Thanks for visiting MickeyBlog.com! Want to go to Disney? For a FREE quote on your next Disney vacation, please fill out the form below, and one of the agents from MickeyTravels, a Diamond Level Authorized Disney Vacation Planner, will be in touch soon!
Feature Photo: Disney