It’s essentially the most great time of the 12 months at Disneyland Resort, and never simply because the vacation festivities have arrived, but additionally as a result of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is now open following its debut earlier this 12 months at Walt Disney World.
IGN had the prospect to preview Tiana’s Bayou Adventure forward of its grand opening, and we’re right here to interrupt down every little thing you should find out about this attraction based mostly on The Princess and the Frog. You can learn our full ideas under or soar to a piece you’d prefer to find out about!
Enjoy, and tell us under what you considered the trip!
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure Is One of Disney Parks’ Best Attractions
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, an attraction that tells the subsequent chapter in Princess Tiana’s story after the occasions of The Princess and the Frog, opened at Walt Disney World on June 28, 2024, and is now open at Disneyland. For these unfamiliar, this water attraction sees friends serving to Tiana and her alligator good friend Louis enterprise into the bayou and discover a band for her Mardi Gras celebration.
In our Tiana’s Bayou Adventure evaluate at Walt Disney World, we stated, “Full of affection, satisfaction, gratitude, thrilling drops, and genuine New Orleans aptitude, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is a worthy alternative for Splash Mountain and has already cemented itself as certainly one of Disney Parks’ greatest points of interest.”
This completely holds true for the model at Disneyland, which Walt Disney Imagineer Ted Robledo confirmed was the first location they have been creating Tiana’s Bayou Adventure for. It is smart, in spite of everything, as Tiana’s Bayou Adventure and the newly rebranded Critter County are simply steps away from Disney Parks’ solely New Orleans Square.
In our evaluate of Disneyland’s Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, we stated, “The model of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure at Disneyland is similar to the one at Walt Disney World, however there are just a few variations that stand out. First and foremost, the trip time is shorter and it feels as if you’re shifting by the expertise at a a lot quicker tempo. Fortunately, the tempo slows down when it issues most – throughout the Mardi Gras finale celebration – and that’s a giant enchancment over its counterpart in Orlando. There’s extra time to benefit from the unbelievable festivities and luxuriate in every little thing taking place round you.
“Besides a larger likelihood of getting moist (sit within the center and raise these legs on the drops!) and some good additions like stars representing the characters of Ray and Evangeline and a stupendous Tiana’s Foods signal close to the start, followers at each Disneyland and Disney World are getting largely the identical subsequent chapter in Princess Tiana’s story – and it’s great in each incarnations. Pair that with the legendary 50-foot drop, music from The Princess and the Frog, and a real love of New Orleans and the individuals who make it so particular, I’m nonetheless calling Tiana’s Bayou Adventure certainly one of Disney Parks’ greatest points of interest no matter location.”
What Is Tiana’s Bayou Adventure?
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is ready in 1927’s New Orleans, which is one 12 months after the occasions of The Princess and the Frog, and Tiana is gearing as much as throw a Mardi Gras occasion for the ages. She and her new, employee-owned enterprise referred to as Tiana’s Foods are serving to deliver this occasion to life, however they’re lacking just a few key band members. This is the place we are available in.
Tiana and Louis want our assist to search out this new crew, and we might want to search excessive and low to take action. During the journey, friends will get to satisfy 19 new critters/Audio-Animatronics (together with a raccoon, bears, a turtle, and extra) that can be a part of the band, run into Mama Odie and her pet snake Juju as they flip you small to assist recruit the smaller musicians, and, in fact, expertise that legendary 50-foot drop earlier than becoming a member of the Mardi Gras celebrations.
However, the story and enjoyable don’t simply happen on the attraction, because the queue itself is simply as essential and provides us a glimpse into the lifetime of Princess Tiana, each earlier than and after the credit rolled on The Princess and the Frog. From letters from her late father as he served abroad to a duplicate of her precise kitchen the place she is cooking up a few of her well-known beignets, there may be a lot love and care put into every a part of this attraction.
As somebody who misplaced his father just a few years in the past, there was one letter that actually moved me to tears and I wished to share it with you right here because it exhibits the facility of excellent world-building and the way even just a few phrases can imply a lot;
“I’ll be actual with you, Baby Girl, it ain’t simple out right here, and we each comprehend it ain’t ever been simple.” Tiana’s late father James, who died whereas serving abroad, wrote. “Yes, I’ve been fortunate to make lifelong buddies which are like brothers to me, and we joke and snigger and share joyful recollections, however moments like these are as few and much between as a firefly’s tooth.
“All of this can be value it, although. I’ve acquired to imagine that. I’ve acquired to imagine that in the future quickly, I’ll be dwelling with you and your mama, cooking up one of the best pot of gumbo in New Orleans, proper there in our very personal restaurant.
“Thanks to you, on these uncommon events when the smoke and clouds clear, I search for on the night star you have been at all times telling me about. Thanks to you, I search for at that huge evening sky, and I imagine. I really like
you, Baby Cakes, greater than you may ever know.”
While James by no means acquired see his dream come true of opening his personal restaurant, Tiana took his hopes and needs on her again and did it for the each of them, and letters like these, alongside pictures and extra, present how proud she made her dad.
What additionally actually units Tiana’s Bayou Adventure aside, in my view, is how a lot it attracts from the true world, particularly that world down in New Orleans. For these unfamiliar, the story of Princess Tiana is definitely impressed by the true ‘Queen of Creole Cuisine,’ Leah Chase. The late Leah Chase was the previous proprietor and operator of Dooky Chase’s – one of many first African American advantageous eating institutions within the U.S. – and perpetually modified New Orleans for the higher past simply her unbelievable meals.
So a lot of Leah Chase’s legacy and New Orleans is infused into The Princess and the Frog and now Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. As you’re strolling by the queue, you simply would possibly hear a canopy of Louis Armstrong’s ‘Do You Know What It Means to Miss New Orleans’ by Leah Chase Jr., the artwork and music of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is impressed by artisans from Louisiana and past like Terence Blanchard, PJ Morton, Sharika Mahdi, and Malakai Favorite, and even the critters themselves honor the musical scene of New Orleans by taking part in Zydeco, Rara, and Afro-Cuban music.
Speaking of Malakai Favorite, the artwork you see on the skin of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure was painted by this unbelievable artist in her dwelling in Louisiana, simply outdoors of Baton Rouge. Disney shipped the panels to her studio and she or he painted them together with her personal hand, they usually have been shipped again and constructed into the attraction.
Beyond all this although, is absolutely the magic of getting a Black Disney Princess be the star of a Disney Parks’ attraction. We had the prospect to talk to Walt Disney Imagineering’s Carmen Smith about Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, and she or he summed up this most essential half completely.
“There was slightly boy I met, I do not know what nation he was from, however he was about three,” Carmen stated. “He had our Tiana doll and he would not let it go for the lifetime of him and it was as a result of he discovered his princess on this little black doll. And to see that occur, it is such as you really feel that we’re a part of the change, that we’re all a part of the change to make the world a greater place. And if our trip does that, we have achieved so much.”
Carmen, it’s my absolute pleasure to say that it does, and a lot extra.
How to Ride Tiana’s Bayou Adventure at Disneyland and Disney World
You could also be considering to your self, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure sounds nice, however how will I get an opportunity to trip it? Well, the complimentary digital queue would be the solely solution to safe a spot at no cost throughout the attraction’s preliminary opening days at Disneyland. This sadly means there can be no standby queue till additional discover.
Guests will must be logged into the Disneyland app and may attempt to be a part of the queue at 7am PT, 12pm PT, and 4pm PT, however there is a little more to know past that. The 7am time can be out there to anybody with a park reservation for Disneyland Park with both a one-park ticket or Park Hopper. For the 12pm and 4pm occasions, friends will truly must be inside Disneyland Park with a sound reservation or inside Disney California Adventure with a Park Hopper ticket.
These digital queues go by in seconds, so you’ll want to be prepared moments earlier than it opens so that you could be refreshing and becoming a member of as quickly because it opens.
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure additionally contains a Lightning Lane entrance for friends who buy the Lightning Lane Multi Pass (begins at $32/day), however that can also be topic to availability and may go by shortly as nicely.
At Disney World, friends can attempt to be a part of the Virtual Queue at each 7am ET and 1pm ET. Guests do not must be in Magic Kingdom for the 7am time, however they may must be for the 1pm time.
It’s additionally essential to notice that Tiana’s Bayou Adventure does assist the Rider Switch function, which is sweet for events with friends who don’t wish to or aren’t capable of trip the attraction. All it’s important to do is discuss to a forged member on the entrance of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure and they’ll divide you into two teams. The first group will wait by the usual queue and trip the attraction, and the second group will soar proper to the trip itself when the opposite group is out.
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure at Disneyland additionally has a devoted queue for friends with disabilities, and the Imagineers took “further care” to verify in addition they get to expertise a lot of the identical story and world-building from elsewhere within the queue.
Lastly, in case you plan on bringing your youngsters with you on Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, it is good to know they may must be no less than 40 inches tall to trip the trip!
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure Differences Between Disneyland and Walt Disney World
As we beforehand talked about in our evaluate, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure at Disneyland is similar to the one at Walt Disney World, however there are just a few notable variations that make for a little bit of a special expertise.
First of all, the trip is quicker in each runtime and in how briskly you progress by the scenes. Well, apart from one key space – the finale. One of my greatest points with the trip at Disney World is that you just moved by that unbelievable ending set piece method too quick and couldn’t totally benefit from the Mardi Gras celebration Princess Tiana and Prince Naveen have been throwing their group. This time round, I used to be ready to soak up all the brand new and returning characters, critters, and partygoers in a way more pleasing method.
The trip car can also be a bit completely different because it has 5 single seats in a single line versus the bench seats that Disney World’s has. Oh, and there’s a a lot larger likelihood of getting soaked on this trip. I’m unsure what it’s, however that’s what everybody instructed me. I did get some good ideas although, be sure to increase your legs on the drops so your socks and footwear don’t get soaked and attempt to sit within the center!
The journey itself can also be similar to the one at Disney World, that means you’ll hit a lot of the identical beats and see all the identical characters – albeit in some completely different locations as a result of completely different design of the observe. However, there’s a very particular deal with while you enter the Bayou, as you’ll be able to see Ray and Evangeline’s stars on one of many partitions as you go by. There’s additionally a good-sized Tiana’s Foods signal close to the start of the trip that’s a pleasant addition!
Also, friends who’re fortunate sufficient to have timing on their facet like me might get a deal with once they soar down that legendary drop as there’s a likelihood the Mark Twain Riverboat and all of its passengers might greet you! It was wonderful and I hope it occurs to you!
Overall, each parks are getting a largely an identical expertise, however will probably be enjoyable for some to match and travel and see the small issues that make them distinctive.
Will I Get Wet on Tiana’s Bayou Adventure?
The reply is sure, however it’s kind of sophisticated! You will certainly get no less than slightly moist, however quite a lot of elements will decide how moist your Tiana’s Bayou Adventure can be. First of all, Disney and lots of the friends I spoke to assert Disneyland’s model of the trip has the next likelihood of soaking you, however I stayed fairly dry. That being stated, I used to be largely using on my own and sat within the center. If you sit in one of many entrance seats and have a full log, water could also be in your future. As I beforehand stated, increase your legs on the drops and hopefully you may no less than keep away from drenched socks and footwear!
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure Merch and Bayou Country
Fans of The Princess and the Frog and Tiana’s Bayou Adventure could have loads of possibilities to purchase themed merchandise close to the attraction and elsewhere, and we’ll share the place you will discover one of the best stuff and what to look out for.
The predominant Tiana’s Bayou Adventure reward store is named Louis’ Critter Club and it’s now open and can greet you as you exit the attraction. Before we get to the merch itself, I wished to speak a bit in regards to the retailer itself, because it has world constructing of its personal!
When you enter the doorways of Louis’ Critter Club, you may see the doorways of all of the animal band members your recruited throughout the attraction. Mama Odie has a seat throughout from the registers the place she and Juju can watch the band members carry out. Even the beloved frogs from Tiana’s Bayou Adventure could be discovered sipping on their martini glasses.
These enjoyable additions are extra than simply set dressing, as its additionally a solution to give those that might not have the ability to trip Tiana’s Bayou Adventure an opportunity to satisfy a few of the characters and be a part of the story.
“Loads of little friends cannot go on the trip as a result of it has a peak restriction or due to the drop, so we wished to create a spot the place the little children, whereas they’re ready for his or her massive children to get off the trip, can truly meet these characters and know who all of these enjoyable musicians have been that their different individuals noticed within the attraction,” govt artistic director of Walt Disney Imagineering, Kim Irvine, stated. “And the concept was to make it the place the place all of them come once they’re off responsibility and jam, form of like their very own Whisky a Go Go.”
As for the merch, you’ll be able to try a few of the greatest stuff within the slideshow above, however we will share that it features a spirit jersey, shirts for all ages, plushes of Tiana, a sleeping Louis, and three of the band members (Apollo the Raccoon, Beau the Opossum, and Rufus the Turtle), Tiana’s Cookbook with recipes, a loungefly, Mama Odie’s scorching sauce, a Magic Band, and extra.
I additionally wished to name out just a few extra gadgets particularly, with the primary being Tiana’s Restaurant Fund Can that she used to economize for opening Tiana’s Restaurant. You can now personal that may and even write your individual dream on it when you acquire your individual funds. What’s even higher is it comes packaged with chocolate cash, and who would not love that?
Second is the Light-Up Firefly accent that is available in an cute mason jar, lights up, and may even be worn as a shoulder buddy. The better part, nonetheless, is that it’s going to mild up and vibrate while you get shut to a different visitor with the toy!
Lastly, you’ll be able to purchase Dooky Chase’s seasoning (gumbo, fried rooster, and seafood) so you’ll be able to cook dinner up some scrumptious New Orleans dishes and style the inspiration of this attraction and the movie.
Outside of Louis’ Critter Club, friends will have the ability to discover themed merch at Starcade in Tomorrowlad and, starting on November 21, at Ray’s Berets. Eudora’s Chic Boutique Featuring Tiana’s Gourmet Secrets will even have “a curated assortment of Princess Tiana – and New Orleans-themed treasures.”
At Disney World, friends can discover Tiana’s Bayou Adventure merch because the Critter Co-Op!
New Orleans Square, Tiana’s Palace, and The Princess and the Frog-Inspired Food
Disneyland is dwelling to Disney Parks’ solely New Orleans Square, and that makes Tiana’s Bayou Adventure an ideal match for the park. The trifecta of New Orleans Square, Haunted Mansion, and Bayou Country is now full with Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, and Kim Irvine shared with us precisely why.
“Well, in case you begin in New Orleans Square, clearly that is the city,” Irvine stated. “Then, you progress out of the town limits into the suburbs the place the Haunted Mansion and the Carriage House are. After that, you wander on down into the Bayou Country the place there’s extra Cypress Trees with dripping Spanish Moss. And the river’s proper there alongside the newly opened Hungry Bear Barbecue Jamboree and, clearly, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure.”
As with most issues accomplished by Walt Disney Imagineering, every little thing has a narrative and a motive for being the place it’s, and these areas are not any completely different. Bayou Country specifically has a really enjoyable theme – that of an enormous occasion.
“For us, Bayou Country is about celebration,” Walt Disney Imagineering producer, Michele Hobbs, instructed us. “So, the story of Tiana’s is Bayou Adventure is clear, proper? There’s a celebration there that is taking place that because the payoff and the tip. And then for The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, there is a birthday celebration happening there. And then the Hungry Bear Barbecue Jamboree? The nation bears have their very own occasion going down that they are jamming out to, so, regardless of the place you’re, it is actually about group, music, meals, and celebration.”
And in fact, while you’re completed within the bayou and that spooky mansion, you’ll be able to head over to Tiana’s Palace to attempt some New Orleans flavors within the type of “Southern consolation dishes and plates with a Cajun and Creole twist.” This means you’ll be able to proceed dwelling on this planet of The Princess and the Frog by chowing down on some House Gumbo, Muffuletta Sandwiches, Jambalaya, Catfish Po’Boys and, in fact, Tiana’s well-known Beignets.
I used to be capable of attempt the Gumbo, the Muffuletta, and the Beignets, they usually have been all great! One of my favourite components of Tiana’s Palace is that they have slightly scorching sauce bar that allow’s you add some extra spice to the meals, and it was a most welcome addition!
At Disney World, friends can take pleasure in comparable meals gadgets impressed by the movie and attraction at 1900 Park Fare (friends may also meet Princess Tiana right here!) and the Golden Oak Outpost (Beignets!).
The world-building continues inside Tiana’s Palace, as you’ll be able to learn extra letters about how Tiana is altering her group for the higher and even see the spoon that goes together with her and her father’s gumbo pot that may be seen in Tiana’s Bayou Adventure queue.
Overall, you may be getting an exquisite expertise regardless of the place you get the prospect to trip Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, however these variations can be enjoyable to expertise for many who get to go to each Disneyland and Disney World!
We hope this helped reply all of your questions, however please tell us you probably have another ones under! We’d additionally love to listen to what you considered the trip! Thanks for studying, and we really hope you take pleasure in Tiana’s Bayou Adventure!
Adam Bankhurst is a author for IGN. You can observe him on X/Twitter @AdamBankhurst and on TikTok.
