Welcome to Tiana’s Bayou Adventure
As expected, Disney provided more details this weekend about the upcoming Splash Mountain re-theming. Here’s what we just learned about Tiana’s Bayou Adventure!.
The Splash Mountain Reboot Arrives in 2024
I mentioned a few weeks ago that a Disney Legend accidentally said a bit too much about an upcoming project.
The Disney Legend in question, Anika Noni Rose, was understandably ready to gush about the upcoming re-theming of Splash Mountain.
As the voice of Tiana in The Princess and the Frog, the actress felt pride and excitement in knowing that her movie is about to take over the Splash Mountain building.
However, Disney wasn’t interested in commenting yet…and for good reason. Disney sponsored this past weekend’s 2022 ESSENCE Festival Of Culture™.
During the event, park officials planned to reveal more details about the new ride. In fact, Disney said more than anybody expected.
Here’s a 32-minute video discussion of what’s coming next at Splash Mountain:
So, let’s start with the biggest takeaway. When Splash Mountain returns in 2024, its name will change to Tiana’s Bayou Adventure.
Imagineers have prepped for the conversion by taking several trips to New Orleans and hope to bring a Mardi Gras vibe to the ride.
Here’s the official description of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure:
“Picking up where the film left off, guests will join Princess Tiana, Naveen and jazz-loving alligator Louis on an adventure through the bayou as they prepare to host a one-of-a-kind Mardi Gras celebration where everyone is welcome.
Along the way, guests will encounter familiar faces, make new friends and travel through the bayou to original music inspired by songs from the film as they are brought into the next chapter of Tiana’s story.”
Disney has also confirmed new music for the attraction and will bring back Mama Odie as well.
Finally, Disney has given Tianna a sporty new look for her continuing story.
In case you’re wondering, Disney didn’t announce a closing date for Splash Mountain, though. However, sometime in 2023 seems likely.
Pirates of the Caribbean Reopens
The other morning, I had YouTube on the television when I noticed several livestreams happening at Disneyland. That’s unusual for a random Friday.
However, there was a reasonable explanation. Pirates of the Caribbean was finally reopening after an extended closure.
Disneyland closed the ride in mid-March and had remained tightlipped about the explanation.
Many insiders speculated that Disney would remove Captain Jack Sparrow from the ride due to what was happening in actor Johnny Depp’s personal life.
The timing of the renovations seemed strange, as Disneyland had been closed for more than a year.
Nobody could come up with a good reason why Disney would need to overhaul the ride less than a year after its reopening.
Alas, we may never know, as the ride has returned virtually unchanged. Here’s a clip:
Perhaps the explanation is the obvious one. When it reopened, Pirates of the Caribbean wasn’t working well.
Several elements, including Audio-Animatronics, malfunctioned. In fact, the entire ride broke down at least five times on its first day back. So…mechanical issues?
Anyway, Pirates of the Caribbean is back at Disneyland. So we’ll take the win.
Other Park News
Guests staying at official Disneyland resorts will gain one additional amenity from now on.
Disney has announced Preferred Dine Access.
With this free amenity, guests staying onsite “have preferred access to a limited number of reservations at select hotel table service restaurants during the dates of your hotel stay.”
Here’s hoping this option comes to Walt Disney World as well. I know that DVC members would loooove to have first dibs on several Disney resort restaurants.
On a different note, Adventures by Disney has raised the minimum age for participants.
Children must be at least five years old from now on. Previously, they only had to be four. The new age requirement is already in place. So, please plan accordingly.
Finally, Disney has updated its Eat to the Beat concert series to eliminate all the TBDs. Here’s the current schedule:
July 14-15 – Baha Men
July 16-18 – Big Bad Voodoo Daddy
July 22-23 – Tonic (NEW)
July 24-25 – Jeremy Camp (NEW)
July 29-30 – Taylor Dayne
July 31-Aug. 1 – Tiffany
Aug. 5-8 – Joey Fatone & Friends
Aug. 12-13 – The Devon Allman Project
Aug. 14-15 – Christopher Cross
Aug. 19-20 – Journey former Lead Vocalist Steve Augeri
Aug. 21-22 – Air Supply
Aug. 26-27 – Blanco Brown (NEW)
Aug. 28-29 – 98°
Sept. 2-3 – Southern Avenue
Sept. 4-5 – Kris Allen & David Cook
Sept. 9-10 – Hoobastank (NEW)
Sept. 11-12 – Jimmie Allen
Sept. 16-17 – Los Amigos Invisibles (NEW)
Sept. 18-19 – American Authors
Sept. 23-24 – BBMAK
Sept. 25-26 – Postmodern Jukebox
Sept. 30-Oct. 1 – Stokley (NEW)
Oct. 2-3 – Sheila E.
Oct. 7-8 – Mark Wills
Oct. 9-10 – 38 Special
Oct. 14-15 – Robert Randolph Band (NEW)
Oct. 16-17 – Newsboys (NEW)
Oct. 21-22 – Ray Parker Jr. (NEW)
Oct. 23-24 – Billy Ocean
Oct. 28-31 – Hanson
Nov. 4-7 – Boyz II Men
Nov. 11-12 – Kenny G
Nov. 13-14 – Sugar Ray
Start planning your next Disney vacation TODAY! Book your next Disney vacation visit by browsing our current DVC Confirmed Reservation Specials, or use our DVC availability tool to see if the dates for your vacation are available. From there, you can start the booking process and one of our team members will reach out to assist!
