New Tiana’s Bayou Adventure Attraction Opens at Disneyland Resort

by Laurie Baratti
Last updated: 4:20 PM ET, Fri November 15, 2024

It isn’t every day that a brand-new landmark attraction launches at the Happiest Place on Earth. Which is why, although it is just opening to the public today, the Disneyland Resort hosted an extraordinary launch party this week for the new Tiana’s Bayou Adventure with a total takeover of the area along the Rivers of America, including New Orleans Square and the newly renamed Bayou Country (formerly Critter Country).

On Wednesday evening, select media members and invited guests flocked to experience this private evening event, which accurately evoked all the charm and magic of a New Orleans street party. Fittingly entitled “A Joyful Celebration”, this firefly-festooned fete came complete with live jazz bands, tap dancers, character encounters and a smorgasbord of New Orleans-inspired culinary offerings straight from the kitchens of the Tiana’s Palace restaurant.

Tiana's Bayou Adventure in Bayou Country at Disneyland, Anaheim, California.

Participants ate their fill of Southern specialties inspired by Creole and Cajun cuisine, prepared with all the love Tiana herself would infuse into her dishes, while mingling and dancing along to the lively tunes of a second line band, and other jazz and zydeco performers, and soaking in the twinkling lights and colorful décor elements that reflected the movie’s 1920s setting. Many had their photos taken at character encounter locations, where they could meet Tiana and Naveen, Louis, or Mickey and Minnie dressed in their Mardi Gras finery. And, of course, they also took the opportunity to be among the first to ride the all-new attraction.

Inspired by Walt Disney Animation Studios’ 2009 film, “The Princess and the Frog” Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is a flume ride that sees riders floating along in a hollowed-out log as they follow the next-chapter story of Princess Tiana’s search for musicians to play at her Mardi Gras soiree. Along with her trumpet-playing alligator friend Louis, the young entrepreneur builds a band by hunting for talent among the musically inclined animal residents of the bayou.

Princess Tiana and Prince Naveen at Disneyland in Anaheim, California.

The crescendo moment comes when riders plunge down a thrilling 50-foot drop that is sure to leave them a bit wetter for the wear, which will come as no surprise, seeing as how it is housed in the same construction that used to be Splash Mountain. For the spectacular finale, guests to get to see Tiana’s vibrant soiree in full swing at the iconic Tiana’s Palace, with familiar faces from the film and new critter characters all in attendance.

Dozens of highly advanced audio-animatronic figures populate the ride, including familiar faces from the film, like Tiana, Naveen, Louis and Mama Odie, as well as at least 19 critters who have distinct names and personalities that help bring the bayou to life in their own unique ways. Notably, the stars who voiced the movie characters reprised their roles when it came to creating the new ride, which ties in with other “Princess and the Frog” storytelling elements throughout New Orleans Square and Bayou Country, such as Tiana’s Palace restaurant, Eudora’s Chic Boutique, and the new Louis’ Critter Club and Ray’s Berets shops.

Anika Noni Rose, the voice of Princess Tiana, at Disneyland in Anaheim, California.

As the enchanting event came to a close, partygoers were treated to a special surprise when the Mark Twain riverboat paddled out along the Rivers of America with a full contingent of dancers dressed in their Roaring 20s regalia. Then came the revelation that the voice of Princess Tiana herself, Anika Noni Rose, was also aboard, as was Jenifer Lewis, who voiced Mama Odie in the film. In a moving end to the evening, the two multi-talented stars sang their hearts out for an enraptured audience in a spectacular finale punctuated by pyrotechnics.

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