Tiana’s Bayou Adventure officially opened at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom on June 28th, and it will debut at Disneyland later in 2024. The Unofficial Guides team was among the very first to preview Disney’s new Princess and the Frog flume ride, and we have all the information you need to enjoy this E-ticket adventure.
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is an amusement park flume ride—located in Frontierland at the Magic Kingdom and at Critter Country in Disneyland—that combines steep chutes with a variety of Disney’s best special effects. Covering more than 0.5 mile, the ride splashes through swamps, caves, and backwoodsy bayous before climaxing in a 52-foot plunge.
Originally known as Splash Mountain, that ride’s Song of the South storyline was scrapped, and the attraction has been reimagined as Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, a sequel to the 2009 film The Princess and the Frog.
Set in 1927, the new attraction sees guests queuing inside the old salt mine that Tiana has turned into an employee-owned food co-op (look for her beignets recipe in the kitchen).
Next, guests board log-shaped boats to help Tiana find the missing ingredients for a special recipe.
Along the journey, you’ll recruit a band of musical critters to play at Tiana’s party…
…then get shrunk down to the size of a frog by Mama Odie, before making a big splash at the Mardi Gras celebration.
The ride path and drops remain unchanged, but the revamped ride includes advanced animatronic figures of Princess Tiana and her bayou buddies, elaborate nighttime effects, and songs and dialogue recorded by the original voice actors, including Anika Noni Rose.
While the new additions are adorable, there are fewer animatronics overall, with video projections papering over some of the gaps.
The Dr. Facilier–free plot lacks the dramatic tension of the old Briar Patch climax, making the attraction slightly more kid-friendly, but the big drop still packs a punch.
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure Touring Tips
Splash Mountain was among the most popular rides in Disneyland Park for patrons of all ages, so Disney is dealing with pent-up demand by mandating use of either the free Virtual Queue service or paid Genie+ Lightning Lane. At Walt Disney World, if you have a Magic Kingdom park reservation, you can try for a Boarding Group at 7 a.m.; those who miss the first distribution or park-hop can try again at 1 p.m.
Once opening crowds subside and a standby queue becomes available, lines will persist throughout the day, from early morning until a few minutes before closing. This will be particularly true on hotter days, as weather affects the wait times significantly. This ride is most popular during daylight hours, but its exterior scenes look especially lovely after dark.
Tip: At Disneyland, single riders can save time by entering through the attraction’s exit.
It is almost a certainty that you will get wet, though probably not drenched, on this ride. Be warned: No matter how dry everyone exiting the ride looks, a rogue wave may swamp your log unexpectedly. If you visit on a cool day, you may want to carry a plastic garbage bag. By tearing holes in the bottom and sides, you can fashion a sort of raincoat. Be sure to tuck the bag under your bottom. Though you can get splashed regardless of where you sit, riders in the front seat generally get the worst of it. If you have a camera, either leave it with a nonriding member of your party or wrap it in a plastic bag.
One final word: This is not just a fancy flume ride—it is a full-blown Disney adventure. The scariest part by far is the big drop into the pool (visible from the sidewalk in front of the attraction), and even this plunge looks worse than it really is.
Children must be at least 40″ tall to ride; those age 7 or younger must ride with an adult, and a “child swap” option is available for those who are too small.
Are you excited to experience Tiana’s Bayou Adventure? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
For all there is to see and do in Orlando, check out The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World. If you are visiting Anaheim, you will want to get The Unofficial Guide to Disneyland.
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