PHOTOS: Rockwork Reconstruction Underway as Splash Mountain is Reimagined to Tiana’s Bayou Adventure

Construction has really began picking up speed as Splash Mountain is being reimagined to Tiana’s Bayou Adventure.

Rockwork Reconstruction Underway

We stopped by Magic Kingdom today and noticed the construction crew working on the transformation from Splash Mountain to Tiana’s Bayou Adventure were hard at work at the bottom of the flume.

Much of the visible work has been concentrated around this section of the ride’s flume that goes under the Frontierland bridge. Scaffolding across the trough acts as walkways for crew members.

The crew was constructing new rockwork over the exposed wire mesh and frame at the spot where guests entered right after the famous 5-story drop.

This wire mesh acts as a base for the shape of the façade. It looks like the space beneath the façade and track has been thoroughly cleaned up before the mesh was installed. Clear tarp has been added over the side of the tracks for protection.

As you can see in the picture above, the crew has shaped the mesh into rock formations.

Last month, we reported that one of the tracks within the trough had been freshly repainted.

The track and ride system of Splash Mountain will remain for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure but it will have all new scenes and theming.

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The stump that sat atop Splash Mountain was removed earlier this month. Although the tree was originally part of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure concept art, it was later revealed that it would be removed as the ride’s backstory was altered.

The scaffolding around the tree has also been lowered.

The construction crew seems to now be working on the “drop” area of the ride. Lots of scaffolding has surrounded this area for some time now.

We also spotted some construction happening in the queue. It seems like a lot of work is happening inside of the barn structure — which housed the inside portion of the queue — as well. Though we can’t see what is happening inside the building, we can only assume they are removing all mentions of “Splash Mountain” and replacing it with the new “Princess and the Frog” theming.

Are you excited for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure? Let us know in the comments.

Tiana’s Bayou Adventure

Disney has released new concept art of Mama Odie in Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, a new attraction opening next year at Disneyland and Walt Disney World.

Jennifer Lewis will reprise her role as Mama Odie, Tiana’s “Fairy Godmother” of the bayou. The concept art shows her standing in the crow’s nest of her crashed ship home, with bottle lights hanging around her.

Disney also shared the latest work by Sharika Mahdi, a New Orleans artist and YAYA Arts Center alumna whose artwork has inspired the attraction’s design.

Both new and old characters will appear in Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. Here is a list from Disney of what to expect on the ride.

Brand-new cast of original Disney characters with distinct names and personalities
Dozens of entirely new Audio-Animatronics figures
Adorable critters with incredible talent, bringing the diverse flavors of musical gumbo found in New Orleans!
New, original music alongside favorite tunes from the film
Do you love beignets as much as Louis? Well, you’re in luck because the alluring scent of beignets being prepared for the party will be part of the attraction queue!
Additional talent voices from the film reprising their roles, including Bruno Campos as Prince Naveen, Michael Leon Wooley as Louis, and the one and only Anika Noni Rose as Princess Tiana
Familiar faces from the film such as Princess Tiana, Prince Naveen, Mama Odie, Louis, Eudora, Charlotte, “Big Daddy,” the King and Queen of Maldonia, and Prince Ralphie

Disney also just announced Splash Mountain at Disneyland will close as of May 31, 2023.

Tiana’s Bayou Adventure takes place after the events of “The Princess and the Frog.” Tiana’s Foods is an employee-owned community food co-op established by Tiana in 1927, following the success of her restaurant, Tiana’s Palace. The co-op is housed inside a salt mine, with growers planting crops along the old Splash Mountain waterway. Guests will ascend through a mill house built into the side of the mountain.

The attraction will follow Tiana venturing into the bayou to find animal friends. She’s hosting a party for the people of New Orleans, but it’s missing a special ingredient. Some of the original cast will be providing their voices to the attraction, including Anika Noni Rose (Tiana), Bruno Campos (Naveen), Michael Leon Wooley (Louis), and Jennifer Lewis (Mama Odie).

Read more details about Tiana’s Bayou Adventure:

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