Disney revealed some MAJOR NEWS about the upcoming transformation of Splash Mountain at Disney World and Disneyland!

The popular Splash Mountain water ride is going to be reimagined as Tiana’s Bayou Adventure in Frontierland and Critter Country. We know that the new ride will reopen sometime in 2024, and we’ve even seen a model of what it’ll look like when it’s finished. Now, we have more details about the transformation!

During a recent media event about Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, we learned that Splash Mountain will close on January 23rd, 2023, to begin refurbishments. We also got an inside look at the new ride and spoke to Imagineers who are involved in the project.

Several of the original voice talents from Princess and the Frog will be returning to voice their characters in the new attraction, including Jenifer Lewis as Mama Odie, Bruno Campos as Naveen, Michael-Leon Woodley as Louis, and Anika Noni Rose as Tiana.

Imagineer Laura West designed some new characters from the ride, including a band of musical critters! There’s a beaver on the drums, an opossum playing bass, a raccoon playing accordion, a turtle with a harmonica, a rabbit on the washboard, and an otter playing the fiddle. About the animals, Disney said, “It feels like they may have a bigger role to play in this story…but we’ll just have to wait and see on that one.”

At the media event in Disney World, Charita Carter (executive and creative producer) and Ted Robledo (executive creative director) revealed some new concept art for the attraction, which shows all the musical animals. Disney said that “this new scene is the thrilling moment you first drop into the bayou and encounter some friends both new and familiar.” Disney also shared that “fireflies will light up the night and invite you deeper into the bayou … almost like they’re waving you forward.”

Disney Imagineers have been working in New Orleans to research the culture of the area for the upcoming renovations. One Imagineer said, “It’s a magical place where you just feel loved and accepted by everyone you run into.” The team visited university art museums and took a bayou airboat tour.

Stella Chase (daughter of Leah Chase, the Queen of Creole Cuisine) in part inspired Tiana’s character. Stella is a beloved part of New Orleans and is considered an honorary Imagineer. One of Tiana’s new looks was created in collaboration with Ida Muldrew, a costume designer at Disney World. The look was based on the fashions of 1927 (when the story takes place), and Tisha Powell — an African American cosmetologist — was consulted for the design and style of Tiana’s hair.

Disney previously shared some of the art that inspired the reimagining, along with details about Tiana’s hair and outfit for the attraction.

The new ride will have a combination of practical lighting, digital lighting, animatronics, and scenic paint. Imagineers said, “We’re pulling out all the stops to create this bayou magic.”

Disney also confirmed that the story of the attraction will be a brand new story, not a retelling of the Princess and the Frog film. The storyline takes place a year after the movie, and in that time Tiana has opened a successful restaurant and formed deep bonds with the surrounding community. Tiana was inspired by both of her parents: Her entrepreneurial spirit came from her mom’s dress-making business, and her love of cooking came from her father.

The story of the attraction will begin in the ride queue, where you’ll discover that Tiana wants to bring the community together more. She starts an employee-owned company called Tiana’s Foods, where she and her employees work together to make food products and help the community become business people. Tiana also purchased a salt dome for the company.

You’ll join Tiana and Louis on an adventure through the bayou to meet new friends. An Imagineer said, “It’s very important for us to tell an authentic, inclusive story.” About Tiana, they said, “She’s fantastical, but she comes from a very real place. An authentic location, a real culture.” Imagineers are hoping that the attraction will “encourage people to look into New Orleans culture” and “feel like home to those from New Orleans.”

Disney also included more details about the music that will play during the attraction. Imagineers said, “Beautiful zydeco music will fill the air. Zydeco is a special blend of rhythm and blues that was born in Louisiana.” Disney wanted to include this style of music because it “brings together the sounds and styles of many cultures.” The Imagineers wanted that spirit of inclusion to be reflected throughout the attraction.

The new ride will be inspired by Disney’s The Princess and the Frog, with the storyline picking up “after the final kiss.” Guests will “join Princess Tiana and jazz-loving alligator Louis during carnival season as they prepare to host a one-of-a-kind celebration for the people of New Orleans.” That’s right: the ride’s finale is going to be a huge Mardi Gras celebration!

There are going to be characters from the movie as well as some “unexpected new friends” in the ride, and Disney has said that guests will be “active participants coming along with Tiana” on the adventure.

During the 2022 D23 Expo, we saw a model of what the ride will look like when it’s complete, and we did a deep dive into some of the details you can see. Check out that analysis here. Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is scheduled to open in Disneyland park and Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom sometime in late 2024. 

We’ll continue to watch for more updates about this upcoming attraction, so stay tuned to DFB for all the latest news!

Click here to learn all about Tiana’s Bayou Adventure — the Splash Mountain transformation.

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Are you excited about the new Tiana’s Bayou Adventure transformation? Let us know in the comments!
Disclosure: In nearly all circumstances, Disney Food Blog writers and photographers pay full price for their own travel, hotel, food, beverage, and event tickets. We do this because it’s important to us as journalists to ensure not only that we give you unbiased opinions, but also that you can trust us to do so since we’re paying our own way. On rare occasions, when we are invited by a company to attend a preview as media, and when we choose to accept that invitation, we will always make you, our readers, aware of that situation. Today, we were invited by Disney World to attend their media event about Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. Note that when we attend events as media we are 1) Not required to review that event/food on any of our channels, and 2) Not required to review that event/food favorably. You can always count on DFB to give you a 100% unbiased and honest review of any event that we attend, food that we eat, or beverage that we drink. You can see more in our Disclosure Policy. Thank you for reading. — AJ

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