UPDATE August 24 – As part of World Princess Week, Disney has released a new piece of art work from artist, Sharika Mahdi who has “contributed a unique and authentic perspective” to the project of bringing Tiana’s Bayou Adventure to life.
Sharika Madhi is part of the YAYA (Young Aspirations Young Artists) youth art program and has been commissioned to create a series of art work to serve as a source of inspiration for the Disney imagineers who have the amazing job of bringing the Splash Mountain reimagining to life.
In the video below we get to see Sharika Madhi’s studio at her home where Sharika describes Tiana as “perseverace, dedication and vision”. It shows a jazz scene which picks up the vibe from New Orleans.
We will keep you posted with all further updates on Tiana’s Bayou Adventure on our news and Facebook page.
UPDATE July 7 – We recently shared below the video released by Disney of the panel presentation which took place on July 1, in the Preservation Hall at ESSENCE FEST unveiling the name and opening date of the upcoming reimagining of Splash Mountain. It has come to our attention that the comments have now been switched off on this video. This is definitely not the case with all videos on the official Disney Parks Youtube channel as can be seen by this recent video of the Disney Wish.
This further shows the controversy that surrounds this extensive reimagining and many fans unhappiness about it. Turning the comments off will certainly stop any negativity from Disney fans but will also stop any positivity about Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. From what we have read and seen, Disney seems to have put everything into researching and planning this complete retheme to ensure the end result will hopefully be a resounding success.
However, we still fear for many Splash Mountain fans it won’t be enough and Tiana’s Bayou Adventure will always be in someway tarnished, not because of the strength of the attraction itself but purely because it has taken over the spot of the iconic and much loved Splash Mountain.
UPDATE July 6 – It was huge news for Disney fans at the weekend during ESSENCE FEST in New Orleans when the official name was unveiled for the upcoming Splash Mountain reimagining which is set to open in 2024 at both the Magic Kingdom and Disneyland Park. Tiana’s Bayou Adventure will see Tiana, who was inspired by the late Leah Chase, continuing her journey after opening her own restaurant to inspire others and lift up her community.
Disney has released a video, which is embedded below, showing the complete panel presentation which took place in the Preservation Hall unveiling the name and opening date as well as further details about this upcoming reimagining of Splash Mountain.
The panel includes senior vice president of creative development – content, product and inclusive strategies at Disney Parks Experiences and Products at Walt Disney Imagineering, Carmen Smith as well as executive producer of relevancy activations at Walt Disney Imagineering, Charita Carter and executive creative director at Walt Disney Imagineering, Ted Robledo. Stella Chase, daughter of the late Chef Leah Chase was representing the Chase family and within the presentation it shows the close contact Disney has with her as an honorary Imagineer.
We are promised further details about the upcoming Tiana’s Bayou Adventure at D23 in Anaheim, September 9-11. We will keep you up to date on our news and Facebook page.
July 2 – We reported yesterday that Disney had officially announced the new name for Splash Mountain as “Tiana’s Bayou Adventure” during the ESSENCE Fest in New Orleans. We also now have confirmation that this extensive reimagining will open at both Disney’s Magic Kingdom and Disneyland Park in late 2024.
Walt Disney Imagineering has released a video of their research trip to take a deep dive into the culture of New Orleans in order to create an authentic backdrop for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. They visited the bayou and took an airboat tour to discover the flora and fauna and went to Avery Island in Louisiana, to explore the Salt Dome to research the only area in Louisiana with any elevation. The video is embedded below.
Walt Disney Imagineering has done extensive research on New Orleans and on the trends from the 1920s which is the era when the story takes place. Costume Designer, Ida Muldrow from Disney Live Entertainment, spoke in depth in a presentation at ESSENCE Fest about the creative process which has gone into ensuring their representation of Tiana is authentic.
Muldrow said “Our efforts are a tribute to the beauty and dignity of all the proud Black women who came before us,”. “And to their great-grand daughters joining us on the journey today, we’re celebrating with you.”
We have known for some time that the ride’s story will take place after the final kiss as Naveen and Louis join Tiana on her new adventure, hosting a one-of-a-kind Mardi Gras celebration where everyone is welcome. We now know that this musical adventure will take them through the bayou where Tiana, Naveen and Louis will encounter old friends and make new ones as well along the way. There is promised to be be some original music inspired by songs from the film.
Now, it is certainly no secret that this extensive Princess and the Frog reimagining of the iconic Splash Mountain has been met with much upset by many Disney fans. Even fans who are happy to see Princess Tiana being represented in the Disney parks have expressed they think a completely new attraction would have been better rather than a reimagining of Splash Mountain.
Originally announced back in 2020 and with little news regarding this since, many had started to wonder if Disney would back down on this somewhat controversial overhaul. However, despite some fans unhappiness we now know for sure that Tiana’s Bayou Adventure will replace Splash Mountain in late 2024.
Let us know your thoughts on the announcement of the new name by voting in our poll below.
