Crews have been working diligently on the façade of what was once Splash Mountain and will soon be Tiana’s Bayou Adventure in Disneyland Park. The new attraction is scheduled to open in late 2024.
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure Construction
Scaffolding covers much of the façade, including the very top, where the Splash Mountain tree once sat. A long access ramp slants down from the top of the mountain to the ground.
We could see crew members working in several areas. On this side, we noticed a piece of plywood hanging over the side of the themed railing.
There was a Sioux Chief Manufacturing box visible. Sioux Chief Manufacturing is a Kansas City-based company that makes rough plumbing products.
It looks like crews were also working on the rockwork of the mountain.
Much of the rockwork at the Magic Kingdom version of the ride was repainted, giving us an idea of what to expect for the Disneyland version over the next few months, since Florida’s Splash Mountain closed first.
We checked on Tiana’s Bayou Adventure a few times this week. During our first two visits, crew members were on the scaffolding to the left.
It looks like smoke or steam was rising from one area — hopefully not due to any problems.
The two holes we saw in the mountainside earlier this month are still visible.
Construction wraps around the mountain behind Pooh Corner.
On our last visit this week, we didn’t see crew members on the left side of the mountain.
They were back on the section of ride track, where plywood is on the railing and we previously saw smoke.
Crew members were holding up a black tarp on a frame, blocking what they were doing from view.
They had some kind of Lincoln Electric equipment. This manufacturing company creates welding products, which may explain the smoke.
Splash Mountain was part of Critter Country, but Tiana’s Bayou Adventure may be absorbed into New Orleans Square with the recently opened Tiana’s Palace restaurant. Read our review of Tiana’s Palace.
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure
The “Princess and the Frog”-inspired retheme of Splash Mountain was first announced in 2020, and the Tiana’s Bayou Adventure name was revealed in 2022.
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure picks up after the events of “The Princess and the Frog.” In 1927, Tiana founded the Tiana’s Foods co-ops, which is located in a salt mine, where cultivators grow crops along the waters. During Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, Tiana and alligator Louis venture into the bayou to find animal friends. They’re preparing a special Mardi Gras celebration for the people of New Orleans.
The scene depicted in the above concept art is “the thrilling moment you first drop into the bayou and encounter some friends both new and familiar.” Louis and a band of animals will be playing zydeco music, a blend of rhythm and blues that was created in Louisiana. The band of animal friends includes an otter, a rabbit, a raccoon, a beaver, and a turtle playing instruments made from natural bayou elements.
This ride will feature 17 new characters, including Prince Naveen’s younger brother, Ralphie. The Splash Mountain track will remain, but the attraction will get new set dressing and a vast range of new audio-animatronics. At Destination D23, Disney shared a look at a Louis animatronic.
There will be multiple Tiana audio-animatronics, and she will sport a new adventuring outfit. In June, Disney shared video of a live performer wearing the outfit, suggesting Tiana will appear in her adventuring gear off the attraction, too.
The queue and attraction music is being arranged by award-winning artists PJ Morton and Terence Blanchard, who will mix classic songs from the movie with New Orleans classics and original compositions. The scent of beignets is also set to be pumped throughout the queue.
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).
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