Walt Disney World’s newest attraction, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, is a highly anticipated remodel of the now-closed Splash Mountain. The new attraction is based on The Princess and the Frog movie, though the ride’s storyline takes place about one year after the events of the film. The water flume-style ride features all new songs, Disney’s newest advanced audio-animatronics, and all of the splashing fun of a water ride.
After getting the chance to experience Tiana’s Bayou Adventure during a media preview for the attraction, I honestly believe this ride will quickly become a new fan-favorite, both at Walt Disney World and when it opens later this year at Disneyland Park at Disneyland Resort.
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How to ride Tiana’s Bayou Adventure
Like many recent attraction openings at Walt Disney World, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure will utilize a virtual queue system when it opens on June 28, 2024. Guests who want to ride should download the My Disney Experience app onto a mobile device before attempting to get a spot in the virtual queue. You will also need a Magic Kingdom theme park reservation to be able to get a virtual queue spot.
Distribution for virtual queues takes place on the app at 7:00 am and 1:00 pm. You do not have to be in a park for the morning distribution, but you must be scanned into the park to be eligible for the afternoon virtual queue attempt. You can only have one virtual queue at a time, so you will not be able to get both TRON Lightcycle/Run and Tiana’s Bayou Adventure at the same time. Once you redeem one virtual queue, you can join another if it’s available.
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When it’s your time to ride, you will get a push notification sent to your phone, so be sure to have the alerts for the My Disney Experience app turned on. You will have one hour to get to Tiana’s Bayou Adventure after your group is called.
Additionally, you can purchase Disney Genie+ to gain entry into the line for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. Pricing for Disney Genie+ is based on many factors and varies throughout the year. The attraction will be part of the regular Lightning Lane entrances, not as an Individual Lightning Lane. This means you can use Disney Genie+ to get on other attractions throughout the day including Haunted Mansion, Space Mountain, and Pirates of the Caribbean.
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If you opt for Genie+ to score entry for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, you can still attempt to get a virtual queue or purchase an Individual Lightning Lane for TRON all on the same day. Those staying at a Disney World hotel can purchase Individual Lightning Lanes at 7:00 am, while all other guests can purchase them once the park opens.
Before you board Tiana’s Bayou Adventure
As you approach the attraction, you’ll get a good look at the iconic drop that leads into the finale of the ride. The anticipation mounts as you get closer and see the water tower with the “Tiana’s Foods” logo painted on it and a dazzling ironwork crown atop the tower.
Since Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is a complete overhaul of an existing attraction, the actual line space is still very similar in style, with a large outdoor portion, and some indoor areas before you get to the loading zone. There are some cute areas including a kitchen with a plate of Tiana’s man-catching beignets, a framed handwritten recipe of her dad’s gumbo, and a tribute to the military.
After the kitchen, you’ll head down to the salt mines, where you’ll encounter large stained glass windows overlooking the load area of the attraction. Once in the loading zone, which still looks similar to the one from Splash Mountain, you’ll go down the bayou to see Tiana and all her friends.
What to expect on Tiana’s Bayou Adventure
The first thing you need to know is that you will get wet, so leave anything you don’t want to get water on with someone who isn’t riding or put items into a waterproof pouch. The ride vehicles are easy to get into, with four rows that can fit two adults each. The lap bar is easy to hold onto if needed, but overall, the attraction is mild.
As you float through various scenes you’ll see some of the newest and most advanced audio-animatronics that Walt Disney Imagineering has ever created. Princess Tiana, Prince Naveen, Mama Odie, and Louis are all life-sized and move with great fluidity that they almost look like real humans.
While riding Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, I loved that the attraction featured characters that most people know from the movies, plus new critter characters that will surely be a hit with kids. I also loved that the big drop seemed even more thrilling at night, and passing by the warm glow of fireflies on the water during the outdoor portion of the attraction was so cute.
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Overall, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is a fun family-friendly attraction. The new audio-animatronics bring so much life and movement to the ride. I cannot wait for more of these types of animatronics to debut on future attractions across Walt Disney World and beyond.
Frequently asked questions and additional things to know before riding Tiana’s Bayou Adventure
Here are the answers to the most frequently asked questions about Tiana’s Bayou Adventure at Magic Kingdom.
Does Tiana’s Bayou Adventure have a height requirement?
Yes, everyone must be 40 inches or taller to ride.
Where is Tiana’s Bayou Adventure located?
The attraction is in the Frontierland area of Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. The attraction takes the place of the now-defunct Splash Mountain. In Frontierland, you’ll also find Big Thunder Mountain Railroad nearby.
Will I get motion-sick on Tiana’s Bayou Adventure?
If you are prone to motion sickness, you may want to take action to prevent it before riding Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. Even though the ride is not a roller coaster, there are a few drops that could impact those with motion sickness.
Are there any scary elements to warn children about?
There are no real scary elements to warn children about in the actual story of the attraction, but you may want to tell kids about the big drops. You can always use Disney’s rider swap service if your kids are still afraid to ride.
Overall, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is a great addition to Magic Kingdom. I would try for a virtual queue spot versus paying for a Lightning Lane. The vibe of the attraction is fun and lively, and if you’re like me, you’re going to be singing the iconic songs from the ride for the rest of the day.
