"Tiana's Bayou Adventure": Magical New Experience at Magic Kingdom

(eap) Since last weekend, visitors to Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, USA, have been able to explore the new attraction “Tiana’s Bayou Adventure” in the “Frontierland” area. The new Log Flume ride is based on the 2009 movie “The princess and the Frog” (by Walt Disney Animation Studios) – the story of the attraction is set after the end of the movie.

According to the storyline, Princess Tiana has transformed a former salt mine and opened “Tiana’s Foods” there. In 1927, she is planning a party for the people of New Orleans on Mardi Gras, but on the day of the celebration she realizes that no musicians have been booked for the event... So the princess needs the help of the visitors to assemble a “band” for the evening party! The visitors (from a height of 101cm) follow Tiana into the bayou (almost stagnant water) to find musicians. In fact, many very musical little animals can be found here – including an otter, a beaver, a frog and a turtle – who play instruments made from natural materials or found objects.

© Disney / Olga Thompson

During the ride, which lasts around eleven minutes, there are 48 new Audio-Animatronic figures to discover – the Tiana figures in particular impress with their remarkably fluid movements and wide range of motion.The new attraction’s extensive soundtrack includes well-known pieces from the films as well as new songs created in collaboration with PJ Morton and Terence Blanchard.  Five songs – including the new song “Special Spice”, sung by Anika Noni Rose (Princess Tiana’s voice in the film) – can be heard during the ride, while visitors can listen to 18 tracks while waiting in the queue.

© Disney / Bennett Stoops

To get back in time for the party, Tiana and the visitors in the logs use a shortcut back to town and the party: a 15-meter drop that provides refreshment for guests.

“We’re really big on expanding Tiana’s story, and great storytelling is what Imagineering does best,” said Rebecca Clancy, Project Coordinator, Walt Disney Imagineering. “We were really excited to place it amid the backdrop of Tiana’s Foods, a new business that she’s created. In fact, you’ll even see parts of the queue that reference her entrepreneurial spirit.”

“Tiana is our inspiration because Tiana is everybody’s princess,” added Charita Carter, the executive creative producer behind Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. “Everyone can find an aspect of Tiana’s story in their own story… [because] Tiana is a dreamer and a doer.”

Later this year, a Tiana's Bayou Adventure is also set to open in Disneyland Park at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California. ■