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Tiana’s Bayou Adventure – the Princess and the Frog (2009) retheme of Splash Mountain at Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort – will open in late 2024.
At D23 Expo, fans got a first look at the log flume ride, which will feature an all-new story taking place after the film and voice acting by Anika Noni Rose (Princess Tiana), Bruno Campos (Prince Naveen), Michael-Leon Wooley (Louis), and Jenifer Lewis (Mama Odie).
Jim Cummings, the voice of the beloved firefly Ray, spoke about the ride in an interview with The Movie Dweeb:
Fans were previously upset that the villainous Dr. Facilier would likely be absent from Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, but it seems Cummings’ iconic lightning bug will also be excluded from the water ride.
“My character is not in it because it takes place in ensuing chapters after the movie closes and I’m already in heaven,” Cummings explained.
Cummings is an iconic Disney voice actor, known best for playing Winnie the Pooh and Tigger, Ed the Hyena from The Lion King (1994), and starring in dozens of animated films.
More on Splash Mountain
Related: Disney Is Reportedly Retheming Iconic Space Mountain
No closing date has been publicly announced for Splash Mountain in Frontierland at Magic Kingdom or Critter Country at Disneyland Park. The Song of the South (1946) ride will remain the same at Tokyo Disneyland, though the Disney Park recently removed the ride’s anthem, “Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah,” from its music loop. From Disney:
Drop into a whimsical world filled with classic characters and songs on this thrilling log-flume adventure.
A Hare-Raising Adventure
Hop inside a hollow log and float through a colorful bayou as you follow happy-go-lucky Br’er Rabbit to his “laughing place.” But be warned: Br’er Bear and Br’er Fox are in hot pursuit of this wayward hare.
Glide past over 100 talking, singing, storytelling Audio-Animatronics critters who inhabit Splash Mountain and offer up their own slice of down-home culture. Sing along to classic Disney ditties, including “Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah.”
Then, brace yourself for the big finale—this musical cruise ends in a thrilling 5-story splashdown!
Are you excited about Tiana’s Bayou Adventure?