Disney Attraction Ceases Operations for Tiana's Bayou Adventure, Effective Now

If you are at Walt Disney World Resort today, especially Magic Kingdom, we have an update that Disney has not made too widely public as of yet, but it is one that can leave thousands quite disappointed if they are not made aware on time.

A jungle scene with animatronic characters. A young boy in explorer attire stands next to a large friendly-looking crocodile and a dog wearing goggles, reminiscent of Tiana's Bayou Adventure. They are surrounded by lush greenery and appear to be part of an enchanting theme park attraction. — Credit: Disney

With anticipation building, Walt Disney World Resort prepares to unveil Tiana’s Bayou Adventure at Magic Kingdom on June 28th, 2024. Currently undergoing cast member previews, the attraction will welcome Annual Passholders for a sneak peek beginning June 13th.

The announcement of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure replacing Splash Mountain generated a mix of emotions. While some lamented the loss of a nostalgic favorite, many welcomed the opportunity to experience a story steeped in diversity and cultural significance. Replacing the outdated Song of the South theme, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure promises an immersive experience featuring advanced animatronics, original music, and a captivating narrative.

Guests will embark on a journey following Tiana’s entrepreneurial spirit beyond the success of Tiana’s Palace restaurant. Walt Disney Imagineering presents a story centered on her latest venture, Tiana’s Foods, an employee-owned cooperative that leverages the culinary talents of Tiana and her community.

Set within a repurposed salt mine, the venture thrives with the support of Tiana’s mother Eudora, Naveen, Louis, and other cooperative members. A flourishing on-site garden provides fresh ingredients for Tiana’s culinary creations, while a working kitchen showcases the development of new products like hot sauces (potentially hinting at future food offerings in the area!).

A group of people on Tiana's Bayou Adventure enter a dark tunnel surrounded by lush, colorful foliage. Ambient lighting adds a magical atmosphere, while a prominent glowing figure above the tunnel appears to be a witch or sorcerer casting a spell. — Credit: Disney

The adventure unfolds during the festive Mardi Gras season. Guests become part of the celebration as they assist Tiana in a delightful mishap – a quest to find a missing ingredient crucial for the festivities. This interactive element adds another layer of engagement to the ride.

Tiana’s Bayou Adventure marks the first major addition to Magic Kingdom, paving the way for the upcoming “Beyond Big Thunder Mountain” expansion and the broader $60 billion investment announced by Bob Iger. The 2022 D23 Parks and Experiences panel hinted at future developments, including a conceptual “Dark Kingdom” area dedicated to Disney villains.

While a full POV video showcasing various characters has been released, reception has been mixed. Positive reviews acknowledge the attraction’s visual appeal, but some express concerns, as highlighted by Inside the Magic.

The image showcases a whimsical, dimly-lit cave with colorful lanterns hanging from the ceiling. To the left, reminiscent of Tiana's Bayou Adventure, a character in a white chef's outfit holds a spoon and smiles. The textured walls, adorned with glowing moss, enhance the magical atmosphere. — Credit: Disney

The ride has also been controversial due to its consistent breakdowns that have been taking place during cast member previews. The ride was seen breaking down multiple times a day, animatronics were not working, and multiple evacuations were necessary.

Now, there is a media event going on to celebrate the opening of the attraction, which in turn is causing Big Thunder Mountain to close at 4:30 p.m. as notated by a sign in front of the attraction. Considering this is hours before the park will officially close, it may disrupt the plans of some guests who have not been able to walk by the attraction just yet to read the sign.

People sitting in a themed amusement park ride vehicle appear excited and engaged, with dim, warm lighting enhancing the rustic setting as they prepare for the ride to start. — Credit: Flickr/Joe Penniston

It seems that the media event that Disney is holding this evening will take up an extensive amount of Frontierland. With Country Bear Jamboree still closed (reopening July 17), it will leave Frontierland with very little to offer for the guests in the park this evening.

As we reported, it is likely Big Thunder Mountain will undergo a lengthy closure this summer to add the explosion scene into the ride.

Walt Disney World President Jeff Vahle has reportedly given the green light for a comprehensive update to Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at Walt Disney World. This update will encompass not only new track components and control systems but also enhanced theming. Notably, a significantly modified version of the dynamite explosion effect, which has been introduced in other versions of Big Thunder around the world, will be included.

If you have experienced the Disneyland version of the attraction since the park’s 60th anniversary, you would have noticed a much more elaborate explosion scene featuring projection mapping, smoke effects, and more.

This spectacular scene is now set to arrive at Magic Kingdom in a modified format. Originally, this upgrade was intended for the park’s 50th anniversary but never materialized at that time.

When will you be riding Tiana’s Bayou Adventure?