permit ’s take a trip to the Big Easy : Florida edition .
Today, Princess Tiana makes her debut atDisney Worldwith her very first amusement ride, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, and I got a sneak peek of the attraction before it opened to the public.
Inspired by the 2009 hit filmThe Princess and the Frog,DisneyImagineers (the creative development team who design and build the Disney theme parks and resorts) created an interactive oasis that immediately transports riders from Orlando, Florida to New Orleans, Louisiana.
Not only does Tiana’s Bayou Adventure mark the arrival of the first and only BlackDisney princess, but it’s also the first Disney ride to star a person of color.
It replaced Splash Mountain after theride was removedfor its connection to the 1946 movieSong of the South, a film heavily criticized for its racist origins and romanticized views of the Reconstruction Era. This included imagery ofanimalswith stereotypical Black features and, you guessed it, slaves.
And since it took over Splash Mountain, that means Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is indeed a water ride, so expect to get wet — not drenched, but a little damp. It’s the perfect scenery, as wetlands are very common in NOLA.
Here’s what you’ll experience as soon as you step foot into her attraction:
As you stand in line, you’re taken through Tiana’s food company, Tiana’s Foods, her office, and her pantry, where we get an inside look at what she’s been up to since we last saw her in the film. It was beautiful to see her dreams come true and for the establishment to be so successful! The walls were decorated with first-place ribbons, Chef of the Year plaques, Best New Business awards for her restaurant, Tiana’s Palace, and more.
But that’s not the only thing you’ll find along the way. If you look closely enough, you’ll also find clues into what the ride is actually about. The princess is looking to throw the party of the year, but she’s missing one thing on her To-Do list: a band.
When it’s finally time to get onboard, you’ll notice the seats resemble logs and you’re grouped together with a maximum of eight people per log.
Once the ride begins, you’re introduced to a few of Tiana’s new furry friends (an otter, a rabbit, a raccoon, a beaver, a turtle, and more), along with some familiar faces like Louis and Ray.
While floating on the water amongst the Spanish moss and the cypress trees, you’re welcomed with bright colors and fun animatronics around every corner. So don’t be surprised if you see Princess Tiana, Louis, Mama Odie, Eudora, Charlotte, Prince Ralphie, and Prince Naveen.
And because New Orleans is the birthplace of jazz and other music genres, riders are serenaded with authentic southern tunes from beginning to end, including zydeco, Rara, and Afro-Cuban influences.
Before you embark on that 50-foot drop, you’re met with this beautiful view. And with Florida’s heat, that splash was well worth it!
And remember that mission Princess Tiana was on to find a band? Well, she did it! So, at the end of the adventure, we got to celebrate with her, Prince Naveen, and the rest of New Orleans. Everyone was dressed to the nines, music was blasting, beignets were everywhere, and the vibes were unmatched.
I had so much fun learning about what went into putting this attraction together and experiencing the ride first-hand. Disney World is the most magical place on Earth, and Tiana’s Bayou Adventure fits right in!
Planning your next trip to Disney World? Be sure to check out Tiana’s Bayou Adventure at Magic Kingdom, which is currently open!
Let’s take a trip to the Big Easy: Florida edition.
