Disney has confirmed that Tiana’s Bayou Adventure will be opening this summer in Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World Resort. The ride was originally slated to open “late 2024,” so it appears that the opening has been moved earlier!

Additional details about the ride’s characters and music, as well as a first look at one of the Tiana animatronics, were also revealed as part of today’s announcement.

First announced in June 2020, the former Splash Mountain attraction is being completely reimagined for both Walt Disney World and Disney featuring a new story based on characters and settings from the animated film, “The Princess and the Frog.”

The opening season for Disneyland’s version of the ride was not announced today, but it is still slated to open later in 2024.

First look at the first-ever Princess Tiana animatronic figure

Today, Disney reiterates that Tiana’s Bayou Adventure will feature “dozens of animatronics.” Photos and video on social media showed off an impressive Tiana figure in her adventure outfit.

Other characters from the film will be featured as moving figures on the ride, as well as group of new “friendly critters” who are an important part of the attraction’s story.

@disneyparks FIRST LOOK 👀 at one of the new Audio-Animatronics figures coming to Tiana’s Bayou Adventure ✨💚 #Disney #DisneyParks #DisneyWorld #Tiana #TianasBayouAdventure #DisneyNews #MardiGras #Technology ♬ original sound – Disney Parks

Disney says the “dozens of entirely new Audio-Animatronics figures” in Tiana’s Bayou Adventure will include Princess Tiana, Louis, Mama Odie, Eudora, Charlotte, Prince Ralphie, Prince Naveen, and others.

Characters will be voiced by their original actors, with many reprising their roles just for the ride, including Bruno Campos as Prince Naveen, Jenifer Lewis as Mama Odie, Michael Leon Wooley as Louis and the one and only Anika Noni Rose as Princess Tiana.

Disney emphasizes that music will be an important part of the attraction, as it is the heart of New Orleans. The ride’s critter characters will sing and play instruments made of natural materials found in the bayou.

Tiana’s new friends include an otter, a rabbit, a racoon, a beaver, a turtle and more. According to Disney, “Their spirited stylings will turn the bayou into a party with zydeco and other types of music authentic to the region of New Orleans.”

There will be new, original music alongside favorite songs from the film, created in collaboration with award-winning artists PJ Morton and Terence Blanchard.

PJ Morton is writing, arranging and producing the original song for the attraction. He is performing on and producing the sessions in New Orleans of all-new arrangements of the song, as well as songs from The Princess and the Frog within the attraction.

Terence Blanchard is creating the musical arrangements for the queue. Terence is working with us to select songs from The Princess and the Frog, as well as iconic themes from New Orleans.

The story for the attraction takes place after the events of the original film. Disney says “In Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, she’s throwing a festive party during Mardi Gras season to thank her family, friends and the entire community for all the support they’ve given her as a successful business owner; it’s incredibly special that we get to celebrate with her.”

It is Mardi Gras season at Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, and the bayou will light up for a journey full of music, Mama Odie’s magic, and a whole boatful – log-ful? – of new friends, in preparation for a celebration where everyone’s welcome.

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