MK Tiana's Bayou Adventure - latest details and construction progress

[zipadee999]

Upon re-watching the POV, I noticed there's a lot of space where the figures with dialogue visibly 'reset' for the next boat while the camera is still on them, case in point are the Tianas on the upper level. Hoping that's something that'll be fixed because it gives alot of space where Tiana just kind of stares at you then seems to wake up.

I think it stems from bad transitions and poor set design. The interior mainly consist of empty hallways covered in plastic foliage, and you can see what’s ahead for what seems like a mile before you pass it. There are no scene transitions, almost like the Kung Fu Panda ride at Universal Beijing to those familiar. Because of this, you’re forced to stare at animatronics in stationary positions until they ‘activate’ as you go by, almost like a trip to Spirit Halloween.

There are no props or set dividers that mark different scenes and help the rider transition between them. I also think the set design negatively affects the experience in this regard. There are no props or sets for the majority of the interior portion. Instead, you have dark, plant-covered hallways with the occasional animatronic or tightly-grouped critter band. When you do come across the animatronics, they’re not part of intricate scenes or vignettes, they’re just standing in the middle of a dark hallway gesturing at you. This to me is the biggest flaw of the attraction.

In many attractions, Splash included, the animatronics are placed in unique situations and you can see them ‘doing something’ as you go by. It feels very natural and makes for a rich, believable environment. Tiana’s feels like all of the animatronics are just standing in the dark for hours on end, doing absolutely nothing but waiting for you (Five Nights at Tiana’s, anyone?)

 

[UNCgolf]

I just finished the video. Alas, I can’t deny that I’m disappointed. Unlike some here, I don’t think the ride looks empty—I find the interiors sufficiently lush and interesting—but the lack of any narrative tension or excitement is very much to the detriment of the experience. I also really dislike the screens.

I don’t think it’s a bad attraction in itself, and I’m reasonably confident it will be more enjoyable in person, but the final product isn’t strong enough to stop me from missing Splash.

I don't think it's empty the way FEA is empty; I agree that the interiors are pretty detailed.

There are just a lot of places that have nothing except the foliage, whereas on Splash there was often either some kind of figure/figures or other details to see (like a little house with a mailbox, e.g.). I think NRJ is better than Tiana in this regard, with its use of screens/projections to add motion/interest to the background behind the foliage so that the areas feel alive.

Also, the utter irrelevance of the backstory to the ride makes all the anachronistic “employee-owned” signage even sillier.

Yeah, I mentioned somewhere above that the backstory seemed completely divorced from the attraction itself. I caveated it at that point because we hadn't seen the full attraction, but now that we have it's still totally superfluous.

 

[pigglewiggle]

I don't think it's empty the way FEA is empty; I agree that the interiors are pretty detailed.

There are just a lot of places that have nothing except the foliage, whereas on Splash there was often either some kind of figure/figuresor other details to see (like a little house with a mailbox). I think NRJ is better than Tiana in this regard, with its use of screens/projections to add motion/interest to the background behind the foliage.



Yeah, I mentioned this somewhere above that the backstory seemed completely divorced from the attraction itself. I caveated it because we hadn't seen the full attraction, but now that we have it's still totally superfluous.

I feel like the backstory is because this isn't a book report ride, so they thought they'd update us on what Tiana has been doing with her life since the movie.

I'm wondering if the queue will feature it.

 

[Brer Oswald]

Also, the utter irrelevance of the backstory to the ride makes all the anachronistic “employee-owned” signage even sillier.

Guarantee it was only made to combat the arguments I (and many others) made in favour of Brer Rabbit’s historical significance outside of Disney.

 

[Incomudro]

Also, the utter irrelevance of the backstory to the ride makes all the anachronistic “employee-owned” signage even sillier.

It's actually looking worse to me on repeated viewings.
When I watched it the first time, I found it attractive, and I actually do like the addition of screens to a certain extent.
But the whole thing is just lacking.
There's nothing really clever about it at all.
It's like it was designed by committee.
The whole "Foods" thing which always struck me as clunky and unnecessary has nothing to do with the ride.
We are "searching" for critters to assemble as a band, but we don't find them at all - there are just more of them every time we see them.
Even our shrinking seems to be added just, well... Because.
Then we get bigger, and... I don't know?
I'm afraid that what I said before is so true, the missed opportunity - no, scratch that... The deliberate choice to step outside of what the excellent film handed to these imaginears is baffling.

 

[UNCgolf]

I'm wondering if the queue will feature it.

I assume we will be going through the offices in the queue so it will be featured to some extent, but it still seems irrelevant to anything that happens on the actual attraction.

 

[pigglewiggle]

It's actually looking worse to me on repeated viewings.
When I watched it the first time, I found it attractive, and I actually do like the addition of screens to a certain extent.
But the whole thing is just lacking.
There's nothing really clever about it at all.
It's like it was designed by committee.
The whole "Foods" thing which always struck me as clunky and unnecessary has nothing to do with the ride.
We are "searching" for critters to assemble as a band, but we don't find them at all - there are just more of them every time we see them.
Even our shrinking seems to be added just, well... Because.
Then we get bigger, and... I don't know?
I'm afraid that what I said before is so true, the missed opportunity - no, scratch that... The deliberate choice to step outside of what the excellent film handed to these imaginears is baffling.

We find the fireflies when we are small! They are part of the band. We finished and now time to get big so we can get to the party and make a big splash.

At least that's my take.

 

[pigglewiggle]

I assume we will be going through the offices in the queue so it will be featured to some extent, but it still seems irrelevant to anything that happens on the actual attraction.

Silly for sure. It just doesn't ruin the ride for me.

 

[Disney Analyst]

I just finished the video. Alas, I can’t deny that I’m disappointed. Unlike some here, I don’t think the ride looks empty—I find the interiors sufficiently lush and interesting—but the lack of any narrative tension or excitement is very much to the detriment of the experience. I also really dislike the screens.

I don’t think it’s a bad attraction in itself, and I’m reasonably confident it will be more enjoyable in person, but the final product isn’t strong enough to stop me from missing Splash.

I mostly concur with you. I enjoy aspects. The set design, lighting, music, and AAs are sublime. The screens do feel off to me, even if well-integrated into the set.


I always had felt a bit iffy when all the backstory started coming out, and bits of story, but I had hoped it all tied together nicely. For me the story really does lack, and it feels as if the queue and the ride has two different teams in charge.

It just all feels very… corporate, ride by numbers. It needs a bit more whimsy, in fact it may just need a bit less story.

 

[aladdin2007]

Yes, nothing happens with the search.
Each time we see the critters, there are simply more of them playing together.
Old Disney would have crafted some cute and funny props, sets, etc., to tie in rounding up these animals.

this, its lacking all of that and should have had at least some.

 

[UNCgolf]

Silly for sure. It just doesn't ruin the ride for me.

Agreed -- I said that when I commented originally. I don't think it actually matters and shouldn't affect anyone's enjoyment; it's just weird that Disney spent a relatively significant amount of time highlighting it.

 

[tathompson87]

I‘ve read through these pages and I’m so glad I have a grip on reality because sheesh .

It’s a ride. I think the new version is really cute and a great upgrade. I’ll definitely ride when I’m there.

 

[pigglewiggle]

I‘ve read through these pages and I’m so glad I have a grip on reality because sheesh .

It’s a ride. I think the new version is really cute and a great upgrade. I’ll definitely ride when I’m there.

I'm on call working today at home, so I've been reading all day. Your choice of emoji is also me.

 

[Incomudro]

We find the fireflies when we are small! They are part of the band. We finished and now time to get big so we can get to the party and make a big splash.

At least that's my take.

I get that, and you're correct but do we really find them?
We just see them.
There's no sense in this ride that we are rounding up the creatures in the ride and getting them to come with us at all.
We just pass by them.

 

[SuddenStorm]

I get that, and you're correct but do we really find them?
We just see them.
There's no sense in this ride that we are rounding up the creatures in the ride and getting them to come with us at all.
We just pass by them.

No, no see? Tiana tells us that we're rounding up critters to play for a party.

But then, for some reason, we're the 'special spice' that makes the party complete. Not sure why though?

 

[aladdin2007]

Side note, one of the imagineers said that we’d be getting some winks and nods towards what was there before. Aside from Louis emulating Brer Butt before the dip-drop, did anyone notice anything else?

nothing....not from what has been seen so far,,,except the jumping fountains.

 

[WondersOfLife]

I‘ve read through these pages and I’m so glad I have a grip on reality because sheesh .

It’s a ride. I think the new version is really cute and a great upgrade. I’ll definitely ride when I’m there.

Another person on a disney park fan forum site wondering why disney park fans are passionate about something they care about.

 

[Surferboy567]

I mostly concur with you. I enjoy aspects. The set design, lighting, music, and AAs are sublime. The screens do feel off to me, even if well-integrated into the set.


I always had felt a bit iffy when all the backstory started coming out, and bits of story, but I had hoped it all tied together nicely. For me the story really does lack, and it feels as if the queue and the ride has two different teams in charge.

It just all feels very… corporate, ride by numbers. It needs a bit more whimsy, in fact it may just need a bit less story.

I think you really nailed it, especially with that last line. It’s not necessarily bad the scenery is nice, the music is nice, the AA’s are nice to look at. It’s just very safe very…corporate. As in this had so much more potential than what they delivered. The story isn’t really doing it much favors either.

This replaced one of the most famous and iconic attractions in any park. Arguably the world’s most famous log flume. A fact that is going to make this attraction struggle with reception more than others. Safe isn’t going to go over well with people when you replaced such a staple attraction.

Again, not necessarily bad just really safe. Following an act like splash with safe is never going to go over well.

 

[LittleBuford]

I mostly concur with you. I enjoy aspects. The set design, lighting, music, and AAs are sublime. The screens do feel off to me, even if well-integrated into the set.


I always had felt a bit iffy when all the backstory started coming out, and bits of story, but I had hoped it all tied together nicely. For me the story really does lack, and it feels as if the queue and the ride has two different teams in charge.

It just all feels very… corporate, ride by numbers. It needs a bit more whimsy, in fact it may just need a bit less story.

I agree with all of this except for the last sentence. The ride itself (I’m excluding the irrelevant backstory) doesn’t have what I’d call a real story. There’s nothing driving or motivating our journey through the bayou except for some vaguely explained search for animal musicians. I can’t quite work out why Mama Odie shrinks us.

Yes, it could use more whimsy, but what it’s really lacking is a compelling narrative thread.

 

[mightynine]

I assume we will be going through the offices in the queue so it will be featured to some extent, but it still seems irrelevant to anything that happens on the actual attraction.

Feels like it was a backstory to justify what the new exterior would look like since you ain’t gonna find no mountains in the bayou, chere.