News Splash Mountain retheme to Princess and the Frog - Tiana's Bayou Adventure

[britain]

An annex of Splash and POTC into a proto-New Orleans Square would work for me. I could get behind this idea.

They're going to SAY they'll make a mini-New Orleans Square, but they'll end up just putting New Orleans-ish signage on the exit buildings/restrooms/giftshop. They'll call the whole the northern exterior queue area their NEW New Orleans Square.

 

[J4546]

I vote a large NO square north of haunted mansion, on the rivers of America and with its own rail road station. Will need to redo the HM que to get there

 

[Sir_Cliff]

I still stand by this sketch I did summer 2020, suggesting that the Splash queue and exit area beyond the Railroad Tracks be redressed as a mini New Orleans courtyard with a walk-up Beignet Window and Tiana's Palace sit-down restaurant built where the current restrooms are:

View attachment 643196

This has always seemed like the most logical solution to me: just make the area beyond the train track a mini-New Orleans area.

Converting Pecos Bill's to Tiana's Place just seems to make the thematic inconsistency worse. With this option, I don't really think it would be an issue at all.

 

[raymusiccity]

I'm fine with the makeover, but, there was never "strong calls for Disney to make changes to the hugely popular Splash Mountain flume." !

 

[Dear Prudence]

Study: 96 Percent Of Humans Would Rather Be Animatronic Bear

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA—The University of Virginia published the results of an extensive 18-month study Wednesday revealing that 96 percent of human beings across the planet would strongly prefer to be a singing, dancing animatronic bear.

www.theonion.com

I don't even think this is really satire at this point.

 

[britain]

I still stand by this sketch I did summer 2020, suggesting that the Splash queue and exit area beyond the Railroad Tracks be redressed as a mini New Orleans courtyard with a walk-up Beignet Window and Tiana's Palace sit-down restaurant built where the current restrooms are:

View attachment 643196

This seems like a very inspired, high-quality solution that they won’t come close to executing well.

 

[RSoxNo1]

The last I heard was that DLR's re-do was fairly straightforward. The Splash part of Critter Country would be annexed to New Orleans Square, with no theme or chronological concerns. I think Disneyland's pretty easy.

Last fall, I'd heard WDI was still struggling with the chronology problem in WDW, since Frontierland has a definitive end to its timeline, which I think its roughly 1790-1895. That's at least ~25 years before the events in PATF, which is a faily large gap in both time and in the definition of the US "frontier".

The proposals I was aware of last fall included:

1. Build the PATF ride with Tiana and alter Frontierland to include 1920's New Orleans
2. Build the PATF "prequel" ride without Tiana but with other characters from the film
3. Let Tiana take over Pecos Bill's and make it Tiana's Palace

There are pretty clear issues with all three. There might be other alternatives by now.

WDI has shown with GOTG and now Batuu that existing themes, timelines, and canon aren't barriers to putting in any ride in any location. It's possible they take option #1. I think the reason why options 2 and 3 exist is that enough people in WDI saw the problems with #1, that they were looking for a compromise everyone could live with.

I mean, if option #1 is taken, it means Frontierland includes everything in US history from the Lewis & Clark expedition to the end of World War I, the formation of the League of Nations, and almost up to the Great Depression. Everything from canoes to airplane travel, to the earliest helicopters, is fair game. The first half of Tomorrowland's Carousel of Progress would fit into Frontierland's chronology.

I think WDI recognizes the issues with this, hence this is why we've not heard more about it.

If the next Disney update on PATF focuses only on Disneyland, that would be an indication that WDW's Frontierland timeline remains an issue within WDI.

My suggestion was to rename Liberty Square and the corresponding stretch to Princess and the Frog as "Riverfront Square" and lean into life along the Rivers of America / The Mississippi River. Do away with timelines, Splash technically disrupted those timelines already.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

My suggestion was to rename Liberty Square and the corresponding stretch to Princess and the Frog as "Riverfront Square" and lean into life along the Rivers of America / The Mississippi River. Do away with timelines, Splash technically disrupted those timelines already.

I like that idea a lot - still same general theme (historical America) but less restrictive

And Splash messes with the geography too a bit as it goes East to West (ending at Big Thunder out West) but the stories from Splash are set in Georgia (or at least SotS was)

 

[yensidtlaw1969]

That is really well done, both as a standalone piece of art and as an executed concept. Thank you for sharing.

Thank you! Had Disney put me on the payroll I would have put more into both

It seems like the simplest and most effective way to keep the new IP from sowing thematic discord in Frontierland is to take advantage of the physical barrier that the train already provides. That the ride enters and exits there already (AND that the area has some slight room for expansion) makes it only more natural.

The main drag of Frontierland can remain basically as it is, and Tiana can get a whole celebratory area that allows for immersion in her story and the opportunity to let guests get a taste of her food.

Frankly, it seems so obvious to me that the only reason I doubt Disney would do it is that I'm not sure how much money they're looking to invest in this situation.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

Frankly, it seems so obvious to me that the only reason I doubt Disney would do it is that I'm not sure how much money they're looking to invest in this situation

You'd think the opportunity to add another high prices restaurant and large gift shop would be motivation to increase the budget a tad

 

[yensidtlaw1969]

You'd think the opportunity to add another high prices restaurant and large gift shop would be motivation to increase the budget a tad

You'd think. And who knows, perhaps it will be.

A table service Tiana's Palace would almost certainly become one of the hottest reservations on property. Throw in some live jazz music, appearances by Tiana and Louis, a big picture window along the back with "waterfront" views . . . something like that would print money.

 

[Animaniac93-98]

You'd think. And who knows, perhaps it will be.

A table service Tiana's Palace would almost certainly become one of the hottest reservations on property. Throw in some live jazz music, appearances by Tiana and Louis, a big picture window along the back with "waterfront" views . . . something like that would print money.

So would a Star Wars table service restaurant.

And yet...

 

[Disgruntled Walt]

You'd think. And who knows, perhaps it will be.

A table service Tiana's Palace would almost certainly become one of the hottest reservations on property. Throw in some live jazz music, appearances by Tiana and Louis, a big picture window along the back with "waterfront" views . . . something like that would print money.

They'll do this in Disneyland, but there's no way in ["the other side"] that they put more effort into the WDW version of this. It's already making them cringe that the existing rides are so different. Frankly, the idea that WDI is struggling with the notion of disrupting timelines is the most hopeful news I've heard about this not being a done deal for WDW.

 

[yensidtlaw1969]

They'll do this in Disneyland, but there's no way in ["the other side"] that they put more effort into the WDW version of this. It's already making them cringe that the existing rides are so different. Frankly, the idea that WDI is struggling with the notion of disrupting timelines is the most hopeful news I've heard about this not being a done deal for WDW.

Disneyland doesn't have the room - and New Orleans Square is already overflowing with restaurants that feature what would be comparable menu items and stylings.

I really, really doubt that WDI is "struggling" with a disrupted timeline in Frontierland. As has already been said, Splash Mountain itself is a disruption of that timeline, and they've shown repeatedly across the resort that such sensitivity is at most a distant afterthought these days.

The idea of putting Princess and the Frog into Frontierland is about as thematically appropriate as putting Frozen into the Norway Pavilion. But since we all know how that turned out, I recommend you not get your hopes up.

 

[Disgruntled Walt]

Disneyland doesn't have the room - and New Orleans Square is already overflowing with restaurants that feature what would be comparable menu items and stylings.

I really, really doubt that WDI is "struggling" with a disrupted timeline in Frontierland. As has already been said, Splash Mountain itself is a disruption of that timeline, and they've shown repeatedly across the resort that such sensitivity is at most a distant afterthought these days.

The idea of putting Princess and the Frog into Frontierland is about as thematically appropriate as putting Frozen into the Norway Pavilion. But since we all know how that turned out, I recommend you not get your hopes up.

Oh no, I'm not getting my hopes up. Disney has been crushing my theme park dreams for at least the last ten years, and there is no relief in sight.

And in DL, I was imagining them retheming one of the existing restaurants into Tiana's Palace. Probably as minimally as possible.

I'm convinced that if/when this happens, it will be a huge disappointment to pretty much everyone except those who are determined to defend it at all costs. It will disappoint Splash Mountain devotees because it rethemes their favorite attraction. It will disappoint those who care about giving PatF a satisfying presence in the parks because its budget will be so small that there is no way the ride could knock anyone's socks off. It will also disappoint those who are simply looking for Disney to create an attraction that is fully up to the standards they have been largely missing (with a few exceptions) in WDW for the last twenty years.

 

[lentesta]

Don't worry, Disney has a plan. Frontierland and Liberty Square will be redistricted into several NEW and EXCITING lands!

World New Orleans
World Gold Rush
World Critter Country
World Bicentennial
World Halloween Town

This made me laugh out loud.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

Disneyland doesn't have the room - and New Orleans Square is already overflowing with restaurants that feature what would be comparable menu items and stylings.

I really, really doubt that WDI is "struggling" with a disrupted timeline in Frontierland. As has already been said, Splash Mountain itself is a disruption of that timeline, and they've shown repeatedly across the resort that such sensitivity is at most a distant afterthought these days.

The idea of putting Princess and the Frog into Frontierland is about as thematically appropriate as putting Frozen into the Norway Pavilion. But since we all know how that turned out, I recommend you not get your hopes up.

they just refurbed Blue Bayou so I don't see them changing that. Could update Cafe Orleans with some minor theming

They already have the PatF themed restaurant on the Disney Wonder so could just source more of the plates and cutlery, etc and some decor and call it a day

 

[bryanfze55]

they just refurbed Blue Bayou so I don't see them changing that. Could update Cafe Orleans with some minor theming

They already have the PatF themed restaurant on the Disney Wonder so could just source more of the plates and cutlery, etc and some decor and call it a day

Cafe Orleans genuinely looks like it could be “Tiana’s Palace”, so while I think it’s a long shot, it’s not unfathomable that they could change it.

Once upon a time, I would have protested given that Cafe Orleans is a Disneyland staple, opening over 50 years ago… but it’s honestly become a shell of its former self, with vastly decreased portion sizes despite rapid price hikes, as well as mediocre service.

Blue Bayou suffers from the same problems, but there’s no way they will change that restaurant. That truly is a “staple.”

French Market remains the best dining value on property, in my opinion. While it could be rethemed to PatF, it would feel a little odd having “Tiana’s Palace” be a quick service.

 

[RSoxNo1]

Cafe Orleans genuinely looks like it could be “Tiana’s Palace”, so while I think it’s a long shot, it’s not unfathomable that they could change it.

Once upon a time, I would have protested given that Cafe Orleans is a Disneyland staple, opening over 50 years ago… but it’s honestly become a shell of its former self, with vastly decreased portion sizes despite rapid price hikes, as well as mediocre service.

Blue Bayou suffers from the same problems, but there’s no way they will change that restaurant. That truly is a “staple.”

French Market remains the best dining value on property, in my opinion. While it could be rethemed to PatF, it would feel a little odd having “Tiana’s Palace” be a quick service.

If they get rid of the monte christo sandwich I will lose it.

 

[THEMEPARKPIONEER]

And there spending all this money to retheme the ride why? There’s so much more in the park that’s lacking and this ride still draws a crowd