Tiana's Bayou Adventure: Disneyland Watch & Discussion

[Californian Elitist]

Or they could have just built a new attraction that has a story that makes sense. And kept the capacity of Splash. And the good attraction that it was.

That’s not happening, though. This is the reality that, at some point, must be accepted.

Splash Mountain is closed and is more likely than not never coming back again. It’s been three years and TBA is opening next year. It’s been time to accept that Splash is gone, it’s not returning, Disney’s not going to build a Tiana ride somewhere else in the park, and Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is, indeed, replacing Splash Mountain, which, again, is gone.

This was announced in 2020.

 

[EagleScout610]

The Just Lookin' Statue has been removed. The wood carvings in the Briar patch store are the only remains of the Br'ers in the park.

 

[BrerFoxesBayouAdventure]

This was announced in 2020.

And it took this long for it to get off the ground. How ridiculous.

 

[Professortango1]

That’s not happening, though. This is the reality that, at some point, must be accepted.

Splash Mountain is closed and is more likely than not never coming back again. It’s been three years and TBA is opening next year. It’s been time to accept that Splash is gone, it’s not returning, Disney’s not going to build a Tiana ride somewhere else in the park, and Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is, indeed, replacing Splash Mountain, which, again, is gone.

This was announced in 2020.

People are still convinced that Disney cares about what fans want and think they can sway the corporate giant who answers only to share holders. We are kind of in an abusive relationship where our lover keeps hurting us to benefit their own ego and then telling us "baby, I really do care for you and its for the best. Just trust me."

Once you accept that Disney doesn't care about you, it makes it easier to distance yourself. TOT was that straw for me. Now, I just shrug every time Disney downgrades their product.

 

[Californian Elitist]

People are still convinced that Disney cares about what fans want and think they can sway the corporate giant who answers only to share holders. We are kind of in an abusive relationship where our lover keeps hurting us to benefit their own ego and then telling us "baby, I really do care for you and its for the best. Just trust me."

Once you accept that Disney doesn't care about you, it makes it easier to distance yourself. TOT was that straw for me. Now, I just shrug every time Disney downgrades their product.

Exactly. Disney makes their own choices, doing what they want. The thing is, people get mad, but still go to the parks. I was one of those people who would complain and complain, but still renew my pass each year (I let it go after it expired in 2019). I complained about the removal of the auction scene in Pirates, but still faithfully rode it each visit because it’s my favorite ride of all time. I created an entire thread about my hatred for SW:GE being in Disneyland, and I was the first person here to ride Rise of the Resistance and report back. What message was I sending Disney? Time has passed and these things don’t bother me anymore. Similarly to you, I accepted that Disney is going to do what they want to do and there’s absolutely nothing I can do to change their minds and force them to shape the parks the way I want them shaped. Who am I?

What did it for me was the lockdown in 2020. So many people were dying from COVID-19, including my own family members, and being forced to stay inside, coupled with the mass sickness and death, helped me realize and understand that my life is very limited and fragile. It was like my life flashed before my eyes and I thought about the really important things in my life that mattered to me the most, things that I would want to hold onto the most if I were to die soon; the auction scene and SW:GE weren’t on the list. Disneyland wasn’t on the list, honestly. Outside of family and friends, travel and lifelong learning (things that I both cherish and are within my control) were on the list, and that’s what I’ve been trying to do more and more. Not get mad because a theme park ride and land aren’t to my liking. It all seemed so silly when I reflected and really thought about it. Like… I really threw hissy fits over Pixar Pier and SW:GE. Ridiculous and even childish of me.

Disney’s choices aren’t nearly as important to me anymore. They’re also out of my control, and now I truly understand this. I still side eye some of their choices, but I don’t let them affect me the way I used to. In the end, there are significantly more important things in life that I care about to put that much negative energy into a theme park, albeit one that I adore, and its attractions. It is what it is. I’ve only been back once since the pandemic, but I was able to enjoy myself more because I put my focus on the things there I actually do like. If I’m not going to cease all future visits, I may as well just keep doing that…enjoy what I do enjoy and move on with my life and focus on more important things.

Sorry for the essay.

 

[shambolicdefending]

People are still convinced that Disney cares about what fans want and think they can sway the corporate giant who answers only to share holders. We are kind of in an abusive relationship where our lover keeps hurting us to benefit their own ego and then telling us "baby, I really do care for you and its for the best. Just trust me."

Once you accept that Disney doesn't care about you, it makes it easier to distance yourself. TOT was that straw for me. Now, I just shrug every time Disney downgrades their product.

Disney cares a lot about what its fans think. It has to, just like every other company has to.

But most Disney fans aren't like the people posting on social media. WDWmagic, r/Disneyland, Twitter, etc. are not accurate reflections of reality.

The opinions expressed here are mostly minority viewpoints.

 

[Parteecia]

People are still convinced that Disney cares about what fans want and think they can sway the corporate giant who answers only to share holders. We are kind of in an abusive relationship where our lover keeps hurting us to benefit their own ego and then telling us "baby, I really do care for you and its for the best. Just trust me."

Once you accept that Disney doesn't care about you, it makes it easier to distance yourself. TOT was that straw for me. Now, I just shrug every time Disney downgrades their product.

My relationship isn't quite abusive. I may disagree with some of their choices but I tend to laugh at or mock them and keep doing the parts I enjoy. I know they will do what they will do and my personal reaction won't matter.

I was ok without a pass when they first came back. If visiting ever gives me more angst than fun, I'm out.

 

[Rich T]

Disney cares a lot about what its fans think. It has to, just like every other company has to….

Only in regards to whether or not the fans are opening their wallets.

 

[shambolicdefending]

Only in regards to whether or not the fans are opening their wallets.

This is correct. And more than enough people still consider Disney parks a worthwhile expenditure to validate management's decisions.

Most consumers simply aren't bothered by the things that bother the type of person that frequents a Web site like this one.

 

[Disney Vault]

This is correct. And more than enough people still consider Disney parks a worthwhile expenditure to validate management's decisions.

Most consumers simply aren't bothered by the things that bother the type of person that frequents a Web site like this one.

Yes but if the company aimed to please the die hard fans I feel like the masses would still he happy. But they have been making decisions for years now that upset the fans and wonder why fans don't visit as frequently. They play up the nostalgic angle in advertising but then change what people love.

Side note: I'm pro princess and the frog but worry they are going the wrong direction with this storyline for TBA. Guardians and Pixar pier were my turning point.

 

[shambolicdefending]

But they have been making decisions for years now that upset the fans and wonder why fans don't visit as frequently.

There's no evidence at all that this is happening. If anything, it seems to be the opposite.

Disney is quite transparently working to put even more limitations on diehard fans as time goes on, and put more casual fans into the parks in their place.

The simple, harsh truth is that Disney simply does not need the type of "diehard" fans that will quit going over something like Pixar Pier. There are more than enough casual fans to make up for them.

 

[Rich T]

This is correct. And more than enough people still consider Disney parks a worthwhile expenditure to validate management's decisions.

Most consumers simply aren't bothered by the things that bother the type of person that frequents a Web site like this one.

No, but they are bothered by poor value, obvious maintenance/operations issues, technology that malfunctions, upcharging, stress caused by bad corporate decisions, and a vacation experience that seems to decline in quality every year.

My take-it-or-leave-it advice to anyone is: do not worship corporations. Appreciate the artists and all the other good people they employ, past, present and future, no matter which fantasy factory one happens to decide is currently worth visiting.

 

[Professortango1]

No, but they are bothered by poor value, obvious maintenance/operations issues, technology that malfunctions, upcharging, stress caused by bad corporate decisions, and a vacation experience that seems to decline in quality every year.

Are they? Disney World gets away with worse maintenance and attractions because the park appeals to casual visitors and tourists, not uber fans.

Disneyland has a harder time with locals, but it has proven that it can strongarm the general pop and they will eventually swallow the worser experience and thank you for it (Mission BO, Incredicoaster, Avengers Campus, Pixar Pier.) The guns no longer move for Rise, but will Disney fix it? Why should they if people still enjoy it and pay money to ride it?

The old answer would be: because it makes a better experience. Disney used to treat its attractions as pieces of art in immersive storytelling. Now, its just a line item.

And its not just Disney, the content-ification of art has reduced the quality. A show no longer needs to be great, it just needs to be interesting enough with cliffhangers at each episode so that people keep binging. And if its not a hit, then pull the plug rather than having shows grow and evolve to something iconic.

Movies are greenlit before they even know what story to tell. They are making these things to sell rather than because they have a need to tell a story.

And so we get more watered down mediocre stuff that feels the same. Sleep inducing Mission Impossible sequels, lifeless Jurassic Worlds, Marvel movies that lack character and charm. And we eat it up without tasting it and quickly reach for more. As long as we are distracted by watching something, then its better than having to survive the quiet.

And if the strike fails, it'll just be more. AI generated content to keep us watching and clicking. Cocomelon for all.

As for the parks, they just need stuff to do that sells merch. If the Yeti doesn't work, who cares? If the AA is replaced with a projection, sure its not as impressive, but its cheaper and the general masses doesn't seem to care.

Good enough to consume is the name of the game.

 

[Rich T]

Are they? Disney World gets away with worse maintenance and attractions because the park appeals to casual visitors and tourists, not uber fans.

Disneyland has a harder time with locals, but it has proven that it can strongarm the general pop and they will eventually swallow the worser experience and thank you for it (Mission BO, Incredicoaster, Avengers Campus, Pixar Pier.) The guns no longer move for Rise, but will Disney fix it? Why should they if people still enjoy it and pay money to ride it?

The old answer would be: because it makes a better experience. Disney used to treat its attractions as pieces of art in immersive storytelling. Now, its just a line item.

And its not just Disney, the content-ification of art has reduced the quality. A show no longer needs to be great, it just needs to be interesting enough with cliffhangers at each episode so that people keep binging. And if its not a hit, then pull the plug rather than having shows grow and evolve to something iconic.

Movies are greenlit before they even know what story to tell. They are making these things to sell rather than because they have a need to tell a story.

And so we get more watered down mediocre stuff that feels the same. Sleep inducing Mission Impossible sequels, lifeless Jurassic Worlds, Marvel movies that lack character and charm. And we eat it up without tasting it and quickly reach for more. As long as we are distracted by watching something, then its better than having to survive the quiet.

And if the strike fails, it'll just be more. AI generated content to keep us watching and clicking. Cocomelon for all.

As for the parks, they just need stuff to do that sells merch. If the Yeti doesn't work, who cares? If the AA is replaced with a projection, sure its not as impressive, but its cheaper and the general masses doesn't seem to care.

Good enough to consume is the name of the game.

I’m a bit more optimistic that there’ll always—somehow, against all odds—be treasure worth searching out in the garbage heaps. And while I think the WDW parks are currently no longer worth my money, I hope someday they land in the right hands and become excellent again.

As far as the GP never balking at Disney’s declining quality, my gut tells me otherwise. On my last visits to WDW this year I witnessed and overheard a lot of grumbling, stress, and anger over many issues going on all around me. I heard many complaints about needing the phone for everything. I’m sure a lot of those people will think twice before planning their next vacation, and that at some point Disney’s going to have to do more than repeal hotel parking fees or give away cheap magnets. Or not. Time will tell. Me, I’m going back to Universal again.

 

[EagleScout610]

 

[BrerFoxesBayouAdventure]

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Happy 34th Splash Mountain.

 

[Too Many Hats]

Honestly if it were up to me (once they secure the AS AAs for the archives or a revised retro Tomorrowland show) they should “accidentally” set the whole thing on fire, start from scratch, and build a Shanghai Pirates-style Tiana attraction. Just as long as they don’t let the fire spread to Mansion. A Vegas style implosion would work too but then you can’t collect the insurance money.

If Splash Mountain is dead, might as well truly build a true 21st century flume ride to match the new sets.

Haha. Have to admit, I kind of love Splash’s flume, as jerky and questionably-engineered as it is. I’d miss it.

I'm sure WDI agrees with you, though. Overlaying an attraction is difficult. Would probably make much more sense to start from scratch.

 

[Vegas Disney Fan]

Most consumers simply aren't bothered by the things that bother the type of person that frequents a Web site like this one.

I disagree, they just grumble about it in person rather than on a message board. Most of my friends and coworkers visit DL at least once every year or two and we always talk about our trips, and their likes and dislikes are very similar to what you read here.

They may not be big enough fans (or simply don't have the free time) to be on something like a forum but that doesn't mean the average visitor doesn't notice the same things (good and bad) that we do.

 

[EagleScout610]

Br'er Fox's tree is gone. Chickapin Hill is officially gone in the USA

 

[Mickey's Pal]

Total disgrace. Nothing was wrong with Splash. The overlay, because that is what it is, will be fun because it has the same bones as Splash aka the same track layout and drops but the story and experiences and animitronics will all be subpar as a overall experience to what the show building and facade were made for.