Tiana's Bayou Adventure: Disneyland Watch & Discussion

[Rich T]

We rode this the other day during AP previews and I completely forgot about the Co-op backstory, had it not been for a few queue signs I’d have forgotten about the salt mine backstory also… which IMHO is a good thing, it simply felt like a “trip through the bayou”, which I think is what most people really wanted if they had to change it.

I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed the ride, I still slightly prefer Splash but at least it wasn’t the confusing word salad ride the backstory made it sound like it was going to be.

I agree it wasn’t as bad as the PR made it sound. My opinion after riding the MK version, though: I found it bland, repetitive and forgettable. And as a big fan of PatF, it blew my mind that they could take the characters from such a fun movie and saddle them with an “adventure” (does Disney even remember what an adventure actually is?) where all sense of story, involvement and emotional range has been sponged away. It’s still a decent log ride, but I’d rather ride Timber Mountain or Ripsaw Falls or—heck— ANY “adventure” ride that’s not afraid to have its characters do something besides smile and grin for scene after scene after scene…

Seriously, if they just took “Adventure” out of the name, I’d cut the poor ride some slack. Maybe “Tiana’s Bayou Talent Hunt?” “Tiana’s Happy Party Logs?”

 

[mickEblu]

This project, and all the information Disney released on it for the past 4 years, has me now convinced that WDI and Burbank (and likely TDA too) have way too many white collar cubicle dwellers working for them.

They spent God knows how much on all those folks, sent them to New Orleans repeatedly for wasteful "Immersion Trips" that could have all been done with Google searches and a library card (in addition to the paid librarians and researchers WDI has on staff already), and spent untold endless words about inane and pandering "backstory" that do nothing to help the ride be better.

It's time for WDI to clean house and slim down. Keep the best and brightest artists and designers and engineers, and fire all the HR committees and anyone who has the word "Communications" in their title. They are beclowning themselves at this point.

And don’t forget to fire the WDI accountants/ creative leads!

 

[EagleScout610]

How they decided fake grass and a screen of some fireflies was a worthy replacement to this much detail and charm will forever baffle me.

 

[mickEblu]

How they decided fake grass and a screen of some fireflies was a worthy replacement to this much detail and charm will forever baffle me.

Wow look at how much more articulation those Geese have too.

 

[Homemade Imagineering]

Best track out of the whole attraction imo

 

[mickEblu]

Best track out of the whole attraction imo

Where do they play this?

 

[Figments Friend]

Where do they play this?

At WDW, this is played outside after the big plunge.
If you stand on the bridge in Frontierland overlooking the flume as the post-plunge logs pass by, this audio is playing in the background.

-

 

[Figments Friend]

Universal Orlando: Epic Universe in May! Fight evil wizards! Fly with dragons! Flee from Dracula! We’ve got a coaster that’ll turn you into a werewolf!

Disney: Help Tiana find animal musicians… for her party… for all her food co-op friends… because… magical wish special wonder happy? Dream a dreamy dream?

This.



May cannot come fast enough.
Kick Mickey in the (cough), Epic Universe.



I don’t consider myself a Universal fan/supporter, but dang….
Epic Universe will be the game changer for many.

Competition often leads to better things for the consumer.
Bring it.

-

 

[Figments Friend]

They really went all out.

It is shame this same amount of effort was not put into the execution of the actual Attraction this event was promoting.

-

 

[CaptinEO]

I rode this once at previews and again opening day. I really enjoy Tiana even if there are flaws, and it will be a staple for any visit.

Not saying it is close to Splash Mountain in quality which was a master work attraction. Given the major misses of WDI in recent years (Guardians, Incredicoaster, Web Slingerz) this is better than expected.

That being said, this was the metric my expectations were set at. I know some people expected that whatever Disney put in would "have to be better than Splash". I'm upset Splash was removed too but knew it's replacement would never live up to its predecessor.

It has great music and animals which is a plus and glad to see something bright, cartoonish, and colorful after many recent Disney attractions have been Marvel or Star Wars. The critter band and frogs are excellent and I really like the music (again though not as much as the critters and music of what came before it).

Also, I don't know why mama odie is in the ride so much or where the drop fits in to the ride's plot. The finale scene is top notch.

No idea what the research trips were for or why all the blog posts talked about employee owned salt mines. This never is even apparent in the queue which is basically a mantle, a kitchen, and some news papers. I'm so thankful these weren't plot points in the ride.

I will say people should go on it and not judge 100% based on video. I feel the videos make the ride look not nearly as good as it is for whatever reason.

Given the context of us being in the current era of WDI this is a very solid replacement that is better than I expected. Considering
how badly Splash was neglected its last 10 years I think this may also also be a plus in regards to having working animatronics and effects.

Based on 2024 metrics I'd say this ride is an 80/100 and Splash (with all its effects working) would be 100/100.

 

[Newtwo]

I rode this once at previews and again opening day. I really enjoy Tiana even if there are flaws, and it will be a staple for any visit.

Not saying it is close to Splash Mountain in quality which was a master work attraction. Given the major misses of WDI in recent years (Guardians, Incredicoaster, Web Slingerz) this is better than expected.

That being said, this was the metric my expectations were set at. I know some people expected that whatever Disney put in would "have to be better than Splash". I'm upset Splash was removed too but knew it's replacement would never live up to its predecessor.

It has great music and animals which is a plus and glad to see something bright, cartoonish, and colorful after many recent Disney attractions have been Marvel or Star Wars. The critter band and frogs are excellent and I really like the music (again though not as much as the critters and music of what came before it).

Also, I don't know why mama odie is in the ride so much or where the drop fits in to the ride's plot. The finale scene is top notch.

No idea what the research trips were for or why all the blog posts talked about employee owned salt mines. This never is even apparent in the queue which is basically a mantle, a kitchen, and some news papers. I'm so thankful these weren't plot points in the ride.

I will say people should go on it and not judge 100% based on video. I feel the videos make the ride look not nearly as good as it is for whatever reason.

Given the context of us being in the current era of WDI this is a very solid replacement that is better than I expected. Considering
how badly Splash was neglected its last 10 years I think this may also also be a plus in regards to having working animatronics and effects.

Based on 2024 metrics I'd say this ride is an 80/100 and Splash (with all its effects working) would be 100/100.

"If you lower your expectations.....this ride is an 8/10"

 

[CaptinEO]

"If you lower your expectations.....this ride is an 8/10"

Just living in the reality of modern day Disney who have slowly but continually lowered expectations. I don't consider Disney (whether its movies or their parks) close to its hay day of the 1960s.

I also dont expect imagineering to be like it was in its second renaissance era of the 80s-90s.

But if I understand what to expect from a current Disney ride I will be less disappointed than expecting a masterpiece or all time classic.

The people and culture that made the all time classic Disney attractions are both sadly gone from the current Walt Disney Company.

That is not necessarily me endorsing worse standards, just acknowledging them. The same can also be said for employees and customer service at US Disney parks.

 

[Homemade Imagineering]

At WDW, this is played outside after the big plunge.
If you stand on the bridge in Frontierland overlooking the flume as the post-plunge logs pass by, this audio is playing in the background.

-

You’re thinking of the Almost There instrumental loop outside (which is also a really nice track with birds & crickets chirping along). This track is played in the scene just before the dip drop, as the boat floats pasts Louis’ butt stuck in the log

 

[Figments Friend]

I stand corrected.
Thank you for clarifying….i did not realize they actually went to the effort to have TWO instrumental audio tracks with birds and crickets.

-

 

[BrerFoxesBayouAdventure]

Gross. AI art is awful

Speaking of. It seems like Disney MAY have used AI to create the illustration seen on the maps they're giving out.

If true, this is incredibly embarrassing for the company.

 

[Jedi14]

Speaking of. It seems like Disney MAY have used AI to create the illustration seen on the maps they're giving out.

View attachment 825955
View attachment 825956

If true, this is incredibly embarrassing for the company.

It’s not AI, it’s just an art style they’ve been doing recently for certain billboards and advertisements.

 

[Disgruntled Walt]

Posted without comment:

PC: @SplashMountainArchives

 

[Charlie The Chatbox Ghost]

Speaking of. It seems like Disney MAY have used AI to create the illustration seen on the maps they're giving out.

View attachment 825955
View attachment 825956

If true, this is incredibly embarrassing for the company.

Not AI, but it looks gross. To me it looks like someone traced and detailed this one piece of concept art. The way that it just looks so off screams “didn’t know how to draw Tiana so traced instead”

 

[Parteecia]

Not AI, but it looks gross. To me it looks like someone traced and detailed this one piece of concept art. The way that it just looks so off screams “didn’t know how to draw Tiana so traced instead”
View attachment 825966

They should attend the Animation Academy class.

 

[chadwpalm]

Today's a light day (so far) but Tiana LL return time is 3:05pm if booked now (9:35am).