Tiana's Bayou Adventure Effects Status Watch

[Fox&Hound]

I think they spent too much money on state of the art AA’s when simple ones would have performed much better and been more reliable.

 

[LittleBuford]

This is EXACTLY why I have SUCH FAITH of the success of the new Cars attraction…

Disney has also produced some top-notch stuff recently, so I don’t view it that way. If anything, I hope that the issues with TBA will make them proceed extra carefully with their future projects.

 

[LittleBuford]

I think they spent too much money on state of the art AA’s when simple ones would have performed much better and been more reliable.

My thoughts exactly.

 

[EagleScout610]

About half of the animatronics weren’t working properly when I rode (twice, on two separate days) last week, and the final screen wasn’t on. As derided as they’ve been on this site, the critter musicians are the best thing about the attraction—at least they’re cute and move reliably, even if they’re not true animatronics.

It boggles my mind that they can’t maintain what is essentially still a new ride. Even with all the effects working, it would be a downgrade in my eyes, but what we’ve ended up with is just depressing to witness.

I know someone who rode Splash for the first/last/only time in its final month when nearly nothing functioned and told me he found it "creepy and I'm glad they're getting rid of it". Maybe Disney will wake up and start fixing things if they start hearing "Tiana’s is creepy its time to get rid of it"

 

[Tha Realest]

There has ALWAYS been a problem keeping the “residents” of the mountain working constantly (whether it was Splash or now Tiana)…I’m sure the water & constant moisture is a major factor but it’s just SUCH horrible optics that this “new” attraction has been in such bad shape…I had a feeling this would happen, I’m just surprised and disappointed that it happened so fast.

One of the refrains some in the pro-TBA contingent would voice was that this was a good idea because all those old hydraulic AAs were a pain to maintain and keep working properly.

So they removed all of them and replaced them with a comparative handful number of AAs which also are a pain to maintain and keep working properly.

 

[Smiley/OCD]

If I had a choice, (this is just ME), I’d much rather have much more to look at (even if they were in B mode), than much fewer “high tech) AAs that either aren’t working (or in B mode). I UNDERSTAND why the attraction was changed, but let’s face it, this IS a dumpster fire, plain & simple.

 

[Disney Analyst]

My thoughts exactly.

I've felt the same a lot recently. Why does it have to be the newest AA? Sure they look great when working, but as evident by Epic Universe, Tiana's, etc... the new modern figures are WAY too glitchy for a theme parks operations.

Time to go simple, it would be better show. How often do you see issues on Pirates or Mansion?

 

[Brer Panther]

I think they spent too much money on state of the art AA’s when simple ones would have performed much better and been more reliable.

Especially since all those fancy Tiana, Louis, and Mama Odie AAs do nothing but stand there flailing their arms.

 

[Disgruntled Walt]

I don't get why they didn't keep SOME of the animatronics from Splash. Surely they could have redressed them or something.

 

[Fox&Hound]

Does anyone know if internally Disney views Tiana’s ride breakdowns and broken AAs as problematic/worrisome?

 

[graphite1326]

- The mountain hasn't caved in

Well it's supposed to made of salt so with all that water it should eventually be absorbed by the water and disappear.

 

[graphite1326]

I rode it for the first time a couple of weeks ago. It just didn't do anything for me sorry. I know it's supposed to tell a story but it was somewhat nebulous as to what it is. My guess she wants a band for a party? Not enough animatronics? Maybe?

I always looked forward to second ride on Splash Mountain. We didn't even give it a second thought on this current version and went on with the rest of our day.

 

[gerarar]

Rode TBA this morning (9/24). It's in an even worse shape than when I rode this past July. You can find my report linked below in the other locked TBA thread.

The mouth on the Tiana AA on the first lift hill was broken.
And speaking of mouths, all the Louis AA's had static mouths. Some also had broken arms too.

The first Louis AA is still falling apart at the seams on the neck. Although it seems they've been trying to repair or stitch it..

The Tiana AA in the same scene had its mouth stuck open.

The next Tiana AA in the "they sure can play" scene was completely broken and static.

All the fog/mist is still broken in the get tiny drop and the final lift hill. Those special light effects are essentially useless now.
Screen on final lift hill is also still off.

Mama Odie AA on final lift hill was broken and frozen completely. The second Mama Odie AA at unload had a broken mouth.

The finale looked good except Louis again had a broken mouth. The only fully working (advanced) AA in the entire ride was the finale Tiana AA, surprisingly..
However, majority of the AA's still jitter as they move.

The various effects still being neglected is just disappointing. Still ride it because it's hot out and the drop is just as good as before.

My last report from past July:

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

Jul 17, 2025

Rode TBA earlier today (7/17) and it's such in a sad state. I last rode it back in December and things have turned for the worse.

The waterwheel on the side no longer turns.

Guests have been undoing the ropes in the queue. Lots of damage throughout the queue also.

The first Tiana AA on the lift wasn't moving her mouth. Also throughout the ride either the mouth or arms weren't moving. Also noticed the movement on some AA's weren't as fluid anymore. They jitter here and there now.
Louis AA skin is falling apart at the seems. Another Louis AA after wasn't moving...

• gerarar

• 
• 
• 

 

[Smiley/OCD]

I feel VERY sad, but completely VINDICATED because I KNEW TBA was going to be FAR inferior to Splash…THIS SHOULD BE IGER’S legacy

 

[RoadiJeff]

I rode it for the first time a couple of weeks ago. It just didn't do anything for me sorry. I know it's supposed to tell a story but it was somewhat nebulous as to what it is. My guess she wants a band for a party? Not enough animatronics? Maybe?

I always looked forward to second ride on Splash Mountain. We didn't even give it a second thought on this current version and went on with the rest of our day.

Same with me. I rode it for the first (and only) time last week. Whatever storyline it was supposed to have just didn't click with me. I much prefer the previous Splash Mountain to this.

 

[Ayla]

Is the Louis AA full of MOLD?!

 

[Tha Realest]

If this were a new car I just purchased I would have already taken it back and insist on a replacement or my money back.

 

[zemmyz]

Open for 15 months, still remains the most embarrassingly broken major attraction I can remember at the parks. How in the world is the lift hill SCREEN, a story point in an e-ticket ride, not working for what, 5 months? It's complain to guest services levels of bad, and it is legitimately sad. No BTMR, No Buzz, I understand everything being stretched thin at that park, but this should be firing 100% on all cylinders and it is what, 20-25%? It is just absolutely sad.

 

[DisneyFreak]

I've been to MK three times since TBA opened and haven't been able to ride it yet as it was down all three visits.

 

[Disney Analyst]

It’s wild and embarrassing. At this level of effects down it should be closed for refurb.



Meanwhile Disneyland’s is reportedly running perfectly right now.