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

Homemade Imagineering

Well-Known Member
One thing I’d like to note about this whole thing when it comes to re-theming something is the fact that certain areas in a previous attraction such as specific vignettes will not always directly translate from one to another within the re-themed space. In other words, if TBA takes away a handful of AAs in one spot but compensates for the loss a number of feet down the flume within a section of SM that had previously been barren, then that is perfectly normal and okay. These attractions aren’t necessarily designed to directly replace specific vignettes with ones of the same exact scope in the same exact location. An actual example of this is within the Jurassic World re-theme of JPRA, where the opening sequence filled with AAs was replaced with a Mosasaurus screen tank. Now I am not particularly fond of this scene in a direct comparison to what had previously been within the perimeter of that space, but I am extremely forgiving towards since the attraction features the same number of AAs later down the track in scenes that had previously featured none (and far more impressive ones to that point). So, if a section of AAs are removed from slippin’ falls as you enter the show building, as long as there are a fair amount of AAs or impressive practical effects featured further down the track then that is perfectly fair to me. The reason I bring all of this up is due to the fact that I know some people will nitpick certain specific scenes that may have previously featured AAs in splash and now do not in order to fuel an agenda against TBA, without considering any sort of compensation for the loss of a scene in another section of the track. So while I particularly find the Mill House to be a vast improvement over what had been there in SM, alongside the trap scene, I am also bummed to see the fishing geese leave Slippin’ Falls for what is seemingly very little in their place. I am forgiving because of the fact there seems to be compensation for their loss further downstream. In short, certain specific scenes in TBA will be improvements over what had previously been there in SM, while the inverse is also completely true for SM. I hope more people choose to see this, and I am not calling any specific individual out for being guilty of these faulty comparisons, but rather pointing out something I hope people take into consideration, so both TBA and SM will be fairly judged beside one another. Both will still have their own unique flaws, and can still be appreciated for everything they accomplish that leaves a lasting impact on the overall audience.
 

Sir_Cliff

Well-Known Member
The articles about the weather vane, murals, etc. do not mention why the artisans are qualified aside from claiming residence in New Orleans. This is in contrast to their coverage of Terence Blanchard's involvement, where they do at least talk a bit about why his work fits. I think there's a reason for that.

I would also argue that whether or not obscure examples of art from this time period can be found that look a bit like the murals on the barn, a layperson's general impression is still important, because the job of a themed environment is to be effortlessly convincing and transportive. If something feels discordant to the average guest, it's not successful.
I agree with this in the case of the mural, where the end result seems entirely in pursuit of an 'authenticity' that actually clashes with the theme park logic of authenticity.

I'm perfectly happy, though, with them involving craftspeople from New Orleans in the project even if it costs a bit more and they probably could have just got someone in-house to do it. There are plenty of examples of Disney doing that over the years. The Morocco pavilion was kind of a unique case because of the involvement of the Moroccan government, but I think it adds to the pavilion that they brought over Moroccan craftspeople to work on that pavilion. I believe they also brought people over from Africa to work on the roof thatching in Harambe and had craftspeople in France work on the castle rather than just built a big fibreglass version. Indeed, for the recent castle refurb they also brought in a firm that specialised in restoring historical monuments. For the Mexico pavilion and El Rio del Tiempo, they also sought out Chicano/Mexican American artists in East L.A. to contribute rather than just doing it all in-house.

All of that is probably unnecessary. I think it does help to elevate the experience, however.
 

_caleb

Well-Known Member
The articles about the weather vane, murals, etc. do not mention why the artisans are qualified aside from claiming residence in New Orleans. This is in contrast to their coverage of Terence Blanchard's involvement, where they do at least talk a bit about why his work fits. I think there's a reason for that.

I would also argue that whether or not obscure examples of art from this time period can be found that look a bit like the murals on the barn, a layperson's general impression is still important, because
Thanks for the thoughtful response!

Love the way you put this:
the job of a themed environment is to be effortlessly convincing and transportive. If something feels discordant to the average guest, it's not successful.
But I can see one issue with this— the temptation to rely on caricatures and stereotypes as a way to accomplish this.

Some of the shorthand used to create convincing and transportive experiences for the average parks guest in the 50s, 70s, or 90s, is now considered by some to be disrespectful, ignorant, or offensive.

Authenticity seems like a way to avoid this.

TBA’s stylized version of New Orleans may not “feel” as period-/location-appropriate because it seems to rely less on tropes. This, to your point, makes it a taller order to transport a broad audience who are expecting Mardi Gras beads and beignets.
 

Sir_Cliff

Well-Known Member
Some of the shorthand used to create convincing and transportive experiences for the average parks guest in the 50s, 70s, or 90s, is now considered by some to be disrespectful, ignorant, or offensive.

Authenticity seems like a way to avoid this.

TBA’s stylized version of New Orleans may not “feel” as period-/location-appropriate because it seems to rely less on tropes. This, to your point, makes it a taller order to transport a broad audience who are expecting Mardi Gras beads and beignets.
An interesting older example in this regard is the original Mexico pavilion at Epcot. They actually went to the trouble of inviting Mexican exchange students to see what they had planned, and they reacted negatively to the recycling of old stereotypes. That was what led them to bring in people from the Chicano art movement in East Los Angeles... not exactly Mexico, but I guess what passed for authentically Mexican in the late-1970s/early-1980s!
 

Figments Friend

Well-Known Member
So….
Getting back to the Attraction itself….

Based on what has been publically released thus far, am I the only one wondering how the long explained ‘Tiana’s Food’ branding and backstory relates to what has been seen thus far?

There seems to be two ‘stories’ happening here, and it feels somewhat disjointed.

Originally, Disney was adamant about making sure we knew Tiana had her own employee co-op business, her own restaurant , and something about a salt dome and finding a ‘missing ingredient’.
Then later we have Disney promoting the animal critters , those fun loving musical friends we meet along the way as we travel to the party being thrown for everyone.

So which ‘story’ is really being told here…?
Both?
Seems a lot to digest for what should just be a fun frolic through the bayou.



-
 

TheMaxRebo

Well-Known Member
So….
Getting back to the Attraction itself….

Based on what has been publically released thus far, am I the only one wondering how the long explained ‘Tiana’s Food’ branding and backstory relates to what has been seen thus far?

There seems to be two ‘stories’ happening here, and it feels somewhat disjointed.

Originally, Disney was adamant about making sure we knew Tiana had her own employee co-op business, her own restaurant , and something about a salt dome and finding a ‘missing ingredient’.
Then later we have Disney promoting the animal critters , those fun loving musical friends we meet along the way as we travel to the party being thrown for everyone.

So which ‘story’ is really being told here…?
Both?
Seems a lot to digest for what should just be a fun frolic through the bayou.



-

I think the first part is more about the setting and back story, to explain how this is after the movie and why ride isn't a retelling of the movie

The 2nd part relates more to the actual storyline of the attraction, what the guests will experience

So first part is the "where and the when", 2nd is the "what and the why"
 

_caleb

Well-Known Member
So….
Getting back to the Attraction itself….

Based on what has been publically released thus far, am I the only one wondering how the long explained ‘Tiana’s Food’ branding and backstory relates to what has been seen thus far?

There seems to be two ‘stories’ happening here, and it feels somewhat disjointed.

Originally, Disney was adamant about making sure we knew Tiana had her own employee co-op business, her own restaurant , and something about a salt dome and finding a ‘missing ingredient’.
Then later we have Disney promoting the animal critters , those fun loving musical friends we meet along the way as we travel to the party being thrown for everyone.

So which ‘story’ is really being told here…?
Both?
Seems a lot to digest for what should just be a fun frolic through the bayou.



-
I know you know what a backstory is.
 

UNCgolf

Well-Known Member
I know you know what a backstory is.

I think that's actually the issue, though. A backstory is usually in the background -- something to help the designers (or actors, author, etc.) frame what they're doing. It's generally not part of marketing materials.

With the limited information we have right now, the backstory feels divorced from the attraction (i.e. if the backstory didn't exist it wouldn't have any material impact on the ride itself), and thus feels superfluous. That's not necessarily out of the ordinary for a backstory, but it becomes an issue here because Disney promoted it.

That could certainly change once the attraction opens and we see the whole thing, though, so there is a giant caveat on all of this.

I also don't think it's a major problem or one that should have any impact on a person's enjoyment of the attraction itself -- it just feels like a bit of a misfire on Disney's part. It's also why the Mama Odie's hot sauce bottle was so confusing.
 

_caleb

Well-Known Member
I think that's actually the issue, though. A backstory is usually in the background -- something to help the designers (or actors, author, etc.) frame what they're doing. It's generally not part of marketing materials.

With the limited information we have right now, the backstory feels divorced from the attraction (i.e. if the backstory didn't exist it wouldn't have any material impact on the ride itself), and thus feels superfluous. That's not necessarily out of the ordinary for a backstory, but it becomes an issue here because Disney promoted it.

That could certainly change once the attraction opens and we see the whole thing, though, so there is a giant caveat on all of this.

I also don't think it's a major problem or one that should have any impact on a person's enjoyment of the attraction itself -- it just feels like a bit of a misfire on Disney's part. It's also why the Mama Odie's hot sauce bottle was so confusing.
My take is that the social media team pressured WDI for content. To avoid spoilers, they went with geeky behind-the-scenes details (like the backstory) to help generate buzz.

Mission accomplished on these boards, at least.

The end result is that fans have been sitting with the employee-owned co-op and weather vane stuff for a long time, with little in the way of story (even now, on the eve of previews).

Also, as others have mentioned, I think the D+ series was meant to provide some context, but that seems to have been delayed/reworked.
 

SplashJacket

Well-Known Member
I think that's actually the issue, though. A backstory is usually in the background -- something to help the designers (or actors, author, etc.) frame what they're doing. It's generally not part of marketing materials.

With the limited information we have right now, the backstory feels divorced from the attraction (i.e. if the backstory didn't exist it wouldn't have any material impact on the ride itself), and thus feels superfluous. That's not necessarily out of the ordinary for a backstory, but it becomes an issue here because Disney promoted it.

That could certainly change once the attraction opens and we see the whole thing, though, so there is a giant caveat on all of this.

I also don't think it's a major problem or one that should have any impact on a person's enjoyment of the attraction itself -- it just feels like a bit of a misfire on Disney's part. It's also why the Mama Odie's hot sauce bottle was so confusing.
That’s the thing with backstories. Usually they’re like salt on a table, not everyone needs to get/use them to enjoy the offerings.

Hard to judge if an experience is enjoyable without a backstory (but it seems to be) and we should remember the backstories of other modern Disney rides that raised eyebrows (Guardians at Epcot) are fully enjoyable without or in spite of said backstories.

I’m not worried about this either.
 

Incomudro

Well-Known Member
I realise I’m in the minority. But I’ll never understand why most places crank it up so high that you need to put a sweater on at the height of summer!
Part of that feeling is likely the contrast of coming in from a hot and humid place to a cool and dry one.
I know when I first come into my air conditioned house from outside, it often feels really cool but given some time to adjust it isn't.
 

SilentWindODoom

Well-Known Member
It cools us off when we are hot.
I choose not to be sweating, hot and uncomfortable in temps of 97 with a 73 dew point

I choose air conditioning.

Nothing like that blast walking into a store in the dead of August.

Yeah, but the dress she was wearing should have had a more similar shape to that of the og dress

Maybe she owns dresses of many styles like actual women.

A point I think gets lost is that in her human wedding, she opted for a dress more in style to the one in the finale. The big ball gown was a costume meant for sitting behind a table and selling food. When she chose what to wear for herself in a formal situation and to actually party, she didn't choose that.

Disney has released a full Tiana’s Bayou Adventure POV video:



And here we go...
 

Register on WDWMAGIC. This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.

Back
Top Bottom