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

[cupofchai]

Everything else about this project has been wildly reactive and overreactive, so why not

How is it "reactive" when AA's, moving figures and sets are already made and fabricated and waiting to be installed?

Everything else is promising, and I'll go as far as to say that I bet this ride will be very attractive visually.
Less stark than Splash was.
More lush, fuller set scenes, better and more updated lighting...

This is exactly what I'm expecting from the ride, vibe-wise.

I understand, which is why I would have preferred the ride be based on the film.
The sense of impending dread while being stalked by a Facilier is something I don't know how they are going to work around.

I don't think the sense of dread will be completely missed. Anticipate the laughing place to deliver on that with cool projected fog and light effects, setting the mood for a dark and spooky section before encountering Mama Odie.

At any rate, I quite like some of the concept art that they’ve produced for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, but I realise that’s subjective.

I quite like it too. Especially the updated one with the band of critters.

 

[Smiley/OCD]

There was also a couple of different frames at one time and a beach towel, a tumbler......but beyond that I cant recall anything else except for maybe a ride vehicle toy when they use to have those.

Yes, at one time…there was a whole series of plush and other items…all I am saying is that you can’t use the excuse that no one bought anything when you didn’t regularly have anything for sale.

 

[Midwest Elitist]

After a bunch of PR missteps that caused humanity to cringe (obviously hyperbole, don't @ me about it) suddenly, they've come to their senses about a ride that has been in production for 2 years (supposedly) and essentially stated what actually matters? I'll believe it when I see it, but my tolerance for pixie dust is at absurdly high levels, I'm not moved by this announcement.

 

[Unbanshee]

Comments from Tony Baxter in an article from the LA Times -

"Famed Disney Imagineer Tony Baxter, known for spearheading Big Thunder Mountain and his role in bringing the works of George Lucas into Disney parks, oversaw Splash Mountain’s creation and has served as creative advisor to Imagineering on the project. Baxter voiced his support for the makeover in a statement provided by Disney. In the comment, Baxter argues that Disney in the early to mid-’80s was often forced to look to the company’s deep past for inspiration, as its own films of the era struggled to resonate on a larger cultural scale."

“When Splash Mountain came to life over 30 years ago, the wave of Disney Animation that started with ‘The Little Mermaid’ had not yet begun,” Baxter said in a press release. “New stories would give us characters, music and wonderful places that now reside in the hearts of audiences everywhere. Following conversations with Imagineering’s leaders about the new attraction’s scope and resources, I had a great sense of reassurance — the attraction will be one to be proud of ... bringing to life places, characters and music from the animated classic ‘The Princess and the Frog.’”

Disneyland sets Splash Mountain closing date, releases new concept art for Tiana's Bayou Adventure

Disneyland's Splash Mountain attraction, themed to the problematic 'Song of the South,' will close at the end of May. It will be reimagined with a 'Princess and the Frog' theme and debut in 2024.

www.latimes.com

These are not new comments. Baxter said this in 2020. Who knows if he's even still part of the project

 

[Vinnie Mac]

he was also confident in Frozen and that could/should have turned out better in some areas.

Only problem I have with the Frozen ride is how the projector faces look. "IP in Epcot" argument aside that ride is perfectly fine so what is your point?

 

[Kirby86]

These are not new comments. Baxter said this in 2020. Who knows if he's even still part of the project

Oh good it wasn't just me who remembers him saying that!

 

[Unbanshee]

Oh good it wasn't just me who remembers him saying that!

Even Google remembers that the Baxter quote is from 2020...from the LA Times...which is what is being cited here as being "new"

Disney to replace Splash Mountain 'Song of the South' theme with 'Princess and the Frog'

Disney announced a new theme based on "The Princess and the Frog" for Splash Mountain, long criticized for its association with the racist film "Song of the South."

www.latimes.com

 

[yensidtlaw1969]

Yes, at one time…there was a whole series of plush and other items…all I am saying is that you can’t use the excuse that no one bought anything wham you didn’t regularly have anything for sale.

You act as if those things aren't related. Disney didn't stock Splash Mountain merch excessively because they had seen for years that Splash Mountain merch didn't sell particularly well. Splash is one of the few rides ever to have two dedicated themed gift shops in the same park, so it's not like they didn't try.

To that end, your assertion that there was no real selection of merch doesn't even hold up:

I'd share more but I can only attach 10 images - and this is just stuff from the last couple years. You're acting like Disney had screwed guests out of the opportunity to buy Splash merch, but the reality is people basically just didn't buy much of it until the closure announcement created scarcity.

So not only are you being totally disingenuous, you're also in the wrong thread for this matter.

 

[IronRod]

My sense (and I may well be mistaken) is that the practice of publicly releasing concept art for new attractions is fairly recent. Was any concept art released for Splash Mountain back in the day?

At any rate, I quite like some of the concept art that they’ve produced for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, but I realise that’s subjective.

Oh you bet, they glued it right to the side of the construction walls. There was even a 3D model:

 

[DCBaker]

These are not new comments. Baxter said this in 2020. Who knows if he's even still part of the project

Even Google remembers that the Baxter quote is from 2020...from the LA Times...which is what is being cited here as being "new"

Disney to replace Splash Mountain 'Song of the South' theme with 'Princess and the Frog'

Disney announced a new theme based on "The Princess and the Frog" for Splash Mountain, long criticized for its association with the racist film "Song of the South."

www.latimes.com

Appreciate you making me aware. Those two paragraphs were in the new article, but I didn't see an acknowledgment or reference that they were also in the article you linked to from 2020. I'll edit to make that clear.

 

[V_L_Raptor]

• Do you love beignets as much as Louis? Well, you’re in luck because the alluring scent of beignets being prepared for the party will be part of the attraction queue!

Mama Odie to Appear in Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, Plus More Updates

To make room for this new magic, Splash Mountain at Disneyland park will be closed starting May 31, 2023, so we can begin the next phase of development for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure.

disneyparks.disney.go.com

Look, I understand there are battle lines drawn over this attraction. I also understand that the day I ducked out of Animal Kingdom and waited through all the bus stops to get to and from the park just so I could go to Port Orleans for beignets and a po'boy meant a lot of wasted time just to get my paws on some deliciously dusted dough. If Disney doesn't make good on this attraction and start making those kinds of eats available at Pecos Bill's (apparent) replacement venue, I will be sorely disappointed. I won't have any interest in riding a flume ride, but at least I could find a reliable place to get something much tastier than theme park burgers.

Hopefully. Not that my disappointment matters a whit in the overall span of things, but still.

 

[EagleScout610]

My sense (and I may well be mistaken) is that the practice of publicly releasing concept art for new attractions is fairly recent. Was any concept art released for Splash Mountain back in the day?

At any rate, I quite like some of the concept art that they’ve produced for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, but I realise that’s subjective.

 

[LittleBuford]

Oh you bet, they glued it right to the side of the construction walls. There was even a 3D model:

View attachment 710056View attachment 710055View attachment 710054View attachment 710052View attachment 710057View attachment 710053

Thank you both! These pieces of concept art certainly give a better sense of the ride’s narrative than what they’ve released for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. I do wonder whether that’s because they based it on what had already been built in Disneyland three years earlier, though please do let me know if that version of the ride was likewise preceded by similarly detailed concept art.

At any rate, I still find the art for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure promising and attractive.

 

[Tha Realest]

This has been the most promising release so far, I think.

Nothing in it to snigger about, and confirmation of new AAs as well as a mix of original songs and others from the film. Not only that, but a Tony Baxter comment to the LA Times to reassure everyone he isn't angrily boycotting the whole thing!

Sadly, that comment was from 2020. In this ”new” article Todd Martens plagiarizes from his 2020 one but doesn’t given an update on the statement, which is why the updated information is conflated with the old and makes it seem like its a new quote.

 

[LittleBuford]

I’m much more reassured by the announcement itself than the 2020 Baxter quotation that’s been conflated with it.

 

[Smiley/OCD]

…they brought Tony in to hype it for one reason, and one reason only, to try to bridge the gap between the pro change and the anti change group, the majority of which were there when Splash opened and Disney felt we “old timers” would respect what he had to say and perhaps persuade us to the other side…his opinion matters because he created the ride.

 

[Tha Realest]

I think we all expected Mama Odie to make an appearance, so that’s not entirely unexpected. As for the rest provided:

• Brand-new cast of original Disney characters with distinct names and personalities

Umm. Okay. You had a bunch of great characters in the film already.

• Dozens of entirely new Audio-Animatronics figures

Unambiguously good news.

• Adorable critters with incredible talent, bringing the diverse flavors of musical gumbo found in New Orleans!

Jazz /zydeco is good to me

• New, original music alongside favorite tunes from the film

Randy Newman’s original music was terrific. Randy Newman hasn’t been mentioned as being associated with this project anywhere at all. This “new, original music” is concerning.

• Do you love beignets as much as Louis? Well, you’re in luck because the alluring scent of beignets being prepared for the party will be part of the attraction queue!

I don’t know - did Louis love beignets? Like the idea, hope they execute it right

• Additional talent voices from the film reprising their roles, including Bruno Campos as Prince Naveen, Michael Leon Wooley as Louis, and the one and only Anika Noni Rose as Princess Tiana

Goof. Would like to see Jim Cummings or Keith David, but that ship has sailed.

• Familiar faces from the film such as Princess Tiana, Prince Naveen, Mama Odie, Louis, Eudora, Charlotte, “Big Daddy,” the King and Queen of Maldonia and Prince Ralphie

Notice that Tiana and Naveen have gotten their royal honorifics back? In February it was Tiana and Naveen. Now, they’re Princess Tiana and Prince Naveen.

 

[LittleBuford]

Notice that Tiana and Naveen have gotten their royal honorifics back? In February it was Tiana and Naveen. Now, they’re Princess Tiana and Prince Naveen.

I mean, the water tower has had a crown on it since the beginning. The use of royal titles isn’t surprising.

 

[Kirby86]

I mean, the water tower has had a crown on it since the beginning. The use of royal titles isn’t surprising.

It's almost as if they want people to know this is a princess ride.

 

[LittleBuford]

It's almost as if they want people to know this is a princess ride.

Tiana is a princess; this is her ride. I’m not sure why people are making it seem as if there’s something cynical or untoward going on here.