Disney inaugurates a new attraction in Orlando that replaces the traditional Splash Mountain

A colorful and musical boat ride, where it is possible to recognize the characters from “Princess and the Frog”, the Walt Disney Animation Studios film that premiered in 2009. An immersive and fun experience in the traditional park Magic Kingdom. That’s how it is Tiana’s Bayou Adventurethe new attraction that this Friday June 28th Disney opens in Orlando, United States, and a similar version is expected to arrive at Disneyland Park (California) at the end of the year.

This game replaces the iconic roller coaster Splash Mountain, in fact it is located in the same space and follows the same route but in a renovated environment inspired mainly by Tiana, Disney’s first black princess. And that makes it magical.

Something else: you leave this attraction wet, some more, others less. But the splashes are appreciated. The inauguration coincides with a summer of very high temperatures in Orlando. So welcome is the walk through the water that includes, in addition to visual recreation and music, a 15 meter drop, the largest of Disney’s four parks. And yes, on this journey, fun is guaranteed.

With Princess Tiana at the helm, the attraction delves a little deeper into its history after the Disney film. What happened in his and Prince Naveen’s lives after their “happily ever after”?

The game is set in a Mardi Gras party (Mardi Gras) in New Orleans: The princess and her friend Louis, a trumpet-playing alligator, look for creatures to form a band. Halfway along, the cheerful Mama Odie, queen of voodoo in “The Princess and the Frog” and now “fairy godmother of the swamp,” appears.

Tiana’s Bayou Adventure has some of the most modern figures in Audio-Animatronics (the famous robot dolls that are in Disney attractions, that move and sing) and this new advanced technology makes you feel like you are really interacting with these characters in the attraction.

For visitors, The story starts from the moment you enter the game queuethere you can see how the princess’s life changed after successfully opening Tiana’s Palace, a restaurant that she had dreamed of and worked hard to make come true.

Along the way you will see how Tiana expanded her business with the creation of different food products of her own. And a sensory bonus: in the hallway leading to the game you can feel the aroma of freshly baked pastriesthe famous beignets, his culinary specialty in the Disney film. You will also have to pay attention to the details of the photos that decorate that section of the line.

The purpose of this story is to remind us that We all have the potential to make our dreams come true.. In fact, the iconic New Orleans restaurant Dooky Chase’s and its founder Leah Chase inspired the creators of Princess Tiana and her story. It is a family culinary business that grew through sacrifices and a lot of work and that, 83 years later, is still in force.

• It is located in the area Frontierland of Magic Kingdom and next to Big Thunder Mountainwhich is located right next door, represent the two most popular attractions in an area that is characterized by its typical wooden buildings that refer to childhood cowboy movies.

• Splash Mountain, the roller coaster that previously operated at that location and closed in January 2023, was based on characters from the 1946 film “Song of the South,” a film that was dated and criticized for its stereotypes of African Americans. Therefore, the fact that the attraction has closed to be renovated and is now reopened represented by Tiana, Disney’s first black princess, more than vindicates it.

• As soon as it opens this Friday, June 28, access to Tiana’s Bayou Adventure will only be through a virtual queue. There will be no regular line available the first few days. To join, you will have to do it through the application My Disney Experience.

• Tiana’s Bayou Adventure will also be included as a select ticket attraction Lightning Lanethe fast pass service that allows you to avoid the in-person waiting line and join a separate and immediate one.

“Princess and the Frog” by Walt Disney Animation Studios debuted in 2009 and is currently is celebrating 15 years of magic in the swamp. Tiana is the protagonist of the film, a working class woman who dreams of having her own restaurant. When she meets a frog prince who desperately wants to be human again, a fateful kiss leads them both on a fun adventure through the mountains. Louisiana swamps.

Although the film was not as popular in Latin America, Tiana became a crucial character for Disney. First, because She is not a conventional Disney princess: She likes to be independent, she knows what she wants. And she claims that she doesn’t need a prince to be happy.

In consumer surveys conducted by the company, Tiana ranks second in popularity among black women of the entire list of Disney characters (those from “The Lion King” rank first). As an independent Black entrepreneur, Tiana inspires people of all ages.

Furthermore, the film is set in the French Quarter from New Orleans where music – jazz – represents another character in this story that reformulates the myth of the princess who kisses the frog to turn him into a prince.

The park renovation started after the pandemic, in 2021 with the expansion of the France pavilion and the opening of the Remy’s Rastatuille Adventure attraction. The following year he opened Epcot’s first roller coaster, Guardians of the Galaxy, Disney’s most powerful. And then, in 2023, the new “Water Journey” attraction, inspired by Moana.

Now it’s the turn of two new spaces, CommuniCore Hall and CommuniCore Plaza that were inaugurated last June 10: with them the transformation of the park is now complete and the magic intact.

During the Orlando summer, at the CommuniCore Plaza, visitors can dance and sing along to the Latin show “Celebración Encanto!” a very fun and colorful show by Mirabel, Bruno and the entire Madrigal family, the protagonists of the Disney film. Furthermore, next to the stage, a new food and beverage space called “Festival Favorites”.

For its part, inside CommuniCore Hall, you can go to say hello to Mickey Mouse and his friends, and take photos with them. This new venue features colorful artwork and a mural inspired by EPCOT’s past and present.

“There are many Latinos who work at Disney and we have a lot of Latinos who are coming here to Walt Disney World, so we have to see ourselves represented. Today the Latino public makes up the top three of Disney visitorsalong with Canada and England, not counting the US,” explains Sarah Domenech, Public Relations Manager of Walt Disney World Resort who was born in Puerto Rico, but has lived in Orlando for many years.

And he adds: “A few months ago we announced an investment of US$60 million in all Walt Disney World parks. And thanks to this, this series of expansions and improvements that will continue in the other Disney parks.”