News/Commentary

Disney’s ‘woke’ replacement for ‘canceled’ Splash Mountain to open next month

May 13, 2024 | | Print Article

Disney is unveiling its woke Tiana’s Bayou Adventure on June 28 at Walt Disney World to take the place of the iconic Splash Mountain landmark ride and is asking guests to “drop on in” for the experience.

Guests will reportedly be taken on a “musical adventure” during the opening of the attraction at Orlando’s Magic Kingdom according to an announcement made Sunday during “American Idol.”

“The ‘Idol’ episode, broadcast on Disney-owned ABC, also included prerecorded segments with the remaining contestants from Disney World and judge Katy Perry in a Cinderella-esque gown,” the Orlando Sentinel reported.

A press release claims that the attraction features “dozens of Audio-Animatronics figures, a foot-tapping soundtrack, and a celebration where everyone’s welcome.”

(Video Credit: Disney Parks)

“Princess Tiana from the 2009 ‘Princess and the Frog’ movie will be joined by characters Mama Odie, Louis and ‘adorable critters’ playing musical instruments,” Fox Business reported.

“There will be ‘dozens’ of Audio-Animatronics during the ride, and many of the film’s original voice actors will be reprising their roles for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, including Anika Noni Rose as Princess Tiana, Bruno Campos as Prince Naveen, Jenifer Lewis as Mama Odie, and Michael-Leon Wooley as Louis,” IGN explained.

The idea seems to be an effort to make the attraction more New Orleans-like, according to Cleveland.com, “Tiana’s Bayou Adventure continues the story of ‘The Princess and the Frog,’ the 2009 animated film that introduced the first Black Disney princess.”

“There will also be some new characters thrown in the mix for this ride, including some critters like an otter, a rabbit, a raccoon, a beaver, a turtle, and more who play instruments ‘made of natural materials found in the bayou.’ Furthermore, they will all be showcasing their Zydeco, Rara, and Afro-Cuban musical skills in a tribute to music that is authentic to the region of New Orleans. Oh, there will be new music from award-winning artists PJ Morton and Terence Blanchard that will join favorites from the film,” the outlet expanded.

“The ride will also honor New Orleans with artwork from Louisiana artist Malaika Favorite for the queue, an original metalwork weathervane from third-generation master blacksmith, Darryl Reeves and his apprentice, Karina Roca, and art from New Orleans artist Sharika Mahdi which was an inspiration for the attraction ‘from the beginning,'” IGN added.

There will still be lines, of course, and people will have to wait their turn.

“Florida-based cast members, annual passholders, and eligible Disney Vacation Club members will get to ride the new attraction first. Information regarding previews will start coming out on Tuesday,” Fox Business added. “Disney has been keeping fans very involved in the reimagination process of the ride while posting updates on the Disney Parks Blog. Disney’s fanatics have been filming ride tests of the logs taking their 50-foot drop.”

During Splash Mountain’s final day of operation, which took place in January 2023, the ride broke a Walt Disney World record. Fans stood in line for almost four hours to take one last ride according to Thrill Data, a service that monitors wait times at various theme parks. The Tiana’s Bayou Adventure attraction was announced in June 2020.

“The famed water ride, which features a steep drop, came under fire on social media because it features characters and music from ‘Song of the South,’ a 1946 animated film that has been accused of employing racist tropes about the post-Civil War South,” Fox Business noted.

Most people don’t seem to see it that way but the woke powers-that-be at Disney had their way in the end and shut the ride down.

Tiana’s Bayou Adventure will also open at Disneyland Park in California later this year. An opening date has not been announced yet.

Latest posts by Terresa Monroe-Hamilton (see all)

Comment

We have no tolerance for comments containing violence, racism, profanity, vulgarity, doxing, or discourteous behavior. If a comment is spam, instead of replying to it please click the ∨ icon below and to the right of that comment. Thank you for partnering with us to maintain fruitful conversation.

Latest Articles