Disney plans a refurbishment of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure at Magic Kingdom beginning November 2, 2026. The attraction will close alongside the gift shop Tiana’s Bayou General, with Disney expecting both to return sometime in December.
What Disney Has Said About the Work
Disney has described the planned work as a routine refurbishment, but it has not announced a detailed scope for the project. The November closure marks the ride’s first major closure since the attraction opened at Magic Kingdom two years ago.
A Tiana animatronic figure in Tiana’s Bayou Adventure in Walt Disney World – Photo Credit: M. Montanaro
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It is common for water ride refurbishments to take place during the winter months.
What Is Tiana’s Bayou Adventure?
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is a water attraction based on Disney’s 2009 animated film The Princess and the Frog. The ride continues Princess Tiana’s story after the events of the film.
Disney’s attraction description says guests travel through the bayou with Tiana and Louis while searching for musicians for a Mardi Gras celebration. The ride includes a 50-foot drop and has a minimum height requirement of 40 inches.
Disney opened the Magic Kingdom version on June 28, 2024. The attraction replaced Splash Mountain, which closed permanently in January 2023.
Promotional image of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure via Disney World website
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A separate Tiana’s Bayou Adventure operates at Disneyland Park in California.
How the Closure Affects Holiday Visits
The refurbishment will overlap with Magic Kingdom’s 2026 holiday season.
Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party has its final scheduled night on October 31, 2026. Tiana’s Bayou Adventure will then close just two days later, so Halloween guests will remain unaffected.
However, Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party begins November 8 and continues on select nights through December 22. Tiana’s Bayou Adventure will therefore be unavailable when the Christmas party season begins.
The December reopening window creates a different situation for guests visiting later in the holiday season. Disney expects the ride to return during December, but the lack of a specific date makes it impossible to confirm availability for a particular December trip.
The exterior of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure in Walt Disney World – Photo Credit: M. Montanaro
Guests planning visits around Thanksgiving should also expect the attraction to remain closed.
Gift Shop Closure
The original closure information listed both Tiana’s Bayou General and Critter Co-Op as closing . Disney has since clarified that Critter Co-Op will remain open during the refurbishment.
Tiana’s Bayou General will close beginning November 2. Critter Co-Op will continue operating while Tiana’s Bayou Adventure and the ride are unavailable.
What Remains Unknown
The exact reopening date remains the biggest unanswered question surrounding the refurbishment.
Disney has also not disclosed the full scope of the refurbishment. The company has not confirmed whether the project will include changes to Audio-Animatronics, projections, scenery, ride systems or other maintenance.
Guests planning to visit in November will have to skip the drop, and December guests should keep an eye on the My Disney App to see when the ride reopens.
What do you think of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure? Any changes you are hoping to see? Sound off and let us know!
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