During American Idol on May 12th, The Walt Disney Company made the announcement of when Tiana’s Bayou Adventure would be opening to the general public for guests to ride the attraction. This is a very peculiar announcement because the Disney’s Earnings Call took place last week and there was no mention of this seemingly major addition to Disney Parks. Some have speculated the reason Disney decided not to make the announcement during that time was because the Earnings Report also included information that Disney World attendance and revenues (where Tiana’s Bayou Adventure will be opening) are expected to be “soft” during the quarter the ride is added to the park’s portfolio. By announcing it instead during a television show, the company may have attempted to distance the attraction from the criticism that it will not impact attendance in a positive fashion.
As you might know, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure has faced significant controversy ever since it’s announcement. Despite Splash Mountain being the top-ranked attraction at Disney World according to polling, it was destroyed over racial issues and its replacement arrives in June of this year. For some, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is a tremendous new ride they can’t wait to enjoy. For others, it is a virtue signal that destroyed a beloved adventure. Whatever the case might be for you, there’s no denying that a lack of attendance at the same time it opens is a bad sign for Disney.
Concept art for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure
There have also been significant speculations as to the Juneteenth holiday and when Disney might open the right. Our own WDW Pro has reported on rumors that the ride might be opened on the holiday according to his sources. While the ride opening later than Juneteenth to the general public might make you believe that reporting is incorrect, we should wait to see if Disney uses Juneteenth as the “media day” or the ribbon cutting first. The opening day for the public often isn’t the same as the ceremony for these rides.
Here’s what Disney Parks Blog has to say with their official public release:
Princess Tiana serves up delicious Louisiana favorites, and we’ve been serving you all kinds of news about her new ride. Your appetizer was a deep dive into the authenticity of the New Orleans inspiration. Your soup-and-salad course savored the profiles of critter bands and sweet moves of new Audio-Animatronics figures. And now, it’s time for the main course … Tiana’s Bayou Adventure opens June 28 at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida!
If you were like me, you were glued to the screen as the talented Top 5 hopefuls of “American Idol” sang their hearts out with some of our favorite hits during the ever-entertaining “Disney Night.” Not only was it fun to see award-winning country singer Kane Brown mentoring the contestants out and about around Walt Disney World Resort, but it was an absolute delight to watch the voice of Mama Odie herself, Jenifer Lewis, perform “Dig A Little Deeper” on that iconic “Idol” stage before Ryan Seacrest shared the opening date for our attraction here in Florida. It was a pinch me moment!
Music to Our Ears
Just like we celebrated our exciting news live on television with that showstopping performance by Jenifer Lewis, we also celebrated down in New Orleans with the culture and people who helped to inspire both the film and Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. PJ Morton – five-time Grammy Award winner and contributor to the attraction’s soundtrack – and members of the Chase family came together with Princess Tiana and Louis in the heart of Crescent City.
No musical celebration is complete without a band, so we invited the famous NOLA-based St. Augustine High School marching band to really let the good times roll!
Goin’ Down the Bayou
I can’t wait to share this next chapter in Tiana’s story with you! The ride will take guests on a musical adventure picking up after the events of the Walt Disney Animation Studios film, “The Princess and the Frog.” You’ll join Princess Tiana on an adventure through the bayou as she prepares to host a one-of-a-kind celebration during Mardi Gras season where everyone is welcome. Along the way, you will see some familiar faces, make new friends and travel through the bayou into the next chapter of Tiana’s story. Tiana’s Bayou Adventure will also feature original music and some familiar tunes from the beloved movie, and so much more … including an incredibly thrilling 50-foot drop!
Now What’s That I Hear About Previews?
And if you’re wondering how Tiana will cater to her regulars, you might just hear some delightful details about preview opportunities ahead of the official grand opening for Florida-based Cast Members, Annual Passholders and eligible Disney Vacation Club Members soon… keep an eye out for more information coming to you starting May 14!
More information on how to experience the attraction is coming soon, so stay tuned to the Disney Parks Blog. We can’t wait to have visitors “drop on in” Tiana’s Bayou Adventure at Magic Kingdom on June 28, and later this year at Disneyland Park in California.
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For all the latest news that should be fun, keep reading That Park Place. As always, drop a comment down below.
