Music will play a big part in the upcoming “Tiana’s Bayou Adventure” attraction, along with new ride animatronics, and Disney has revealed new details on what to expect.
That New Orleans Sound
Leading the team creating that New Orleans sound for “Tiana’s Bayou Adventure” are award-winning artists PJ Morton and Terence Blanchard.
Both natives of New Orleans, four-time Grammy-winner Morton recently celebrated six straight years of Grammy nominations as an independent artist (he’s also the keyboardist for Maroon 5), and Blanchard not only has won seven Grammy awards, he also played all of Louis the Alligator’s trumpet parts in “The Princess and the Frog” movie, which the attraction is based on.
The duo are creating new renditions of fan favorite music from the film’s soundtrack, and Blanchard is in charge of selecting the songs, which will also include iconic themes from New Orleans’ musical history.
“Tiana’s Bayou Adventure” will even feature a new original song composed by Morton, who is also writing, arranging and producing the original song for the attraction.
“It’s a dream come true,” said Morton, a native of New Orleans, speaking at the city’s historic Preservation Hall music venue on May 26. “Disney is an institution that’s always been so connected to the music. It was ‘Mary Poppins’ for me, hearing those songs, it connected to me. Or me and my sister harmonizing to ‘The Little Mermaid.’ It’s just really full circle.”
Imagineers John Dennis, Charita Carter, and Ted Robledo, along with Carmen Smith, Senior Vice President, Creative Development – Product/Content & Inclusive Strategies have been in New Orleans to be a part of the recording sessions.
New Animatronics
“Tiana’s Bayou Adventure” will feature a new storyline that’s set a year after the events of the film, where Tiana is now the owner of Tiana Foods, which is set in an old salt mine.
During Mardi Gras, Tiana, Prince Naveen and Louis will have to set out on a trip through the bayou to find a “missing ingredient” for a special celebration.
A new storyline means new animatronics to help tell the tale, and in addition to the previously announced Mama Odie, Disney says the attraction will include Ralphie, Prince Naveen’s brother, who will be shown in one of the scenes playing a drum.
The Attraction
“Tiana’s Bayou Adventure” is replacing “Splash Mountain” at both Disneyland (which closed May 30, 2023), and Walt Disney World (which closed Jan 22, 2023).
It was announced in 2020 that “Splash Mountain” on both coasts would be closing to make way for the new attraction, and the name of the ride was announced at the Essence Festival in New Orleans in July 2022.
“Tiana’s Bayou Adventure” is scheduled to open in Fall 2024 at both Disneyland and Walt Disney World.
