Let the Good Times Roll!
Mardi Gras starts on June 28th, 2024, when Tiana’s Bayou Adventure holds its Grand Opening! And what is a Mardi Gras party without music? A reason for the next inspiring chapter in Princess Tiana’s story!
Princess Tiana is planning a big Mardi Gras celebration, but some mix up between Prince Naveen and Louis has the princess in need of a band, last minute! Join the princess and Louis on an adventure out into the bayou in search of musical critters!
It’s sure to be an exciting and endearing adventure filled with brand-new music, as well as some favorites from the film, “The Princess and the Frog,” new characters and fun floats and drops into the New Orleans bayou.
Disney has said to expect dozens of new audio-animatronics and has already invited us to meet the band by introducing us to six of the new critters to be featured in the ride.
The cryptic nature of Disney has us all guessing as to what exactly the ride will be like, but there are some hints along the way. I’ve poured over the releases made by Disney parks and imagineering along the way and so far, this is what it looks like we can expect:
You will join Tiana and Louis as they head into the bayou to recruit a group of talented critter musicians. The first encounter will be a group of critters playing “Gonna Take You There” from the film. Along the way you will likely meet the musicians a few at a time along the way to allow for some storytelling and character development. I am guessing the first ones you will meet are Apollo the Rabbit and Rufus the Turtle because Disney mentions that Rufus is always the first to join in on adventures with his close friend Apollo.
Disney also mentions that the instruments are made from natural material from the bayou and “human-made found” items. I bet we will find ourselves on a bit of a scavenger hunt for some things to make instruments along the way as well.
Of course, all of this will culminate into the buildup right before the big 50-foot drop into the big party at the end of the ride. I am not sure what the “conflict” before the big drop will be. Disney has not released any clues that I have noticed as far as that goes. But, if you remember, on Splash Mountain, Brer fox and Brer Bear were throwing Brer Rabbit (and all of us in the boat, apparently) into the briar patch at the big drop. So, I assume that there will be something in the story that builds to a crescendo right beforehand. It was also hinted that the song going up the hill for the final drop will be “Almost There.” So, it is likely that rather than it being an ominous build up it’s more of an uplifting anticipation for the big Mardi Gras Party.
We should expect this to follow a similar format of scenery, mixing well-lit and darker scenes along the way. Disney mentions fireflies, so at some point it will be dusk, if not night. Cypress trees are iconic in the bayou so it would stand that they will be a main piece in the foliage throughout the ride, with low hanging branches and dark cover. The finally is likely to be a well-lit New Orleans Mardi Gras Party, hopefully in the streets of New Orleans in front of Tiana’s Restaurant!
We have been told by Disney that the ride will not have a standby option at opening, but they “hope to open a standby queue soon after the attraction’s opening.” In true Disney fashion there is no date range for the opening of the standby queue. So, the only way to have a chance to ride will be through the Virtual Queue system that we have become familiar with. The first chance to grab your spot will be at 7am and the second will be at 1pm. Remember for the 1pm time, you will have to be in the park to make the virtual queue reservation. If you are an annual passholder, you will need to have a reservation for Magic Kingdom to join the 7am virtual queue.
Disney has also said that Tiana’s Bayou Adventure will be available for Lightning Lane on the Disney Genie+ app. Since there is no standby, as of now, I think we can expect this to be an individual lightning lane or “fancy ride” (as Molly calls it) just like Guardians of the Galaxy and Tron.
There will still be Photopass photos taken on the ride when “you’re almost there.” Just like in Splash Mountain, expect this photo op to be right as you start the big drop at the end of the ride. The pictures will be available for individual digital purchase as well as download via Photopass on the My Disney Experience app.
Disney warns us that there is a “strong chance that riders will get wet.” Just like Splash Mountain these ride boats will fly down a 50-foot drop into water creating a large wave, splashing over the bridge. Some of that water will land on the riders. If you do not like wet clothes and shoes, dress in rain gear or a poncho and water shoes to minimize your discomfort if you still want to experience this new ride.
New attraction merch will be dropping with this ride as well! You will first be able to pick up these brand-new items at Emporium on Main Street USA, then at Critter Co-op shortly after opening. Due to the wording, I think we may see the opening of Critter Co-op around the same time that we see a standby queue open. Disney has teased some plush toys of the critter band characters as some of the new merch we can expect.
Beignets are finally coming to Magic Kingdom! That’s right, for a limited time you will be able to pick up beignets at Golden Oak Outpost and Friar’s Nook starting on opening day, June 28th, 2024! Make sure to grab these while they are around!
Finally, there are also some fun freebees on the Everything Tiana Blog for the new ride. 3 wallpapers for desktop, iPad, mobile, and smartwatches. The first one features Louis playing his trumpet with “laissez les bons temps rouler!” (Let the good times roll) written across the top with some musical notes. The second reads “Happy Mardi Gras” featuring Prince Naveen with his Ukulele and Princess Tiana holding a plate of beignets. Lastly is a purple, green and gold patterned wallpaper with fluers-de-lys and Mickey ears.
Annual Passholder preview Days are June 13, 14, 16, 17, 18 and 20 at Magic Kingdom. Passholders will be able to join the virtual queue via the Genie+ app.
DVC Preview days are June 12 and 19 at Magic Kingdom. DVC members will be able to join the virtual queue via the Genie+ app.
Stay tuned for new Disney World Parks news and events!