Why we're excited about Tiana's Bayou Adventure

It was the end of an era on May 30 as, after nearly 35 years, Splash Mountain closed at Disneyland. While the Disney World version was already shut down, the original Disneyland attraction stayed open for a few more months. But it’s now done for good, and work is already beginning on Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, which is due to open in 2024. 

For many fans, it’s a shame to lose the classic Splash Mountain and its fun songs, colorful characters and terrific atmosphere. However, there are reasons to be excited about the new version, so here’s why many Disney fans are ready to see Tiana’s Bayou Adventure when it opens next year!

It avoids a rough subject matter

The issue with Splash Mountain has always been that it’s based on a movie Disney prefers never to have existed. While Song of the South has great animation and that classic “ZIp-a-Dee-Doo-Dah” song, it’s also been problematic because of its depictions of post-Civil War America. Disney hasn’t offered a physical media release in any form since the early 1980s, and it’s not streaming anywhere. 

So while there are fans of the movie and the property, it’s always been tricky to have a huge attraction based on such a problematic movie, so a new take is fun. 

The source material is great

The Princess and the Frog is one of Disney’s most underrated movies. The 2009 return to hand-drawn animation boasted a feisty lead character, some terrific songs and a great setting. It fits the theme of New Orleans Square perfectly and has all the ingredients needed to make for a great attraction. Even the swamp setting can work for a water-based ride, and expanding it to a wider audience will allow this movie to finally get the respect it deserves.

It’ll still have the big drop

The key to the new version is that it’s not going to completely rework the ride. It’ll still be the same trip in a log (perhaps altered a bit in its design) and the same dips and turns. It’ll simply boast new Audio-Animatronics and songs, but Disney knows the reason everyone goes on this ride is that huge drop, and that’ll still be there. So the “Splash” part is going to remain, even if the rest of the ride has a different tone.