Disney Announces Opening Date for ‘Princess and the Frog’ Ride

Tiana’s Bayou Adventure will officially open on June 28 at Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World, the company announced Sunday night.

The long-awaited announcement of the reimagined Splash Mountain ride was announced on American Idol. The ride itself will welcome park goers on a musical adventure taking place where the Walt Disney Animation Studios film left off. The log-flume style attraction will culminate with a thrilling 50-foot, five-story drop familiar to those who rode its previous version.

Authenticity was at the forefront of the project as Disney worked directly with the city of New Orleans while bringing its culture to life. Riders will be transported to the magical land of the bayou, complete with flowing Spanish moss and water lilies. The next chapter of Tiana’s story sees her preparing to host a special celebration during Mardi Gras season. Familiar songs from the film will be used to tell the story along with original compositions fusing zydeco music and jazz. An immersive French Quarter-inspired queue will pipe in the scent of freshly fried beignets. 

Walt Disney Imagineering has tapped the latest in pioneering technology for the ride, including their most advanced audio-animatronics yet. These state-of-the-art audio-animatronics will have a more fluid range of motion than ever resulting in lifelike movements and deeper immersive storytelling abilities. These first debuted at World of Frozen in Hong Kong Disneyland. 

Tiana’s Bayou Adventure will include dozens of these new sophisticated audio-animatronics, including those depicting familiar faces from the movie, like Princess Tiana, Louis, Mama Odie, Eudora, Prince Naveen, and more. The ride will also feature a brand-new merry band of musical critters. Anika Nona Rose will reprise her role from the film voicing Princess Tiana along with Bruno Campos as Prince Naveen, Jenifer Lewis as Mama Odie, and Michael-Leon Wooley as Louis.

Previews are expected ahead of the June 28th public opening for Florida-based Cast Members, Annual Passholders, and eligible Disney Vacation Club Members. Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is expected to open later this year at Disneyland Resort.