Tiana's Bayou Adventure ride opens at Disney World
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The original voice actors from "The Princess and the Frog" checked out Tiana's Bayou Adventure earlier this month. Photo: Courtesy of The Walt Disney Co.
Disney World's love letter to New Orleans opens to the public Friday.
Why it matters: Tiana's Bayou Adventure replaces Splash Mountain and is Disney's first ride celebrating its only Black princess.
Catch up quick: Tiana's Bayou Adventure is based on the 2009 movie "The Princess and the Frog" and has been in the works for 10 years, Disney says.
- In the movie, Tiana is a server in New Orleans and helps a frog prince turn back into a human. The movie ends with her opening a restaurant.
- Tiana's Bayou Adventure is the next chapter. As Imagineers designed the ride, they were guided by the family behind Dooky Chase's Restaurant, whose matriarch, chef Leah Chase, is the inspiration for Princess Tiana.
- Leah Chase died in 2019 at the age of 96.
The big picture: Axios previewed the ride earlier this month, along with the Chase family, Drew Brees and Cam Jordan.
- It's still a log flume ride with that familiar 50-foot drop — and the splashdown.
All aboard: The ride takes you on a quest through the bayou, led by Tiana and fan-favorite alligator trumpeter Louis, in search of musicians for a Mardi Gras party.
- The action ramps up when voodoo priestess Mama Odie shrinks us down to bug-sized so we can scout talent among Ray the firefly's brethren.
New music: The ride features an all-new song, "Special Spice," performed by Tiana voice actress Anika Noni Rose and written by New Orleans native PJ Morton.
- And that voice you hear covering the Louis Armstrong classic "Do You Know What It Means to Miss New Orleans?" is none other than Leah Chase-Kamata.
- The soundtrack also features Tarriona "Tank" Ball and dozens of local musicians. Go deeper.
New merch: A selection of Dooky Chase's spices and books are on sale at the ride's two shops.
- There's also plush bayou critter musicians, an interactive dragonfly toy, princess jewelry, Mama Odie's hot sauce and the ride's new Loungefly bag.
- See photos from inside the gift shop.
New food: Disney is adding New Orleans-themed food to the parks for the ride.
- Beignets will finally be for sale in Magic Kingdom, along with gummi frogs, Tiana Bayou coffee and Chantilly cake, which was invented in New Orleans.
- See photos of the treats.
If you go: The ride is in Disney's Magic Kingdom and has a virtual queue and paid option called a Lightning Lane to skip the line through Disney's Genie+ service.
What's next: Tiana's Bayou Adventure is also coming to Disneyland in California. That opening is slated for later this year.
Go deeper:
- Axios' review of the new ride.
- Tiana's Bayou Adventure merchandise includes hot sauce and Dooky Chase's spices.
- Disney World adds New Orleans art to Tiana's Bayou Adventure ride.
- New Orleans chef Leah Chase was inspiration for Disney's Princess Tiana.
