The Walt Disney Company has officially revealed the latest developments surrounding one of its most talked-about theme park transformations: Tiana’s Bayou Adventure.
In January 2023, Disney closed the doors to Splash Mountain at Magic Kingdom after more than 30 years of operation. The iconic attraction, rooted in the controversial 1946 film Song of the South, was slated for a major reimagining as announced in 2020. This redesign sought to bring the magic and energy of The Princess and the Frog (2009) to life in Frontierland.
The decision to retire Splash Mountain sparked widespread debate, with some praising the move for its inclusivity while others accused Disney of advancing a “woke agenda.”
Fast forward to June 2024, when the newly reimagined Tiana’s Bayou Adventure opened its gates. The updated ride features beloved characters like Princess Tiana, Louis the jazz-loving alligator, and the wise Mama Odie, voiced by Anika Noni Rose, Michael-Leon Wooley, and Jenifer Lewis, respectively.
Preserving the ride’s iconic 52-foot drop, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure introduces an entirely new story that picks up where The Princess and the Frog left off. The experience also includes an original musical number, “Special Spice.” Responding to early fan feedback, Walt Disney Imagineering recently enhanced the attraction by adding Ray and Evangeline, two fan-favorite fireflies, to the mix.
The addition of Ray and Evangeline to the finale mural at Walt Disney World Resort was unveiled just last month, earning high praise from many fans. While some were thrilled by this nod to the beloved characters, others felt the enhancement fell short of addressing larger concerns about the attraction’s storytelling depth.
Disney shared the update on Instagram, writing: “Look how they light up the sky! Imagineers added extra magic to Tiana’s Bayou Adventure at @WaltDisneyWorld with this addition of Ray and Evangeline!”
Fans of The Princess and the Frog will recognize Ray, voiced by Jim Cummings, as the lovable firefly who aids Tiana (Anika Noni Rose) and Naveen (Bruno Campos) on their journey to Mama Odie. His unshakable love for Evangeline—the Evening Star he believes is another firefly—is a central theme of his character arc. The emotional moment when Ray and Evangeline are reunited in the night sky remains one of the film’s most touching scenes.
While Instagram users showered the announcement with positivity, leaving comments like “How awesome! Imagineers are the best and most talented people!!!” the reaction on X (formerly Twitter) was more divided. One user, @jasonlanori, criticized the move, saying, “LOL at the things they ‘announce’ now. WDW is a joke of its former self.”
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure later made its Disneyland Resort debut on November 15, 2024, further solidifying its place as one of Disney’s most significant moments of the year. In its recap of 2024 highlights, The Walt Disney Company wrote:
“One of the biggest moments for Disney Experiences last year was the grand opening of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure at Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World Resort in June and at Disneyland Park at Disneyland Resort in November. Tiana’s Bayou Adventure features dozens of Audio-Animatronics figures, a sensational soundtrack (including music from the film and new compositions), and an exhilarating 50-foot drop.”
The year’s other highlights included box office triumphs with Inside Out 2 and Deadpool & Wolverine, the opening of Fantasy Springs at Tokyo Disney Resort, record-breaking Emmy wins, advancements in Disney+ profitability, and a groundbreaking partnership with Epic Games.
Looking to the future, Disney Experiences Chairman Josh D’Amaro hinted at major developments during the 2024 D23 Expo.
“At Disney Experiences, Imagineers dream, create, design and build these stories into real places. And we have Imagineers in place right now all around the world because everything we’re going to share with you is in active development. Plans are drawn. Dirt is moving. I just want to be clear about this: We are doing everything you’re going to hear tonight,” D’Amaro explained.
Among the most ambitious plans is the transformation of Frontierland. A Cars-themed expansion will soon join Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, though it comes at the cost of losing Tom Sawyer Island and Rivers of America to make room for Radiator Springs.
While the Cars expansion and the upcoming Villain-themed land promise exciting new experiences, some Magic Kingdom fans have voiced concern about the loss of classic park elements.
What’s your take on Tiana’s Bayou Adventure and Disney’s evolving parks? Share your thoughts with us below!
