The Walt Disney World Resort has quietly removed its latest attraction, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, from the Magic Kingdom Park lineup at this year’s hard-ticketed event.
As 2025 gets underway, the Central Florida theme park scene finds itself on the cusp of significant change. Universal Orlando Resort’s highly anticipated Epic Universe park is just months away from opening, posing a serious challenge to Disney’s longstanding dominance.
Disney, however, is not backing down without a fight. The company has launched creative ad campaigns highlighting the magic of Walt Disney “Infinite Worlds” and brought back cherished promotions to reignite interest. Despite operational shakeups in 2025—including the indefinite closure of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad—the resort is striving to maintain its signature experience. The Disney After Hours series officially kicked off the New Year, aiming to deliver a dose of exclusive magic to attendees.
Throughout the year, Walt Disney World hosts a variety of hard-ticketed events, including seasonal staples like Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. Among these, Disney After Hours stands out, offering late-night access to select parks with limited crowds and special perks.
Running from January 6 through May 19, 2025, Disney After Hours at Magic Kingdom promises a premium experience for those willing to pay a little extra. Event nights include January 6, 13, 20, and 27; February 3, 10, 17, and 24; March 3, 17, 24, and 31; April 7 and 28; and May 5, 12, and 19. Tickets range from $175 to $185 per person (plus tax), depending on the date. While the event officially runs from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m., guests can enter as early as 7 p.m., giving them more time to explore attractions and enjoy entertainment.
One of the key benefits of Disney After Hours is that attendees don’t need a standard park ticket or reservation to enjoy the early entry window. This allows visitors to experience iconic rides like TRON Lightcycle / Run, which features a standby queue during After Hours, and to catch the Happily Ever After nighttime spectacular.
However, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure—originally included in the After Hours lineup—has been quietly removed from the event’s webpage. The attraction is now listed with standard park hours, from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., unlike TRON Lightcycle / Run, which transitions to “Today’s Special Ticketed Event” hours from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. on event nights.
For over three decades, Splash Mountain stood as a beloved Magic Kingdom classic, enchanting guests with its thrilling drops and catchy tunes. But in January 2023, Disney closed the ride to make way for a complete reimagining.
Splash Mountain, inspired by the controversial 1946 film Song of the South, had been a subject of debate for years. In 2020, Disney announced plans to overhaul the attraction, drawing inspiration from the 2009 animated film The Princess and the Frog. This transformation marked a commitment to inclusive storytelling, though not without controversy.
By June 2024, Frontierland unveiled its newest gem: Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. This revitalized attraction immerses guests in the vibrant world of Princess Tiana, her jazz-loving alligator friend Louis, and the mystical Mama Odie. Featuring voice performances by Anika Noni Rose, Michael-Leon Wooley, and Jenifer Lewis, the ride extends the story beyond The Princess and the Frog, offering a fresh narrative filled with music, charm, and celebration.
Fans of Splash Mountain will still recognize its iconic 52-foot drop, but the journey to that splashdown is entirely reimagined. Tiana’s Bayou Adventure features stunning visuals, a lively bayou atmosphere, and a brand-new song, “Special Spice.”
While reactions to the change have been mixed, Disney’s approach—balancing nostalgia with contemporary storytelling—underscores a commitment to diversity and creativity. Disney has hailed the opening of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure at Walt Disney World and Disneyland as one of 2024’s most significant milestones.
The January 6 debut of this year’s After Hours series also saw the return of Disney Enchantment at Cinderella Castle. Initially launched during Walt Disney World’s 50th Anniversary Celebration, Disney Enchantment dazzled audiences with state-of-the-art projection effects extending from Cinderella Castle to Main Street, U.S.A.
Despite its visual grandeur, Disney Enchantment faced criticism for lacking the emotional impact of its predecessor, Happily Ever After. Responding to fan demand, Disney brought back Happily Ever After in 2023.
In addition to Magic Kingdom, Disney After Hours events are also planned for EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios, offering even more options for exclusive nighttime experiences.
What do you think about Tiana’s Bayou Adventure’s exclusion from After Hours and Disney Enchantment’s return? Let us know in the comments below!
