BREAKING: Splash Mountain to Close Permanently on January 23, 2023 at Magic Kingdom Park

The Walt Disney World Resort is getting closer to going down the bayou with Tiana and friends as progress continues on Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. Since the attraction was announced in 2020, Imagineers have been hard at work designing an immersive experience inspired by the Walt Disney Animation Studios film “The Princess and the Frog” and the heart and culture of New Orleans.

Today, Disney provided a first look at a new scene and some of the brand-new characters being created specifically for this attraction. In Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, Guests will join Princess Tiana and jazz-loving alligator Louis as they prepare to host a one-of-a-kind celebration for the people of New Orleans. This new scene is the thrilling moment you first drop into the bayou and encounter some friends both new and familiar.  

As you can see in the rendering above, fireflies will light up the night and invite you deeper into the bayou … almost like they’re waving you forward. In this scene, beautiful zydeco music (a special blend of rhythm and blues that was born in Louisiana) will fill the air.

Here you’ll find Louis, who explains where this amazing music is coming from. Tiana made some new friends out here – a band full of adorable critters, including an otter, a rabbit, a racoon, a beaver, a turtle, and others. The band members sing and play instruments made of natural materials they found in the bayou. It feels like they may have a bigger role to play in this story … but we’ll just have to wait and see on that one. 

Like so many musical genres, zydeco brings together the sounds and styles of many cultures. It’s emblematic of what Disney is always striving for with our attractions – bringing people of different backgrounds together through timeless stories. This new musical adventure provides a song sheet to write that concept into reality. 

Tiana’s Bayou Adventure will take you on a journey inspired by the story and characters from the hit film, picking up where that story left off. In preparation for this new experience and the many exciting updates ahead, Splash Mountain at Walt Disney World Resort will be closed starting Jan. 23, 2023 to allow crews to begin the next phase of this attraction’s development. Additional information about Splash Mountain at Disneyland Resort will be shared at a later date.

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