It’s almost time for that sweet, sweet drop again.
We’ve all been walking past the gutted remains of Disney’s Splash Mountain for nearly a year now wondering when exactly Disney would reopen the ride as the rethemed ThePrincess and the Frog attraction. Well, dear water ride lover, the time has almost come to enjoy that 50-foot drop in the Florida heat once again.
Disney World has finally announced the date of the Tiana’s Bayou Adventure opening — so here’s everything you need to know about when it’s open and how you can ride it.
When Is Tiana’s Bayou Adventure Opening?
Disney announced that Tiana’s Bayou Adventure will open on June 28, 2024, in Magic Kingdom.
How Is Tiana’s Bayou Adventure Different Than Splash Mountain?
Though many of us loved the concept of the water attraction at Magic Kingdom, the theming of Splash Mountain had a checkered past routed in racism. We won’t dive too deeply into the Song of the Souththeming, but Disney’s CEO Bob Iger knew the company was long overdue to cut ties with the movie and subsequent Disney World attraction.
In 2020, Disney announced its plans to retheme the attraction as a musical ride through the bayous of Louisiana. In 2023, Splash Mountain officially closed at Disney World and the Imagineers began ThePrincess and the Frog retheming project to create Tiana’s Bayou Adventure.
While the overall ride structure will remain the same —including the iconic log cars and 50-foot drop at the end of the attraction —the entire story and music will be overhauled. Instead of “Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah,” guests will now hear new renditions of songs from The Princess and the Frog performed by the new audio-animatronics created for the attraction — like Tiana, Mama Odie, and Louis.
Will Tiana’s Bayou Adventure Have a Virtual Queue?
Many of Disney’s newer attractions — like Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewindand Tron Lightcycle Run — have adopted the virtual queue system, which allows guests to join a virtual line beginning at 7 a.m. with another chance to join at 1 p.m. This system allows guests to enjoy other attractions while they wait for their boarding group to be called, instead of standing in line for hours for the new attraction.
Disney has announced that Tiana’s Bayou Adventure will have a virtual queue for the first few days after opening. However, they say they “expect to open a standby queue soon” after June 28.
To join the virtual queue, make sure you have the MyDisneyExperience app downloaded on your phone and all members of your party are linked. Then, at 7 a.m. or 1 p.m. click “Join Virtual Queue,” confirm your party for the one you wish to join, and tap “Join Queue.” If you get in the queue, you’ll be notified when your boarding group is called, and you’ll be able to join the physical queue at Tiana’s Bayou Adventure.
The only downside to the virtual queue is that you cannot ride Tiana’s Bayou Adventure more than one time per day. Once the standby line opens, obviously, this won’t be a problem — however, we’d expect long waits for the first few months.
Will Tiana’s Bayou Adventure Have Lightning Lane?
Yes, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure will be available as a Lightning Lane option, in addition to the virtual queue. And, unlike Tron and Cosmic Rewind, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure will be included in the Genie+ service — so, you won’t have to purchase an individual Lightning Lane to ride.
Will Tiana’s Bayou Adventure Have PhotoPass?
Of course! Tiana’s Bayou Adventure photo spot is the same as Splash Mountain’s: during the final drop. Be sure to smile for the camera and check your MyDisneyExperience app to see the photo with a cameo from Ray.
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure at Magic Kingdom
In addition to the attraction, Disney will drop new Tiana’s Bayou Adventure and The Princess and the Frog merch at the Emporium in Magic Kingdom. Eventually, you’ll be able to find the merchandise closer to the attraction at Critter Co-Op in Frontierland.
Lastly, Tiana’s Beignets are finally making it into the parks. The tasty fried dough used to only be available at Scat Cat's Club Café in Disney’s Port Oreleans French Quarter. However, beginning June 28, both Golden Oak Outpost and The Friar’s Nook will sell beignets doused in powdered sugar and honey.
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure at Disneyland
It’s important to note that while Disney World’s Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is opening on June 28, Disneyland’s attraction is still closedfor refurbishment. Disneyland has not announced its opening date yet but notes that it will open in 2024.
However, while you wait for the water attraction at Disneyland, you can check out Tiana’s Place restaurant that’s open now in New Orleans Square.
