Disney's recent updates point to a potential early opening for Tiana's Bayou Adventure

Nov 09, 2023 in "Tiana's Bayou Adventure"

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Posted: Thursday November 9, 2023 9:00am ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

It is appearing more and more likely that Tiana's Bayou Adventure may open earlier than its originally announced late 2024 timeframe.

Tiana's Bayou Adventure concept model - D23 Expo exhibit

When the project to reimagine Splash Mountain into Tiana's Bayou Adventure was initially announced, Disney's messaging consistently suggested a "late 2024" opening.

Tiana's Bayou Adventure construction at Magic Kingdom

The message changed in an update from Carmen Smith, Senior Vice President, Creative Development - Product/Content & Inclusive Strategies, on the official Disney Parks Blog in mid-October, which referred to a "2024" opening.

Another announcement from Disney made during yesterday's Q4 2023 earnings report reiterated the "2024" opening. This mention was even more significant because Tiana's Bayou Adventure was included in a timeline with entries for "2024" and "Late 2024." Tiana's Bayou Adventure was placed in the "2024" list, with the DVC Polynesian Resort project being placed in the "Late 2024" list.

While the recent shift does seem to suggest Tiana's Bayou Adventure may open earlier than initially announced, the 2024 timeline does still give Disney the option of a late 2024 opening if needed.

Tiana's Bayou Adventure concept model - D23 Expo exhibit

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lightningtap34723 hours ago

Not worth an hour wait on a normal day, I couldn't imagine waiting an hour during an event where time is that valuable...

wdwmagic1 day ago

Tiana's Bayou Adventure Standby Line Returns for Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party https://www.wdwmagic.com/attractions/tianas-bayou-adventure/news/08nov2024-tianas-bayou-adventure-standby-line-returns-for-mickeys-very-merry-christmas-party.htm

tanc1 day ago

It’s conflicting for me, I got group 11 VQ and ended up changing my LL. I really dislike the use of screens, and also the animatronic at the end was broken. The finale is cool but the usage of screens again takes away from it to me. Some of the redo is nice, but using projections for fireflies doesn’t work. While I think using lights for fireflies is fine. I could see why Disneyland is superior because I feel like there’s just not much going on at times. The critters are all well done I guess. I think really it just doesn’t feel like it was made as a New Orleans sort of flume. It’s obvious it’s just a fresh coat of paint on the old building. In a way kind of baffled they didn’t make original buildings for the queue, idk just doesn’t look right to me.

co100643 days ago

At this point I do not believe the yearly maintenance refurb will happen. Credit where credit is due, they have done a great job improving this ride’s reliability. It seems like any downtime at this point is solely due to weather.

HauntedPirate3 days ago

The refurb it needs won't happen. From my 2 rides in September - It's decent, at best. Mish mash of ideas that don't work together. Very thin story. Too many gaps in the main show. It confirms what I said from the beginning - This should be its own ride building and area.

tanc4 days ago

After watching like a hawk I finally got an earlier time. Kind of ridiculous this ride is still VQ or LL at this point. Wonder if it will go under refurb or they will skip it until 2026.

MisterPenguin5 days ago

Neither the Splash Mountain nor the TBA wiki pages mention that. Do you have a link?

JoeCamel5 days ago

Anyone can edit a wiki page.....

Brer Panther5 days ago

I just saw on Wikipedia a claim that somebody proposed retheming Splash Mountain to Robin Hood. Considering that, among other things, the description of this hypothetical attraction got Maid Marian's name wrong, I assume none of that is true.

tanc6 days ago

Got a lightning lane and plan to get a VQ for this ride, will report my thoughts. Hope I get a good boarding group, going during the first christmas party so hope the ride doesn't break down too many times.

Raineman8 days ago

If I was going to place a wager on what attraction would have the most breakdowns leading to an evac over a certain period of time, I would put all of it on TBA, based on the results so far.

EagleScout6108 days ago

I've heard most of the stuff from Splash was tossed due to the fast turn around and that only Disneyland’s Movin' Along Br'er Rabbit was archived. I'd love to be wrong, though.