ORLANDO, Fla. — Get ready to "drop on in" — Tiana's Bayou Adventure finally has an official opening date at Walt Disney World! While you'll need to "dig a little deeper" for a few more weeks, the ride is "almost there" and ready for guests.
Tiana's Bayou Adventure has been long awaited since it was announced back in 2020 that a "Princess and the Frog"-themed ride would replace the existing Splash Mountain.
Fast forward almost four years and Disney's Magic Kingdom guests are just a few short weeks away from climbing into the revamped Taboggins and starting on a new adventure.
Tiana's Bayou Adventure is expected to open on June 28 at Walt Disney World, according to a release Sunday on Disney Parks Blog. If you check on the Disney World website, you can see the opening date listed.
"Embark on an enchanting musical adventure inspired by the Disney animated film 'The Princess and the Frog,'" the site says.
Disney's vice president of Magic Kingdom said the celebrations for the new ride are already beginning — the big announcement was first shared Sunday during "Disney Night" on American Idol. Around the same time, Disney celebrated down in New Orleans, the heart and culture that inspired Disney's "The Princess and the Frog."
When is Tiana's Bayou Adventure opening at Disney World?
Tiana's Bayou Adventure, the new ride in place of the original Splash Mountain, is set to open to the public on June 28, 2024. Previews for the ride are anticipated in the coming weeks for certain guests, such as season pass holders, cast members and Disney Vacation Club Members. Get more information here.
What is Tiana's Bayou Adventure about?
The ride will "take guests on a musical adventure" that picks up after the events of "The Princess and the Frog."
Princess Tiana goes on an adventure through the bayou getting ready to host a one-of-a-kind Mardi Gras celebration, and guests are along for the thrilling ride.
"Along the way, you will see some familiar faces, make new friends and travel through the bayou into the next chapter of Tiana’s story," Disney Parks Blog said.
And don't worry — the rush of the 50-foot drop will still inject your journey with some fun.
Why did Splash Mountain close?
A rebrand for Splash Mountain has been in the works since 2019, according to Disney Imagineers. For years, fans and critics had called on Disney to ditch the "South of the South" characters and themes from Splash Mountain. The 1946 Disney film is widely considered the company's most racist film.
But the original Splash Mountain didn't host its last riders until January 2023, when the attraction was shuttered to undergo its transformation. Hundreds of parkgoers waited in hours-long lines to ride Splash Mountain for a final time.