With renovations having already started on Tiana's Bayou Adventure, Disney has shared all-new details about the upcoming attraction. Announced back in 2020 as a replacement for Splash Mountain, the newly themed ride is inspired by the animated musical The Princess and the Frog, with the story picking up after the final kiss and riders joining Princess Tiana and Louis on a musical adventure as they prepare for their first-ever Mardi Gras performance.
Back in February, Disney shared more storyline details for the attraction. If you recall, Tiana has a deep passion for cooking and as a child dreamed of one day owning her own business. Using the ride as an opportunity to create the next chapter of Tiana's story, which includes growing her business with Tiana's Foods — an employee-owned cooperative. As the story goes, Tiana, with the help of her friends, transformed an aging salt mine into a beloved brand complete with a boutique farm, working kitchen, and more.
Disney confirmed this week that Mama Odie will also appear in the attraction. The announcement was accompanied with a newly released rendering that depicts Mama Odie joking with guests along their journey after a special display of her magic.
"The two-hundred-year-old Bayou Fairy Godmother, with her eccentric belongings and “seeing eye snake,” Juju, is comically eccentric, yet wise and all-knowing, throughout the adventure," said Carmen Smith, Senior Vice President, Creative Development - Product/Content & Inclusive Strategies.
Actress Jenifer Lewis, who starred as the voice of Mama Odie in The Princess and the Frog, is returning to her role for the attraction. Hopefully, we also get to hear her singing voice as well, as Mama Odiesings the song "Dig a Little Deeper" in the film.
Mama Odie is the latest character from the film to be announced for the attraction. She joins other fan-favorite characters from the film such as Princess Tiana, Prince Naveen, Mama Odie, Louis, Eudora, Charlotte, “Big Daddy,” the King and Queen of Maldonia and Prince Ralphie. Lewis isn't the only voice actor from the movie to return for the attraction. Anika Noni Rose returns as Princess Tiana, while Bruno Campos and Michael Leon Wooley return as Prince Naveen and Louis, respectively.
In addition to returning characters, Tiana's Bayou Adventure will also introduce a brand-new cast of original characters with distinct names and personalities. There will also be new, original music alongside the toe-tapping tunes from the film.
Tiana's Bayou Adventure is slated to open in Disneyland park at Disneyland Resort and Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World Resort in 2024. Construction on the attraction has already begun at Walt Disney World Resort, while Splash Mountain will close at Disneyland park starting May 31, 2023.