Reviewing Tiana’s Bayou Journey is a idiot’s errand. Most Walt Disney World followers have already got their minds made up come what may and are entrenched of their opinions. Some appear to get fairly mad with anybody who dares disagree, particularly with reactions that aren’t unequivocally unfavourable or optimistic. It’s a no-win proposition.
So naturally since I’m a idiot, I’m going to don’t one, however two evaluations of the brand new Magic Kingdom attraction. Not solely that, however, spoiler alert, neither will probably be wholly unfavourable nor optimistic. We’re going to cowl the nice, dangerous and ugly of Tiana’s Bayou Journey. Glutton for punishment, you would possibly say.
The primary evaluation goes to start with a thought experiment, a lot in the identical manner our current evaluation of CommuniCore Corridor theorized what we’d consider that constructing if it didn’t take 4+ years to open). The crux of the query is: what if Tiana’s Bayou Journey opened a decade in the past, again in 2014, as a brand-new journey past Large Thunder?
Such a state of affairs sidesteps the controversy swirling across the reimagined journey, because it invitations no comparisons to Splash Mountain and likewise (principally) predates essentially the most heated of the tradition wars. It permits us to guage the attraction within the vacuum of its personal deserves. For individuals who suppose it is a cowardly cop out unreflective of actuality, worry not, as our subsequent evaluation is “Tiana’s Bayou Journey vs. Splash Mountain.” However that’s the final time you’ll see the earlier attraction’s identify in this evaluation.
You would possibly suppose that this lowers the bar and units the desk for a extra charitable evaluation of Tiana’s Bayou Journey (TBA). In case you learn on, you’ll see that’s not the case. Regardless, we’re doing this as a result of it’s an applicable ‘actual world’ manner of assessing the attraction.
Absent a time machine, it’s using Tiana’s Bayou Journey or nothing in the event you’re visiting Magic Kingdom now. What’s achieved is finished–you can’t journey any different sights on this house. And for the various company who’re first-timers, that’s exactly the state of affairs anyway—they method TBA with a clear slate and no priors to bias their opinions.
In such a thought experiment, the journey would’ve been a pure addition not changing something and primarily based on an underrated fan-favorite movie that was the top of an period for Walt Disney Animation. It could’ve been prolonged at a time when rides have been getting shorter, and featured a mix of contemporary know-how and spectacular Audio Animatronics. Not solely would it not have prevented the “e-book report” criticism that plagued the Little Mermaid darkish journey, however it will’ve launched new characters and continued the story past the beloved film.
On paper, Tiana’s Bayou Journey appears like a reasonably excellent journey that checks the entire proper containers and provides followers what they’ve needed for some time. (Sure, together with again in 2014.) Even immediately, lots of this sounds fairly interesting! However after all, execution is every thing and the way issues sound “on paper” doesn’t inform the entire story.
Within the curiosity of full disclosure earlier than we get going, we attended the media preview of Tiana’s Bayou Journey earlier than it opened to most people. On condition that, you would possibly wish to discard our opinions or take this evaluation with a grain of salt. I’d wish to suppose the evaluation is honest, balanced, and wouldn’t differ had we simply waited to attend the AP/DVC previews or official opening, however you could be the choose of that.
So in opposition to that backdrop, let’s dig a little bit deeper and evaluation Tiana’s Bayou Journey by itself deserves to find out whether or not it’s a unbelievable, flawed, or failure of an attraction.…
Let’s begin with what sort of attraction, precisely, Tiana’s Bayou Journey is. At its core, it’s a prolonged log flume journey with a number of present scenes, Audio Animatronics, and different results. However that wasn’t actually what I meant—what style of journey is Tiana’s Bayou Journey?
It is a tough query. As famous above, Tiana’s Bayou Journey will not be a “e-book report” journey. It’s additionally not a “one thing has gone terribly unsuitable” attraction. Properly, except the one thing going unsuitable is an ingredient going lacking (it’s not).
It’s additionally not a collection of vignettes or cocktail get together attraction, as Walt Disney famously known as Pirates of the Caribbean, the place you’ll be able to simply decide up on bits and items of the motion as you float on down the bayou.
I’ve seen some proponents of Tiana’s Bayou Journey discuss with it as this or a “good vibes” journey. That’s unsuitable for a few causes. First, it sells TBA quick. It could make the closest comparability Na’vi River Journey.
Disney followers solely name that Avatar attraction a “good vibes” journey as a result of they don’t wish to communicate negatively in regards to the expanse of lifeless house in its first three-quarters. Na’vi River Journey is arguably a boring journey; its saving graces are the music, quasi-impressionistic visuals, and the Shaman Audio Animatronics. Fortunately, Tiana’s Bayou Journey is so much higher than Na’vi River Journey.
The opposite motive TBA not only a good vibes attraction is as a result of it is narrative-driven. There’s a narrative. In reality, there are a number of of them! It/they’ll simply be complicated or troublesome to discern, so it’s nearly simpler to disregard the particular story beats, sit again, and let your self be enveloped by the motion. This offers a pure segue into the dangerous of Tiana’s Bayou Journey, so we would as nicely begin the substance of the evaluation there…
Paradoxically, Tiana’s Bayou Journey directly has an excessive amount of story and never sufficient story. Paradoxically, it looks like there have been too many cooks within the kitchen all with competing visions for TBA, and as an alternative of deciding on one, they threw all of the components into the pot.
This begins earlier than you even board a log, the place Imagineering has created an all-new backstory for the queue of Tiana’s Bayou Journey. The set-up to the journey explains the “subsequent chapter” of the story for Tiana, set after The Princess and the Frog.
There’s so much for company to find within the queue, which primarily revolves round Tiana’s Meals, which is an employee-owned cooperative that (kind of) explains the outside parts of the attraction. Combining her skills with these of the local people, Tiana has reworked an growing older salt mine and constructed a beloved model.
Many followers expressed concern or disappointment about this Tiana’s Meals backstory. My pre-opening perspective was that it didn’t matter. Lots of sights have superfluous story of their queues that’s forgotten the second the ride-through portion of the attraction begins. It helps go time in lengthy traces or units the stage for the motion to come back. Queue backstories are one thing most company miss–and that’s okay.
Once more, that was my pre-opening perspective. It was most likely unsuitable. There’s lots of this backstory offered within the queue by way of an unbelievable quantity of element, a few of which is compelling and–because of this–will probably be absorbed by company. The queue being excellent shouldn’t be an issue proper?
Properly, I believe that it’s because of the sharp distinction between the backstory constructing to the journey, and the journey itself. The backstory comprises a voluminous quantity of worldbuilding, letting you already know what Tiana and pals have been as much as, why there’s a mountain within the bayou, and (considerably) setting the stage for the journey.
After which the journey principally ignores this and has a quite simple story. However, once more, it does have a narrative. This juxtaposition is jarring, and never what you’d count on. There are lots of circumstances the place this would possibly exist for Disney diehards who’ve learn the entire lore, however I believe that is the uncommon one the place it’ll be true for most people who merely walks by way of the queue chilly.
I’d really go a step additional and say that the story for the ride-through portion of Tiana’s Bayou Journey is simply too easy. The essential define of the plot is that there’s a Mardi Gras celebration at Tiana’s home, and she or he must discover a band for the get together.
My points with this are two-fold. First, the decision to the story feels too swift. It’s not speedy, nevertheless it’s fairly fast. It does assist that there are a number of scenes of Tiana and Louis “discovering” musicians, however the attraction–which is lengthy and has loads of time to let issues marinate a bit longer–doesn’t actually construct to it. Apart from one little scene of Louis digging in a backyard, it simply occurs.
Second, the journey isn’t over as soon as you discover the critter bands, so there’s further motion that unfolds lengthy earlier than the finale…and I’m nonetheless not fully certain why. By this, I don’t imply that it’s dangerous or feels misplaced to the attraction. I imply I actually didn’t perceive why the issues that have been occurring, have been occurring.
We’ll circle again to the second quibble in a bit, however let’s first additional focus on the primary. This additionally will get to the pacing of Tiana’s Bayou Journey, and a standard grievance I’ve seen from ride-through movies: there’s an excessive amount of lifeless house in Tiana’s Bayou Journey.
I agree with this to an extent. I discover the set design to be missing in locations, as you’re floating in direction of Audio Animatronics, ready for them to reach, with out a lot on the perimeters of the log alongside the way in which. There are a number of expansives of untouched bayou, after which massive present scenes full of motion. It’s sorta like Walt Disney World as a complete–acres of nothingness, dotted with highly-dense theme parks.
I’m really shocked that this might be an issue with an attraction on which Disney Legend Tony Baxter consulted. This doesn’t seem to be a mistake he would’ve made. The darkish rides he labored on are nice at staging; they information your eye by way of the scenes and don’t waste any house. Tiana’s Bayou Journey wastes lots of house.
It does assist a little bit that the hassle has gone into creating these ’empty’ bayou areas–that means they aren’t actually empty. It’s not merely darkish to cover an absence of element ( you, DINOSAUR). I can’t consider wherever that I might see naked show-building, partitions or ceilings. It’s really a bit puzzling how a lot effort went into staging these scenes…of nothing.
Regardless, that is exactly why Tiana’s Bayou Journey will not be a cocktail get together attraction…except it’s one hosted by Michael Scott the place everybody congregates in a nook. There’s not sufficient to drop-in on, there are nearly no visible gags, there’s little or no ‘throwaway’ dialogue or visuals to overlook and decide up on subsequent rides. There’s merely not sufficient (and likewise, once more, there’s a story).
However what’s most irritating about this, for me personally, is that the scenes of the critter bands that observe the lifeless areas are completely jam-packed with lovely animals. The character design on all of those little fellas is unbelievable! They’re emotive and expressive! Some are younger and carefree, simply jammin’ with the band, and others are haggard and have seen some issues. You possibly can inform simply with fleeting glances at their faces.
So what, precisely, is the issue? You’re left wanting extra. Not essentially a nasty drawback to have, however on this case, there’s an apparent ‘two birds with one stone’ resolution to that and the problems with lifeless house and pacing. Create little animal adobes, critter caves, or different little particulars resulting in the invention of the bands.
That is hardly an unique thought. I’m truthfully shocked Imagineering didn’t see this when deciding how one can go in regards to the reimagining and stage the scenes for Tiana’s Bayou Journey. These empty areas might be brimming with particulars, doing worldbuilding for the critters so as to add to their allure, serving to out with pacing, and higher constructing as much as the invention of the bands.
It’s so apparent that I’m hoping Imagineering goes again and does precisely this over time–or that it’s not too late for the Disneyland model of TBA. There’s precedent with the Little Mermaid darkish journey being tweaked like this post-opening. It wouldn’t even be costly–the important thing factor that might enhance Tiana’s Bayou Journey will not be extra AAs or different flashy tech, it’s static surroundings to chew on.
One other tweak that must be made is elevating the lighting ranges just about throughout the board. I get that that is the bayou at night time, nevertheless it’s nonetheless too darkish. There are particulars which might be troublesome to discern because of how darkish the journey is, and my digital camera picked these up higher than my bare eye throughout daytime rides. (I haven’t had the prospect to journey at night time but–I’m curious how significantly better it’ll look then as soon as eyes have adjusted.) I additionally suppose the present lighting is needlessly uneven in lots of locations, however this is likely to be a photographer’s nitpick.
Even the staging of the action-packed scenes leaves one thing to be desired. This is likely to be one other nitpick, however the way in which the animals are organized and holding their devices made their faces generally troublesome to observe as you float previous. A few of their platforms are additionally ever-so-slightly elevated, once they’d be higher at boat degree. This arguably provides to re-rideability, particularly in the case of the finale, although.
Once more, these darkish scenes will not be completely lifeless or empty. Disney followers accustomed to last-minute price range cuts is likely to be inclined guilty these, however I’m extremely skeptical that’s the underlying difficulty. There’s really a stable quantity of set design in these areas to hide the present constructing and convey the outside, indoors.
To Imagineering’s credit score, a few of that is participating. There are firefly results all through, completed by way of each sensible results and multimedia, that really feel like a modern-day opening act to Pirates of the Caribbean at Disneyland.
As a result of I’m overly analytical, I couldn’t assist however be aware all of this on my ride-throughs and take into consideration how a lot all of it needed to have value versus dwelling a lot easy, static animal residence scenes would possibly’ve set them again. I do know the Orlando housing market has gotten insane, nevertheless it nonetheless would’ve been cheaper than a number of the screens and different results.
Persevering with with each screens and the dangerous of Tiana’s Bayou Journey, there are a pair occasions when their use leaves one thing to be desired. On a few events, Mama Odie and Juju seem above the boat earlier than elevate hills or drops to work her voodoo magic. She’s a catalyst for the motion in later scenes of the journey–as soon as the band is already discovered–who clumsily propels the story ahead.
In one other scene (the identify of which I don’t know, so I’m simply going to name it the “Mushroom Cavern”), gigantic variations of Tiana and Louis are featured prominently on screens as you float previous. These are CGI variations of the characters that look awkward as in comparison with their very on-model Audio Animatronics.
In equity to Disney, all of those sequences are important and I don’t know the way they might conceivably be completed however for screens. That’s the character of retrofit rides–and nowhere is that extra clear than these display screen scenes. Imagineering is taking part in the playing cards they have been dealt.
The one resolution I can consider is creating one other unique character–a small one–for the attraction, and having that substitute Mama Odie and Juju as AAs within the elevate sequences. Such a personality might act as her antagonist in a voodoo magic battle or one thing of that kind. I’m undecided that might work, so it is a comparatively minor grievance.
Turning from minor complaints to nonexistent ones, there’s been lots of speak about Dr. Facilier not being in Tiana’s Bayou Journey. Many followers suppose he’d be excellent for the climatic sequence. I’m not essentially averse to Dr. Facilier being within the journey–in any case, he’s an incredible and iconic villain. I additionally don’t suppose he’s crucial.
Driving by way of the attraction as constructed, I don’t suppose the temper, storytelling, or worldbuilding actually necessitates or–for that matter–helps a villain. To make sure, there’s a completely totally different Princess and the Frog attraction the place Dr. Facilier can be an ideal match. However that’s not Tiana’s Bayou Journey.
However, critiques a couple of lack of pressure have validity to them, particularly provided that Tiana’s Bayou Journey culminates in a large drop that simply…occurs. Once more, the plot wraps up neatly pretty early-on within the journey. The one query at that time can be whether or not you’re going to make it to Tiana’s home in time for the get together, however that’s (oddly) not a query the journey even asks.
So I believe merely asking that and making this a ‘race dwelling’ in addition to including the animal houses earlier than you encounter the bands would add the nominal quantity of pressure crucial for an attraction like this, which is at its coronary heart a festivity. Not a complete lot of suspense in most celebrations!
Earlier than turning to the nice, let’s rapidly dispense with the ugly of Tiana’s Bayou Journey. The journey is at present unreliable. It breaks down so much. Some proponents of the journey would possibly say that this all the time occurs with new sights, and is the entire level of previews. And whereas they’re technically proper, this feels extreme–just like the journey ought to nonetheless be in take a look at & alter. It’s not fairly able to greet company, even in a preview or gentle opening capability.
The reason for that’s unclear, nevertheless it looks like there are points syncing the logs with the present scenes. On all 6 of my ride-throughs throughout the media occasion, there have been noticeable points with a lag between the dialogue and the motion of the Audio Animatronics. On a number of ride-throughs, Audio Animatronics have been immobile even after their loops ought to’ve began. There have been different problems with this nature main me to consider there’s an issue syncing the journey autos with the motion.
There are additionally points with the audio. In some scenes, the music isn’t loud sufficient. In others, it’s too loud to listen to the dialogue of the characters. Even after a half-dozen ride-throughs, I’m not 100% assured in my evaluation of lacking story, as a result of possibly I simply didn’t hear essential traces. (For instance, the PhotoPass border and merchandise signifies the drop is a “shortcut” to the get together–however I by no means as soon as heard any rationalization as to why the drop is happening.)
The excellent news is that each one of that is fixable. It looks like it was a race in opposition to the clock to get Tiana’s Bayou Journey open at Walt Disney World in time for the (sizzling) summer season season. That is smart. However I hope Imagineering is given extra time on the Disneyland model to correctly take a look at & alter to work out the issues. It will get chilly by November in California, anyway; open the journey in flawless kind in 2025.
Higher sound-mixing or syncing may also undercut lots of my quibbles with the story. Or just including extra traces of dialogue if they really aren’t there already. Fortunately, the entire ugly is well addressable. I hope it’s a non-issue to the purpose that these paragraphs don’t even make sense to anybody using in July.
We’re already over 3,000 phrases into this TBA evaluation and have solely centered on the dangerous and ugly, which could seem to be trigger for concern. Earlier than we dig deeper into the nice, I’ll begin by saying that I actually like Tiana’s Bayou Journey. (Maybe I ought to’ve adopted my recommendation for the journey and paced my evaluation higher.)
There are lots of particular issues that I flat-out love about it, however at minimal, Tiana’s Bayou Journey is a “warts and all” attraction that I very a lot get pleasure from. As I write this, I’m wishing I might journey once more immediately. It’ll be a compulsory each go to attraction for us, similar to all 4 different previous and current rides within the Magic Kingdom Mountain Vary.
I really like that Tiana’s Bayou Journey will not be a e-book report attraction. These could be nice (see Anna & Elsa’s Frozen Journey), however that’s the route Imagineering has trended with many current rides. It’s the safer method for the reason that story of the film is already a recognized amount–and a great one. It’s more durable to screw up and success is easier as a result of the journey is solely a call-back to the film itself, making it simpler for emotional connections. But it surely’s additionally a shortcut and may generally be unearned.
Unique sights are riskier, and likewise, they’re what followers are clamoring for! Bob Iger not too long ago made feedback about how “nearly all” of the brand new sights throughout Disney’s $60 billion decade of parks funding can be primarily based on current IP, which was met with fierce fan backlash (even when it must be completely unsurprising).
Clearly, Tiana’s Bayou Journey is an mental property attraction–it’s primarily based on the Princess and the Frog. However that is about as unique of an IP attraction as is feasible. The vast majority of the characters are new, current ones have advanced since their tales unfolded, costumes are totally different, the story is unique–the checklist goes on and on.
Tiana’s Bayou Journey is nearly the antithesis of a e-book report journey–most of what it brings to the desk is new and created whole-cloth for the journey! I’m shocked to listen to so many followers grumble about this, because it’s what they purport to need.
Then there’s what I actually love about Tiana’s Bayou Journey: it will get bizarre. That is what tickles my Disney fan bone, so to talk, after rising up with so many oddities within the Eighties and Nineties when Disney wasn’t afraid to take inventive dangers in its theme parks. I truthfully by no means thought I’d see one other new Walt Disney World attraction that’s so unabashedly eccentric.
That is completed in little methods like Lari the Armadillo, a scene stealer who (frankly) belongs in like a half-dozen extra spots. It comes by way of by way of the selection of tales and vignettes within the queue, and on the journey itself. Even the lovable critters forming the bands additional this oddball high quality with character designs which might be as distinctive and distinct as they’re lovely.
However nowhere is it extra apparent than the scene I’ll dub the Mushroom Cavern. Right here you’re shrunken to the scale of a firefly (itself a really bizarre story determination!) and are surrounded by towering mushrooms and gigantic frogs on all sides of the log. Considered one of my favourite ‘moments’ from my preview ride-throughs was getting caught briefly (too briefly) by an outsized Mondo the Frog taking part in bongos. It was an excellent three minutes.
If this scene have been designed by Disney Legend Rolly Crump 5 many years in the past after ingesting a few of what’s featured within the scene, trendy followers would nonetheless be consuming up its trippiness. It could be featured on Etsy shirt designs and fanfic and who is aware of what else. And over time, I believe this may, too.
The entire Mushroom Cavern scene makes me admire that it is a retrofit. I really feel like so much can be totally different if this have been a recent construct, with that being a really apparent omission as a “unnecessary” non-sequitur. That might be unlucky, as every thing about this–from the menacing mushrooms to the zombie-like fireflies on parade to the large Mondo jamming out–is superb. As Stefon would say, this scene has all of it.
Not everybody goes to Walt Disney World for some good ole common weirdness, which is an enormous a part of why this sort of factor is much much less frequent than it was once. Oddball sights and leisure are polarizing, which a minimum of partially explains the strongly unfavourable and optimistic responses to Tiana’s Bayou Journey.
However I even have been across the block sufficient to know the way Walt Disney World followers function, and the quirkiness of Tiana’s Bayou Journey is exactly why it should develop a passionate following over time. I’m fully assured in that, and say this with 100% certainty.
This has occurred with so many different sights, and admittedly is why I’m glad I used to be lucky sufficient to put in writing this evaluation after my sixth journey moderately than my first. (I believe this will probably be a controversial take, so bookmark this part of the evaluation for five years from now.)
Turning to much less controversial subjects, the Audio Animatronics in Tiana’s Bayou Journey are wonderful. This makes use of Imagineering’s latest A-1000 Audio Animatronics era. In consequence, the core character Audio Animatronics in Tiana’s Bayou Journey simply look so unbelievable.
“Lifelike” isn’t the best phrase, however they’re principally animated characters leaping out of the display screen and into the dimensional units of the attraction. They’re gorgeous, completely melding outdated and new know-how to create one thing with wow-factor that can most likely stand the take a look at of time. Identical to the Audio Animatronics from traditional darkish rides nonetheless look nice immediately.
They’re a notable improve from the projected faces a la Frozen Ever After at EPCOT and Seven Dwarfs Mine Prepare. There was a time when these have been innovative know-how, however they simply haven’t aged nicely. Against this, these A-1000s are wonderful. Their vary of movement and fluidity is next-level, which works very well in tandem with the music of the journey. It’s like they’re dancing.
For individuals who are questioning, these Audio Animatronics are each bit pretty much as good as these within the worldwide parks. These AAs can be proper at dwelling in Fantasy Springs at Tokyo DisneySea. Though there’s no technical ‘wow-moment’ like in that Frozen journey, they’re no much less spectacular. That’s a part of why the three display screen scenes take you out of it–as a result of the AAs are so good at suspending disbelief and making you are feeling such as you’re using by way of an animated movie.
Not the entire Audio Animatronics are superior, which has change into a supply of criticism. And a really misplaced one, in the event you ask me. From our Anna & Elsa’s Frozen Journey evaluation: “Equally as spectacular to me is the Audio Animatronics within the attraction which might be extra fundamental and solely have restricted vary (some are most likely extra precisely categorised as figures moderately than AAs).”
“This isn’t meant to be backhanded reward. On the contrary, I believe that is sensible. It’s not criticism that’s making the rounds in fan circles as a result of it’s nearly imperceivable. Since there’s a lot in every scene that grabs your consideration, you don’t understand some figures will not be superior–your mind blurs them along with the superior ones (it’s science, I suppose).”
“An excellent instance of this in movement–nicely, not likely–is Disco Yeti at Animal Kingdom. There are such a lot of company that also swear up and down that yeti took a swipe at them, however he didn’t–it’s an phantasm. And talking of which, the yeti can also be a great instance of this within the first place, as a result of that Audio Animatronics was a colossal waste of cash for one thing that may solely be seen for a fraction of a second. In a park that has loads of issues and wishes extra, the yeti ought to by no means be mounted. Budgets are finite and that’s a poor use of each (down)money and time. Sorry not sorry.”
It’s the precise identical state of affairs with Tiana’s Bayou Journey. Possibly it’s simpler to understand watching on YouTube, however floating by way of–you already know, the way in which rides are literally meant to be skilled–not as soon as did I discover AAs being too easy. On the contrary, the best sort of figures appeared like they’re used every time. And even on my sixth ride-through, I used to be nonetheless recognizing new particulars within the finale.
Imagineering did a wonderful job of choosing the proper instruments within the equipment, which extends to utilizing quite a lot of sensible and screen-based results all through. We already famous the three spots the place screens stick out, however they’re utilized earlier on within the attraction extremely nicely. The road blurs between the dimensional atmosphere and the display screen surroundings (or screenery, if you’ll).
Truthfully, there’s lots of overlap between what Imagineering did with Anna & Elsa’s Frozen Journey at Tokyo DisneySea and Tiana’s Bayou Journey within the U.S. parks. Whereas the previous has been broadly (and rightly) lauded as a masterpiece, the latter has been largely derided. In my opinion, a minimum of a few of that is unfair–particularly when it’s a surface-level comparability of know-how. I can’t assist however marvel how perceptions of American park followers would differ if Tiana’s Bayou Journey have been the ‘forbidden fruit’ of Tokyo Disney Resort.
Lastly, the music. It’s distinctive. Between the attraction’s soundtrack and the critter crews, I can see why so many followers of it are calling Tiana’s Bayou Journey a “good vibes” attraction. There doesn’t actually must be a plot or story–it might simply be two-dozen Mondo the Frog AAs dotting the bayou paired with this music and it’d be a reasonably good journey! (Wait a minute…I really like that concept.)
Tiana’s Bayou Journey options unique preparations of songs from the Princess and the Frog movie and an unique track (“Particular Spice”) for the finale of the attraction, and it’ll depart you feeling pleased after using. I’d additionally add that “Particular Spice” grows on you significantly after listening to it a couple of occasions. So in the event you don’t “luck out” with a logjam that delays unload, you’ll nonetheless come to get pleasure from it extra on subsequent ride-throughs.
From just about the outset of the attraction, you’re grooving together with the beat, swaying round together with your shoulders and such, or nevertheless one would possibly “dance” whereas sitting in a ship. (I can’t dance whereas standing up, so that you’re asking the unsuitable particular person.) The journey finally ends up being a “good vibe” because of the music, from begin to end. Even when different components of the attraction don’t join in your first ride-through, the music alone will pull you again to Tiana’s Bayou Journey.
My general impression (or vibe, if you’ll) of Tiana’s Bayou Journey is a optimistic one. It’s not a contemporary masterpiece neither is it flawless, however I nonetheless prefer it so much. It’s a really enjoyable and repeatable journey, with greater than sufficient highlights to outweigh the lowlights (or the literal low lights). Tiana’s Bayou Journey is a prime 15 attraction in all of Walt Disney World for me. Presumably prime 10.
So why a lot time dedicated to flaws? As a result of I additionally take theme parks critically–too critically, by most cheap accounts. In case you don’t, I sort of marvel what’s the purpose of all this–what are we even doing right here? If we’re going to carry Walt Disney World in excessive esteem, treating Imagineers as artists and sights as their medium, then it follows that reviewing theme park sights is a type of artwork criticism.
In case you solely care about enjoyable, that’s high quality. I get that.
I can flip my mind off and have a hoot with the Quick and the Livid movies simply as a lot as the following man. Fortunately, Tiana’s Bayou Journey is nothing like a Quick and the Livid movie. From my perspective, it’s nearer to Prime Gun: Maverick or Mission: Inconceivable – Fallout if we’re making film comparisons. There are some plot holes which might be obvious upon scrutiny, however you’re having a lot enjoyable alongside the way in which–merely having fun with the journey–that they are often ignored in the event you so need.
In case you’re solely questioning, “will my children like this?” you’ve most likely come to the unsuitable evaluation…and also you undoubtedly caught round manner too lengthy in the event you’ve learn so far. To nonetheless reply that query, children will completely adore Tiana’s Bayou Journey. (As long as they aren’t frightened of the darkish.) It has cute critters, catchy music, a beautiful out of doors part with massive views of Magic Kingdom, nice journey cadence, drops, a huge frog taking part in the bongos and mushrooms the scale of a Stegosaurus. (Children as of late are nonetheless lovers of large frogs and mushrooms, proper?)
In the end, in answering the titular query, I’d say that Tiana’s Bayou Journey is flawed-but-fantastic. It’s undoubtedly not a ten/10 journey, and I’ve little doubt that some followers will contemplate it a failure, particularly those that deliver sentimentality to the desk. And I get that. It’s troublesome not to take action in the event you’ve been by way of this mountain (sorry, salt dome) many occasions earlier than. You’re nearly actually going to be making a psychological comparability and noticing what’s modified–generally for the higher, generally the more severe.
We frequently comment that ‘nostalgia is a helluva drug’ in the case of Walt Disney World and suppose that applies right here, too, as followers will probably be more likely to fixate on what’s “lacking.” That’s honest, however remember the fact that this could minimize each methods, and there’s so much in Tiana’s Bayou Journey that’s an unequivocal improve.
Maybe it’s potential that the rose-colored glasses of nostalgia make faults in fan-favorite sights simpler to miss, whereas it’s simpler to scrutinize new rides earlier than that attachment types. And possibly opinions evolve over time as our thoughts’s eyes glosses over the faults and savors the strengths and sentimentality.
Suffice to say, I’m pretty assured in saying that your sixth journey on Tiana’s Bayou Journey will probably be higher than your first. Which will appear unreasonable–that an attraction shouldn’t must be skilled a number of occasions to be totally loved. That it’s a weak point since most company will solely journey as soon as. However I’m not directing this half at most individuals, I’m directing it at followers who’ve already ridden this journey system many occasions. You have to journey a number of occasions…probably over a number of years.
Tiana’s Bayou Journey additionally advantages from being the uncommon blockbuster Disney attraction that isn’t afraid to get bizarre and take inventive dangers, all of which provides to the enjoyable and my private (favorable) emotions in direction of the journey. In attempting to rack my mind to consider the final attraction of this caliber that did that, I preserve coming again to 1…however I already promised I wouldn’t point out it once more for the remainder of the evaluation. (It rhymes with mustache ploughman.) The underside line is that Tiana’s Bayou Journey is a ‘warts and all’ attraction, however one in direction of which I believe time will probably be very charitable.
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YOUR THOUGHTS
Are you excited for Tiana’s Bayou Journey? In case you’ve skilled the reimagined journey (in particular person, not by way of YouTube), what did you consider it? Another Disney or Common rides to which you’d examine it? The place does TBA rank for you among the many Magic Kingdom Mountain Vary, and different current additions? Do you agree or disagree with our evaluation? Any questions we might help you reply? Listening to your suggestions–even whenever you disagree with us–is each fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas under within the feedback!
