Walt Disney World has introduced the opening date for Tiana’s Bayou Journey at Magic Kingdom in June 2024! This shares the most recent official information & particulars, plus AP & DVC preview predictions, smooth opening hypothesis, digital queue vs. standby line, Lightning Lane standing, and extra!
In case you’re unfamiliar with it, Tiana’s Bayou Journey is a reimagining of Splash Mountain. The brand new-look attraction will use the very same journey system and stay a log flume with an outside part, inside present scenes that includes Audio Animatronics critters, and several other smaller drops culminating in a single large drop. Identical thought, totally different story and substance.
Tiana’s Bayou Journey will choose up the story of The Princess and the Frog after the ultimate kiss, becoming a member of Tiana and Louis on a musical journey as they put together for his or her first-ever Mardi Gras efficiency. Throughout this celebration, company will hear authentic music impressed by songs from the movie. Tiana is main the way in which and company will be capable of encounter outdated associates and make new associates alongside the way in which as effectively.
Disney has introduced that Tiana’s Bayou Journey will open on June 28, 2024 in Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World.
Listed below are extra particulars shared by Disney concerning the upcoming Tiana’s Bayou Journey attraction at each Walt Disney World:
“Drop on in” with Princess Tiana this summer time, as Tiana’s Bayou Journey opens in Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World Resort on June 28, 2024.
Tiana’s Bayou Journey invitations company to affix beloved characters Princess Tiana, Mama Odie, Louis, and all-new associates on an exciting journey, all set in opposition to the music and pleasure of a New Orleans celebration. This new attraction will characteristic dozens of Audio-Animatronics figures, a foot-tapping soundtrack, and a celebration the place everybody’s welcome.
They received music, it’s at all times playin’
Music is on the coronary heart of New Orleans, and company shall be tapping their toes all all through the attraction thanks partly to lovable critters, who play devices made from pure supplies discovered within the bayou. Tiana’s new associates embrace an otter, a rabbit, a racoon, a beaver, a turtle and extra. Their spirited stylings will flip the bayou into a celebration with Zydeco, Rara, and Afro-Cuban music genuine to the area of New Orleans. There shall be new, authentic music alongside favourite tunes from the movie, created in collaboration with award-winning artists PJ Morton and Terence Blanchard.
Along with musical critters, Tiana’s Bayou Journey welcomes expertise voices from the movie as they reprise their roles, together with Bruno Campos as Prince Naveen, Jenifer Lewis as Mama Odie, Michael-Leon Wooley as Louis, and the one and solely Anika Noni Rose as Princess Tiana.
Seize anyone, come on down
As company float by the cypress bushes and Spanish moss of a gorgeous Louisiana bayou, they could see some acquainted faces as a part of the handfuls of solely new Audio-Animatronics figures. Together with Princess Tiana, Louis and Mama Odie, hold a watch out for Eudora, Charlotte, Prince Ralphie, Prince Naveen and others. Between Disney’s iconic storytelling, technologically superior Audio-Animatronics figures, and an exciting 50-foot drop, Tiana’s Bayou Journey has sufficient enjoyable for everybody!
As Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “The Princess and the Frog” makes its dwelling within the Crescent Metropolis, Tiana’s Bayou Journey is extra filled with genuine NOLA artistry than Charlotte is with Tiana’s “man-catching” beignets! Art work from Louisiana artist Malaika Favourite will delight company as a part of the queue, and company can see an authentic metalwork weathervane from third-generation grasp blacksmith, Darryl Reeves and his apprentice, Karina Roca. New Orleans artist Sharika Mahdi’s paintings has impressed the attraction from the start. And, for some lagniappe (a “little further”) company could have a nostril filled with the candy scent of beignets being stored heat within the oven – harking back to strolling by the French Quarter – as a part of the attraction queue.
Goals do come true in New Orleans
The center of Tiana’s story reminds company that everybody has the potential to make their desires a actuality. With groups of Imagineers, Disney Animation artists, forged members and Louisiana artisans working collectively, Tiana’s Bayou Journey is bound to go a very good time when it opens at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida on June 28, 2024, and later in 2024 at Disneyland Park in California!
Now, let’s flip to questions on Tiana Bayou Journey’s Lightning Lane standing, potential digital queue, smooth openings, AP previews, and extra…
Tiana’s Bayou Journey Mushy Openings
Mushy openings are also referred to as trial operations or technical rehearsals, and are principally an unannounced and managed take a look at interval. They supply a chance for theme parks to open an attraction previous to its official opening and conduct operations and Solid Member coaching in a extra forgiving and low stress setting.
Usually, these aren’t publicized by way of official sources: not on park maps, the official Disney Parks Weblog, annoying TikTok movies, wait time boards, and even within the My Disney Expertise app. Consequently, they at all times draw considerably fewer crowds than official openings. They’re a pleasant perk for company who’re already within the park and probably the most plugged-in Walt Disney World followers.
Walt Disney World had moved away from smooth openings in the previous couple of years, earlier than bringing them again with TRON Lightcycle Run final 12 months. Nevertheless, I’d argue that was a very totally different situation, because the official opening was, for some purpose, scheduled after the center of Spring Break season. That’s why we predicted a return of sentimental openings, which did occur. Additionally, these had been totally different as a result of they had been publicized. It wasn’t a lot a smooth opening within the conventional sense of the time period because it was the journey shifting ahead its opening date.
The distinction between Tiana’s Bayou Journey and each main attraction opening since 2021 is that every of these points of interest had been initially slated to debut “in time for” Walt Disney World’s fiftieth Anniversary, however was delayed as a result of closure and subsequent phased reopening. In all of these instances, Walt Disney World purposefully postponed the openings–it wasn’t merely a matter of staffing shortages or development progress. The opening dates had been slow-rolled for strategic functions.
It’s a very totally different story with Tiana’s Bayou Journey. Most notably, this attraction’s debut is being moved ahead–from Late 2024 to Summer time 2024–reasonably than postponed. The opening of Tiana’s Bayou Journey is extra like a race in opposition to the clock, versus ready out the clock, as was the case with the aforementioned points of interest.
Accordingly, we are able to’t make any assured predictions with regard to basic public smooth openings and even AP and DVC previews, for that matter. It actually all relies upon upon how conservative Walt Disney World is with the official opening date, how easily work goes between at times, and if unanticipated points come up. There may very well be time to spare, or it may very well be a mad sprint to make the opening date, with work persevering with after hours even after the official debut date and delayed openings for months to accommodate. (Anybody bear in mind the rocky first few months of Frozen Ever After?)
Protecting in thoughts that I do know completely nothing, my intestine says there shall be a really restricted AP and DVC preview interval, however no smooth openings. Given what we already know concerning the media preview and sure different affiliation previews, it doesn’t sound like there shall be time for smooth openings.
With that mentioned, I might see Walt Disney World providing Tiana’s Bayou Journey pre-registered previews for choose teams: Disney Trip Membership, Golden Oak, Membership 33, and Annual Passholders. We anticipate this to work virtually precisely like previous previews, proper right down to all eligible APs not receiving the e-mail earlier than slots began filling up.
Having previews for your complete month of Could would make sense, as that’s shoulder season and was a part of the second-slowest six week stretch at Walt Disney World. Nevertheless, I merely don’t assume the attraction is way sufficient alongside for that. If your complete month of Could may very well be previews, the journey can be opening by Memorial Day.
Nevertheless it’s not, in order that they received’t. It’s attainable there shall be some Solid Member previews in Could, however different teams are prone to have previews in mid-to-late June. At most, there’s solely somewhat over two weeks for affiliation previews between the media occasion in mid-June and the official opening date of June 28, 2024.
Accordingly, we’re going to foretell way more restricted previews for Tiana’s Bayou Journey at Magic Kingdom. I wouldn’t rule out the opportunity of a short preview interval, however it’s not going to be like different headliners that had round a month of previews previous to opening.
As at all times, Annual Passholder and DVC preview emails DO NOT exit to everybody who’s eligible. I didn’t obtain the one for Remy’s Ratatouille Journey and Sarah didn’t get the one for Cosmic Rewind. I don’t bear in mind who received the e-mail for TRON, however it didn’t matter as a result of one in all us was pregnant and we couldn’t do it, anyway.
Possibly Tiana’s Bayou Journey would be the first time in ages that we each get one…or possibly neither of us will this spherical! Regardless, if our prediction about extra restricted previews seems to be true, that additionally means registration shall be much more aggressive. In flip, meaning
In any case, receiving the e-mail doesn’t matter! The hyperlink inside is what’s vital, and ANYONE WHO IS ELIGIBLE can use that. Each of us shall be monitoring our emails like hawks within the coming weeks and gives you a heads up ASAP if/when preview registration goes dwell. You possibly can subscribe to our free electronic mail e-newsletter for immediate alerts.
Genie+ vs. Particular person Lightning Lane
Subsequent up, whether or not Tiana’s Bayou Journey shall be a part of Genie+ or one other Particular person Lightning Lane at Magic Kingdom. That is actually a “wildcard” in identify solely, since Walt Disney World hasn’t formally introduced something. That is as soon as once more a situation the place Tiana’s Bayou Journey is totally different than different current additions, TRON Lightcycle Run and Cosmic Rewind, each of which we predicted had a “larger than 99.999% probability” of being Particular person Lightning Lane points of interest earlier than they opened.
The arguments in opposition to Tiana’s Bayou Journey getting Particular person Lightning Lane standing are that it’s a reimagining reasonably than a brand-new journey, and Splash Mountain didn’t provide an Particular person Lightning Lane. There have been ‘operational realities’ that seemingly drove that call (as Splash Mountain was one in all Walt Disney World’s hottest rides with out ILL standing), which will even apply to Tiana’s Bayou Journey, equivalent to the need of winter refurbishments sooner or later and the truth that water rides merely aren’t as well-liked at evening or when the climate is colder.
Lastly, if Tiana’s Bayou Journey opens with an Particular person Lightning Lane and nothing else adjustments, Magic Kingdom would be the solely park with greater than a single ILL attraction. It’ll haven’t 2, however 3. In any other case, Seven Dwarfs Mine Prepare would must be “demoted” to the Genie+ service. Whereas that may appear logical after a decade, that journey continues to be extremely well-liked. It’s additionally constantly well-liked, not like a water flume journey that isn’t as in-demand at evening or within the winter.
There are a variety of good arguments in opposition to Tiana’s Bayou Journey getting ILL standing. Logically, I feel these ought to win out from a long-term perspective. No matter all that, I nonetheless assume that there’s a greater than 50% probability that Tiana’s Bayou Journey is elevated to Particular person Lightning Lane. It will be a marketable draw and much more well-liked than Splash Mountain for no less than a few years–except one thing goes terribly incorrect with the execution of the reimagining, and there’s no purpose to anticipate that after seeing the wowing Tiana Audio Animatronics. It additionally most likely wouldn’t be nice optics to have the brand new journey be relegated to Genie+ standing.
Standby vs. Digital Queue
One other large query is whether or not Tiana’s Bayou Journey will use a digital queue. With Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind nonetheless utilizing a digital queue, the reply to this most likely appears apparent. Nevertheless, Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance and Remy’s Ratatouille Journey each stopped their VQs…and we’ve been anticipating Cosmic Rewind to comply with go well with for (actually) over a 12 months.
The larger subject, although, is that TRON Lightcycle Run nonetheless makes use of a digital queue and appears unlikely to cease anytime quickly. That will imply that Magic Kingdom would have two points of interest with digital queues if Tiana’s Bayou Journey provides one. So it’s not as clear-cut because it may appear, with compelling arguments for and in opposition to a VQ–which is what we focus on in Will Tiana’s Bayou Journey Use a Digital Queue?
Chopping to the chase, we actually assume it might go both method for the entire causes mentioned in that submit (seasonality, reliability, lengthy bodily queue house, optics, visitor satisfaction and extra). At this level, we’d most likely give an edge to Tiana’s Bayou Journey getting a digital queue. Nevertheless it’s fairly removed from a certain factor–extra like 60/40 as in comparison with the ensures that got here with Cosmic Rewind and TRON Lightcycle Run.
Whereas we’ve gotten good at gaming digital queues (and have “velocity technique” recommendation so you possibly can obtain comparable success), my private hope is for a standby queue. It’s the extra guest-friendly strategy that ranges the taking part in discipline, is much less aggravating, and ends in fewer complaints.
Finally, we’re wanting ahead to experiencing Tiana’s Bayou Journey opening on June 28, 2024 at Walt Disney World. The reimagined journey will immediately turn into one of many prime 3 hottest points of interest at Magic Kingdom and assist absorb crowds. No matter how anybody would possibly really feel concerning the reimagining of Splash Mountain, that’s pretty simple. The journey was well-liked earlier than and it’ll be much more well-liked due to advertising and marketing and it being new. That at all times occurs, so it’s loopy to anticipate something totally different right here.
The one actual questions are whether or not it may well surpass TRON Lightcycle Run and Seven Dwarfs Mine Prepare by way of reputation. Furthermore, whether or not Tiana’s Bayou Journey shall be an everyday or a la carte Lightning Line. My early guesses are that it replaces Seven Dwarfs Mine Prepare in each regards, turning into one of many longest wait instances and most coveted Lightning Lane alternatives in all of Walt Disney World.
That’s actually the core of the apple. Tiana’s Bayou Journey is prone to be a crowd-pleasing attraction and one which’s well-liked as a result of 1) something new is well-liked for a interval, and a couple of) it encompasses a princess from a extra trendy film than what it changed. Earlier than we even arrive at whether or not it finally ends up being a “higher” or “worse” journey, these elements alone will make it a must-do attraction for a lot of company. It’ll seemingly rival Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, and Avatar Flight of Passage as the most well-liked new points of interest in all of Walt Disney World…no less than till the colder months (or nights!) roll round.
Planning a Walt Disney World journey? Study lodges on our Walt Disney World Motels Opinions web page. For the place to eat, learn our Walt Disney World Restaurant Opinions. To save cash on tickets or decide which kind to purchase, learn our Suggestions for Saving Cash on Walt Disney World Tickets submit. Our What to Pack for Disney Journeys submit takes a novel have a look at intelligent objects to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Experience Guides will assist. For complete recommendation, the most effective place to begin is our Walt Disney World Journey Planning Information for every little thing you might want to know!
Your Ideas
Are you excited for the grand opening of Tiana’s Bayou Journey at Magic Kingdom on June 28, 2024? Suppose it’ll have a digital queue or standby line proper at opening? What about smooth openings v. pre-registered previews? Do you agree or disagree with our recommendation? Any questions we can assist you reply? Listening to your suggestions–even while you disagree with us–is each fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas beneath within the feedback!
