A little over a year ago, Disneyland’s iconic 1989 attraction Splash Mountain received a long overdue makeover when Tiana’s Bayou Adventure opened at the Anaheim, California theme park. The ride is the first to incorporate characters from Disney’s 2009 film The Princess and the Frog. Tiana – the film’s titular Princess – has also spread her wings into the dining of the area, with Tiana’s Palace taking over the former French Market Restaurant that sits in the neighbouring New Orleans Square.
Last month I finally had the chance to ride the log flume attraction, as well as get a taste of what was cooking at Tiana’s Palace. So how did it all stack up? And how does it compare to what came before? Read on to find out.
What changes were made to Splash Mountain?
Disneyland’s iconic log flume ride Splash Mountain first opened in California in 1989, with its theming around the 1946 Disney film Song of the South. This film’s signature song “Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah” is known the world over. It even won the Oscar for Best Original Song in 1947. And those who rode the attraction would enjoy it stuck in their heads the entire day.
But the film is a product of the time, and has not aged well, given the film’s racist portrayal of its African American characters. Disney have not shied away from this controversy, going so far as to keep the film out of its archives on its Disney+ streaming service.
Given all this, it had long been expected for Disney to bring a new IP to Splash Mountain. And in June 2020, it was confirmed that The Princess and the Frog would be the new IP to take over the ride. And this was fitting. The 2009 film was, after all, Disney’s first to feature an African American princess. Plus, it was set in New Orleans, which is one of the lands that sits near the attraction.
The retheming of the ride became not just a chance to right the wrongs of their content of the past, but also an opportunity to show off some of the newest in animatronic technology. And this they have certainly delivered, bringing Princess Tiana, gator pal Louis, Mama Odie and 19 new critter friends to life in glorious fashion.
The story takes place a year after the events of the film, with Tiana’s business – Tiana’s Palace – finding enough success that her and Naveen have expanded their business to Tiana’s Foods, an employee owned food co-op. They’ve bought an old salt mine to serve as the company’s headquarters, and now they’re about to throw a party for Mardi Gras. But they need a band!
And so – aboard the ride’s iconic log flumes – you join Tiana as she journeys through the bayou to find musicians for the occasion. We meet a lot of musical critters along the way, who help exemplify New Orleans Culture – such as the animal Zydeco band, who perform “Gonna Take You There” with the iconic New Orleans instrument. It’s one of five songs that feature in the attraction, including a new song “Special Spice”, that you hear at its end.
As you go through the ride, whose track remains identical to the original Splash Mountain, things move pretty quickly. The animatronics were impressive, though the three splashes along the way do serve as a distraction from some elements of the story. As was always the case with the original ride.
Now, look – I always had one rule when it came to Splash Mountain. Never ever would I ever sit in the front seat. But in this occasion I did sit in the front seat and I got absolutely soaked. Which is all part of the fun, but if you’re hoping to take in all the elements of the ride, you might be laughing too hard at the sheer amount of water that just poured over your body to do so. Especially after the surprisingly weighty second drop.
After I rode the attraction I read that at this point of the ride we “shrink”, and then right before we go down the final drop we are blown back up to normal size so as to make a “bigger splash”. This all being communicated to us by Mama Odie. But I was too wet to take in any of this.
I guess I’ll just have to ride it again?
How is the food at Tiana’s Palace? And what else has been added to the area?
The addition of the IP has also transformed other existing properties in the area. The former French Market Restaurant is now Tiana’s Palace, with a Mint Julip bar, that opened back in 2023 – inspired by the dream restaurant she sets up at the end of the film.
This was a pretty easy changeover for the venue, and they’ve redressed the quick service restaurant beautifully. The food has also vastly improved since it was the French Market Restaurant. Though the premise is much the same: New Orleans comfort food. There’s Jambalaya and Gumbo. There’s Shrimp Po’Boys. They have a Muffuletta Sandwich. And of course the iconic dessert, beignets.
We tried the Cajun Spiced Half Chicken brushed with BBQ Sauce, served with Baked Macaroni and Cheese, Coleslaw and pickles. This was a delicious $20 meal, with the baked mac and cheese being a standout, and the BBQ sauce ensuring that every bite of that chicken was packed with flavour. I would go for the baked mac and cheese alone.
You can head HERE to see the full menu.
There are also new stores dedicated to the ride, with a barrage of brand new The Princess and the Frog related merchandise now filling the walls of the Disney gift shops.
Right near the ride you’ll find Ray’s Berets and the Critter Club. Some favourites to look out for here are a plush toy of Tiana herself – modeled after her appearance in the ride. They also sell a waterproof pouch for you to put your phone – as I discovered, you very much will get wet on this attraction. So that came in very handy.
There’s a restaurant fund coffee can filled with chocolate coins, treats to eat at the park or take home like the Cajun Craze Crunch and even a cookbook inspired by her restaurant. Even Ray the Firefly has his own glow toy. And no Disneyland attraction would be complete without a new bucket hat or selection of pins! And you’ll find them all at the new stores in Critter Country.
Final Verdict
I’m happy to say that they have transformed the Splash Mountain into one that will delight for generations to come.
The Princess and the Frog has long deserved a themed experience at Disney Parks, and on experiencing the new theming, there’s no question that this was the right move, even if you have strong memories of the original attraction. There’s simply no other existing Disney IP that could have worked so perfectly.
Like the original, if you’re going to sit at the front of the ride, you’re going to get wet. And maybe that will take away from being able to take in all the elements of the story, and the incredible animatronics – but that just gives you more reason to ride it again. I’ll definitely be sitting at the back next time.
To top off the ride experience, the addition of Tiana’s Palace has given New Orleans Square new life, and a delicious menu.
All in all, this is a vast and impressive upgrade for Disneyland.
FOUR AND A HALF STARS (OUT OF FIVE)
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is open now. It also appears in Orlando. Lightning Lane is available for this attraction.
For more details about the ride, and to get tickets to Disneyland in California, head to the official website.
Photos provided by Disney Parks unless otherwise listed. The author visited as a guest of Disneyland. While in Anaheim we stayed at the newly renovated Hilton Anaheim.
