Can you believe it?! Opening day for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure in Magic Kingdom is almost here!!
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure
With only a few days left until the ride officially opens (June 28th), we’re all counting down the hours until we can join Tiana on a trip through the bayou, check out all the new merch, and just have a hopping good time. All of that being said, this ride has a catch, and it’s one that just might become the new number 1 problem in Magic Kingdom. Let’s talk about it!
First up, let’s go over the backstory just in case you haven’t been following everything (like us). So, Disney closed Splash Mountain about a year and a half ago to begin a Princess and the Frog-themed makeover. The ride’s storyline takes place “after the final kiss” in the movie, so it’s a continuation of Tiana’s story. Tiana has made her dream come true by opening her own restaurant, and now she wants to throw a Mardi Gras party for the people of New Orleans to thank them for supporting her restaurant. But she notices that the party is missing a key ingredient, and she needs our help to find it!
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure Concept Art ©Disney
Guests join Tiana on a trip through the bayou, where we’ll meet up with friends like Louis and Mama Odie. The ride still has its thrilling 5-story drop, and you’ll probably still get very wet!
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure
Now that we have that out of the way, what was the issue we were mentioning earlier (the one with the potential to become the number 1 problem in Magic Kingdom)? Well, this ride will be using Virtual Queue and also be a part of Disney Genie+, but that’s not the issue. The issue is that Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is super weather-sensitive, which means that this is set to be the first VQ ride that can be shut down if the weather gets nasty!
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure
As we said, when the ride opens, it will use a virtual queue, meaning there will be no standby line. You’ll need to join that queue on the My Disney Experience (MDE) app.
For more information about how to use Disney World’s virtual queue system, click here!
It will also be available as part of Disney Genie+, so if you purchase the skip-the-line service for Magic Kingdom, you’ll be able to reserve a Lightning Lane pass to skip the wait. (Note that it’s part of Genie+ and does NOT have its own a la carte Individual Lightning Lane.) We’re expecting the ride to be super popular when it opens, so if you do plan on using Genie+ to reserve a Lightning Lane there, make sure to get that one FIRST.
Learn all about Disney Genie+ and how to use it here!
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure in Magic Kingdom
Like we were saying, if the weather gets really bad, your meticulously planned Genie+ selections or VQ could be in jeopardy. But don’t worry! Here are some tips that will help you dodge this rainy-day disaster:
Plan Ahead and Keep an Eye on the Forecast: Check the weather forecast religiously! I know it sounds obvious, but Florida weather can be unpredictable. We’d recommend using a reliable weather app and keeping an eye on the forecast, especially in the days leading up to your trip.
Prioritize Early Morning Rides: You’ll want to snag that VQ slot or Genie+ reservation for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure as early in the day as possible. Morning typically means cooler and more stable weather. Plus, if you’re early, that means you’re less likely to get hit by the afternoon showers that Central Florida is infamous for.
Have a Backup Plan: If the worst happens and Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is temporarily closed, have a backup plan ready. (Park hopping is your friend!) For example, if your plans are messed up by the weather, consider heading to another park and then trying again another day. Remember, flexibility is the name of the game!
Utilize the App for Updates: The My Disney Experience app will be your BFF during your visit. Check it often for real-time updates on ride closures and wait times. Disney is pretty good about keeping everyone informed, so if Tiana’s is down due to the weather, you’ll know right away and can adjust your plans accordingly.
Bring Your Rain Gear: Lastly, don’t forget your ponchos and umbrellas! Even if you can’t get on the ride, it’s better to come prepared for the rain rather than let it ruin your day.
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure officially opens on June 28th, though some people get to preview the ride EARLY, including Cast Members, Annual Passholders, DVC Members, and D23 Gold Members. You can learn more about those previews here:
- Disney Cast Member previews on June 3rd and 7th and June 23rd and 26th
- Disney Vacation Club member previews on June 12th and June 19th
- Disney World Annual Passholder previews on June 13th, 14th, 15th, 16th, 17th, 18th, and 20th
- D23 Gold Member Special Ticket preview on June 22nd
See a full ride-through of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure here.
We can’t wait to go down the bayou with Tiana and her friends. If you’re excited, too, make sure to check out our Tiana’s Bayou Adventure tee in our online DFB store!
Never Lose Sight!
We’ve also got a Splash Mountain Farewell Tour t-shirt.
Briar Patch Tee
In fact, we have a whole collection of Disney shirts — be sure to check them out before your next Disney World trip!
Shop our DFB Disney tees here!
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All of your comments seem to have merit but there are a few other concerns. I grew up in the 60’s, educated thru 4 years of college with 3 degrees with many academic acolades to my credit, but I missed the IT learning curve. APP’s, what’s that… at 68 I don’t use apps and my phone is a phone not a portable computer bank. The chances of me signing up for a virtual place in line is little to none, so unless I am visiting the park with an under 20 year old, I am out of luck. I will never get on this ride. The other major problem I have with this attraction is that no one knows the story of the Frog and the Princess… I don’t, and I grew up on Disney In the 50’s and 60’s. My 34 year old daughter has no idea what the Frog/Princess story is either. Disney has missed the boat on this ride with most of their guest population, and then made it difficult to ride it. It has now become a walk by attraction just like Moana in Epcot. I just do not know if Disney knows who their audience is anymore.