Tiana's Bayou Adventure at Magic Kingdom is days away from opening!WESH 2's Christina Watkins was at Magic Kingdom on Monday for the ride's media debut. Tiana's Bayou Adventure will open on June 28 for visitors to the Walt Disney World Resort, according to the company. Park guests can "drop on in" and experience the newly reimagined ride alongside Princess Tiana and her friends. "It's honestly unreal. I can't even believe it's happening right now," said Raevon Redding, Walt Disney World Ambassador.The new ride, inspired by the movie “The Princess and the Frog” and its heroine Tiana, is currently in preview mode for groups including employees and annual passholders and has already elicited mixed reactions in the midst of the culture wars. The structure of the log-flume ride has not changed, but the theme has been completely redone four years after Disney first announced the project in 2020, during the same season of nationwide protests over the death of George Floyd."I think people are really going to enjoy it. My advice to everyone is just give it a chance. Come on in. You don’t need an invitation, but we are inviting you out to enjoy it because what you bring bring to the table, is what makes this attraction so special," Redding says.Disney says there are 48 new audio-animatronics, 18 songs playing in the queue and five songs playing in the attraction. That includes the new “Special Spice," written by New Orleans native PJ Morton and performed by Anika Noni Rose who played Princess Tiana in the Disney films. The attraction is set in and around New Orleans and a Louisiana bayou during a Mardi Gras celebration. New, original music for the ride will feature alongside favorites from "The Princess and the Frog" movie.Disney Imagineers spent years traveling back and forth to New Orleans to make sure the ride was authentic. They say it's a love letter to the city and to the real-life inspiration behind Tiana, Leah Chase."The work and the love that was put in, it stems all the way back to Leah Chase, who Princess Tiana is inspired by and all of the work that family put in to inspire a community, now inspires generations to come," Redding says.Chase, known as the Queen of Creole Cuisine, was born in 1923. The James Beard award-winning chef, who died in 2019, had a pioneering career spanning seven decades. Her life was one of hard work, overcoming obstacles, much like Princess Tiana.WESH 2 talked to Chase's daughter about working with Disney on this project and seeing it come to life."My mother was a very humble person. So, she would be in awe and say 'Thank you, Lord! What did I do to deserve this? My mother was an ambassador to New Orleans. She loved it. She said this is like a love story. So, she could continue to be that ambassador," said Stella Chase Reese, Chase's daughter.The Chase family says their matriarch would've loved every minute of the process. They worked closely with Disney."She would've been apart of it and she would've said don't use this. I think you ought to use that because it brings a little color to the ride. The trinity is there, that my mother used every day, bringing a little color to the ride," Chase Reese said."It is a blessing to be part of this to do something that means so much for so many people not only for our community, but for people throughout our country and the world. To come here and feel like they’re part of it; to feel welcomed. Doesn’t matter what culture you are, what race you are, Disney is finding a way to welcome everyone." The reimagined ride features 19 new critters and animatronics from the movie including Mama Odie, Louis and Prince Naveen alongside new characters made for the attraction.Tiana's Bayou Adventure is taking the place of Splash Mountain at Disney's Magic Kingdom, which closed in January 2023. A version of Tiana's Bayou Adventure will also open at Disneyland Park in California later in 2024.Related: Revamped Country Bears Jamboree has an opening date>> CNN contributed to this story
BAY LAKE, Fla. —
Tiana's Bayou Adventure at Magic Kingdom is days away from opening!
WESH 2's Christina Watkins was at Magic Kingdom on Monday for the ride's media debut.
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Tiana's Bayou Adventure will open on June 28 for visitors to the Walt Disney World Resort, according to the company. Park guests can "drop on in" and experience the newly reimagined ride alongside Princess Tiana and her friends.
"It's honestly unreal. I can't even believe it's happening right now," said Raevon Redding, Walt Disney World Ambassador.
The new ride, inspired by the movie “The Princess and the Frog” and its heroine Tiana, is currently in preview mode for groups including employees and annual passholders and has already elicited mixed reactions in the midst of the culture wars.
The structure of the log-flume ride has not changed, but the theme has been completely redone four years after Disney first announced the project in 2020, during the same season of nationwide protests over the death of George Floyd.
"I think people are really going to enjoy it. My advice to everyone is just give it a chance. Come on in. You don’t need an invitation, but we are inviting you out to enjoy it because what you bring bring to the table, is what makes this attraction so special," Redding says.
Disney says there are 48 new audio-animatronics, 18 songs playing in the queue and five songs playing in the attraction. That includes the new “Special Spice," written by New Orleans native PJ Morton and performed by Anika Noni Rose who played Princess Tiana in the Disney films.
This content is imported from Twitter.You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.
. @WaltDisneyWorld also revealed there’s a new show about Princess Tiana coming to @DisneyPlus. No word yet on when it’s expected to air. @WESH #TianasBayouAdventure pic.twitter.com/RdmrzOlWoM
— Christina Watkins (@CWatkinsWESH) June 10, 2024
This content is imported from YouTube.You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.
The attraction is set in and around New Orleans and a Louisiana bayou during a Mardi Gras celebration. New, original music for the ride will feature alongside favorites from "The Princess and the Frog" movie.
Disney Imagineers spent years traveling back and forth to New Orleans to make sure the ride was authentic. They say it's a love letter to the city and to the real-life inspiration behind Tiana, Leah Chase.
"The work and the love that was put in, it stems all the way back to Leah Chase, who Princess Tiana is inspired by and all of the work that family put in to inspire a community, now inspires generations to come," Redding says.
Chase, known as the Queen of Creole Cuisine, was born in 1923. The James Beard award-winning chef, who died in 2019, had a pioneering career spanning seven decades. Her life was one of hard work, overcoming obstacles, much like Princess Tiana.
WESH 2 talked to Chase's daughter about working with Disney on this project and seeing it come to life.
"My mother was a very humble person. So, she would be in awe and say 'Thank you, Lord! What did I do to deserve this? My mother was an ambassador to New Orleans. She loved it. She said this is like a love story. So, she could continue to be that ambassador," said Stella Chase Reese, Chase's daughter.
The Chase family says their matriarch would've loved every minute of the process. They worked closely with Disney.
"She would've been apart of it and she would've said don't use this. I think you ought to use that because it brings a little color to the ride. The trinity is there, that my mother used every day, bringing a little color to the ride," Chase Reese said.
"It is a blessing to be part of this to do something that means so much for so many people not only for our community, but for people throughout our country and the world. To come here and feel like they’re part of it; to feel welcomed. Doesn’t matter what culture you are, what race you are, Disney is finding a way to welcome everyone."
The reimagined ride features 19 new critters and animatronics from the movie including Mama Odie, Louis and Prince Naveen alongside new characters made for the attraction.
Tiana's Bayou Adventure is taking the place of Splash Mountain at Disney's Magic Kingdom, which closed in January 2023. A version of Tiana's Bayou Adventure will also open at Disneyland Park in California later in 2024.
This content is imported from YouTube.You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.
Related: Revamped Country Bears Jamboree has an opening date
This content is imported from Twitter.You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.
Today we get to experience Tiana’s Bayou Adventure! Check out our swag! pic.twitter.com/c8T0HDo6Qf
— StorybookDestination (@StorybookD) June 10, 2024
>> CNN contributed to this story
