Early morning, Disney enthusiasts got ready to refresh the Disneyland app and hopefully snag a spot in the virtual queue for Disneyland’s new ride: Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. With three opportunities to join the virtual queue, 7 a.m, 12 p.m. and 4 p.m., the guests who got a spot could ride this attraction on its opening day at Disneyland Park Friday, Nov. 15.

Inclusivity efforts

Tiana’s Bayou Adventure was previously Splash Mountain, which opened July 17, 1989. According to the LAist, “Disney closed Splash Mountain after it drew criticism for basing the ride off the 1946 movie ‘Song of the South,’ which featured racist depictions of Black characters. Disney first announced the overhaul in 2020, following renewed attention on Black representation during Black Lives Matter protests.”

Artist Varian Laurent created the official gallery piece for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure Ride for Disney World in Florida. He was an art student at Xavier University and an aspiring Disney Imagineer. Laurent said he had a professor named Charles Graves who served as a mentor for him, as Graves had a connection with Disney and Imagineers. Sadly, Graves passed away due to cancer, and Laurent said his dream of working with Disney passed away, too. However, years later, he rediscovered his dream when a former teacher in the art department invited him to a meeting with Disney executives about the artwork for the Tiana ride. A few years and NDAs later, they decided his artwork would be the official gallery piece.

“This is such a historical event because Disney, right now, is making a concerted effort to make sure that there’s inclusivity and people feel seen in the park, because traditionally, most of the characters have been white characters,” Laurent said. “With Tiana being the first African American princess, if you will, for Disney, and to have her own themed ride, this was very historic for me. What that means is something that’s forever etched into the history of what that proud company has been able to accomplish over the years, and now knowing that I’m a part of something that’s so special.”

Laurent also has a geographic connection to the ride and movie.

“Also being from New Orleans and being able to identify with the characters and the movie itself was just also so amazing for me,” Laurent said. “I’m forever grateful for it.”

Laurent said he appreciates how Disney intentionally makes an effort to ensure their parks represent everyone. He also noted the significance of Disney transforming Splash Mountain into Tiana’s ride, rather than just adding a whole new attraction.

“It’s good that in a lot of ways it’s making something better, in terms of righting a wrong … I think that they recognize that this is important right now because there were tremendous catalysts that happened throughout our country that moved more companies to a place of understanding the importance of diversity and inclusion,” Laurent said. “But in moments like this, with a company like Disney, they have a very vested interest in making sure they’re doing it the right way, not just to say that they’re checking a box, you know. That’s what feels so great about it — you really [know] they’ve made a complete effort to make sure that everyone is welcome.”

Passerby Josie Mora was waiting outside the ride in hopes of entering the virtual queue. She said she does not know the full reason behind the change, but that she is happy about it.

“It’s time that [Tiana] gets her own ride because she’s such an icon,” Mora said. “The old Splash Mountain was kind of outdated.”

Engineering and visual progress

The route of the logs for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure has remained the same as when it was Splash Mountain, including the indoor elements and the 50-foot drop. Junior Lucy Kaplan has read and watched many books and documentaries about Disney engineering, and she shared her thoughts on the logistical and design elements behind the ride.

“The water part is very interesting, because [Tiana] lives around the bayou … There are a lot of scenes in [the movie] that take place on the water, on boats [and] in the bayou. So I think it brings you into the world a little bit,” Kaplan said. “I love seeing how engineering has shifted over time … It’s just so interesting to see how things have changed since it opened to where we are today.”

Laurent described the visual aesthetic of the ride and said the creators wanted to maintain the cultural integrity of New Orleans in the attraction.

“There are really bright and vibrant colors,” Laurent said. “The music that’s there accompanies this really bright and fun ride … The animatronics that have now been ingrained in the characters have such grace and fluidity as they move, like when you go on up in one area, Tiana’s off to the left and just her hand gestures, her mouth movements, everything is so lifelike. It’s almost as if somebody’s in a suit standing there with a Tiana-like mask on. There’s a certain grace and elegance in how she moves. And then they’ve also incorporated LED screens as well. So the ride is definitely, it’s been dolled up, so to speak.”

Riders’ reactions

Within a crowd of people waiting around the physical queue of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, park attendee Amos Gallegos emerged from the exit after riding the attraction for the first time. He expressed his initial reaction to the ride as amazing, fun and wet.

“I would say the scenery was beautiful. And, of course, the drop — you come over the edge and your heart just flutters, and you have butterflies in your stomach, and then your heart ends up in your head because you’re going so fast,” Gallegos said. “It’s amazing what they’ve done with it, and it’s great that they’ve brought it into the future.”

Similar to Gallegos, passerby Jamela Holborn said the ride was visually appealing. Cast members standing by the ride said the opening of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is exciting for both new and old cast members due to the new attention to the area.

Laurent concluded by sharing his gratitude for being involved in the design of this ride.

“To be a 47-year-old man now, and finally, get to this dream, it just taught me to continue to believe, to be a believer in all things fantastic,” Laurent said. “And it’s just been an amazing journey.”

This story was originally published on The Oracle on December 3, 2024.