Tiana’s Bayou Adventure in Disneyland is Even WORSE Than Disney World’s?

Tiana’s Bayou Adventure has soft opened to Annual Passholders at Disneyland, but not everyone is happy with the reimagining of the classic ride. Here’s why some guests are calling it “empty” and lacking the original charm.

Mixed Reactions to Tiana’s Bayou Adventure

Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, the reimagined version of the beloved Splash Mountain, has faced a mix of excitement and criticism since its debut at Disneyland. While some fans were eager to see Tiana take the spotlight, others have voiced disappointment over what they perceive as a reduction in the ride’s magic and fullness.

Lack of Animatronics and Claustrophobic Design

Fluff Skwovet, in a tweet that gained considerable traction, criticized the ride’s emptiness, stating: “Tiana’s sucks on Disneyland, literal darkness & very empty, even more empty than WDW’s version, terrible retheme no matter what version.” He pointed out the reduction in the number of animatronics—48 in the new version compared to 107 in Splash Mountain. He also lamented the absence of the original America Sings critters, which were a nostalgic part of the original ride.

Tiana's sucks on Disneyland, literal darkness & very empty, even more empty than WDW's version, terrible retheme no matter what version.

48 animatronics compared to 107 animatronics, it shows how empty it is without the OG america sings critters present. pic.twitter.com/kaz35drWyu

— Fluff Skwovet (@FluffSkwovet) October 22, 2024

According to some fans, the new ride also features more screens, making it feel claustrophobic and lacking the immersive animatronic experience that Disney is renowned for. Compared to Walt Disney World’s version, the Disneyland iteration appears even less populated, adding to the dissatisfaction among some parkgoers.

Salvador Palacio recently shared his thoughts, expressing regret at never getting the chance to ride the original Splash Mountain before it closed. He mentioned that while he hopes to enjoy Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, he fears it won’t live up to the original’s charm. This sentiment seems to echo the views of others who experienced the ride.

Technical Issues and Backlash at Walt Disney World

Meanwhile, the rethemed Walt Disney World version of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure has also faced backlash. Many guests have reported frequent breakdowns and technical issues, which have disrupted their experience and led to growing frustration. Several parkgoers have taken to social media to express their disappointment, citing repeated downtimes and delays that have made it difficult to fully enjoy the new attraction. Sources such as WDW News Today and posts from the Walt Disney World Annual Passholder Facebook group indicate that these technical problems have been a persistent issue since its opening.

Inclusive Storytelling Effort and Fan Backlash

According to Disney, the reimagining was part of the effort to move towards more inclusive storytelling. However, many longtime Disney fans disagree with the decision. Social media reactions, such as those on Twitter/X, and Change.org petitions show considerable pushback from those who preferred the original Splash Mountain theme and feel that the reimagining does not live up to its predecessor.

Sources such as Change.org petitions and posts on Twitter/X provide insight into the level of disagreement, with some fans feeling the retheme lacks the emotional and nostalgic value that made Splash Mountain a classic.

Despite the criticism, there are still those who appreciate the attempt to bring Tiana‘s world to life and feel the ride succeeds in bringing a different kind of magic to the park, celebrating her story and New Orleans culture.

Did You Know?

• Splash Mountain, the original ride, was based on the controversial 1946 film Song of the South, leading Disney to reimagine the attraction to better reflect modern values.
• The America Sings critters originally part of Splash Mountain were repurposed from an old America Sings show at Disneyland.
• Tiana’s Bayou Adventure picks up the story from where The Princess and the Frog left off, with Tiana hosting a Mardi Gras celebration in honor of her success and the community of New Orleans.

This feedback is based on social media responses, including tweets from Fluff Skwovet and Salvador Palacio (Posted: October 21, 2024).

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