Reviewing Tiana’s Bayou Journey is a idiot’s errand. Most Walt Disney World followers have already got their minds made up in some way and are entrenched of their opinions. Some appear to get fairly mad with anybody who dares disagree, particularly with reactions that aren’t unequivocally detrimental or optimistic. It’s a no-win proposition.
So naturally since I’m a idiot, I’m going to don’t one, however two evaluations of the brand new Magic Kingdom attraction. Not solely that, however, spoiler alert, neither shall be wholly detrimental nor optimistic. We’re going to cowl the nice, dangerous and ugly of Tiana’s Bayou Journey. Glutton for punishment, you may say.
The primary overview goes to start with a thought experiment, a lot in the identical method our current overview of CommuniCore Corridor theorized what we’d consider that constructing if it didn’t take 4+ years to open). The crux of the query is: what if Tiana’s Bayou Journey opened a decade in the past, again in 2014, as a brand-new trip past Large Thunder?
Such a state of affairs sidesteps the controversy swirling across the reimagined trip, because it invitations no comparisons to Splash Mountain and in addition (largely) predates essentially the most heated of the tradition wars. It permits us to judge the attraction within the vacuum of its personal deserves. For many who assume it is a cowardly cop out unreflective of actuality, concern not, as our subsequent overview is “Tiana’s Bayou Journey vs. Splash Mountain.” However that’s the final time you’ll see the earlier attraction’s identify in this overview.
You may assume that this lowers the bar and units the desk for a extra charitable overview of Tiana’s Bayou Journey (TBA). When you learn on, you’ll see that’s not the case. Regardless, we’re doing this as a result of it’s an acceptable ‘actual world’ method of assessing the attraction.
Absent a time machine, it’s driving Tiana’s Bayou Journey or nothing should you’re visiting Magic Kingdom now. What’s carried out is finished–you can’t trip any different points of interest on this house. And for the various company who’re first-timers, that’s exactly the state of affairs anyway—they strategy TBA with a clear slate and no priors to bias their opinions.
In such a thought experiment, the trip would’ve been a pure addition not changing something and primarily based on an underrated fan-favorite movie that was the top of an period for Walt Disney Animation. It will’ve been prolonged at a time when rides had been getting shorter, and featured a combination of contemporary expertise and spectacular Audio Animatronics. Not solely would it not have averted the “guide report” criticism that plagued the Little Mermaid darkish trip, however it might’ve launched new characters and continued the story past the beloved film.
On paper, Tiana’s Bayou Journey feels like a fairly good trip that checks all the proper packing containers and provides followers what they’ve needed for some time. (Sure, together with again in 2014.) Even at this time, quite a lot of this sounds fairly interesting! However after all, execution is all the pieces and the way issues sound “on paper” doesn’t inform the entire story.
Within the curiosity of full disclosure earlier than we get going, we attended the media preview of Tiana’s Bayou Journey earlier than it opened to most people. On condition that, you may wish to discard our opinions or take this overview with a grain of salt. I’d wish to assume the overview is truthful, balanced, and wouldn’t differ had we simply waited to attend the AP/DVC previews or official opening, however you could be the choose of that.
So in opposition to that backdrop, let’s dig slightly deeper and overview Tiana’s Bayou Journey by itself deserves to find out whether or not it’s a implausible, flawed, or failure of an attraction.…
Let’s begin with what kind of attraction, precisely, Tiana’s Bayou Journey is. At its core, it’s a prolonged log flume trip with a number of present scenes, Audio Animatronics, and different results. However that wasn’t actually what I meant—what style of trip is Tiana’s Bayou Journey?
This can be a difficult query. As famous above, Tiana’s Bayou Journey shouldn’t be a “guide report” trip. It’s additionally not a “one thing has gone terribly mistaken” attraction. Properly, except the one thing going mistaken is an ingredient going lacking (it’s not).
It’s additionally not a sequence of vignettes or cocktail social gathering attraction, as Walt Disney famously referred to as Pirates of the Caribbean, the place you may simply decide up on bits and items of the motion as you float on down the bayou.
I’ve seen some proponents of Tiana’s Bayou Journey consult with it as this or a “good vibes” trip. That’s mistaken for a few causes. First, it sells TBA brief. It will make the closest comparability Na’vi River Journey.
Disney followers solely name that Avatar attraction a “good vibes” trip as a result of they don’t wish to communicate negatively in regards to the expanse of useless house in its first three-quarters. Na’vi River Journey is arguably a boring trip; its saving graces are the music, quasi-impressionistic visuals, and the Shaman Audio Animatronics. Fortunately, Tiana’s Bayou Journey is rather a lot higher than Na’vi River Journey.
The opposite cause TBA not only a good vibes attraction is as a result of it is narrative-driven. There’s a narrative. In actual fact, there are a number of of them! It/they’ll simply be complicated or troublesome to discern, so it’s nearly simpler to disregard the particular story beats, sit again, and let your self be enveloped by the motion. This supplies a pure segue into the dangerous of Tiana’s Bayou Journey, so we’d as effectively begin the substance of the overview there…
Paradoxically, Tiana’s Bayou Journey directly has an excessive amount of story and never sufficient story. Satirically, it seems like there have been too many cooks within the kitchen all with competing visions for TBA, and as a substitute of selecting one, they threw all of the elements into the pot.
This begins earlier than you even board a log, the place Imagineering has created an all-new backstory for the queue of Tiana’s Bayou Journey. The set-up to the trip explains the “subsequent chapter” of the story for Tiana, set after The Princess and the Frog.
There’s rather a lot for company to find within the queue, which primarily revolves round Tiana’s Meals, which is an employee-owned cooperative that (kind of) explains the outside parts of the attraction. Combining her skills with these of the area people, Tiana has reworked an getting older salt mine and constructed a beloved model.
Many followers expressed concern or disappointment about this Tiana’s Meals backstory. My pre-opening perspective was that it didn’t matter. A variety of points of interest have superfluous story of their queues that’s forgotten the second the ride-through portion of the attraction begins. It helps go time in lengthy traces or units the stage for the motion to return. Queue backstories are one thing most company miss–and that’s okay.
Once more, that was my pre-opening perspective. It was most likely mistaken. There’s quite a lot of this backstory offered within the queue by way of an unbelievable quantity of element, a few of which is compelling and–consequently–shall be absorbed by company. The queue being superb shouldn’t be an issue proper?
Properly, I feel that it’s because of the sharp distinction between the backstory constructing to the trip, and the trip itself. The backstory accommodates a voluminous quantity of worldbuilding, letting what Tiana and buddies have been as much as, why there’s a mountain within the bayou, and (considerably) setting the stage for the trip.
After which the trip largely ignores this and has a quite simple story. However, once more, it does have a narrative. This juxtaposition is jarring, and never what you’d count on. There are quite a lot of instances the place this may exist for Disney diehards who’ve learn all the lore, however I feel that is the uncommon one the place it’ll be true for most people who merely walks by means of the queue chilly.
I’d truly go a step additional and say that the story for the ride-through portion of Tiana’s Bayou Journey is just too easy. The fundamental define of the plot is that there’s a Mardi Gras celebration at Tiana’s home, and he or she must discover a band for the social gathering.
My points with this are two-fold. First, the decision to the story feels too swift. It’s not rapid, but it surely’s fairly fast. It does assist that there are a number of scenes of Tiana and Louis “discovering” musicians, however the attraction–which is lengthy and has loads of time to let issues marinate a bit longer–doesn’t actually construct to it. Apart from one little scene of Louis digging in a backyard, it simply occurs.
Second, the trip isn’t over as soon as you discover the critter bands, so there’s further motion that unfolds lengthy earlier than the finale…and I’m nonetheless not utterly certain why. By this, I don’t imply that it’s dangerous or feels misplaced to the attraction. I imply I actually didn’t perceive why the issues that had been occurring, had been occurring.
We’ll circle again to the second quibble in a bit, however let’s first additional talk about the primary. This additionally will get to the pacing of Tiana’s Bayou Journey, and a standard criticism I’ve seen from ride-through movies: there’s an excessive amount of useless house in Tiana’s Bayou Journey.
I agree with this to an extent. I discover the set design to be missing in locations, as you’re floating in direction of Audio Animatronics, ready for them to reach, with out a lot on the perimeters of the log alongside the way in which. There are a number of expansives of untouched bayou, after which large present scenes full of motion. It’s sorta like Walt Disney World as an entire–acres of nothingness, dotted with highly-dense theme parks.
I’m truly shocked that this is able to be an issue with an attraction on which Disney Legend Tony Baxter consulted. This doesn’t look like a mistake he would’ve made. The darkish rides he labored on are nice at staging; they information your eye by means of the scenes and don’t waste any house. Tiana’s Bayou Journey wastes quite a lot of house.
It does assist slightly that the hassle has gone into creating these ’empty’ bayou areas–which means they aren’t actually empty. It’s not merely darkish to cover an absence of element (taking a look at you, DINOSAUR). I can’t consider wherever that I might see naked show-building, partitions or ceilings. It’s truly a bit puzzling how a lot effort went into staging these scenes…of nothing.
Regardless, that is exactly why Tiana’s Bayou Journey shouldn’t be a cocktail social gathering attraction…except it’s one hosted by Michael Scott the place everybody congregates in a nook. There’s not sufficient to drop-in on, there are nearly no visible gags, there’s little or no ‘throwaway’ dialogue or visuals to overlook and decide up on subsequent rides. There’s merely not sufficient (and in addition, once more, there’s a story).
However what’s most irritating about this, for me personally, is that the scenes of the critter bands that observe the useless areas are completely jam-packed with lovely animals. The character design on all of those little fellas is implausible! They’re emotive and expressive! Some are younger and carefree, simply jammin’ with the band, and others are haggard and have seen some issues. You may inform simply with fleeting glances at their faces.
So what, precisely, is the issue? You’re left wanting extra. Not essentially a foul downside to have, however on this case, there’s an apparent ‘two birds with one stone’ resolution to that and the problems with useless house and pacing. Create little animal adobes, critter caves, or different little particulars resulting in the invention of the bands.
That is hardly an unique concept. I’m actually shocked Imagineering didn’t see this when deciding how one can go in regards to the reimagining and stage the scenes for Tiana’s Bayou Journey. These empty areas may very well be brimming with particulars, doing worldbuilding for the critters so as to add to their attraction, serving to out with pacing, and higher constructing as much as the invention of the bands.
It’s so apparent that I’m hoping Imagineering goes again and does precisely this over time–or that it’s not too late for the Disneyland model of TBA. There’s precedent with the Little Mermaid darkish trip being tweaked like this post-opening. It wouldn’t even be costly–the important thing factor that may enhance Tiana’s Bayou Journey shouldn’t be extra AAs or different flashy tech, it’s static surroundings to chew on.
One other tweak that ought to be made is elevating the lighting ranges just about throughout the board. I get that that is the bayou at night time, but it surely’s nonetheless too darkish. There are particulars which are troublesome to discern on account of how darkish the trip is, and my digital camera picked these up higher than my bare eye throughout daytime rides. (I haven’t had the possibility to trip at night time but–I’m curious how significantly better it’ll look then as soon as eyes have adjusted.) I additionally assume the present lighting is needlessly uneven in lots of locations, however this could be a photographer’s nitpick.
Even the staging of the action-packed scenes leaves one thing to be desired. This could be one other nitpick, however the way in which the animals are organized and holding their devices made their faces typically troublesome to observe as you float previous. A few of their platforms are additionally ever-so-slightly elevated, after they’d be higher at boat stage. This arguably provides to re-rideability, particularly in the case of the finale, although.
Once more, these darkish scenes are usually not completely useless or empty. Disney followers accustomed to last-minute price range cuts could be inclined guilty these, however I’m extremely skeptical that’s the underlying difficulty. There’s truly a strong quantity of set design in these areas to hide the present constructing and convey the outside, indoors.
To Imagineering’s credit score, a few of that is partaking. There are firefly results all through, achieved by way of each sensible results and multimedia, that really feel like a modern-day opening act to Pirates of the Caribbean at Disneyland.
As a result of I’m overly analytical, I couldn’t assist however be aware all of this on my ride-throughs and take into consideration how a lot all of it needed to have price versus house a lot easy, static animal condo scenes may’ve set them again. I do know the Orlando housing market has gotten insane, but it surely nonetheless would’ve been cheaper than among the screens and different results.
Persevering with with each screens and the dangerous of Tiana’s Bayou Journey, there are a pair instances when their use leaves one thing to be desired. On a few events, Mama Odie and Juju seem above the boat earlier than elevate hills or drops to work her voodoo magic. She’s a catalyst for the motion in later scenes of the trip–as soon as the band is already discovered–who clumsily propels the story ahead.
In one other scene (the identify of which I don’t know, so I’m simply going to name it the “Mushroom Cavern”), gigantic variations of Tiana and Louis are featured prominently on screens as you float previous. These are CGI variations of the characters that look awkward as in comparison with their very on-model Audio Animatronics.
In equity to Disney, all of those sequences are important and I don’t know the way they may conceivably be achieved however for screens. That’s the character of retrofit rides–and nowhere is that extra clear than these display screen scenes. Imagineering is enjoying the playing cards they had been dealt.
The one resolution I can consider is creating one other unique character–a small one–for the attraction, and having that change Mama Odie and Juju as AAs within the elevate sequences. Such a personality might act as her antagonist in a voodoo magic battle or one thing of that kind. I’m undecided that may work, so it is a comparatively minor criticism.
Turning from minor complaints to nonexistent ones, there’s been quite a lot of discuss Dr. Facilier not being in Tiana’s Bayou Journey. Many followers assume he’d be good for the climatic sequence. I’m not essentially averse to Dr. Facilier being within the trip–in spite of everything, he’s a terrific and iconic villain. I additionally don’t assume he’s crucial.
Driving by means of the attraction as constructed, I don’t assume the temper, storytelling, or worldbuilding actually necessitates or–for that matter–helps a villain. To make certain, there’s a very completely different Princess and the Frog attraction the place Dr. Facilier could be an ideal match. However that’s not Tiana’s Bayou Journey.
Nonetheless, critiques a couple of lack of stress have validity to them, particularly on condition that Tiana’s Bayou Journey culminates in an enormous drop that simply…occurs. Once more, the plot wraps up neatly pretty early-on within the trip. The one query at that time could be whether or not you’re going to make it to Tiana’s home in time for the social gathering, however that’s (oddly) not a query the trip even asks.
So I feel merely asking that and making this a ‘race house’ in addition to including the animal properties earlier than you encounter the bands would add the nominal quantity of stress crucial for an attraction like this, which is at its coronary heart a festivity. Not an entire lot of suspense in most celebrations!
Earlier than turning to the nice, let’s shortly dispense with the ugly of Tiana’s Bayou Journey. The trip is at present unreliable. It breaks down rather a lot. Some proponents of the trip may say that this at all times occurs with new points of interest, and is the entire level of previews. And whereas they’re technically proper, this feels extreme–just like the trip ought to nonetheless be in take a look at & regulate. It’s not fairly able to greet company, even in a preview or gentle opening capability.
The reason for that’s unclear, but it surely looks as if there are points syncing the logs with the present scenes. On all 6 of my ride-throughs throughout the media occasion, there have been noticeable points with a lag between the dialogue and the motion of the Audio Animatronics. On a number of ride-throughs, Audio Animatronics had been immobile even after their loops ought to’ve began. There have been different problems with this nature main me to consider there’s an issue syncing the trip autos with the motion.
There are additionally points with the audio. In some scenes, the music isn’t loud sufficient. In others, it’s too loud to listen to the dialogue of the characters. Even after a half-dozen ride-throughs, I’m not 100% assured in my evaluation of lacking story, as a result of perhaps I simply didn’t hear necessary traces. (For instance, the PhotoPass border and merchandise signifies the drop is a “shortcut” to the social gathering–however I by no means as soon as heard any rationalization as to why the drop is going on.)
The excellent news is that every one of that is fixable. It looks as if it was a race in opposition to the clock to get Tiana’s Bayou Journey open at Walt Disney World in time for the (sizzling) summer time season. That is smart. However I hope Imagineering is given extra time on the Disneyland model to correctly take a look at & regulate to work out the issues. It will get chilly by November in California, anyway; open the trip in flawless kind in 2025.
Higher sound-mixing or syncing may also undercut quite a lot of my quibbles with the story. Or just including extra traces of dialogue if they really aren’t there already. Fortunately, all the ugly is definitely addressable. I hope it’s a non-issue to the purpose that these paragraphs don’t even make sense to anybody driving in July.
We’re already over 3,000 phrases into this TBA overview and have solely targeted on the dangerous and ugly, which could look like trigger for concern. Earlier than we dig deeper into the nice, I’ll begin by saying that I actually like Tiana’s Bayou Journey. (Maybe I ought to’ve adopted my recommendation for the trip and paced my overview higher.)
There are quite a lot of particular issues that I flat-out love about it, however at minimal, Tiana’s Bayou Journey is a “warts and all” attraction that I very a lot get pleasure from. As I write this, I’m wishing I might trip once more at this time. It’ll be a compulsory each go to attraction for us, similar to all 4 different previous and current rides within the Magic Kingdom Mountain Vary.
I really like that Tiana’s Bayou Journey shouldn’t be a guide report attraction. These could be nice (see Anna & Elsa’s Frozen Journey), however that’s the route Imagineering has trended with many current rides. It’s the safer strategy for the reason that story of the film is already a recognized amount–and an excellent one. It’s more durable to screw up and success is easier as a result of the trip is solely a call-back to the film itself, making it simpler for emotional connections. However it’s additionally a shortcut and may typically be unearned.
Authentic points of interest are riskier, and in addition, they’re what followers are clamoring for! Bob Iger not too long ago made feedback about how “nearly all” of the brand new points of interest throughout Disney’s $60 billion decade of parks funding could be primarily based on current IP, which was met with fierce fan backlash (even when it ought to be completely unsurprising).
Clearly, Tiana’s Bayou Journey is an mental property attraction–it’s primarily based on the Princess and the Frog. However that is about as unique of an IP attraction as is feasible. Nearly all of the characters are new, current ones have advanced since their tales unfolded, costumes are completely different, the story is unique–the checklist goes on and on.
Tiana’s Bayou Journey is sort of the antithesis of a guide report trip–most of what it brings to the desk is new and created whole-cloth for the trip! I’m shocked to listen to so many followers grumble about this, because it’s what they purport to need.
Then there’s what I actually love about Tiana’s Bayou Journey: it will get bizarre. That is what tickles my Disney fan bone, so to talk, after rising up with so many oddities within the Nineteen Eighties and Nineteen Nineties when Disney wasn’t afraid to take artistic dangers in its theme parks. I actually by no means thought I’d see one other new Walt Disney World attraction that’s so unabashedly eccentric.
That is achieved in little methods like Lari the Armadillo, a scene stealer who (frankly) belongs in like a half-dozen extra spots. It comes by means of by way of the selection of tales and vignettes within the queue, and on the trip itself. Even the lovable critters forming the bands additional this oddball high quality with character designs which are as distinctive and distinct as they’re lovely.
However nowhere is it extra apparent than the scene I’ll dub the Mushroom Cavern. Right here you’re shrunken to the dimensions of a firefly (itself a really bizarre story determination!) and are surrounded by towering mushrooms and gigantic frogs on all sides of the log. Considered one of my favourite ‘moments’ from my preview ride-throughs was getting caught briefly (too briefly) by an outsized Mondo the Frog enjoying bongos. It was a wonderful three minutes.
If this scene had been designed by Disney Legend Rolly Crump 5 many years in the past after ingesting a few of what’s featured within the scene, fashionable followers would nonetheless be consuming up its trippiness. It will be featured on Etsy shirt designs and fanfic and who is aware of what else. And over time, I feel this may, too.
The entire Mushroom Cavern scene makes me recognize that it is a retrofit. I really feel like rather a lot could be completely different if this had been a recent construct, with that being a really apparent omission as a “unnecessary” non-sequitur. That may be unlucky, as all the pieces about this–from the menacing mushrooms to the zombie-like fireflies on parade to the large Mondo jamming out–is superb. As Stefon would say, this scene has all of it.
Not everybody goes to Walt Disney World for some good ole normal weirdness, which is an enormous a part of why one of these factor is much much less widespread than it was. Oddball points of interest and leisure are polarizing, which at the very least partially explains the strongly detrimental and optimistic responses to Tiana’s Bayou Journey.
However I even have been across the block sufficient to know the way Walt Disney World followers function, and the quirkiness of Tiana’s Bayou Journey is exactly why it should develop a passionate following over time. I’m utterly assured in that, and say this with 100% certainty.
This has occurred with so many different points of interest, and admittedly is why I’m glad I used to be lucky sufficient to write down this overview after my sixth trip reasonably than my first. (I believe this shall be a controversial take, so bookmark this part of the overview for five years from now.)
Turning to much less controversial matters, the Audio Animatronics in Tiana’s Bayou Journey are wonderful. This makes use of Imagineering’s latest A-1000 Audio Animatronics technology. Because of this, the core character Audio Animatronics in Tiana’s Bayou Journey simply look so unbelievable.
“Lifelike” isn’t the fitting phrase, however they’re principally animated characters leaping out of the display screen and into the dimensional units of the attraction. They’re gorgeous, completely melding previous and new expertise to create one thing with wow-factor that can most likely stand the take a look at of time. Identical to the Audio Animatronics from traditional darkish rides nonetheless look nice at this time.
They’re a notable improve from the projected faces a la Frozen Ever After at EPCOT and Seven Dwarfs Mine Practice. There was a time when these had been innovative expertise, however they simply haven’t aged effectively. In contrast, these A-1000s are wonderful. Their vary of movement and fluidity is next-level, which works very well in tandem with the music of the trip. It’s like they’re dancing.
For many who are questioning, these Audio Animatronics are each bit pretty much as good as these within the worldwide parks. These AAs could be proper at house in Fantasy Springs at Tokyo DisneySea. Though there’s no technical ‘wow-moment’ like in that Frozen trip, they’re no much less spectacular. That’s a part of why the three display screen scenes take you out of it–as a result of the AAs are so good at suspending disbelief and making you are feeling such as you’re driving by means of an animated movie.
Not all the Audio Animatronics are superior, which has turn into a supply of criticism. And a really misplaced one, should you ask me. From our Anna & Elsa’s Frozen Journey overview: “Equally as spectacular to me is the Audio Animatronics within the attraction which are extra fundamental and solely have restricted vary (some are most likely extra precisely categorized as figures reasonably than AAs).”
“This isn’t meant to be backhanded reward. On the contrary, I feel that is good. It’s not criticism that’s making the rounds in fan circles as a result of it’s nearly imperceivable. Since there’s a lot in every scene that grabs your consideration, you don’t notice some figures are usually not superior–your mind blurs them along with the superior ones (it’s science, I suppose).”
“A very good instance of this in movement–effectively, not likely–is Disco Yeti at Animal Kingdom. There are such a lot of company that also swear up and down that yeti took a swipe at them, however he didn’t–it’s an phantasm. And talking of which, the yeti can be an excellent instance of this within the first place, as a result of that Audio Animatronics was a colossal waste of cash for one thing that may solely be seen for a fraction of a second. In a park that has loads of issues and wishes extra, the yeti ought to by no means be mounted. Budgets are finite and that’s a poor use of each (down)money and time. Sorry not sorry.”
It’s the actual identical state of affairs with Tiana’s Bayou Journey. Possibly it’s simpler to understand watching on YouTube, however floating by means of–, the way in which rides are literally supposed to be skilled–not as soon as did I discover AAs being too easy. On the contrary, the fitting kind of figures appeared like they’re used each time. And even on my sixth ride-through, I used to be nonetheless recognizing new particulars within the finale.
Imagineering did a superb job of choosing the proper instruments within the equipment, which extends to utilizing a wide range of sensible and screen-based results all through. We already famous the three spots the place screens stick out, however they’re utilized earlier on within the attraction extremely effectively. The road blurs between the dimensional atmosphere and the display screen surroundings (or screenery, if you’ll).
Actually, there’s quite a lot of overlap between what Imagineering did with Anna & Elsa’s Frozen Journey at Tokyo DisneySea and Tiana’s Bayou Journey within the U.S. parks. Whereas the previous has been broadly (and rightly) lauded as a masterpiece, the latter has been largely derided. For my part, at the very least a few of that is unfair–particularly when it’s a surface-level comparability of expertise. I can’t assist however marvel how perceptions of American park followers would differ if Tiana’s Bayou Journey had been the ‘forbidden fruit’ of Tokyo Disney Resort.
Lastly, the music. It’s distinctive. Between the attraction’s soundtrack and the critter crews, I can see why so many followers of it are calling Tiana’s Bayou Journey a “good vibes” attraction. There doesn’t actually have to be a plot or story–it might simply be two-dozen Mondo the Frog AAs dotting the bayou paired with this music and it’d be a fairly good trip! (Wait a minute…I really like that concept.)
Tiana’s Bayou Journey options unique preparations of songs from the Princess and the Frog movie and an unique track (“Particular Spice”) for the finale of the attraction, and it’ll go away you feeling completely satisfied after driving. I’d additionally add that “Particular Spice” grows on you significantly after listening to it just a few instances. So should you don’t “luck out” with a logjam that delays unload, you’ll nonetheless come to get pleasure from it extra on subsequent ride-throughs.
From just about the outset of the attraction, you’re grooving together with the beat, swaying round together with your shoulders and such, or nevertheless one may “dance” whereas sitting in a ship. (I can’t dance whereas standing up, so that you’re asking the mistaken individual.) The trip finally ends up being a “good vibe” because of the music, from begin to end. Even when different components of the attraction don’t join in your first ride-through, the music alone will pull you again to Tiana’s Bayou Journey.
My general impression (or vibe, if you’ll) of Tiana’s Bayou Journey is a optimistic one. It’s not a contemporary masterpiece neither is it flawless, however I nonetheless prefer it rather a lot. It’s a really enjoyable and repeatable trip, with greater than sufficient highlights to outweigh the lowlights (or the literal low lights). Tiana’s Bayou Journey is a high 15 attraction in all of Walt Disney World for me. Presumably high 10.
So why a lot time dedicated to flaws? As a result of I additionally take theme parks severely–too severely, by most cheap accounts. When you don’t, I form of marvel what’s the purpose of all this–what are we even doing right here? If we’re going to carry Walt Disney World in excessive esteem, treating Imagineers as artists and points of interest as their medium, then it follows that reviewing theme park points of interest is a type of artwork criticism.
When you solely care about enjoyable, that’s wonderful. I get that.
I can flip my mind off and have a hoot with the Quick and the Livid movies simply as a lot as the following man. Fortunately, Tiana’s Bayou Journey is nothing like a Quick and the Livid movie. From my perspective, it’s nearer to Prime Gun: Maverick or Mission: Unimaginable – Fallout if we’re making film comparisons. There are some plot holes which are obvious upon scrutiny, however you’re having a lot enjoyable alongside the way in which–merely having fun with the trip–that they are often ignored should you so need.
When you’re solely questioning, “will my children like this?” you’ve most likely come to the mistaken overview…and also you undoubtedly caught round method too lengthy should you’ve learn thus far. To nonetheless reply that query, children will completely adore Tiana’s Bayou Journey. (As long as they aren’t terrified of the darkish.) It has cute critters, catchy music, a beautiful outside part with large views of Magic Kingdom, nice trip cadence, drops, a huge frog enjoying the bongos and mushrooms the dimensions of a Stegosaurus. (Youngsters as of late are nonetheless lovers of big frogs and mushrooms, proper?)
In the end, in answering the titular query, I’d say that Tiana’s Bayou Journey is flawed-but-fantastic. It’s undoubtedly not a ten/10 trip, and I’ve little doubt that some followers will think about it a failure, particularly those that deliver sentimentality to the desk. And I get that. It’s troublesome not to take action should you’ve been by means of this mountain (sorry, salt dome) many instances earlier than. You’re nearly actually going to be making a psychological comparability and noticing what’s modified–typically for the higher, typically the more severe.
We regularly comment that ‘nostalgia is a helluva drug’ in the case of Walt Disney World and assume that applies right here, too, as followers shall be prone to fixate on what’s “lacking.” That’s truthful, however understand that this could minimize each methods, and there’s rather a lot in Tiana’s Bayou Journey that’s an unequivocal improve.
Maybe it’s doable that the rose-colored glasses of nostalgia make faults in fan-favorite points of interest simpler to miss, whereas it’s simpler to scrutinize new rides earlier than that attachment kinds. And perhaps opinions evolve over time as our thoughts’s eyes glosses over the faults and savors the strengths and sentimentality.
Suffice to say, I’m pretty assured in saying that your sixth trip on Tiana’s Bayou Journey shall be higher than your first. Which will appear unreasonable–that an attraction shouldn’t have to be skilled a number of instances to be totally loved. That it’s a weak point since most company will solely trip as soon as. However I’m not directing this half at most individuals, I’m directing it at followers who’ve already ridden this trip system many instances. You have to trip a number of instances…presumably over a number of years.
Tiana’s Bayou Journey additionally advantages from being the uncommon blockbuster Disney attraction that isn’t afraid to get bizarre and take artistic dangers, all of which provides to the enjoyable and my private (favorable) emotions in direction of the trip. In attempting to rack my mind to think about the final attraction of this caliber that did that, I maintain coming again to 1…however I already promised I wouldn’t point out it once more for the remainder of the overview. (It rhymes with mustache ploughman.) The underside line is that Tiana’s Bayou Journey is a ‘warts and all’ attraction, however one in direction of which I feel time shall be very charitable.
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YOUR THOUGHTS
Are you excited for Tiana’s Bayou Journey? When you’ve skilled the reimagined trip (in individual, not by way of YouTube), what did you consider it? Another Disney or Common rides to which you’d examine it? The place does TBA rank for you among the many Magic Kingdom Mountain Vary, and different current additions? Do you agree or disagree with our overview? Any questions we may help you reply? Listening to your suggestions–even if you disagree with us–is each attention-grabbing to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas beneath within the feedback!