Reviewing Tiana’s Bayou Journey is a idiot’s errand. Most Walt Disney World followers have already got their minds made up someway and are entrenched of their opinions. Some appear to get fairly mad with anybody who dares disagree, particularly with reactions that aren’t unequivocally damaging or constructive. It’s a no-win proposition.
So naturally since I’m a idiot, I’m going to don’t one, however two opinions of the brand new Magic Kingdom attraction. Not solely that, however, spoiler alert, neither shall be wholly damaging nor constructive. We’re going to cowl the nice, unhealthy and ugly of Tiana’s Bayou Journey. Glutton for punishment, you would possibly say.
The primary overview goes to start with a thought experiment, a lot in the identical approach 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 experience past Massive Thunder?
Such a situation sidesteps the controversy swirling across the reimagined experience, because it invitations no comparisons to Splash Mountain and in addition (principally) predates probably the most heated of the tradition wars. It permits us to judge the attraction within the vacuum of its personal deserves. For many who suppose this can be a cowardly cop out unreflective of actuality, worry 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 title in this overview.
You would possibly suppose that this lowers the bar and units the desk for a extra charitable overview of Tiana’s Bayou Journey (TBA). For those who 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’ approach of assessing the attraction.
Absent a time machine, it’s using Tiana’s Bayou Journey or nothing should you’re visiting Magic Kingdom now. What’s accomplished is completed–you can not experience any different points of interest on this house. And for the numerous friends who’re first-timers, that’s exactly the situation anyway—they method TBA with a clear slate and no priors to bias their opinions.
In such a thought experiment, the experience 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 could’ve been prolonged at a time when rides had been getting shorter, and featured a mix of recent know-how and spectacular Audio Animatronics. Not solely would it not have averted the “e book report” criticism that plagued the Little Mermaid darkish experience, however it might’ve launched new characters and continued the story past the beloved film.
On paper, Tiana’s Bayou Journey seems like a reasonably excellent experience that checks all the proper containers and provides followers what they’ve needed for some time. (Sure, together with again in 2014.) Even as we speak, numerous this sounds fairly interesting! However in fact, execution is all the things 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 of the people. Provided that, you would possibly need to discard our opinions or take this overview with a grain of salt. I’d wish to suppose the overview is honest, balanced, and wouldn’t differ had we simply waited to attend the AP/DVC previews or official opening, however you may be the decide of that.
So towards that backdrop, let’s dig a little bit 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 sort of attraction, precisely, Tiana’s Bayou Journey is. At its core, it’s a prolonged log flume experience with a number of present scenes, Audio Animatronics, and different results. However that wasn’t actually what I meant—what style of experience is Tiana’s Bayou Journey?
This can be a difficult query. As famous above, Tiana’s Bayou Journey will not be a “e book report” experience. It’s additionally not a “one thing has gone terribly unsuitable” attraction. Properly, until the one thing going unsuitable is an ingredient going lacking (it’s not).
It’s additionally not a collection of vignettes or cocktail social gathering attraction, as Walt Disney famously known 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 check with it as this or a “good vibes” experience. That’s unsuitable for a few causes. First, it sells TBA quick. It could make the closest comparability Na’vi River Journey.
Disney followers solely name that Avatar attraction a “good vibes” experience as a result of they don’t need to communicate negatively concerning the expanse of lifeless house in its first three-quarters. Na’vi River Journey is arguably a boring experience; 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 purpose TBA not only a good vibes attraction is as a result of it is narrative-driven. There’s a narrative. In truth, there are a number of of them! It/they will simply be complicated or tough to discern, so it’s virtually 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 unhealthy of Tiana’s Bayou Journey, so we’d as nicely begin the substance of the overview there…
Paradoxically, Tiana’s Bayou Journey directly has an excessive amount of story and never sufficient story. Sarcastically, it appears 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 substances 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 experience explains the “subsequent chapter” of the story for Tiana, set after The Princess and the Frog.
There’s rather a lot for friends to find within the queue, which primarily revolves round Tiana’s Meals, which is an employee-owned cooperative that (roughly) explains the outside parts of the attraction. Combining her abilities with these of the local people, Tiana has reworked an growing 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 cross time in lengthy strains or units the stage for the motion to return. Queue backstories are one thing most friends miss–and that’s okay.
Once more, that was my pre-opening perspective. It was most likely unsuitable. There’s numerous 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 friends. The queue being superb shouldn’t be an issue proper?
Properly, I believe that it’s as a result of sharp distinction between the backstory constructing to the experience, and the experience itself. The backstory accommodates a voluminous quantity of worldbuilding, letting you realize what Tiana and associates have been as much as, why there’s a mountain within the bayou, and (considerably) setting the stage for the experience.
After which the experience principally 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 anticipate. There are numerous instances the place this would possibly exist for Disney diehards who’ve learn all the lore, however I believe that is the uncommon one the place it’ll be true for most of the people who merely walks by means of the queue chilly.
I’d really go a step additional and say that the story for the ride-through portion of Tiana’s Bayou Journey is simply too easy. The essential 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 instant, however it’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. Aside from one little scene of Louis digging in a backyard, it simply occurs.
Second, the experience 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 fully positive why. By this, I don’t imply that it’s unhealthy or feels misplaced to the attraction. I imply I actually didn’t perceive why the issues that had been taking place, had been taking place.
We’ll circle again to the second quibble in a bit, however let’s first additional focus on the primary. This additionally will get to the pacing of Tiana’s Bayou Journey, and a standard grievance I’ve seen from ride-through movies: there’s an excessive amount of lifeless 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 a complete–acres of nothingness, dotted with highly-dense theme parks.
I’m really shocked that this could be an issue with an attraction on which Disney Legend Tony Baxter consulted. This doesn’t appear to be 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 numerous house.
It does assist a little bit 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 a scarcity of element ( you, DINOSAUR). I can’t consider wherever that I may see naked show-building, partitions or ceilings. It’s really a bit puzzling how a lot effort went into staging these scenes…of nothing.
Regardless, that is exactly why Tiana’s Bayou Journey will not be a cocktail social gathering attraction…until it’s one hosted by Michael Scott the place everybody congregates in a nook. There’s not sufficient to drop-in on, there are virtually 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 lifeless areas are completely jam-packed with cute 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 nasty drawback to have, however on this case, there’s an apparent ‘two birds with one stone’ resolution to that and the problems with lifeless 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 concerning 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 experience being tweaked like this post-opening. It wouldn’t even be costly–the important thing factor that may enhance Tiana’s Bayou Journey will not 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 evening, however it’s nonetheless too darkish. There are particulars which might be tough to discern on account of how darkish the experience is, and my digital camera picked these up higher than my bare eye throughout daytime rides. (I haven’t had the prospect to experience at evening but–I’m curious how significantly better it’ll look then as soon as eyes have adjusted.) I additionally suppose the present lighting is needlessly uneven in lots of locations, however this is likely to be a photographer’s nitpick.
Even the staging of the action-packed scenes leaves one thing to be desired. This is likely to be one other nitpick, however the way in which the animals are organized and holding their devices made their faces generally tough to observe as you float previous. A few of their platforms are additionally ever-so-slightly elevated, once they’d be higher at boat degree. This arguably provides to re-rideability, particularly relating to the finale, although.
Once more, these darkish scenes aren’t completely lifeless or empty. Disney followers accustomed to last-minute funds cuts is likely to be inclined accountable these, however I’m extremely skeptical that’s the underlying subject. There’s really a strong quantity of set design in these areas to hide the present constructing and produce the outside, indoors.
To Imagineering’s credit score, a few of that is participating. 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 value versus house a lot easy, static animal house scenes would possibly’ve set them again. I do know the Orlando housing market has gotten insane, however it nonetheless would’ve been cheaper than a number of the screens and different results.
Persevering with with each screens and the unhealthy of Tiana’s Bayou Journey, there are a pair occasions when their use leaves one thing to be desired. On a few events, Mama Odie and Juju seem above the boat earlier than raise hills or drops to work her voodoo magic. She’s a catalyst for the motion in later scenes of the experience–as soon as the band is already discovered–who clumsily propels the story ahead.
In one other scene (the title 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 understand how they might 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 exchange Mama Odie and Juju as AAs within the raise sequences. Such a personality may act as her antagonist in a voodoo magic battle or one thing of that kind. I’m undecided that may work, so this can be a comparatively minor grievance.
Turning from minor complaints to nonexistent ones, there’s been numerous discuss Dr. Facilier not being in Tiana’s Bayou Journey. Many followers suppose he’d be excellent for the climatic sequence. I’m not essentially averse to Dr. Facilier being within the experience–in any case, he’s an important and iconic villain. I additionally don’t suppose he’s obligatory.
Using by means of the attraction as constructed, I don’t suppose the temper, storytelling, or worldbuilding actually necessitates or–for that matter–helps a villain. To make sure, there’s a very totally different Princess and the Frog attraction the place Dr. Facilier can be an ideal match. However that’s not Tiana’s Bayou Journey.
Nonetheless, critiques a few 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 experience. The one query at that time can 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 experience even asks.
So I believe 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 obligatory for an attraction like this, which is at its coronary heart a festivity. Not a complete lot of suspense in most celebrations!
Earlier than turning to the nice, let’s rapidly dispense with the ugly of Tiana’s Bayou Journey. The experience is at the moment unreliable. It breaks down rather a lot. Some proponents of the experience would possibly say that this all the time 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 experience ought to nonetheless be in take a look at & alter. It’s not fairly able to greet friends, even in a preview or delicate opening capability.
The reason for that’s unclear, however it looks as if there are points syncing the logs with the present scenes. On all 6 of my ride-throughs in the course of 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 imagine there’s an issue syncing the experience automobiles 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 possibly I simply didn’t hear vital strains. (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 clarification as to why the drop is happening.)
The excellent news is that each one of that is fixable. It looks as if it was a race towards the clock to get Tiana’s Bayou Journey open at Walt Disney World in time for the (sizzling) summer time season. That is sensible. However I hope Imagineering is given extra time on the Disneyland model to correctly take a look at & alter to work out the issues. It will get chilly by November in California, anyway; open the experience in flawless type in 2025.
Higher sound-mixing or syncing may also undercut numerous my quibbles with the story. Or just including extra strains of dialogue if they honestly 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 using in July.
We’re already over 3,000 phrases into this TBA overview and have solely targeted on the unhealthy and ugly, which could appear to be 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 experience and paced my overview higher.)
There are numerous 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 may experience once more as we speak. It’ll be a compulsory each go to attraction for us, identical to all 4 different previous and current rides within the Magic Kingdom Mountain Vary.
I like that Tiana’s Bayou Journey will not be a e book report attraction. These may be nice (see Anna & Elsa’s Frozen Journey), however that’s the course Imagineering has trended with many current rides. It’s the safer method for the reason that story of the film is already a identified amount–and a very good one. It’s tougher to screw up and success is easier as a result of the experience is solely a call-back to the film itself, making it simpler for emotional connections. Nevertheless it’s additionally a shortcut and might generally be unearned.
Unique 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 “virtually all” of the brand new points of interest throughout Disney’s $60 billion decade of parks funding can be primarily based on present 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, present ones have developed since their tales unfolded, costumes are totally different, the story is unique–the checklist goes on and on.
Tiana’s Bayou Journey is nearly the antithesis of a e book report experience–most of what it brings to the desk is new and created whole-cloth for the experience! 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 Eighties and Nineteen Nineties when Disney wasn’t afraid to take inventive 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 experience itself. Even the lovable critters forming the bands additional this oddball high quality with character designs which might be as distinctive and distinct as they’re cute.
However nowhere is it extra apparent than the scene I’ll dub the Mushroom Cavern. Right here you’re shrunken to the scale of a firefly (itself a really bizarre story resolution!) and are surrounded by towering mushrooms and gigantic frogs on all sides of the log. One in all my favourite ‘moments’ from my preview ride-throughs was getting caught briefly (too briefly) by an outsized Mondo the Frog enjoying bongos. It was an excellent three minutes.
If this scene had been designed by Disney Legend Rolly Crump 5 a long time in the past after ingesting a few of what’s featured within the scene, fashionable followers would nonetheless be consuming up its trippiness. It could be featured on Etsy shirt designs and fanfic and who is aware of what else. And over time, I believe this may, too.
The entire Mushroom Cavern scene makes me recognize that this can be a retrofit. I really feel like rather a lot can be totally different if this had been a recent construct, with that being a really apparent omission as a “pointless” non-sequitur. That might be unlucky, as all the things about this–from the menacing mushrooms to the zombie-like fireflies on parade to the huge Mondo jamming out–is great. As Stefon would say, this scene has all of it.
Not everybody goes to Walt Disney World for some good ole original weirdness, which is a giant a part of why one of these factor is much much less frequent than it was. Oddball points of interest and leisure are polarizing, which not less than partially explains the strongly damaging and constructive responses to Tiana’s Bayou Journey.
However I even have been across the block sufficient to understand how Walt Disney World followers function, and the quirkiness of Tiana’s Bayou Journey is exactly why it is going to develop a passionate following over time. I’m fully 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 experience somewhat 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 subjects, the Audio Animatronics in Tiana’s Bayou Journey are superb. This makes use of Imagineering’s latest A-1000 Audio Animatronics era. Consequently, the core character Audio Animatronics in Tiana’s Bayou Journey simply look so unbelievable.
“Lifelike” isn’t the best 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 outdated and new know-how to create one thing with wow-factor that can most likely stand the take a look at of time. Similar to the Audio Animatronics from basic darkish rides nonetheless look nice as we speak.
They’re a notable improve from the projected faces a la Frozen Ever After at EPCOT and Seven Dwarfs Mine Prepare. There was a time when these had been innovative know-how, however they simply haven’t aged nicely. In contrast, these A-1000s are superb. Their vary of movement and fluidity is next-level, which works rather well in tandem with the music of the experience. It’s like they’re dancing.
For many who are questioning, these Audio Animatronics are each bit nearly as good as these within the worldwide parks. These AAs can be proper at house in Fantasy Springs at Tokyo DisneySea. Though there’s no technical ‘wow-moment’ like in that Frozen experience, 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’re feeling such as you’re using by means of an animated movie.
Not all the Audio Animatronics are superior, which has develop 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 might be extra fundamental and solely have restricted vary (some are most likely extra precisely labeled as figures somewhat than AAs).”
“This isn’t meant to be backhanded reward. On the contrary, I believe that is good. It’s not criticism that’s making the rounds in fan circles as a result of it’s virtually imperceivable. Since there’s a lot in every scene that grabs your consideration, you don’t understand some figures aren’t superior–your mind blurs them along with the superior ones (it’s science, I suppose).”
“A great instance of this in movement–nicely, not likely–is Disco Yeti at Animal Kingdom. There are such a lot of friends 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 also be a very good 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 desires extra, the yeti ought to by no means be fastened. Budgets are finite and that’s a poor use of each (down)money and time. Sorry not sorry.”
It’s the actual similar situation with Tiana’s Bayou Journey. Possibly it’s simpler to understand watching on YouTube, however floating by means of–you realize, the way in which rides are literally meant to be skilled–not as soon as did I discover AAs being too easy. On the contrary, the best sort of figures appeared like they’re used whenever. And even on my sixth ride-through, I used to be nonetheless recognizing new particulars within the finale.
Imagineering did a superb job of selecting the best instruments within the package, 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 nicely. The road blurs between the dimensional surroundings and the display screen surroundings (or screenery, if you’ll).
Actually, there’s numerous 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. In my opinion, not less than a few of that is unfair–particularly when it’s a surface-level comparability of know-how. I can’t assist however surprise 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 must be a plot or story–it may simply be two-dozen Mondo the Frog AAs dotting the bayou paired with this music and it’d be a reasonably good experience! (Wait a minute…I like that concept.)
Tiana’s Bayou Journey options unique preparations of songs from the Princess and the Frog movie and an unique tune (“Particular Spice”) for the finale of the attraction, and it’ll go away you feeling comfortable after using. I’d additionally add that “Particular Spice” grows on you significantly after listening to it just a few occasions. So should you don’t “luck out” with a logjam that delays unload, you’ll however 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 along with your shoulders and such, or nonetheless one would possibly “dance” whereas sitting in a ship. (I can’t dance whereas standing up, so that you’re asking the unsuitable individual.) The experience 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 constructive 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 experience, with greater than sufficient highlights to outweigh the lowlights (or the literal low lights). Tiana’s Bayou Journey is a prime 15 attraction in all of Walt Disney World for me. Probably prime 10.
So why a lot time dedicated to flaws? As a result of I additionally take theme parks significantly–too significantly, by most cheap accounts. For those who don’t, I form of surprise 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.
For those who solely care about enjoyable, that’s high quality. 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: Unattainable – Fallout if we’re making film comparisons. There are some plot holes which might be obvious upon scrutiny, however you’re having a lot enjoyable alongside the way in which–merely having fun with the experience–that they are often ignored should you so need.
For those who’re solely questioning, “will my children like this?” you’ve most likely come to the unsuitable overview…and also you positively caught round approach too lengthy should you’ve learn up to now. To however 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 stunning outside part with large views of Magic Kingdom, nice experience cadence, drops, a big frog enjoying the bongos and mushrooms the scale of a Stegosaurus. (Children 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 positively not a ten/10 experience, and I’ve little doubt that some followers will think about it a failure, particularly those that carry sentimentality to the desk. And I get that. It’s tough not to take action should you’ve been by means of this mountain (sorry, salt dome) many occasions earlier than. You’re virtually definitely going to be making a psychological comparability and noticing what’s modified–generally for the higher, generally the more serious.
We regularly comment that ‘nostalgia is a helluva drug’ relating to Walt Disney World and suppose that applies right here, too, as followers shall be prone to fixate on what’s “lacking.” That’s honest, however remember that this could lower each methods, and there’s rather a lot in Tiana’s Bayou Journey that’s an unequivocal improve.
Maybe it’s potential 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 possibly 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 experience on Tiana’s Bayou Journey shall be higher than your first. Which will appear unreasonable–that an attraction shouldn’t must be skilled a number of occasions to be totally loved. That it’s a weak spot since most friends will solely experience as soon as. However I’m not directing this half at most individuals, I’m directing it at followers who’ve already ridden this experience system many occasions. You have to experience a number of occasions…probably 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 inventive dangers, all of which provides to the enjoyable and my private (favorable) emotions in direction of the experience. In attempting to rack my mind to consider the final attraction of this caliber that did that, I preserve coming again to at least one…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 believe time shall be very charitable.
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YOUR THOUGHTS
Are you excited for Tiana’s Bayou Journey? For those who’ve skilled the reimagined experience (in individual, not by way of YouTube), what did you consider it? Every other Disney or Common rides to which you’d evaluate 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 whenever you disagree with us–is each attention-grabbing to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas under within the feedback!
