We are almost there!
Disney announced new details about the upcoming Tiana’s Bayou Adventure ride, which will open at Disneyland and Walt Disney World later this year.
The entertainment company shared a look at the new audio-animatronics characters created just for the attraction and gave more insight into the ride’s storyline.
Byhalia doesn’t just build dams; she helps build musical instruments using natural materials from the bayou. As a strong-willed percussionist, it’s safe to say Byhalia is the heartbeat of the band, as well as a natural designer and engineer. (Disney Parks Blog) 
Always willing to dig a little deeper to help others, Gritty plays the washboard (a found automobile license plate) with a high-energy flair. It’s the perfect instrument for someone who’s often overzealous and digs to relieve her nerves. (Disney Parks Blog) 
Seeing limitless possibilities, no one finds more wonder in the bayou and the sounds of zydeco music than Beau. All she knows is beauty, especially her own. You can find her plucking out the low notes with her upright gourd bass, which of course, involves some musical dexterity with her tail. (Disney Parks Blog) 
He’s the eldest of the band, but Timoléon’s fiddle-playing is inspired by all the ‘kids’ he spends his time around while in the bayou. When he’s not sawing out a jig, he’s famous for telling stories of days long ago about his explorations of every corner of the bayou. (Disney Parks Blog) 
Apollo loves transforming abandoned objects into works of musical art – like his squeezebox. He’s full of energy and storytelling, especially about the objects he finds in the bayou. He’s particularly close with Rufus and appreciates Rufus’ calm demeanor. (Disney Parks Blog) 
Rufus may be a turtle, but he’s quick to jump into rhythm with his harmonica. He’s also the first to join in on new adventures! He’s genuine and sincere but may come across as a little sarcastic at times with his habitual sighing. Rufus loves going on adventures with Apollo. (Disney Parks Blog)
Six new characters, Byhalia the Beaver, Gritty the Rabbit, Beau the Opossum, Apollo the Raccoon, Rufus the Turtle, and Timoléon the Otter, will share their musical talents with guests as they play a rendition of “Gonna Take You There,” a song from the “Princess and the Frog” movie.
“This raucous Zydeco musical recipe of fiddle, accordion, washboard, and other instrument voices will have you singing along as you float down the river under dancing fireflies. The familiar melody is being played on charming makeshift instruments constructed from natural materials and some human-made found objects,” a post from Disney Parks Blog said.
Guests will meet the new characters as they follow Tiana and Louis into the bayou on a last-minute search for an essential missing ingredient for her party: the musical critter band.
“In the bayou, Princess Tiana is getting ready to throw a big party, but there’s been a bit of a mix-up between Prince Naveen and Louis. Uh oh — the princess suddenly finds herself in need of a band. Even with the richest roux for your gumbo and the most delicious beignets, a true Mardi Gras celebration isn’t complete without music,” the post said.
Disney shared that Laura West, a lead concept designer with Walt Disney Imagineering, created the critter characters. A video detailing West’s creative process for making the characters was shared on Disney Parks‘ Instagram page.
Plushy versions of Beau, Apollo and Rufus will also be available for guests to buy.
The musical band of critters will be joined by other audio-animatronic figures for Princess Tiana, Prince Naveen, Louis the alligator, Mama Odie, Eudora, Charlotte, Big Daddy, the King and Queen of Maldonia, and Naveen’s younger brother Prince Ralphie in the new ride.
Disney also teased that guests will meet other characters on their adventure throughout the bayou. Details on who those characters are will be revealed at a later date.
The storyline for “Tiana’s Bayou Adventure” will pick up where the 2009 animated feature left off.
“Walt Disney Imagineering is creating an original, next-chapter story for Tiana. Within the attraction queue, guests will discover that she continues to grow her business with Tiana’s Foods – an employee-owned cooperative,” the Disney Parks Blog announced last year.
“Combining her talents with those of the local community, Tiana has transformed an aging salt mine and built a beloved brand.”
The ride is replacing Splash Mountain at both U.S. parks.
In recent years, Splash Mountain has drawn heat since it featured characters and music from the 1946 animated feature “Song of the South,” a movie criticized for its stereotypes of black men and its romanticized view of the post-Civil War South.
Fans called for Disney to redo the theme of the “Song of the South”-inspired Splash Mountain in 2020 amid a racial reckoning across the U.S.
Along with the new ride, Princess Tiana fans can dine at Tiana’s Palace, the restaurant the character fought to open throughout the animated feature or shop at Eudora’s Chic Boutique at Disneyland.
Two more merchandise locations themed to the attraction are slated to open at the theme park.
The ride will open during the summer at Walt Disney World. An opening date for Disneyland’s version of the ride hasn’t been announced.
