Reviewing Tiana’s Bayou Journey is a idiot’s errand. Most Walt Disney World followers have already got their minds made up come what may 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 critiques of the brand new Magic Kingdom attraction. Not solely that, however, spoiler alert, neither might be wholly damaging nor constructive. We’re going to cowl the great, unhealthy and ugly of Tiana’s Bayou Journey. Glutton for punishment, you would possibly say.
The primary assessment goes to start with a thought experiment, a lot in the identical method our latest assessment 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 journey past Massive Thunder?
Such a state of affairs sidesteps the controversy swirling across the reimagined journey, 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 guage the attraction within the vacuum of its personal deserves. For many who assume it is a cowardly cop out unreflective of actuality, worry not, as our subsequent assessment is “Tiana’s Bayou Journey vs. Splash Mountain.” However that’s the final time you’ll see the earlier attraction’s title in this assessment.
You would possibly assume that this lowers the bar and units the desk for a extra charitable assessment 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 applicable ‘actual world’ method of assessing the attraction.
Absent a time machine, it’s using Tiana’s Bayou Journey or nothing if you happen to’re visiting Magic Kingdom now. What’s achieved is finished–you can’t journey any various sights on this house. And for the numerous visitors 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 journey would’ve been a pure addition not changing something and based mostly on an underrated fan-favorite movie that was the tip of an period for Walt Disney Animation. It might’ve been prolonged at a time when rides have been getting shorter, and featured a mix of contemporary know-how and spectacular Audio Animatronics. Not solely wouldn’t it have averted the “ebook report” criticism that plagued the Little Mermaid darkish journey, however it might’ve launched new characters and continued the story past the beloved film.
On paper, Tiana’s Bayou Journey seems like a fairly good journey that checks the entire proper containers and offers followers what they’ve wished for some time. (Sure, together with again in 2014.) Even as we speak, numerous this sounds fairly interesting! However in fact, execution is every part 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. On condition that, you would possibly wish to discard our opinions or take this assessment with a grain of salt. I’d wish to assume the assessment is truthful, balanced, and wouldn’t differ had we simply waited to attend the AP/DVC previews or official opening, however you will be the choose of that.
So in opposition to that backdrop, let’s dig a bit of deeper and assessment Tiana’s Bayou Journey by itself deserves to find out whether or not it’s a improbable, 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 journey with a number of present scenes, Audio Animatronics, and different results. However that wasn’t actually what I meant—what style of journey is Tiana’s Bayou Journey?
It is a tough query. As famous above, Tiana’s Bayou Journey will not be a “ebook report” journey. It’s additionally not a “one thing has gone terribly fallacious” attraction. Properly, except the one thing going fallacious is an ingredient going lacking (it’s not).
It’s additionally not a sequence of vignettes or cocktail occasion attraction, as Walt Disney famously known as Pirates of the Caribbean, the place you possibly can simply choose 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 confer with it as this or an atmospheric attraction. That’s fallacious for a few causes. First, it sells TBA brief.
It might make the closest comparability Na’vi River Journey. Na’vi River Journey is arguably a boring journey; its saving graces are the music, quasi-impressionistic visuals, and the Shaman Audio Animatronics. Fortunately, Tiana’s Bayou Journey is so much higher than Na’vi River Journey.
The opposite purpose TBA not simply an atmospheric 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 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 offers a pure segue into the unhealthy of Tiana’s Bayou Journey, so we’d as properly begin the substance of the assessment there…
Paradoxically, Tiana’s Bayou Journey without delay 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 deciding on one, they threw all of the components 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 journey explains the “subsequent chapter” of the story for Tiana, set after The Princess and the Frog.
There’s so much for visitors 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 local people, Tiana has remodeled an growing old 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. Plenty of sights 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 strains or units the stage for the motion to come back. Queue backstories are one thing most visitors miss–and that’s okay.
Once more, that was my pre-opening perspective. It was most likely fallacious. There’s numerous this backstory introduced within the queue through an unimaginable quantity of element, a few of which is compelling and–consequently–might be absorbed by visitors. 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 journey, and the journey itself. The backstory incorporates a voluminous quantity of worldbuilding, letting you already know what Tiana and associates have been as much as, why there’s a mountain within the bayou, and (considerably) setting the stage for the journey.
After which the journey 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 count on. There are numerous circumstances the place this would possibly exist for Disney diehards who’ve learn the entire lore, however I feel that is the uncommon one the place it’ll be true for most of the people who merely walks by way 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 occasion.
My points with this are two-fold. First, the decision to the story feels too swift. It’s not quick, 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. Apart from one little scene of Louis digging in a backyard, it simply occurs.
Second, the journey isn’t over as soon as you discover the critter bands, so there’s extra 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 have been taking place, have 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 the 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 massive present scenes filled with motion. It’s sorta like Walt Disney World as a complete–acres of nothingness, dotted with highly-dense theme parks.
I’m truly stunned that this may 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 way of the scenes and don’t waste any house. Tiana’s Bayou Journey wastes numerous house.
It does assist a bit of that the trouble 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 ( 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 will not be a cocktail occasion 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 virtually no visible gags, there’s little or no ‘throwaway’ dialogue or visuals to overlook and choose 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 lovely animals. The character design on all of those little fellas is improbable! 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’ answer 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 truthfully stunned Imagineering didn’t see this when deciding find out how to 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 appeal, 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 journey being tweaked like this post-opening. It wouldn’t even be costly–the important thing factor that will 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 night time, however it’s nonetheless too darkish. There are particulars which can be tough to discern because of how darkish the journey is, and my digicam picked these up higher than my bare eye throughout daytime rides. (I haven’t had the possibility to journey at night time but–I’m curious how a lot 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 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 stage. This arguably provides to re-rideability, particularly in the case of the finale, although.
Once more, these darkish scenes usually are not completely lifeless or empty. Disney followers accustomed to last-minute price range cuts could be inclined accountable these, however I’m extremely skeptical that’s the underlying challenge. There’s truly a stable 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 through 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 residence a lot easy, static animal residence 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 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 journey–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 may conceivably be achieved however for screens. That’s the character of retrofit rides–and nowhere is that extra clear than these display scenes. Imagineering is enjoying the playing cards they have been dealt.
The one answer 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 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 will work, so it is a comparatively minor grievance.
Turning from minor complaints to nonexistent ones, there’s been numerous speak about 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 journey–in any case, he’s an excellent and iconic villain. I additionally don’t assume he’s obligatory.
Driving by way 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 sure, there’s a very completely different Princess and the Frog attraction the place Dr. Facilier can be an ideal match. However that’s not Tiana’s Bayou Journey.
However, critiques a few lack of rigidity have validity to them, particularly on condition that Tiana’s Bayou Journey culminates in a large drop that simply…occurs. Once more, the plot wraps up neatly pretty early-on within the journey. 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 occasion, however that’s (oddly) not a query the journey even asks.
So I feel merely asking that and making this a ‘race residence’ in addition to including the animal properties earlier than you encounter the bands would add the nominal quantity of rigidity 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 great, let’s shortly dispense with the ugly of Tiana’s Bayou Journey. The journey is at present unreliable. It breaks down so much. Some proponents of the journey would possibly say that this all the time occurs with new sights, and is the entire level of previews. And whereas they’re technically proper, this feels extreme–just like the journey ought to nonetheless be in check & regulate. It’s not fairly able to greet visitors, even in a preview or smooth opening capability.
The reason for that’s unclear, however it looks like 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 have 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 journey 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 vital strains. (For instance, the PhotoPass border and merchandise signifies the drop is a “shortcut” to the occasion–however I by no means as soon as heard any rationalization as to why the drop is going on.)
The excellent news is that each one of that is fixable. It looks like it was a race in opposition to the clock to get Tiana’s Bayou Journey open at Walt Disney World in time for the (scorching) summer season season. That is smart. However I hope Imagineering is given extra time on the Disneyland model to correctly check & regulate to work out the issues. It will get chilly by November in California, anyway; open the journey in flawless kind 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 really aren’t there already. Fortunately, the entire 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 assessment and have solely targeted on the unhealthy and ugly, which could appear to be trigger for concern. Earlier than we dig deeper into the great, I’ll begin by saying that I actually like Tiana’s Bayou Journey. (Maybe I ought to’ve adopted my recommendation for the journey and paced my assessment 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 might journey 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 really like that Tiana’s Bayou Journey will not be a ebook report attraction. These will be nice (see Anna & Elsa’s Frozen Journey), however that’s the path Imagineering has trended with many latest rides. It’s the safer strategy for the reason that story of the film is already a identified amount–and a superb one. It’s tougher to screw up and success is easier as a result of the journey is solely a call-back to the film itself, making it simpler for emotional connections. But it surely’s additionally a shortcut and might generally be unearned.
Authentic sights are riskier, and in addition, they’re what followers are clamoring for! Bob Iger just lately made feedback about how “virtually all” of the brand new sights throughout Disney’s $60 billion decade of parks funding can be based mostly 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 based mostly 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 completely different, the story is unique–the record goes on and on.
Tiana’s Bayou Journey is sort of the antithesis of a ebook report journey–most of what it brings to the desk is new and created whole-cloth for the journey! 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 Nineties when Disney wasn’t afraid to take inventive dangers in its theme parks. I truthfully 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 way of through the selection of tales and vignettes within the queue, and on the journey itself. Even the lovable critters forming the bands additional this oddball high quality with character designs which can be 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 scale 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 have 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 might be featured on Etsy shirt designs and fanfic and who is aware of what else. And over time, I feel it will, too.
The entire Mushroom Cavern scene makes me recognize that it is a retrofit. I really feel like so much can be completely different if this have been a contemporary construct, with that being a really apparent omission as a “useless” non-sequitur. That will be unlucky, as every part 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 original weirdness, which is an enormous a part of why this sort of factor is way much less widespread than it was. Oddball sights and leisure are polarizing, which no 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’s 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 sights, and admittedly is why I’m glad I used to be lucky sufficient to jot down this assessment after my sixth journey reasonably than my first. (I think this might be a controversial take, so bookmark this part of the assessment 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. Consequently, the core character Audio Animatronics in Tiana’s Bayou Journey simply look so unimaginable.
“Lifelike” isn’t the precise phrase, however they’re principally animated characters leaping out of the display and into the dimensional units of the attraction. They’re beautiful, completely melding outdated and new know-how to create one thing with wow-factor that may most likely stand the check 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 have been innovative know-how, however they only haven’t aged properly. Against this, these A-1000s are wonderful. Their vary of movement and fluidity is next-level, which works rather well in tandem with the music of the journey. 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 residence in Fantasy Springs at Tokyo DisneySea. Though there’s no technical ‘wow-moment’ like in that Frozen journey, they’re no much less spectacular. That’s a part of why the three display 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 using by way of an animated movie.
Not the entire Audio Animatronics are superior, which has develop into a supply of criticism. And a really misplaced one, if you happen to ask me. From our Anna & Elsa’s Frozen Journey assessment: “Equally as spectacular to me is the Audio Animatronics within the attraction which can be extra primary and solely have restricted vary (some are most likely extra precisely categorised as figures reasonably than AAs).”
“This isn’t meant to be backhanded reward. On the contrary, I feel that is sensible. 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 usually are not superior–your mind blurs them along with the superior ones (it’s science, I suppose).”
“An excellent instance of this in movement–properly, not likely–is Disco Yeti at Animal Kingdom. There are such a lot of visitors 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 superb 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 precise identical state of affairs with Tiana’s Bayou Journey. Possibly it’s simpler to understand watching on YouTube, however floating by way of–you already know, 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 precise kind 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 choosing the proper instruments within the package, which extends to utilizing quite a lot 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 properly. The road blurs between the dimensional setting and the display 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, no less than a few of that is unfair–particularly when it’s a surface-level comparability of know-how. I can’t assist however marvel how perceptions of American park followers would differ if Tiana’s Bayou Journey have 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 journey! (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 music (“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 a couple of instances. So if you happen to 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 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 fallacious particular person.) The journey finally ends up being a “good vibe” because of the music, from begin to end. Even when different parts 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 so much. It’s a really enjoyable and repeatable journey, 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. Presumably prime 10.
So why a lot time dedicated to flaws? As a result of I additionally take theme parks severely–too severely, by most affordable accounts. For those who 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 sights as their medium, then it follows that reviewing theme park sights is a type of artwork criticism.
For those who solely care about enjoyable, that’s advantageous. 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 can be obvious upon scrutiny, however you’re having a lot enjoyable alongside the way in which–merely having fun with the journey–that they are often ignored if you happen to so want.
For those who’re solely questioning, “will my youngsters like this?” you’ve most likely come to the fallacious assessment…and also you positively caught round method too lengthy if you happen to’ve learn thus far. To nonetheless reply that query, youngsters will completely adore Tiana’s Bayou Journey. (As long as they aren’t fearful of the darkish.) It has cute critters, catchy music, a beautiful outside part with massive views of Magic Kingdom, nice journey cadence, drops, a big frog enjoying the bongos and mushrooms the scale of a Stegosaurus. (Youngsters nowadays are nonetheless lovers of large 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 journey, and I’ve little question that some followers will contemplate it a failure, particularly those that carry sentimentality to the desk. And I get that. It’s tough not to take action if you happen to’ve been by way of this mountain (sorry, salt dome) many instances earlier than. You’re virtually actually going to be making a psychological comparability and noticing what’s modified–generally for the higher, generally 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 might be more likely to fixate on what’s “lacking.” That’s truthful, however understand that this could lower each methods, and there’s so much 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 sights 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 journey on Tiana’s Bayou Journey might 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 spot since most visitors will solely journey as soon as. However I’m not directing this half at most individuals, I’m directing it at followers who’ve already ridden this journey system many instances. You have to journey 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 inventive dangers, all of which provides to the enjoyable and my private (favorable) emotions in the direction of the journey. In making an attempt to rack my mind to think about the final attraction of this caliber that did that, I hold coming again to 1…however I already promised I wouldn’t point out it once more for the remainder of the assessment. (It rhymes with mustache ploughman.) The underside line is that Tiana’s Bayou Journey is a ‘warts and all’ attraction, however one in the direction of which I feel time might be very charitable.
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YOUR THOUGHTS
Are you excited for Tiana’s Bayou Journey? For those who’ve skilled the reimagined journey (in particular person, not through YouTube), what did you consider it? Some other 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 latest additions? Do you agree or disagree with our assessment? Any questions we will 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 beneath within the feedback!
