Signs have been installed on a ride in Magic Kingdom with Louis, the alligator, making an announcement that ride testing is in progress on Tiana’s Bayou Adventure.
The ride, which is a reimaging of Splash Mountain, has been in the works with the Disney Imaginers since 2019, a year before the Tiana retheme was announced in June 2020. With the long awaited Summer 2024 opening date edging closer by the day, we here at riding the magic are so excited to see these signs for two reasons:
Reason 1: Louis is fulfilling his movie dream
The sign, which features Louis playing his trumpet have rung a sentimental tune for us. Louis, longed to play jazz on his trumpet for humans to hear in the movie and he wanted more than anything to be able to play without scaring anyone. The three, crotchets, musical notes on the black, yellow and green colour themed sign, announce that:
“SORRY, FRIENDS,
WE ARE RIDE TESTING ONLY
OPENING THIS SUMMER”.
If you close your eyes and imagine Louis tunefully playing those words in sweet jazz music to the guests as they walk by, the news is a little less bitter sweet. The ride is working and we are eager to experience it, even if that means we test it. Wouldn’t that be an awesome thing to do?
Reason 2: They are ride testing so our turn to ride is getting closer
The ride testing has been going on for a few days now and we reported that water dummy testing was seen taking place on March 14. This sign suggests to us that these tests have been successful and that people will be testing soon.
Testing is most likely to continue with Imagineers and Disney Cast Members, possibly followed by a soft launch day for press, influencers and special guests before the launch to the general public in Summer 2024. We have our fingers crossed for a memorial day weekend opening looking at the current progress on the ride.
The Disney Summer season runs from May to September, so we are expecting the rude to open during this window.
Are you looking forward to riding Tiana’s Bayou Adventure? Let us know in the comments below.
Happy riding friends.
