Tiana talk: Disney shares more ride details, artwork

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Disney shares more details about transformation of Splash Mountain into “The Princess and the Frog” attraction at Magic Kingdom.

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In 'The Princess and the Frog' attraction, the story will take place after the final movie kiss as Prince Naveen and Louis join Tiana on an adventure. Disney is transforming Splash Mountain attractions at Magic Kingdom and Disneyland theme parks into "Frog" rides. - Original Credit: Walt Disney Co. (Walt Disney Co. / Courtesy photo)

 

There’s been more talk and a few details about Disney’s transformation of Splash Mountain into a “Princess and the Frog”-themed attraction at Magic Kingdom. And there’s a new artist’s concept to study.

Walt Disney World released video of a roundtable discussion about Princess Tiana, New Orleans, food and heavily populated Zoom meetings, and it includes comments from Charita Carter, senior producer for Walt Disney Imagineering.

“Tiana actually invites us as a guest to go on an adventure with her in the bayou,” Carter says of the revised ride. When the project was announced, Disney said the attraction would be set after the events of the 2009 film and have a Mardi Gras theme. Some original music will be incorporated, Disney has said.

The fresh art for the attraction includes Louis the alligator and Prince Naveen paddling a boat while Tiana stands and leads the way with a lantern.

“If you look very carefully you might see a couple of new characters that will be introduced,” Carter says. There are assorted animals as well as lightning bugs and a logful of riders.

In the image, Tiana holds a lantern, wears a hat, scarf, boots and pants, not a stereotypical princess gown.

“Tiana is ready for everything. She’s leading us on an adventure in the bayou, so, of course, she’s going to dress appropriately,” Carter says. “Now, you know she’s regal. So everything she does is beautiful.”

Beyond that, Carter mostly emphasized technological advances, without being too specific.

“We’re always interested in expanding our storytelling and advancing our storytelling techniques,” she says. “With this particular project, the way that we’re approaching our audio-animatronics figures would be an example of how we are looking to advance the storytelling, and really just kind of change the game.”

She also says the approach to scenic illusions and visual effects will help “create an immersive environment that is seamless for our guests.”

The shift away from Splash Mountain’s “Song of the South” characters was announced last year, and no timetable has been announced by Disney for the renovations, which will happen at Disneyland in California, too. In a recent Sentinel interview, Magic Kingdom vice president Melissa Valiquette said meetings were continuing and that sometimes it’s years between ride announcement and fruition.

Tiana has been receiving attention in other Disney ways lately. She will be featured in a Disney+ musical comedy series starting in 2023, and a New Orleans lounge called The Bayou will be located on the Disney Wish, a new Disney Cruise Line ship.

Also in the 30-minute Tiana-driven video were Carmen Smith, vice president for inclusive strategies for Walt Disney Imagineering, Marlon West, VFX supervisor for Walt Disney Animation Studios, Kenneth Moton of ABC News and Stella Chase Reese, owner of Dooky Chase’s Restaurant and daughter of Leah Chase, one of the inspirations for Tiana. The segment is available at disneyparksblog.com.

 

 

Dewayne Bevil

Orlando Sentinel