A *New* Orleans Square? | Tiana's Bayou Adventure Progress | Disney Confirms Frontierland Investment
A *New* Orleans Square? | Tiana's Bayou Adventure Progress | Disney Confirms Frontierland Investment
Nawlins and Bayous and Bears. Oh my!
Hello, readers!
What a whirlwind week it’s been for Disney news! After mostly radio silence over the holidays, this information avalanche is much appreciated, even though I already have so many updates and reviews to share with you all.
So here’s my plan.
For the sake of relevancy, today’s letter will focus on new progress, imminent changes, and predictions centered on the future of the Magic Kingdom’s Frontierland.
Country Bear Jamboree Name Change + Closing Date
As announced at 2023’s Destination D23, the Magic Kingdom’s Country Bear Jamboree is set to receive a new show that “pays homage to the Opry-style shows of Nashville” and features “new, reinterpreted Disney tunes in different genres of country music.”
But on January 9, the Disney Parks Blog made the three following announcements:
Country Bear Jamboree will be renamed Country Bear *Musical* Jamboree
Grizzly Hall closes on January 27 to make way for the new version
Country Bear Musical Jamboree reopens later this summer (FYI: September 21 is the last day of Summer 2024)
The Destination D23 video revealed “The Bare Necessities” will be one of the show’s “reinterpreted Disney tunes,” but I think we’ll at least get one of the current songs or a diddy from “The Country Bear Vacation Hoedown.”
As for other setlist predictions, I’m thinking “Life is a Highway,” especially since country group Rascal Flatts sang the Cars version, and Encanto’s “We Don’t Talk About Bruno.”
Disney’s Upcoming Frontierland “Investment”
The most bit of news from Disney Parks Blog’s Country Bears announcement (in my book, that is) was found in the final line of the blog post which reads as follows:
“But hold your horses, we’re not done yet. We have a lot of growth and investment planned for our theme parks in the coming years and look forward to sharing more announcements about Frontierland … so y’all come back now, ya hear?”
To me, Disney’s use of “investment” practically screamed off the screen since the company is poised to invest $17 billion at Walt Disney World alone in the coming years.
And, while Disney Park Chairman Josh D’Amaro has been frustratingly vague and noncommital about Imagineering’s plans, this post seemingly confirmed that Tiana's Bayou Adventure is only the start of a Frontierland overhaul.
So what’s on the way?
I think that “Beyond Big Thunder” talking point from 2022’s D23 Expo isn’t just a-go but the new location of the Southwest corner of Frontierland we know today.
What happens to the current Old West-esque Frontierland? Just keep reading.
A *New* Orleans Square
In that Disney Parks Blog post, Disney rehashed Tiana’s Bayou Adventure info with some information about a newly added detail.
However, I think the Bayou Adventure’s inclusion in a County Bears news article is further evidence that the attraction’s New Orleans inspiration will extend beyond the ride’s footprint.
In the coming months, I believe Disney will replace the Old West-inspired Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Cafe with a Tiana’s Place/Palace.
As a result, the surrounding area, beginning with the exit of Country Bear (Musical) Jamboree up to Frontierland’s entrance to Adventureland, will become a new New Orleans Square.
After studying the area for myself last week, I not only think it’s doable but thematically makes sense.
Frontierland’s Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island are already inspired by the Mississippi River and naturally ties into pirate history based in New Orleans a la Disneyland.
Meanwhile, Big Thunder Mountain will serve as the entrance to the Old West Frontierland (“Beyond Big Thunder Mountain”) and Imagineering’s ideas for utilizing Coco.
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure Update
Lastly, while at the Magic Kingdom, I was able to witness Imagineers at work on the drop portion of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure…
…and some of the ride’s surrounding elements.
What doesn’t always translate in photos/videos is the visual effect of the carpet of flowers.
The color and texture caught my eye all the way over in Liberty Square and worked way better than I initially imagined.
In fact, I think Disney is relying more on color than the concept art originally depicted? I also never noticed that the water tower designs differ as well.
I also LOVE the use of the Spanish moss trees in the drop zone.
I think we’re gonna get a plunge into the bayou (to the tune of “Gonna Take You There/Going Down the Bayou?”) just as we had a plunge into the Splash Mountain briar patch. And, again, I feel like Disney is utilizing these trees more (or possibly better?) than shown in the early designs.
I also wandered down the newly reopened path under the Frontierland train station and caught a glimpse of the new railing and Bayou Adventure artwork.
This ride has so many story beats and source inspirations that I’ve been concerned about whether all can be integrated cohesively.
Granted, I’m still concerned, but the overall look of the mountain — and its progress — has me more hopeful than I’ve been in a while.
(You can still see where they removed the Splash Mountain sign *sob*)
Disney+’s Percy Jackson Comes to Hollywood
Last Friday, Disney unveiled a Percy Jackson and the Olympians experience at both Disneyland and Walt Disney World.
Disneyland’s was a short-lived photo-op, but Disney World’s consists of a prop display and an inside look at the streaming series inside Hollywood Studios’ Walt Disney Presents.
I was able to Skyline (and Park Hop!) over to Hollywood Studios to grab some photos which were published at The Direct by the site’s Percy Jackson expert, Gillian Blum.
Take a look here and be sure to catch the display ASAP at Hollywood Studios. There are more props and costumes on display than I was expecting.
What I’m Working On…
D23 2024. Star Wars confusion. Disneyland Hotel at Disneyland Paris. Disney Cruise Line updates. You name it.
Plus, I still owe you all my reviews on the Boardwalk Resort, EPCOT World Celebration + Moana, Festival of the Arts, and the Cookie Bar, as well as surprising merch finds. More magic (and thoughts!) to come in the days ahead!
You can follow me and see more of my work on Twitter at @DisneyParkSavvy and please consider sharing this post?
Have a magical day!