Ciara Takes A Magical Journey On Disneyland's New Tiana-Themed Ride

Grammy-winning artist Ciara took a trip to Disneyland to be among the first to experience the park’s latest attraction, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure.

The ride, inspired by the 2009 Disney film "The Princess and the Frog," replaced the iconic Splash Mountain at both Disneyland in California and Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida. The newly reimagined attraction transports visitors into the lively world of Princess Tiana, taking them on her journey from New Orleans to the bayou and beyond.

Featuring enhanced storytelling, dynamic music, and cutting-edge visuals, the ride honors the cultural vibrancy of New Orleans and its deep connection to Tiana’s tale.

Fans of Disney and "The Princess and the Frog" are thrilled about the new attraction, including Ciara.

Disney Parks shared a video of Ciara enjoying Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, clapping along to the music, waving to Tiana, and donning classic Mickey ears and an oversized shirt as she plunged into the bayou alongside beloved characters from "The Princess and the Frog."

Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is a reimagined attraction at Disneyland in California and Walt Disney World in Florida. The ride continues the story of Princess Tiana, following her success in opening Tiana’s Palace restaurant. Guests join Tiana, Louis, and other beloved characters as they prepare for a unique Mardi Gras celebration, exploring the vibrant culture, music, and magic of New Orleans and the bayou.

"We wanted to make sure that, since New Orleans is a real place and has this really exciting and interesting history, that we be authentic to that," Ted Robledo, one of Disney’s creative executives on the attraction, told USA TODAY.

Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is situated in Bayou Country, the area previously known as Critter Country, which now also features the newly reimagined Hungry Bear Barbecue Jamboree.

Splash Mountain originally opened in the late 1980s and was based on characters and themes from Disney’s 1946 film "Song of the South." The film has long been criticized for its outdated and racially insensitive portrayal of the post-Civil War South. While the ride itself focused on characters like Br’er Rabbit and Br’er Fox, many felt the attraction was tied to problematic themes.

In June 2020, amid heightened social awareness and calls for inclusivity, Disney announced plans to overhaul Splash Mountain. The company emphasized its desire to create attractions that reflect a diversity of stories and resonate with modern audiences.

Tiana, Disney’s first Black princess, was seen as a natural fit for the reimagining due to her cultural significance and inspirational story.

Alongside the new ride, Disneyland reimagined the surrounding area to fully immerse guests in Tiana’s world.

This includes Eudora’s Chic Boutique, a merchandise shop inspired by Princess Tiana’s mother’s 1920s atelier, and Tiana’s Palace, a new restaurant offering a variety of New Orleans-inspired dishes. Guests can savor flavorful gumbo, a hearty short rib sandwich, creamy macaroni and cheese, and indulgent beignets filled with strawberry and lemon custard.

Robledo explained that Imagineers aimed to tell the same story on both coasts, featuring the same key moments and characters created by lead concept designer Laura West for the ride. However, some adjustments were made to fit each park.

For example, the version at Magic Kingdom is slightly longer, allowing for more breathing room and opportunities to interact with the natural surroundings.

"But then .. there's these beautiful moments that we only get to experience here, like being able to see Tiana's Palace in the distance, which is super cool," Robledo told USA Today. "When we enter into the bayou, it lights up dramatically here at Disneyland with the fireflies."

On Wednesday, November 13, Anika Noni Rose, the original voice of Princess Tiana, enchanted the crowd at Disneyland with a live performance from a steamboat as fireworks lit up the sky above her.

The new attraction is rich with subtle nods to African American history, such as mementos honoring Tiana’s father’s military service and references to her New Orleans food company as a “worker-owned cooperative.” Additionally, the ride delights fans with “two new looks for Tiana,” the lead Disney Imagineer on Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, Charita Carter, shared during a Disney fan event this summer.

Tiana's Bayou Adventure is now open at both Disneyland and Walt Disney World.