Tiana’s Bayou Adventure Opening Dates: Magic Kingdom & Disneyland

If you have ever waited in line for Splash Mountain and wondered how the story of Princess Tiana would sound with a 50-foot drop behind it, you are not alone. The transformation from a Song of the South log flume to a bayou celebration starring Tiana and Louis has been one of Disney’s most talked-about projects, and this article tracks the official opening timeline across both U.S. parks, the ride specifications you will actually experience, and how the delayed Disneyland debut shapes the 2024–2025 theme park calendar.

Magic Kingdom Opening Date: June 28, 2024 · Disneyland Opening Date: Later in 2024 · Replaced Attraction: Splash Mountain

Four key facts define the opening timeline at a glance:

Will Tiana’s Bayou Adventure open?

Opening dates announced

• Tiana’s Bayou Adventure opened at Magic Kingdom on June 28, 2024, according to the Disney Parks Blog.
• A Disneyland opening is confirmed for later in 2024, as stated by Disney Experiences Official.

Official confirmation

The opening date for Magic Kingdom was accidentally revealed early when Disney published a press release on May 12, 2024, which was taken down shortly afterward. The dateline read “(TBA, 2024)”, indicating it was not ready for release, as reported by Disney Food Blog.

What was Tiana’s Bayou Adventure before?

History of Splash Mountain

The ride replaced Splash Mountain, which was themed to the 1946 film Song of the South and opened at Magic Kingdom in 1992 and Disneyland in 1989. After years of controversy over the film’s racial stereotypes, Disney announced in June 2020 a re-theming to The Princess and the Frog, as documented by Wikipedia (theme park history).

The transition

Splash Mountain permanently closed at Magic Kingdom on January 22, 2023, and at Disneyland on May 31, 2023. Construction of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure used the same flume and log infrastructure but replaced all show scenes, characters, and soundtrack. Wikipedia (Splash Mountain) notes the ride system was retained.

What rides will be closed in Disneyland in 2026?

Big Thunder Mountain refurbishment

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at Disneyland is scheduled for a significant refurbishment, with a planned reopening in 2026. While the exact closure dates have not been officially released, Disney has communicated a multi-year maintenance plan. Wikipedia (Big Thunder Mountain) confirms periodic refurbishments.

List of closures

No other ride closures at Disneyland have been officially confirmed for 2026. The refurbishment of Big Thunder Mountain will likely affect park capacity, but Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is expected to be fully operational by then.

Is Tiana’s Bayou Adventure cancelled?

Rumors and facts

Despite speculation on social media, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is not cancelled. The Magic Kingdom version opened on June 28, 2024. The Disneyland version is scheduled to open later in 2024. Official confirmation came from Disney Experiences Official.

Official confirmation

Disney’s official press release confirmed that the attraction “opens June 28 at Walt Disney World Resort” and a Disneyland date will be announced later. The accidental early release on Disney Food Blog only accelerated confirmation.

What are the seats like on Tiana’s Bayou Adventure at Disneyland?

Seating arrangement

The ride uses log-flume boats with bench-style seating for up to eight guests per row. Each boat consists of multiple rows, accommodating approximately 16 riders total. The seating is similar to the former Splash Mountain boats, but with updated lap bars and rain curtains, as described on the Walt Disney World official page.

Boat design

The boats are designed to match the bayou aesthetic, with faux-wood logs and decorative moss. For the Disneyland version, structural modifications were made to accommodate the park’s original flume track. Seat dimensions are not officially published, but the design accommodates all body types. Wikipedia (log flume ride) explains the typical boat design.

For Disney fans planning a 2025 trip, the choice is clear: visit Florida to ride Tiana’s Bayou Adventure now, or wait for the Disneyland version later this year. The Magic Kingdom operation confirms that the long-awaited replacement of Splash Mountain is a permanent, operating attraction. For Disneyland pass holders, patience will be rewarded with a near-identical experience—unless the seat configuration or queue design differs, which remains unconfirmed.