On our trip to Disneyland today, we noticed a giant hole has been cut in the back of Splash Mountain as it is transformed into Tiana’s Bayou Adventure.

Giant Hole in Back of Splash Mountain

As we checked out the construction, we took a walk around the temporary walls to see what progress has been made.

As we walked back near Pooh Corner in Critter Country, we noticed a particularly glaring sign of the current construction…

…. a giant hole has been cut in the side of the mountain near the top. No sheeting or other visual block has been attached to this giant hole; it is simply open into the inner darkness of the now-defunct Splash Mountain’s structure in direct view of park guests.

Another small hole has also been marked and cut to the left and below the giant hole above.

Tiana’s Bayou Adventure

The “Princess and the Frog”-inspired retheme of Splash Mountain was first announced in 2020, and the Tiana’s Bayou Adventure name was revealed in 2022.

Tiana’s Bayou Adventure picks up after the events of “The Princess and the Frog.” In 1927, Tiana founded the Tiana’s Foods co-ops, which is located in a salt mine, where cultivators grow crops along the waters. During Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, Tiana and alligator Louis venture into the bayou to find animal friends. They’re preparing a special Mardi Gras celebration for the people of New Orleans.

The scene depicted in the above concept art is “the thrilling moment you first drop into the bayou and encounter some friends both new and familiar.” Louis and a band of animals will be playing zydeco music, a blend of rhythm and blues that was created in Louisiana. The band of animal friends includes an otter, a rabbit, a raccoon, a beaver, and a turtle playing instruments made from natural bayou elements.

This ride will feature 17 new characters, including Prince Naveen’s younger brother, Ralphie. The Splash Mountain track will remain, but the attraction will get new set dressing and a vast range of new audio-animatronics. At Destination D23, Disney shared a look at a Louis animatronic.

There will be multiple Tiana audio-animatronics, and she will sport a new adventuring outfit. In June, Disney shared video of a live performer wearing the outfit, suggesting Tiana will appear in her adventuring gear off the attraction, too.

The queue and attraction music is being arranged by award-winning artists PJ Morton and Terence Blanchard, who will mix classic songs from the movie with New Orleans classics and original compositions. The scent of beignets is also set to be pumped throughout the queue.

Some of the original cast will be providing their voices to the attraction, including Anika Noni Rose (Tiana), Bruno Campos (Naveen), Michael Leon Wooley (Louis), and Jennifer Lewis (Mama Odie).

Tiana’s Palace at Disneyland just opened and Tiana debuted a new outfit. Read our review of Tiana’s Palace.

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What do you think about the giant hole and construction progress at Tiana’s Bayou Adventure? Let us know in the comments.