A first look at the barn mural in the queue of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure and the artist who designed it has been shared by the Disney Parks Blog.

Tiana’s Bayou Adventure Mural

The mural, designed by Louisiana artist Malaika Favorite, decorates the walls of the barn in the queue of the reimagined attraction, set to open next year at Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resort. These photos are specifically of the mural in Magic Kingdom.

The mural pulls inspiration from the many murals and works of art that decorate buildings throughout New Orleans. Just yesterday, Walt Disney Imagineering shared a look at the mural under construction in Magic Kingdom.

According to Disney, one of the highest priorities of the attraction’s update was to maintain the authenticity of Princess Tiana’s experience as a young Black woman striving to achieve her dream in New Orleans while introducing guests to the story of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. This mission led them on a search for an artist that brought them to Favorite.

Favorite’s work is currently on display in the Baton Rouge Gallery, with a collection that explores the cultural heritage of African Americans and who they are as a people.

Continuing the storyline from the animated feature film, “The Princess and the Frog,” Favorite’s mural for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure includes a collage of scenes displayed on two of the barn’s exterior walls as guests enter the indoor queue. These scenes depict Tiana’s professional journey and the creation of Tiana’s Foods.

Guests can see Favorite’s mural in full when Tiana’s Bayou Adventure opens at Magic Kingdom and Disneyland Park in 2024.

Tiana’s Bayou Adventure

A new “Princess and the Frog”-inspired attraction was first announced to replace Splash Mountain in 2020. The Tiana’s Bayou Adventure name was revealed in 2022. Splash Mountain at Magic Kingdom closed permanently in January 2023.

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 as they prepare 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 will 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).

What do you think of the queue mural for the attraction? Are you excited for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure to open in 2024? Share your thoughts with us in the comments.

For the latest Disney Parks news and info, follow WDW News Today on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.