Crew members were working on and inside the rockwork of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure in Disneyland when we visited this week. A month ago, the Tiana’s Foods water tower was installed outside the attraction. Construction at Disneyland is running a few months behind construction of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure at Magic Kingdom, where Splash Mountain closed in January 2023 and the water tower was installed in June. Splash Mountain at Disneyland closed in May 2023.
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure Construction
We saw several crew members working on the Disneyland ride this week. While the Magic Kingdom version is covered in foliage and flowers, California crew members are still demolishing, reconstructing, and painting rockwork on this version of the mountain. The tree was removed from the top of the mountain and a new mountaintop was crafted.
Scaffolding completely covers the mountain, including the famous drop. There is no scaffolding around the millhouse and water tower.
When we arrived at Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, several crew members were on the left side of the mountain. Much of the rockwork is currently gray instead of reddish-brown. There are tarps and red paint across some of the rocks.
We saw one crew member working on the right side of the mountain.
Scaffolding completely covers the opening of the mountain and the ride’s drop. We could see a single work light in the opening but couldn’t see anything inside. Bottle lanterns in this area on the Magic Kingdom version indicate the climactic moment of the ride will take place at Mama Odie’s home.
In December, a blue tarp was on the front of the millhouse. The tarp wasn’t there this week but the millhouse has not yet been repainted like its Florida counterpart, which received green paint. The new weathervane also hasn’t been installed yet.
Around the corner, we saw more gray rockwork and a crew member by the ride’s flume.
Tiana’s Bayou adventure takes place after the events of “The Princess and the Frog.” Tiana has founded the Tiana’s Foods co-op, which works out of an old salt mine. During the ride, guests join Tiana to search for a special Mardi Gras ingredient.
Another crew member on this side of the mountain was also working on rockwork.
The crew member was in front of a strip of gray in the reddish-brown rocks. It looks like the paint was stripped away or new plaster was added.
On the ground, we saw more crew members working on several holes in the wall. One crew member was shoveling old plaster into a wagon and bags. Poles for scaffolding were stacked behind him.
There were three large holes in the rockwork, evidently carved out so crew members could work on the interior framework and/or wiring.
One crew member was actually inside a hole, supported by some steel poles. It looks like there were a pair of jumper cables leading into the hole.
Two crew members outside the hole were spotting.
The ride’s entrance is blocked from view with scaffolding and tan scrim. The brown construction walls feature Tiana’s Foods signs and Southern Dome Salt Company stamps.
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is scheduled to open later this year.
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