Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is inching toward its Summer 2024 opening, with updates to the ride vehicles and exterior of the attraction.
Ride Vehicles Testing
The log ride vehicles that will be used for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure were being tested with water dummies on our trip to Magic Kingdom on March 14, 2024.
Together, 28 logs were being tested, some with water dummies and some without. The attraction will reportedly have 48 logs when fully operational.
When the logs were at the base of the lagoon, we could see that they were filled to the 150 pound line. The jugs of water are meant to simulate the weight of humans to test the function and safety of the ride vehicles while in motion.
Additionally, the vehicle’s lap bars have gotten a makeover. We spotted new orange foam on these, along with new black foam along the dividers. The vehicles themselves have been refurbished from Splash Mountain.
Here’s a look at what old versions of the logs look like. There is currently a mix of updated and not-yet-updated log ride vehicles running through the attraction testing.
A number of the vehicles have red tags, both updated and not updated.
Some of the vehicles also have a tag that reads “accepted.”
The vehicles could be seen plunging down the 50-foot drop. We could smell the signature bromine water scent that guests grew used to smelling while Splash Mountain was still in operation.
A work light was on at the attraction’s drop, giving a view of what guests will see before they plummet.
Watch our video below to see the testing in progress.
Exterior Updates
Elsewhere on the attraction’s exterior, more flowers appear to have been added to the side of the mountain to the right of the tree.
Just days ago, we noticed some red-orange faux flowers; now, it appears even more flowers have been added, and they are creeping right up against the fence.
Crew members were working all over the exterior of the attraction. Here, a crew member was feeding electrical wires into the barn, which guests will enter as part of the queue. Thanks to a report from a NOLA.com journalist who was given a tour of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure while under construction, we know that this barn will house the offices of Tiana’s Foods.
Just beyond the barn, you can see more of those red-orange flowers.
On the far left side, which remains the area with the most scaffolding still up, we previously saw crew members adding moss and sculpting rock.
With that part of the process seemingly complete, faux flowers will likely “bloom” here sometime soon.
There were quite a few crew members working near the mill area of the attraction.
The windows and doors for the former Splash Mountain gift shop, Briar Patch, are blocked to obscure guests’ view of the inside.
Walls are still up around the Frontierland Railroad Station. The train and station are still in operation during the construction.
Work was being done on the staircase exit during our visit.
The temporary rolling planters here have moved further in since we last checked, allowing for more walking space in the area. The scoring on the concrete here suggests that they are still working on this area.
Are you excited to ride the new Tiana’s Bayou Adventure? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
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