Generally it’s a particular spice that may make the magic in a recipe. Different occasions, two completely different cooks can take the identical elements and produce dramatically completely different dishes. The latter is the story of Tiana’s Bayou Journey at Walt Disney World versus Disneyland.
Walt Disney World followers in all probability get sick of how Disneyland has the superior model of varied rides, from Pirates of the Caribbean to Area Mountain. Most not too long ago, Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway noticed a pleasant plussing when added to Toontown, to the purpose that it’s additionally the superior model of the new-ish attraction.
Though Tiana’s Bayou Journey is basically a coast-to-coast clone in most significant senses of the phrase, the incarnation in Bayou Nation now joins this seemingly ever-growing checklist of rides the place Disneyland is house to the definitive model. This attraction takes principally the identical core parts, however produces a significantly better end result. Just like the distinction between Chef Remy from Ratatouille cooking with the identical elements as Chef Mickey or some random rat.
Earlier than we get going, I need to begin by acknowledging our Tiana’s Bayou Journey Trip Evaluation: Failure, Flawed or Incredible? My aim is for this publish about Tiana’s Bayou Journey to be lower than half that size, so I’m not going to fixate on something that’s unchanged. For higher or worse, that features the next:
- Music – All songs are the identical
- Audio Animatronics – There are the identical high quality and amount of AAs in each; staging is completely different in some circumstances
- Story – The plot is similar, as are the storytelling conceits
- Vibe – Nonetheless a suspense-free, joyous celebration
- Weirdness – The Mushroom Cavern makes a reprise, as do Lari and Mondo (fortunately)
In case your reward or complaints about Tiana’s Bayou Journey hinged round any of the foregoing, this overview isn’t for you. These fundamentals are kind of unchanged, so the diploma to which you like or hate the clone of Tiana’s Bayou Journey is simply going to shift a bit on the margins.
However these of you who–and I’m not pointing any fingers–may’ve spent just a few thousand phrases nitpicking different issues about Tiana’s Bayou Journey at Magic Kingdom are in luck. There are a bunch of different little ‘recipe substitutions’ that truly make an enormous distinction. (It’s type of like when Sarah switches out the butter and sugar in a dessert she’s making and tells me it’ll style “nearly the identical.” Certain factor, nearly.)
Let’s begin with one of many greatest variations, which is the single-file seating at Disneyland. This has not modified through the reimagining from Splash Mountain to Tiana’s Bayou Journey. As was the case in Florida, the observe format and experience profile stay the identical. When you have been acquainted with the flume experience earlier than, it’s nonetheless the identical concept–simply new music to listen to and completely different lovable animals (and now folks) to see alongside the way in which.
It’s however necessary to underscore this, as a result of the basic nature of this attraction is a bit completely different between Walt Disney World and Disneyland. I’d argue that the Magic Kingdom model is usually a conventional darkish experience with just a few drops in between and an enormous drop on the finish. The present scenes are the cake, the drops are the icing.
As a veritable tidal wave crashed into our log and completely drenched the visitor within the entrance row on Tiana’s Bayou Journey, I used to be reminded of why I did Splash Mountain a lot much less at Disneyland. Right here, the drops and characters are each cake–or on extra equal footing. This was and may be very a lot an old-fashioned water experience–a kind of, “you will get moist, you might get soaked” kinda offers. Even at the back of the boats, each Sarah and I went house with soaked footwear and moist butts.
I’m unsure whether or not this framing is necessary to you. Even for me, the excellence issues solely slightly bit. This attraction will not be like Kali River Rapids or Grizzly River Run–the present scenes nonetheless have been and are the principle emphasis. Anybody suggesting that themed design doesn’t matter and solely experience profile does (normally as a facile technique of “defending” this reimagining) ought to take into account turning into followers of Six Flags as an alternative of Disney. However I digress.
Backtracking a bit, there are variations all through the respective queues.
Once more, that is an occasion of nothing structurally altering within the conversion from Splash Mountain to Tiana’s Bayou Journey. Which means that the bodily queue is nearly completely the identical by way of format, there’s just a few stuff that has been added.
There’s so much for visitors to find within the queue, which primarily revolves round Tiana’s Meals, an employee-owned cooperative that (kind of) explains the outside parts of the attraction. Combining her abilities with these of the area people, Tiana has reworked an getting older salt mine and constructed a beloved model.
Most of the main props and visuals within the respective queues are the identical. There are newspaper clippings, accolades, historic pictures of Tiana, and that sort of factor. There most necessary factor is Tiana’s kitchen, which does a little bit of storytelling that units the stage of the attraction. There’s truly loads of element and worldbuilding within the queue, a few of which is even integral if you wish to perceive the convoluted story.
Not like the final huge cloned attraction between the 2 coasts, Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway, there are not any enhancements for the queue at Disneyland. On the contrary, the queue within the Walt Disney World model is the higher of the 2. I don’t assume it’s even debatable. There may be far more outside queue at Walt Disney World, and it’s stunning. I additionally assume the indoor queue is healthier at Walt Disney World, with just a few sections which might be longer.
The one benefit, and it’s probably not pertinent from a overview perspective (however is necessary to me from a strategic one, and to a big chunk of Disneyland’s key demo) is that Tiana’s Bayou Journey nonetheless has a Single Rider line. Phew.
Let’s transfer alongside to the substance of the attraction itself. The largest complaints we had about Tiana’s Bayou Journey at Magic Kingdom have been pacing and useless house. Neither of those points actually exist within the Disneyland model. Not like the Florida authentic, you’re not floating in direction of Audio Animatronics, ready for them to reach, with out a lot on the perimeters of the log alongside the way in which.
The flume for Tiana’s Bayou Journey at Disneyland is “sooner” and winds round extra. You’re coming across the bend, seeing the reveal of an Audio Animatronics determine (or cluster of them) after which your eye is nearly instantly guided to the subsequent scene. Because the logs zoom by means of, your eye is pulled by means of from one scene to the subsequent. The pacing is suitable and works nicely for the attraction!
The bends themselves additionally assist, because the Audio Animatronics in Tiana’s Bayou Journey are staged not in flat spots you float in direction of after which previous, however at factors the place the logs float round them. Which means that, although the logs are rushing by means of the opening acts, you’re pivoting round main present scenes that comprise a number of animal AAs for a 180-degree (or thereabouts) view of them.
The one exception to this, appropriately sufficient, is the finale. Disneyland’s logs transfer a lot slower previous (spoiler alert) the Mardi Gras celebration at Tiana’s home, permitting visitors extra time to savor this extremely jam-packed scene. This can be a enormous win–I’ve carried out the Magic Kingdom model over a dozen occasions, and I’m nonetheless recognizing new issues. Plus, extra time to get pleasure from “Particular Spice” is a win in my e-book.
One in all my nitpicks with the Florida model is that, even there’s a lot vacancy, the animals are crammed collectively to the purpose that you simply don’t all the time get a clear view of a number of the ones within the again. That is undoubtedly much less of a problem at Disneyland given the way in which you float across the scenes.
If something, I’d say you’re nonetheless left wanting extra due to the pace with which the logs float by means of the scenes, however that’s a greater “drawback” to have, and never a design shortcoming. I do assume a number of the animals might’ve been angled higher or had devices chosen extra thoughtfully, although.
As soon as once more, the character design on all of those little fellas is implausible. It’s good to maneuver round them and get higher angles (in some circumstances) on the emotive animals. Given their considerate designs, I additionally (nonetheless) want extra have been carried out to develop the critters. Appears to be like apart, they’re kinda one-note.
It’s the very same critter bands which might be jam-packed with lovable animals, albeit some shuffled round–Tiana and Louis are by bears as an alternative of bobcats in a single spot, for instance. One of the best instance of that is that there’s a scene with Tiana sitting on the identical log that Louis is caught in, which is separated and unfold out at Walt Disney World (in all probability to fill house!). This condensed model at Disneyland is barely higher as a result of it turns into a cute gag.
I’d nonetheless wish to see extra particulars and world-building, a la Splash Mountain, however I don’t have a problem with useless house or staging, per se. There’s undoubtedly lower than what was right here earlier than, however Splash Mountain was jam-packed with Audio Animatronics and surroundings. It was in rarified firm, even by old-fashioned requirements.
Tiana’s Bayou Journey at Disneyland is as densely-staged Disneyland attraction as we’ve seen since then, assembly even trendy classics like Indiana Jones Journey or Radiator Springs Racers. (This isn’t to say it’s pretty much as good as both of these, total; simply that it’s as considerate and detailed.)
Lighting ranges have been improved in some scenes of Tiana’s Bayou Journey, however ought to nonetheless be raised throughout the board. Depart the darkish and ominous vibes that mansion subsequent door. I notice that it’s a bayou at evening, but it surely might simply as simply be a bayou at nightfall. And actually, the screens with the fireflies do replicate this.
I’m actually stunned by this, as Imagineering’s latest marquee points of interest at Tokyo Disney Resort are arguably over illuminated. I’ve assumed this was to satisfy trendy audiences the place they’re, enabling present digicam telephones to simply seize pictures and video for sharing on social media. For no matter cause, Tiana’s Bayou Journey goes the precise other way and is virtually hostile in direction of images.
Whereas I query the knowledge in dim lighting, I can settle for it as a artistic determination. I’m much less forgiving of present lighting that’s uneven in lots of locations. Some scenes and AAs have actually dangerous coloration casts for no discernible cause–it’s gotta be a mistake. That is particularly notable within the finale, the place a number of characters have laborious shadows on their faces. I’d hope that is corrected throughout Forged and Passholder previews, because it’s an apparent challenge.
There are additionally firefly results all through Tiana’s Bayou Journey at Disneyland, achieved by way of each sensible results and multimedia, that really feel like a modern-day opening act to Pirates of the Caribbean. A few of these are in several places than at Walt Disney World, and the primary and final are extra ‘consequential’ as they command your consideration as you enter and put together to exit the present scene portion.
I wish to assume the juxtaposition–with small vs. huge–fireflies makes the story a bit simpler to determine, however actually, I’m unsure. I’ve carried out this experience a dozen-plus occasions at this level, so I’m not precisely coming in chilly off the road.
Talking of story, my take is that it’s barely extra understandable now.
This isn’t a new-for-Disneyland change, however extra a tweak that’s been made since opening at Walt Disney World. The audio ranges have been adjusted and dialogue is extra clear–for all I do know, new traces have even been added, as there are issues I couldn’t hear throughout my preview rides at Walt Disney World that are actually audible in Florida and at Disneyland.
As with the Magic Kingdom model, Tiana’s Bayou Journey without delay has an excessive amount of story and never sufficient story. The backstory is overly ample and contrived, whereas the plot is threadbare and dialogue is nearly nonsensical. Paradoxically, it appears like there have been too many cooks within the kitchen all with competing visions for TBA, and as an alternative of deciding on one, they threw all of the elements into the pot.
At its core, the story is straightforward: there’s a Mardi Gras celebration at Tiana’s home, and she or he must discover a band for the social gathering. The issue is that the decision is nearly speedy, so a part of the criticism about there being no rigidity is definitely that there are not any narrative stakes. The story is over within the first act, apart from the “getting there” half. However then that’s resolved by way of the drop, with out a lot significant clarification as to why.
Some proponents of Tiana’s Bayou Journey have chosen at hand wave this all away by claiming it’s a cocktail social gathering attraction (it isn’t) or is simply concerning the environment than the story. Ultimately, I suppose they’re proper–by default–as a result of the story itself is superfluous. Tiana’s Bayou Journey has loads of plot, but it surely finally ends up being concerning the vibes. Once more, that is extra forgivable with the Disneyland model as a result of the logs zoom by means of the primary and second acts, anyway.
Or, as Sarah put it in her two phrase overview once I requested her what she thought: “it’s cute.” (No, she didn’t elaborate.) She’s proper. Tiana’s Bayou Journey is cute and the vibes are good.
In the end, my speedy response after driving Tiana’s Bayou Journey in California was mainly: “Properly, that is sensible–they designed the experience reimagining for Disneyland after which shoehorned it into Magic Kingdom.” I’m not saying with certainty that that is true, however I don’t know the way it might presumably be unfaithful.
This may sound like intelligent perception on my half, however provided that you haven’t skilled each variations of Tiana’s Bayou Journey. After getting, I don’t understand how you could possibly presumably not assume this. It’s evident within the clusters of Audio Animatronics and staging. It’s nearly stunning what colossal variations the condescended present scenes, variations in flume format, and ‘sooner’ logs make.
The runtime of Tiana’s Bayou Journey at Disneyland isn’t that a lot shorter, but it surely’s wonderful how completely different this feels. Lifeless house and pacing are two of my greatest criticisms with the Magic Kingdom model, they usually’re complete non-issues right here. Certain, I’d like extra–I’d all the time like extra–given the element of Splash Mountain.
Tiana’s Bayou Journey at Disneyland doesn’t really feel missing by the requirements of recent points of interest. The present scenes are meaty, and it’s going to have loads of re-ridability as a result of there’s a lot visitors will miss on their first float by means of the bayou.
There’s additionally the truth that Tiana’s Bayou Journey is a greater match within the grander context of Disneyland. The attraction is on the outskirts of New Orleans Sq., nestled into the renamed Bayou Nation (beforehand Critter Nation). It’s nonetheless extra critters than it’s bayou, however I might see why Disney would need to keep away from referring to a land headlined by Princess Tiana as Critter Nation.
Whatever the land’s title, the location of Tiana’s Bayou Journey makes far more sense at Disneyland. In just a few years, and even as we speak to a visitor visiting Disneyland for the primary time, it’ll match like a glove–like Tiana’s Bayou Journey bridges the hole between the city New Orleans Sq. and the rugid Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.
It’s actually like Tiana’s Bayou Journey began as a reimagining completely for Disneyland, after which somebody determined final minute to make kind of the identical overlay for Walt Disney World. That’s unlucky for the ‘be honest to Florida’ crowd, as a result of it’s now clearer than ever that Magic Kingdom ought to’ve gotten its personal, distinctive attraction. The clone simply doesn’t work practically as nicely there.
My conclusion concerning the Magic Kingdom model was that Tiana’s Bayou Journey is flawed-but-fantastic. The Walt Disney World model will not be a ten/10 experience, but it surely’s nonetheless superb. With essentially the most evident flaws mounted within the Disneyland model, it’s nearly there.
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YOUR THOUGHTS
What do you consider the Disneyland model of Tiana’s Bayou Journey? Stunned that the California model is healthier? Ought to Disney ‘be honest to Florida’ and plus the reimagined experience there throughout a future winter refurbishment? Are you excited for Tiana’s Bayou Journey? Do you agree or disagree with our overview? Any questions we might help you reply? Listening to your suggestions–even while you disagree with us–is each fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas under within the feedback!