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 assorted rides, from Pirates of the Caribbean to House Mountain. Most just lately, 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 essentially 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 largely the identical core parts, however produces a significantly better outcome. 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 wish to begin by acknowledging our Tiana’s Bayou Journey Trip Evaluation: Failure, Flawed or Implausible? My aim is for this put up 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 identical, 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 roughly unchanged, so the diploma to which you’re keen on 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–would possibly’ve spent a number of 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 really make an enormous distinction. (It’s form of like when Sarah switches out the butter and sugar in a dessert she’s making and tells me it’ll style “virtually the identical.” Positive factor, virtually.)
Let’s begin with one of many greatest variations, which is the single-file seating at Disneyland. This has not modified throughout the reimagining from Splash Mountain to Tiana’s Bayou Journey. As was the case in Florida, the observe structure and journey profile stay the identical. If you happen to had been aware of the flume journey earlier than, it’s nonetheless the identical thought–simply new music to listen to and completely different lovely animals (and now individuals) to see alongside the best way.
It’s however necessary to underscore this, as a result of the elemental nature of this attraction is a bit completely different between Walt Disney World and Disneyland. I’d argue that the Magic Kingdom model is generally a standard darkish journey with a number of 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 could be very a lot an old style water journey–a type 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 sneakers and moist butts.
I’m unsure whether or not this framing is necessary to you. Even for me, the excellence issues solely a bit of bit. This attraction is just not like Kali River Rapids or Grizzly River Run–the present scenes nonetheless had been and are the primary emphasis. Anybody suggesting that themed design doesn’t matter and solely journey profile does (often as a facile technique of “defending” this reimagining) ought to contemplate changing 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 sort of fully the identical when it comes to structure, there’s just a few stuff that has been added.
There’s so much for company to find within the queue, which primarily revolves round Tiana’s Meals, an employee-owned cooperative that (roughly) explains the outside parts of the attraction. Combining her skills with these of the area people, Tiana has remodeled an growing old 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 photographs of Tiana, and that sort of factor. There most necessary component 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.
In contrast to the final massive cloned attraction between the 2 coasts, Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway, there aren’t 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 suppose it’s even debatable. There may be way more out of doors queue at Walt Disney World, and it’s lovely. I additionally suppose the indoor queue is best at Walt Disney World, with a number of sections which can 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 most important complaints we had about Tiana’s Bayou Journey at Magic Kingdom had been pacing and useless area. Neither of those points actually exist within the Disneyland model. In contrast to 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 best way.
The flume for Tiana’s Bayou Journey at Disneyland is “quicker” 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 sort of instantly guided to the subsequent scene. Because the logs zoom via, your eye is pulled via 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, regardless that the logs are rushing via the opening acts, you’re pivoting round main present scenes that include 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 company extra time to savor this extremely jam-packed scene. This can be a large win–I’ve completed the Magic Kingdom model over a dozen occasions, and I’m nonetheless recognizing new issues. Plus, extra time to take pleasure in “Particular Spice” is a win in my ebook.
Considered one of my nitpicks with the Florida model is that, even there’s a lot vacancy, the animals are crammed collectively to the purpose that you just don’t all the time get a clear view of among the ones within the again. That is undoubtedly much less of a difficulty at Disneyland given the best way 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 via the scenes, however that’s a greater “downside” to have, and never a design shortcoming. I do suppose among 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 unbelievable. 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 had been completed to develop the critters. Seems apart, they’re kinda one-note.
It’s the very same critter bands which can be jam-packed with lovely 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 area!). 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 difficulty with useless area 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 skool 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. Go away the darkish and ominous vibes that mansion subsequent door. I understand that it’s a bayou at night time, nevertheless it might simply as simply be a bayou at nightfall. And in reality, the screens with the fireflies do mirror this.
I’m actually shocked by this, as Imagineering’s latest marquee sights at Tokyo Disney Resort are arguably over illuminated. I’ve assumed this was to fulfill trendy audiences the place they’re, enabling present digicam telephones to simply seize photographs and video for sharing on social media. For no matter motive, Tiana’s Bayou Journey goes the precise other way and is virtually hostile in direction of pictures.
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 unhealthy coloration casts for no discernible motive–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 problem.
There are additionally firefly results all through Tiana’s Bayou Journey at Disneyland, completed 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 suppose the juxtaposition–with small vs. massive–fireflies makes the story a bit simpler to establish, however actually, I’m unsure. I’ve completed this journey 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 sort of nonsensical. Paradoxically, it looks like there have been too many cooks within the kitchen all with competing visions for TBA, and as an alternative of selecting one, they threw all of the elements into the pot.
At its core, the story is easy: there’s a Mardi Gras celebration at Tiana’s home, and he or she must discover a band for the occasion. The issue is that the decision is sort of quick, so a part of the grievance about there being no stress is definitely that there aren’t any narrative stakes. The story is over within the first act, other than 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 occasion attraction (it isn’t) or is simply concerning the ambiance than the story. Ultimately, I assume they’re proper–by default–as a result of the story itself is superfluous. Tiana’s Bayou Journey has loads of plot, nevertheless it finally ends up being concerning the vibes. Once more, that is extra forgivable with the Disneyland model as a result of the logs zoom via the primary and second acts, anyway.
Or, as Sarah put it in her two phrase overview after 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.
Finally, my quick response after using Tiana’s Bayou Journey in California was principally: “Effectively, that is sensible–they designed the journey 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 probably be unfaithful.
This would possibly 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 know the way you can probably not suppose this. It’s evident within the clusters of Audio Animatronics and staging. It’s virtually stunning what colossal variations the condescended present scenes, variations in flume structure, and ‘quicker’ logs make.
The runtime of Tiana’s Bayou Journey at Disneyland isn’t that a lot shorter, nevertheless it’s superb how completely different this feels. Useless area and pacing are two of my greatest criticisms with the Magic Kingdom model, and so they’re complete non-issues right here. Positive, 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 sights. The present scenes are meaty, and it’s going to have loads of re-ridability as a result of there’s a lot company will miss on their first float via 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 wish to keep away from referring to a land headlined by Princess Tiana as Critter Nation.
Whatever the land’s identify, the position of Tiana’s Bayou Journey makes way more sense at Disneyland. In a number of 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 solely for Disneyland, after which somebody determined final minute to make roughly 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 almost 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 is just not a ten/10 journey, nevertheless it’s nonetheless superb. With probably the most obtrusive flaws fastened within the Disneyland model, it’s virtually there.
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YOUR THOUGHTS
What do you consider the Disneyland model of Tiana’s Bayou Journey? Shocked that the California model is best? Ought to Disney ‘be honest to Florida’ and plus the reimagined journey 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 may also help you reply? Listening to your suggestions–even once you disagree with us–is each fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas beneath within the feedback!
