Discovering the Magic of Mama Odie and More: Updates on Tiana's Bayou Adventure

 The enchanting world of Disney is expanding with the upcoming addition of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, an all-new attraction set to open in Disneyland Park at Disneyland Resort and Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World Resort in 2024. With the announcement of the attraction's development, fans of Disney's "The Princess and the Frog" are eagerly anticipating what's to come. And now, we have even more exciting updates to share!

At the heart of the adventure is Princess Tiana, the beloved protagonist of the 2009 animated feature film. The attraction will build upon her story, reminding us of the universal truth that within us lies the potential to make our dreams come true. Guests will be transported to the enchanting world of the bayou, where they will join Princess Tiana and her friends on an unforgettable musical journey.

Photo credit: Disney

The newly released rendering of Mama Odie, the Bayou Fairy Godmother, gives us a sneak peek into what to expect from the attraction. Legendary actress Jenifer Lewis, who voiced Mama Odie in "The Princess and the Frog," will reprise her role for the attraction. Mama Odie will serve as the catalyst to the magic, offering her comically eccentric yet wise and all-knowing guidance throughout the adventure.

Photo credit: Disney

To add to the excitement, Sharika Mahdi, a New Orleans artist and alumna of the YAYA Arts Center, has inspired the Imagineers' creations with her local perspective. The latest in a four-part series commissioned to Sharika pays tribute to Mama Odie, offering visual cues for the floating journey that lies ahead in Tiana's premier attraction.

Alongside Mama Odie, Tiana's Bayou Adventure will introduce a brand-new cast of original Disney characters with distinct names and personalities, as well as dozens of entirely new Audio-Animatronics figures. Adorable critters with incredible talent will bring the diverse flavors of musical gumbo found in New Orleans to life, with new, original music alongside favorite tunes from the film. And for fans of Louis and his love for beignets, the alluring scent of beignets being prepared for the party will be part of the attraction queue!

In addition to Mama Odie, guests will encounter familiar faces from the film, including Prince Naveen, Louis, Eudora, Charlotte, "Big Daddy," the King and Queen of Maldonia, and Prince Ralphie. Additional talented voices from the film will also be reprising their roles, including Bruno Campos as Prince Naveen, Michael Leon Wooley as Louis, and the one and only Anika Noni Rose as Princess Tiana.

To make room for this new magic, Splash Mountain at Disneyland park will be closed starting May 31, 2023, so Imagineers can begin the next phase of development for Tiana's Bayou Adventure. But with all the exciting updates we've received so far, it's clear that the wait will be well worth it. Fans of "The Princess and the Frog" and Disney enthusiasts alike are sure to be swept away by the enchanting world of Tiana's Bayou Adventure.