Now and again it’s a distinct spice that may make the magic in a recipe. Different occasions, two other cooks can take the similar components and convey dramatically other dishes. The latter is the tale of Tiana’s Bayou Journey at Walt Disney Global as opposed to Disneyland.
Walt Disney Global fanatics most likely get in poor health of the way Disneyland has the awesome model of more than a few rides, from Pirates of the Caribbean to Area Mountain. Maximum 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 awesome model of the new-ish appeal.
Even though Tiana’s Bayou Journey is in large part a coast-to-coast clone in maximum significant senses of the phrase, the incarnation in Bayou Nation now joins this reputedly ever-growing record of rides the place Disneyland is house to the definitive model. This appeal takes most commonly the similar core parts, yet produces a a lot better end result. Like the adaptation between Chef Remy from Ratatouille cooking with the similar components as Chef Mickey or some random rat.
Sooner than we get going, I need to get started via acknowledging our Tiana’s Bayou Journey Journey Evaluate: Failure, Mistaken or Incredible? My function is for this put up about Tiana’s Bayou Journey to be not up to part that period, so I’m no longer going to fixate on the rest this is unchanged. For higher or worse, that comes with the next:
- Tune – All songs are the similar
- Audio Animatronics – There are the similar high quality and amount of AAs in each; staging is other in some instances
- Tale – The plot is identical, as are the storytelling conceits
- Vibe – Nonetheless a suspense-free, joyous party
- Weirdness – The Mushroom Cavern makes a reprise, as do Lari and Mondo (fortunately)
In case your reward or proceedings about Tiana’s Bayou Journey hinged round any of the foregoing, this overview isn’t for you. The ones basics are roughly unchanged, so the diploma to which you like or hate the clone of Tiana’s Bayou Journey is handiest going to shift somewhat on the margins.
However the ones of you who–and I’m no longer pointing any arms–would possibly’ve spent a couple of thousand phrases nitpicking different issues about Tiana’s Bayou Journey at Magic Kingdom are in success. There are a host of alternative little ‘recipe substitutions’ that in fact make a large 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 similar.” Certain factor, nearly.)
Let’s get started with one of the most greatest variations, which is the single-file seating at Disneyland. This has no longer modified right through the reimagining from Splash Mountain to Tiana’s Bayou Journey. As was once the case in Florida, the monitor format and journey profile stay the similar. Should you have been acquainted with the flume journey prior to, it’s nonetheless the similar concept–simply new track to listen to and other lovable animals (and now other folks) to peer alongside the best way.
It’s nonetheless necessary to underscore this, for the reason that elementary nature of this appeal is somewhat other between Walt Disney Global and Disneyland. I might argue that the Magic Kingdom model can be a conventional darkish journey with a couple of drops in between and a large drop on the finish. The display scenes are the cake, the drops are the icing.
As a veritable tidal wave crashed into our log and completely sopping wet the visitor within the entrance row on Tiana’s Bayou Journey, I used to be reminded of why I did Splash Mountain such a lot much less at Disneyland. Right here, the drops and characters are each cake–or on extra identical footing. This was once and could be very a lot an old style water journey–a type of, “you will get rainy, you would possibly get soaked” kinda offers. Even behind the boats, each Sarah and I went house with soaked footwear and rainy butts.
I’m no longer positive whether or not this framing is necessary to you. Even for me, the consideration issues just a little bit. This appeal isn’t like Kali River Rapids or Grizzly River Run–the display scenes nonetheless have been and are the primary emphasis. Somebody suggesting that themed design doesn’t topic and handiest journey profile does (typically as a facile method of “protecting” this reimagining) must imagine turning into fanatics of Six Flags as an alternative of Disney. However I digress.
Backtracking somewhat, there are variations all through the respective queues.
Once more, that is an example of not anything structurally converting within the conversion from Splash Mountain to Tiana’s Bayou Journey. Which means that the bodily queue is sort of totally the similar in the case of format, there’s just a few stuff that has been added.
There’s so much for visitors to find within the queue, which basically revolves round Tiana’s Meals, an employee-owned cooperative that (roughly) explains the outside parts of the appeal. Combining her skills with the ones of the area people, Tiana has reworked an growing older salt mine and constructed a loved logo.
Lots of the main props and visuals within the respective queues are the similar. There are newspaper clippings, accolades, ancient pictures of Tiana, and that form of factor. There maximum necessary component is Tiana’s kitchen, which does somewhat of storytelling that units the degree of the appeal. There’s in fact a large number of element and worldbuilding within the queue, a few of which is even integral if you wish to perceive the convoluted tale.
In contrast to the ultimate large cloned appeal between the 2 coasts, Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway, there are not any improvements for the queue at Disneyland. On the contrary, the queue within the Walt Disney Global model is the simpler of the 2. I don’t suppose it’s even controversial. There may be a lot more outside queue at Walt Disney Global, and it’s stunning. I additionally suppose the indoor queue is best at Walt Disney Global, with a couple of sections which might be longer.
The only benefit, and it’s no longer truly pertinent from a overview viewpoint (yet is necessary to me from a strategic one, and to a big bite of Disneyland’s key demo) is that Tiana’s Bayou Journey nonetheless has a Unmarried Rider line. Phew.
Let’s transfer alongside to the substance of the appeal itself. The most important proceedings we had about Tiana’s Bayou Journey at Magic Kingdom have been pacing and useless area. Neither of those problems truly exist within the Disneyland model. In contrast to the Florida authentic, you might be no longer floating against Audio Animatronics, looking forward to them to reach, with out a lot at the facets of the log alongside the best way.
The flume for Tiana’s Bayou Journey at Disneyland is “sooner” and winds round extra. You’re coming across the bend, seeing the disclose of an Audio Animatronics determine (or cluster of them) after which your eye is sort of right away guided to the following scene. Because the logs zoom via, your eye is pulled via from one scene to the following. The pacing is suitable and works smartly for the appeal!
The bends themselves additionally lend a hand, because the Audio Animatronics in Tiana’s Bayou Journey are staged no longer in flat spots you glide against after which previous, yet at issues the place the logs glide round them. Because of this, even if the logs are dashing in the course of the opening acts, you’re pivoting round main display scenes that comprise more than one animal AAs for a 180-degree (or thereabouts) view of them.
The only exception to this, correctly sufficient, is the finale. Disneyland’s logs transfer a lot slower previous (spoiler alert) the Mardi Gras party at Tiana’s area, permitting visitors extra time to savor this extremely jam-packed scene. This can be a massive win–I’ve carried out the Magic Kingdom model over a dozen occasions, and I’m nonetheless recognizing new issues. Plus, extra time to revel in “Particular Spice” is a win in my e book.
One in all my nitpicks with the Florida model is that, even there’s such a lot vacancy, the animals are stuffed in combination to the purpose that you just don’t at all times get a blank view of one of the crucial ones within the again. That is indubitably much less of a subject at Disneyland given the best way you glide across the scenes.
If the rest, I’d say you’re nonetheless left short of extra as a result of the velocity with which the logs glide in the course of the scenes, yet that’s a greater “downside” to have, and no longer a design shortcoming. I do suppose one of the crucial animals may just’ve been angled higher or had tools selected extra thoughtfully, even though.
As soon as once more, the nature design on all of those little fellas is fine. It’s great to transport round them and recover angles (in some instances) at the emotive animals. Given their considerate designs, I additionally (nonetheless) want extra have been carried out to expand the critters. Appears 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 via bears as an alternative of bobcats in a single spot, for instance. The most efficient instance of that is that there’s a scene with Tiana sitting at the similar log that Louis is caught in, which is separated and unfold out at Walt Disney Global (most likely to fill area!). This condensed model at Disneyland is fairly higher as it turns into a lovable gag.
I’d nonetheless like to peer extra main points and world-building, a l. a. Splash Mountain, yet I don’t have a subject with useless area or staging, in line with se. There’s indubitably not up to what was once right here prior to, yet Splash Mountain was once jam-packed with Audio Animatronics and surroundings. It was once in rarified corporate, even via oldschool requirements.
Tiana’s Bayou Journey at Disneyland is as densely-staged Disneyland appeal as we’ve observed since then, assembly even fashionable classics like Indiana Jones Journey or Radiator Springs Racers. (This isn’t to mention it’s as excellent as both of the ones, total; simply that it’s as considerate and detailed.)
Lighting fixtures ranges were advanced in some scenes of Tiana’s Bayou Journey, yet must nonetheless be raised around the board. Go away the darkish and ominous vibes that mansion subsequent door. I understand that it’s a bayou at night time, yet it might simply as simply be a bayou at nightfall. And if truth be told, the displays with the fireflies do mirror this.
I’m in truth stunned via this, as Imagineering’s latest marquee sights at Tokyo Disney Lodge are arguably over illuminated. I’ve assumed this was once to fulfill fashionable audiences the place they’re, enabling present digicam telephones to simply seize pictures and video for sharing on social media. For no matter explanation why, Tiana’s Bayou Journey is going the complete opposite course and is almost antagonistic against images.
Whilst I query the knowledge in dim lights, I will be able to settle for it as an artistic choice. I’m much less forgiving of display lights that’s asymmetric in lots of puts. Some scenes and AAs have truly dangerous colour casts for no discernible explanation why–it’s gotta be a mistake. That is particularly notable within the finale, the place a number of characters have onerous shadows on their faces. I might hope that is corrected right through Solid and Passholder previews, because it’s an glaring factor.
There also are firefly results all through Tiana’s Bayou Journey at Disneyland, completed by the use 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 numerous places than at Walt Disney Global, and the primary and ultimate are extra ‘consequential’ as they command your consideration as you input and get ready to go out the display scene portion.
I wish to suppose the juxtaposition–with small vs. large–fireflies makes the tale somewhat more uncomplicated to determine, yet in truth, I’m no longer positive. I’ve carried out this journey a dozen-plus occasions at this level, so I’m no longer precisely coming in chilly off the road.
Talking of tale, my take is that it’s fairly extra understandable now.
This isn’t a new-for-Disneyland trade, yet extra a tweak that’s been made since opening at Walt Disney Global. The audio ranges were adjusted and discussion is extra transparent–for all I do know, new strains have even been added, as there are issues I couldn’t pay attention right through my preview rides at Walt Disney Global that are actually audible in Florida and at Disneyland.
As with the Magic Kingdom model, Tiana’s Bayou Journey directly has an excessive amount of tale and no longer sufficient tale. The backstory is overly considerable and contrived, while the plot is threadbare and discussion is sort of nonsensical. Sarcastically, it looks like there have been too many chefs within the kitchen all with competing visions for TBA, and as an alternative of deciding on one, they threw the entire components into the pot.
At its core, the tale is modest: there’s a Mardi Gras party at Tiana’s area, and he or she must discover a band for the birthday celebration. The issue is that the answer is sort of quick, so a part of the grievance about there being no pressure is in fact that there are not any narrative stakes. The tale is over within the first act, except for the “getting there” section. However then that’s resolved by the use of the drop, with out a lot significant rationalization as to why.
Some proponents of Tiana’s Bayou Journey have selected handy wave this all away via claiming it’s a dinner party appeal (it isn’t) or is almost about the ambience than the tale. In any case, I suppose they’re proper–via default–for the reason that tale itself is superfluous. Tiana’s Bayou Journey has a large number of plot, however it finally ends up being in regards to the vibes. Once more, that is extra forgivable with the Disneyland model for the reason that logs zoom in the course of the first and 2d acts, anyway.
Or, as Sarah put it in her two phrase overview once I requested her what she idea: “it’s lovable.” (No, she didn’t elaborate.) She’s proper. Tiana’s Bayou Journey is lovable and the vibes are excellent.
In the long run, my quick response after driving Tiana’s Bayou Journey in California was once principally: “Smartly, that is smart–they designed the journey reimagining for Disneyland after which shoehorned it into Magic Kingdom.” I’m no longer pronouncing with walk in the park that that is true, yet I don’t know the way it may be able to be unfaithful.
This would possibly sound like suave perception on my section, yet provided that you haven’t skilled each variations of Tiana’s Bayou Journey. After you have, I don’t know the way you may be able to no longer suppose this. It’s obtrusive within the clusters of Audio Animatronics and staging. It’s nearly surprising what colossal variations the condescended display scenes, permutations in flume format, and ‘sooner’ logs make.
The runtime of Tiana’s Bayou Journey at Disneyland isn’t that a lot shorter, however it’s wonderful how other this feels. Lifeless area and pacing are two of my greatest criticisms with the Magic Kingdom model, they usually’re overall non-issues right here. Certain, I’d like extra–I’d at all times like extra–given the element of Splash Mountain.
Tiana’s Bayou Journey at Disneyland doesn’t really feel missing via the factors of recent sights. The display scenes are meaty, and it’s going to have a large number of re-ridability as a result of there’s such a lot visitors will leave out on their first glide in the course of the bayou.
There’s additionally the truth that Tiana’s Bayou Journey is a greater have compatibility within the grander context of Disneyland. The appeal is at the outskirts of New Orleans Sq., nestled into the renamed Bayou Nation (up to now Critter Nation). It’s nonetheless extra critters than it’s bayou, yet I may just see why Disney would need to steer clear of regarding a land headlined via Princess Tiana as Critter Nation.
Without reference to the land’s identify, the location of Tiana’s Bayou Journey makes a lot more sense at Disneyland. In a couple of years, and even lately to a visitor visiting Disneyland for the primary time, it’ll have compatibility like a glove–like Tiana’s Bayou Journey bridges the distance between the city New Orleans Sq. and the rugid Celebrity Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.
It’s truly like Tiana’s Bayou Journey began as a reimagining completely for Disneyland, after which any person made up our minds ultimate minute to make roughly the similar overlay for Walt Disney Global. That’s unlucky for the ‘be truthful to Florida’ crowd, as it’s now clearer than ever that Magic Kingdom must’ve gotten its personal, distinctive appeal. The clone simply doesn’t paintings just about as smartly there.
My conclusion in regards to the Magic Kingdom model was once that Tiana’s Bayou Journey is flawed-but-fantastic. The Walt Disney Global model isn’t a ten/10 journey, however it’s nonetheless excellent. With essentially the most evident flaws fastened within the Disneyland model, it’s nearly there.
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YOUR THOUGHTS
What do you recall to mind the Disneyland model of Tiana’s Bayou Journey? Stunned that the California model is best? Will have to Disney ‘be truthful to Florida’ and plus the reimagined journey there right through a long run iciness refurbishment? Are you excited for Tiana’s Bayou Journey? Do you settle or disagree with our overview? Any questions we will be able to mean you can resolution? Listening to your comments–even while you disagree with us–is each fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please percentage your ideas beneath within the feedback!
