BAY LAKE, Fla. — Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, “The Princess and the Frog”-inspired attraction under construction at Disney World, will feature many iconic characters from the film, including Mama Odie, Disney revealed Wednesday.
Disney shared new concept art of the eccentric character as she interacts with riders after a “special display of her magic.” The 200-year-old “Bayou Fairy Godmother”—as Disney affectionately refers to the character—will be voiced by Jenifer Lewis, who reprises her role from the 2009 animated film.
Lewis won’t be the only actor from the film returning for the attraction. At D23 Expo last year, Disney revealed that the original cast of Anika Noni Rose (Tiana), Bruno Campos (Prince Naveen) and Michael Leon Wooley (jazz-loving alligator Louis) would be lending their voices for the ride.
Other characters from the film will also be featured in the attraction, including Tiana’s friend Charlotte, Charlotte’s father, Tiana’s mother Eudora and Naveen’s parents the King and Queen of Maldonia.
Disney dropped a few more new details about Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, including the attraction will feature more than a dozen original audio-animatronic figures, new Disney characters with “distinct names and personalities,” and original songs in addition to music from film. Disney previously said some of the new characters would be bayou critters such as an otter, a rabbit and a racoon.
Meanwhile, the queue will have the smells of beignets—Louis’ favorite treat.
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure will pick up a year after the events of the film and follow Tiana, who is now an entrepreneur in New Orleans. As she and Louis head to a Mardi Gras celebration, they’ll be searching for a missing ingredient and invite riders to come along.
The attraction will replace Splash Mountain, which featured elements from “Song of the South,” Disney’s controversial 1946 film that was widely criticized fas racist. Splash Mountain at Magic Kingdom closed in January.
In 2020, Disney announced plans to “reimagine” Splash Mountain with elements from “The Princess and the Frog,” which features Disney’s first Black princess. The new attraction seeks to expands Tiana’s story, Walt Disney Imagineering’s Carmen Smith told Spectrum News at D23 Expo.
“We know people are going to anticipate seeing this princess, and so they’re going to have a chance to see her all along the journey and we’re very excited about that,” Smith said.
Disney also revealed a scale model of the attraction at last year’s convention. The model featured a water tower with a giant tiara atop it and the words, “Tiana’s Foods” on the side. That tower will be installed at Magic Kingdom site this summer.
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is set to open at Disney World and Disneyland next year. No exact date has been announced.