Disney's $60 billion theme park investment includes Tiana's Bayou Adventure.

• The rethemed Splash Mountain, known as Tiana's Bayou Adventure, will be reopening at Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida on June 28.
• The revamp, which was announced four years ago, is a key component of Disney's strategy to incorporate popular intellectual properties into its existing rides and theme parks.
• Disney is investing $60 billion in its parks business over the next decade, with the latest example being the recent expansion.

We're almost there.

The refurbished Splash Mountain, now known as Tiana's Bayou Adventure, will reopen at World Resort in Orlando, Florida on June 28. Disneyland in California is also undergoing similar changes, which are expected to be completed before the end of the year.

Tiana's Bayou Adventure, featuring characters from Disney Animation's "Princess and the Frog," takes guests through the swamps of New Orleans as Tiana prepares for a massive Mardi Gras celebration. The thrilling ride includes a more than 50-foot drop.

As they journey through the log ride, riders will be treated to a unique musical experience featuring both new and classic tunes from the 2009 animated film. Along the way, they will encounter iconic characters such as Tiana, Louis, and Mama Odie, as well as a variety of instrument-playing critters from the bayou.

Disney's plan to revamp Splash Mountain into Tiana's Bayou Adventure is part of a larger strategy to incorporate popular intellectual properties into its existing rides and theme parks. This initiative is part of Disney's $60 billion investment in its parks business over the next decade.

The company has revamped the Tower of Terror, California Screamin', and Maelstrom at Epcot to feature characters and themes from Marvel's "Guardians of the Galaxy," "Incredibles," and "Frozen," respectively.

Disney frequently refers to these updates as "plussing," which aims to enhance the relevance of attractions and improve the guest experience.

Tiana's transformation

Since 1989, Splash Mountain has been a mainstay at Disneyland and since 1992 at Disney World. Additionally, there is a third Splash Mountain in Tokyo, which also opened in 1992. Recently, some parkgoers have requested the removal of the "Sound of the South" theme from the ride. Despite the controversy surrounding the source material, a film released in 1946, many argue that the ride itself is not racist.

Upgrading Splash Mountain's animatronics and tying the ride to a popular Disney film can help the studio develop new merchandise, food items, and drinks for guests to enjoy.

The ride features all-electronic audio-animatronics, including characters such as Louis, the trumpet-playing alligator from the movie.

Disney has been at the forefront of animatronics technology for decades, utilizing hydraulic, pneumatic, and liquid-fueled systems. However, the electronic animatronics used in Tiana's Bayou offer more refined and precise movement, making them appear more realistic. This same technology can be seen in the rides Smuggler's Run and Rise of the Resistance, both located in Galaxy's Edge.

Some animatronics' interior parts were made using 3-D printing, resulting in a lighter material.

The relaunch includes new clothing lines, themed hot sauces, plush toys, and a variety of snack options.

Parks profits

In 2023, Disney's experiences business was the top-performing part of the company, contributing 36% to its total revenue and 70% to its operating income. On the other hand, Disney's entertainment division, which includes its theatrical and streaming businesses, accounted for 45% of the company's revenue but only 11% of its operating income.

Disney's CEO Bob Iger and the board recognized the importance of enhancing the parks' profitability and share performance, which led to their efforts to maximize their potential.

"During the MoffettNathanson Media Internet and Communications Conference last month, Iger stated that he examined the return on invested capital in our parks and resorts unit over his tenure and found it to be extraordinary. He then inquired about the amount of investment planned for the next decade and realized that if they believed they could turn things around from a cash flow generation perspective, which they had done and were currently doing, then they had an opportunity to invest in the business with the highest returns."

The Country Bear Musical Jamboree, featuring a new show with the twangin' bears singing classic Disney songs in various country music genres, will open on July 17 at the Magic Kingdom Park in Orlando.

A theatrical production based on the 1989 film "The Little Mermaid" will be introduced later this year.

The company is also working on "blue sky" ideas for its parks, which are in the early stages and may not be realized.

Disney has hinted at the possibility of developing a "Coco" or "Encanto" themed area in the Magic Kingdom, or even an area overrun by Disney villains in the Magic Kingdom.

At the Disneyland California investor meeting in April, Iger hinted at the possibility of an "Avatar" land.

The estimated cost for the two recent Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge lands in Disneyland and Disney World is $1 billion each. The price points for these projects may vary if they are completed.