Imagineers Riding High
What a thrill it has been watching Tiana’s vision gradually take shape. The Imagineers who dreamed up this story have been trying out the ride themselves to make sure the adventure is perfect. Lately, more and more Imagineers have been spotted testing out different parts wearing special orange safety vests. Their excitement is contagious – the feeling of anticipation in the air is almost too much to bear!
Tiana is getting ready for a big party in the bayou. But there’s been a mistake. Prince Naveen and Louis mixed something up. Now Tiana needs a band fast! We heard Disney made new animal friends for this ride. Even with the best food and drinks, a Mardi Gras party isn’t fun without music. We’ll help Tiana and Louis look for musical animals to save the party.
A Taste of New Orleans
Tiana’s magical journey begins on the festive streets of New Orleans during Mardi Gras season. She is hosting a huge party to celebrate, but is missing a key ingredient. As her guests arrive, Tiana turns to us for help tracking down the surprise she needs. Get ready for a musical boat ride deep into the Louisiana bayou full of memorable sounds and sights.
Meet the Musical Critters
Ted Robledo, the creative lead, has given us a sneak peek at some of the furry friends we’ll encounter. Each has a unique musical talent to share.
The first animals we meet are playing one of our favorite songs from “The Princess and the Frog.” It’s called “Gonna Take You There.” They play the fiddle, accordion and washboard. Fireflies dance as we float down the river singing along. The cute critters made homemade instruments from nature and junk. Let’s say hi to the band! I wonder what each animal can do. Learning more about our new friends will be so cool.
Their joy is contagious – I find myself humming along already!
A Party in the Bayou
When Tiana realizes her party is missing that special something, fast action is needed. Joining Tiana and Louis on their quest through the swamp, we’ll help them recruit the most talented critters to liven up the bash. From fiddles to washboards, these animals pour their heart into their music. Who wouldn’t want to celebrate with them?
Byhalia the Beaver
Byhalia doesn’t just build dams; she helps build musical instruments using natural materials from the bayou. As a strong-willed percussionist, it’s safe to say Byhalia is the heartbeat of the band, as well as a natural designer and engineer.
Gritty the Rabbit
Always willing to dig a little deeper to help others, Gritty plays the washboard (a found automobile license plate) with a high-energy flair. It’s the perfect instrument for someone who’s often overzealous and digs to relieve her nerves.
Beau the Opossum
Seeing limitless possibilities, no one finds more wonder in the bayou and the sounds of zydeco music than Beau. All she knows is beauty, especially her own. You can find her plucking out the low notes with her upright gourd bass, which of course, involves some musical dexterity with her tail.
Apollo the Raccoon
Apollo loves transforming abandoned objects into works of musical art – like his squeezebox. He’s full of energy and storytelling, especially about the objects he finds in the bayou. He’s particularly close with Rufus and appreciates Rufus’ calm demeanor.
Rufus the Turtle
Rufus may be a turtle, but he’s quick to jump into rhythm with his harmonica. He’s also the first to join in on new adventures! He’s genuine and sincere but may come across as a little sarcastic at times with his habitual sighing. Rufus loves going on adventures with Apollo.
Timoléon the Otter
He’s the eldest of the band, but Timoléon’s fiddle-playing is inspired by all the ‘kids’ he spends his time around while in the bayou. When he’s not sawing out a jig, he’s famous for telling stories of days long ago about his explorations of every corner of the bayou.
In addition to these talented new friends, Tiana wonders who else we might discover in the bayou. More on that soon, but it’s not every day we get to debut brand-new original Disney characters as part of an attraction in our theme parks! And, if you wish you had a critter friend of your own, you are in luck: Beau, Apollo and Rufus will soon be available in the form of huggable plushies for you to take home.
Behind the Scenes
In the video below, we see the Imagineers sculpting reeds into perfect instruments and hand-crafting soft plush dolls of our scaly and feathered friends. Their love for the characters and setting is evident. Stepping into the bayou, I can almost taste the spicy jambalaya and feel the humid air on my skin. My expectation is that the party is sure to be unforgettable!
https://www.instagram.com/reel/C4-s_GeubdB/
Get Ready to Party
This enchanting world will throw open its doors this summer. I can hardly contain my excitement to join Tiana as she treats us to her city’s vibrant music and culture. Each new morsel of information only heightens the anticipation. It won’t be long now until we can experience the magic of the bayou for ourselves. ¡Vámonos! The festivities await!
Co-Founder of the OFT Blog. Mother of 2 who disguises as a 9 to 5 finance professional on most days. She loves to travel, is an amateur website builder and cook. And given her day job, she loves travel planning and saving money. Follow along!
