Why Splash Mountain Went Away and Why Tiana’s Bayou Adventure Got Built

Why Splash Mountain Went Away and Why Tiana’s Bayou Adventure Got Built

With previews well underway on Tiana’s Bayou Adventure at the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World, and before I spend the time giving insight to what works and doesn’t work on this attraction, now is the time to understand why this attraction has been built, and why it has replaced the enormously beloved Splash Mountain. Critics abound and some have a point to be made. But it makes no sense to criticize if you don’t understand the reason and the why. We will look at how we got to this point, which began back park-wide decades ago and has had its own storied past, for both guests and Cast Members. In the end we’ll see that there is not only a need to create stories that others can see themselves in, but to know that there were some legitimate operational issues that needed to be addressed. All of this comes together in one pivotal moment in time and has now become Tiana’s Bayou Adventure.

The substance of this topic can be found on our podcast. You can find this podcast on iTunesSpotifyPodbean, and ListenNotes. Please subscribe to the podcast and to this website so you can be notified of upcoming posts and podcast.

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The following is an outline of this week’s podcast:

1965: Disney’s Four Service Keys

The four keys were put in place to create a better, more consistent experience. But it had some unintended consequences.

Four Keys Basics Class. Just a few days ago, I attended a… | by Breanna  Forgione | Medium
Disney Image of Four Keys.

The Disney Look

Knott

The Disney Look was intended to create a better show through the Cast. But with it can come some degree of exclusion.

Disney Gets a New 'Look' for the 21st Century
Image of Disney Look booklet.

Zip-a-Dee-River Run

Timber Mountain Log Ride | Family Ride | Knott's Berry Farm
Timber Mountain Log Ride. Photo by Knott’s Berry Farm.

What to do with a dead end of the park, a need for a flume ride, and scores of audio animatronics needing to go elsewhere.

Disney Extinct Attractions: America Sings - LaughingPlace.com
America Sings Act 4. Note the Hippie Frog playing the guitar. Image by Disney.
Concept Art: Critter Country - Duchess of Disneyland
Down right is the same hippie frog–still dressed like a hippie. Image by Disney.

Here is the attraction as it existed at Walt Disney World.

The Announcement of Triana’s Bayou Adventure

In the wake of Covid, and in the wake of George Floyd’s murder, the company announces a new attraction to premiere at both Magic Kingdom and Disneyland.

Tiana's Bayou Adventure Project Tracker & Everything We Know (Model,  Concept Art, Details, and Construction)
Original shown Image by Disney of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure.

Introduction of the 5th Key–Inclusion

Not long thereafter a new key as added to Safety, Courtesy, Show and Efficiency

Disney Debuts New "Five Keys" Logo, Places Emphasis on Inclusion
Graphic of 5 Keys by Disney.

Revised Disney Look

Along with the new key of Inclusion, Disney revises its appearance guidelines.

CLOSER LOOK: Disney Look guidelines relaxed to include gender-inclusive  hairstyles, jewelry, nail styles, tattoos | MouseInfo.com
Photo of the New Disney Look

The Premiere of Ariana’s Bayou Adventure

Finally, after years of re-construction and preparation, the newest attraction at Magic Kingdom premieres:

Entrance to Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. Photo by J. Jeff Kober.

Souvenirs for You and Your Organization:

Consider the following when it comes to how you address welcoming others and making them feel included:

  • What does your heritage teach you about how you have been successful or unsuccessful in making others feel welcome and included? What lessons can be learned from that?
  • Are centered on what you value most? Are you speaking out about affairs of the day because it is politically correct, or because its morally not right?
  • How are you intentionally making others feel more welcome and included?
  • How are you creating an organization that reflects the audience you should be serving?
  • What’s standing in the way of making others feel more welcome?

Books From Your Host at Disney Insights

My new book, A Century of Powerful Disney Insights, Volume I 1923-1973, The Walt & Roy Disney Years is available! 

Also, check out my two of my other books, The Wonderful World of Customer Service at Disney and Disney, Leadership and You

Also, for those examining = other business benchmarks beyond Disney, check out Lead with Your Customer: Transform Culture and Brand Into World-Class Excellence.

Join the Wayfinder Group!

Want more Disney magic you can’t find anywhere else? The Wayfinder Society is our Patreon group. Here we bring the best details of Disney both in terms of the magic of the parks as well as the business behind the magic. It’s part of what you get when you help support the Wayfinder Society. This Patreon group not only helps to support this podcast and attending websites, but also gives you access to one of our Disney at Play Interactive Guides, with hundreds of places to explore all things Disney.

Check out the Wayfinder’s Society to see these Sneak Peeks!

NOTE! with any Wayfinder membership, you will also get exclusive podcasts looking that checks out other Disney podcasts, social media finds, shows, books and more.

Find Excellence in Your Organization!

This podcast and post is provided by J. Jeff Kober and Performance Journeys, which celebrates more than 20 years as a training and development group bringing best in business ideas through books, keynotes, workshops, seminars and online tools to help you take your organization to the next level.

Want a Keynote Speaker? More than just nice stories, I offer proven insight and solutions having worked in the trench.

Need Consulting? I’ve worked for decades across the public, private and non-profit arena. 

Need Support? We offer so many classroom, online, and other resources to help you improve your customer service delivery, leadership development and employee engagement.

Contact us today, and let us help you on your Performance Journey!

J. Jeff Kober

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