FULL SLATE of Animatronics Coming to Tiana's Bayou Adventure! - Disney News

In this Breaking Disney News Update, Brayden covers the release of dozens of minutes of footage of animatronics under development at Walt Disney Imagineering for the Tiana's Bayou Adventure ride coming to Disneyland and Walt Disney World! This is Mickey Views News, your source for Disney News!
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00:00 Introduction
00:25 New Imagineering Series
02:13 New Tiana Animatronics
04:22 Giant Alligator Animatronic
05:39 Full Animatronic List
06:51 Insane Programming Work
07:50 Bears Animatronic Upgrades
10:04 Beyond Big Thunder Teaser
11:04 The Pros
13:13 Possible Cons
15:11 The Lynch Pin
16:58 Conclusion
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Directed By: Brayden
Thanks for Watching and Have a Magical Day!

[@MickeyViews]

My sincerest of apologies to the Princess and the Frog fans for calling Louis the Alligator "Louie the Alligator." 🤣 Enjoy the video! ~Brayden

[@alli_mode]

I was gonna look past it. 😂

[@o_oo_o1812]

Never seen it ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[@joeymatus]

The boat is too big so they might retheme it

[@chelsies6659]

I know it’s “Lou-is” but I will always internally read it as Louie. I didn’t even notice you said it wrong 😂

[@Zacryan629]

You're fine love your vids!

[@Mostdefinitelynotabot]

As a Technician I love that they put a hidden Mickey on the metal body of the gator. Must be a ton of hidden mickeys for Technicians eyes only. Great videos Brayden! I like your in depth talk around the technology.

[@rolfathan]

They are stunning. I was so-so on this revamp, but wow. Real faces, no projections for faces. Smooth movements on MANY characters. This is exactly the kind of thing I was jealous of parks like Tokyo Disney having.

[@WhitneyStrouth]

Insight from an animator, Maya is industry standard animation software across Animation and VFX. The thing with all the curves is called the Graph Editor which is how animators visualize movements of each control which corresponds to specific joints, pretty standard. Each curve corresponds to translate and rotate values in x (red) y (green) and z (blue). The animation shows continuous movement, overall it looks like a cycle (which makes sense for a ride) and a lot of the individual movements look to continuously cycle. Also the movement looks very clean (according to the graph editor).

[@jovanholland36]

They move terrifyingly smooth

[@GoneMousing]

I can't wait to see everything in B-Mode... 😏

[@irisfilmproductions]

Oh boy-

[@Daisy-cj3og]

Awesome! Excited about the animatronics, but I loved Splash and the old tech. It displayed the ingenuity of the time. Walt and his team were AWESOME!

[@rawkfist-ih6nk]

I definitely like the full face animatronics versus the projection style (tho I get the reason they felt it was a good move at the time) Just wish they would make sure the exiting ones would get better maintenance (looking at you Ariel). From an OT networking professional standpoint, I wish I could see their production systems. Gotta be a wild “back stage”

[@matthewbuck7392]

What was the reason they felt projection faces were a good move?

[@ethanshackleton]

@@matthewbuck7392Cheaper and more reliable, it’s easier to maintain a projector than two dozen motors which all have to work in sync to look good.

[@prestonhearne8702]

Brayden you are pumping out the videos! So grateful for your hard work!!

[@rb5078]

Illusion Maker is a job title? Man, if only I’d known that 20 years ago.

[@michaelschroeck2254]

A-1000 huh? Sounds like they are going to come to life and come after us all!! 😳

[@rawkfist-ih6nk]

I fully admit it’s cool how fluid these animatronics look but I think nothing is more impressive than Walt and his imagineers pioneering the technology.

[@0dylan]

Of course. When you go from having not seems something in your life to suddenly seeing something brand new and different it's much more amazing that something you've already seen getting a lot better. I am still very happy to see these new animatronics fill up attractions and this looks to be more impressive on the animatronics front than rotr.

[@andyinmichigan9058]

Hey Brayden! You're doing awesome on all these updates, keep it up dude!

[@roycem4945]

the beaver is using its tail to hit the drum - which Ralphie is playing - which is why it is on the list for scene 11

[@BrerOswald]

Poor maintenance in later years aside, the Splash figures were great. Fantastic character designs by Marc Davis, and just enough movements on all of them to sell the illusion. The TBA figures look incredibly fluid (particularly impressed by Louis) but I almost feel they would be better suited for a show where you can sit and appreciate the movements, vs a boat ride where you are quickly floating by.

[@aaronsarchive82]

Agreed. Disney will notice this and limit their movements.

[@MickeyViews]

My concern is Disney did very poor maintenance on the Splash figures, which were way less complex than these. Are we expecting Disney to start doing proper upkeep on this ride going forward? Something to think about

[@jackylsmith8138]

@theshtcoinclub5879. Well they newer stuff you have to see it day of or within a week of opening. Just look at Epcot. It’s a nightmare and they spent over a billion dollars.

[@charliemacsart]

@@MickeyViewsIf Tokyo can do it, so can Disney. The only thing stopping them is stinginess lmao

[@JavaCake]

In California I feel like it will be too fast to appreciate them, but Florida’s moves slower so it will probably work there in my opinion. I hope these are maintained well, and we don’t end up with a hopping Br’er rabbit situation again.

[@XMizzTuraX]

The mama Odie is scary good, may give avatar a run for its money

[@FromTheAtticTV]

After seeing Tiana's Bayou with my own eyes at Magic Kingdom yesterday, and now seeing these animatronics... I'm actually super excited with this new Splash! The theming looks amazing, the concept is cool and the overall execution seems very promising.

[@themikeygshow1271]

Mama Odie is an amazing animatronic. She looks super fluid and lifelike while maintaining the qualities of 2D animation. It’s honestly remarkable what they did with her.

[@michaelsullivan3581]

Agree! Mama Odie is superlative! She is a living cartoon! Brilliant!

[@ponyphonic]

Yes! More of this please, Disney. That quick shot of Davy Jones was astonishing.

[@michaelsullivan3581]

Great stuff Braden! Your enthusiasm is showing! Good thing too! I sure hope Disney gets the big picture that, as a business, they must increase and specialize their Maintenance schedules and spontaneity. They used to do astoundingly better than since the covid shutdown. They lost so much of their institutional memory in their Maintenance Teams. They need to rebuild that knowledge and "Know-how". Third shift maintenance used to keep everything running smoothly. Come on Disney, get it together! Thank You!

[@PrismOpal64]

I know everyone loves him but dang robot Louis looks like a thing of nightmares lol rip

[@FloridaFreak]

This is looking fantastic.

[@howardlee7]

What a great video! Now we want a follow up on your prior video about the transformation of Frontierland!

[@bartplays3392]

Brayden on 🔥 this week! So much news!!! 😂

[@richardscott5155]

As always so informative

[@Spessforce]

Despite Tiana’s geometry looking a bit off, it’s awesome to finally see the promised animatronics and the passion the designers have for their work.

[@capmango]

I was around when the Disney fan community was reacting to the original Splash Mountain ... the parallels are interesting; yeah, Splash Mountain originally had 100 AA figures, but they were all recycled from America Sings not new figures developed for this ride. Also, the core of the ride was an "off the shelf" flume ride, rather than a novel ride system developed by imagineers. So there was a lot of concern about it being made "on the cheap" and Disney not putting enough investment into new rides, even back in those days.

[@ReddOchober]

These make me more optimistic than I was. That said, I still miss the amazing amount of animatronics in the original, even if they were mostly basic simple motion AA.

[@yoopergamer2121]

This is the most Disney like thing they have released in some time!!!

[@VirtualTempleOfTheForbiddenEye]

It would be a real shame to see the Rivers of America and Island go away at WDW. Hopefully its just a reduction of the size of the river like at Disneyland for Star Wars GE.

[@FabioZanfir]

You think Disney wants anyone to remember US heritage from the South or West? No. You are being replaced and so is your history.

[@horseboater8601]

Thanks for the vids, man!

[@karenspivey3203]

Great video! Thanks so much.

[@cagunder]

Great video!

[@apfelbasket]

I watched the video & thought about Disney Color program & the Inside Out program with George Forman. But I appreciate how you vividly & energetically brought it out better than Disney's Imaginears did. Thank you!!

[@rickpollen4984]

Excited!!!

[@DanielMunnNOLA]

Best video ever!!! I’m so excited now!!

[@aeronmarvelous3393]

Great video 😊

[@dcguzzy]

Brayden. Some good news!! Thank you!!

[@johnzywko5885]

As always Brayden has the best news, the most updates ,best views and should be a Disney test rider….thanks

[@caraoleary3789]

Great video. Animatronics is so fascinating.

[@jakeryan152]

I went to the first robotics world competition back in April 2024 and Disney imagineering was there showing off animatronics and specifically a a-1000 from Orlando used for hondo though the skin was removed, It was really cool (they also head some heads powered up, Elsa specifically) and asked the imagineer who was in charge of animatronics about maintenance and he said that it’s a lot easier and quicker now with it being all electric and they the figures were designed to be easy to repair and cheap to repair with how the wires are routed and how the motors are off the shelf.

[@jeanettesmith765]

I'm doing my first solo trip in Sept and am looking forward to this ride! Thanks for the info, Brayden.

[@austiniscoolduh]

These look so cool!

[@ryanwiskes1881]

Thanks Brayden - spent 3 days trying to figure out what software they were using thought it was Unity or Unreal - didn’t think about Adobe Maya - awesome content, long time fan, see you in the parks!

[@joebinienda5283]

Thank Braydon.

[@OTHDogDad]

The animatronics look very good. My one consistent comment throughout this whole process has been “I just hope they do it right.” If they change a classic right, they better not just paint some plywood like Pooh. These animatronics give me hope that the change will be worth it. Props to the Imagineers.

[@rmannayr2129]

RIP SPLASH MOUNTAIN!

[@Gofightins18]

No hate but just wanna let you know that Disney World's version is the longer version not Disneyland's.

[@AppleGaming4Real]

Keep it mind, there are some other things we see moving that are not listed in the animatronics at all. (Mama Odies snake is an example) I would anticipate based on the concept art we've seen that there might be more animatronics like that as well with limited motion.

[@chelsies6659]

I am so excited to experience this new story line and to see these animatronics.

[@leisj_gt]

Another Banger

[@HectorRodriguez-hq7cf]

do you think they would ever update carousel of progress animatronics

[@dustinsensenig9798]

You can only hope that none of them catch fire

[@fsd-music]

having no dark or creepy elements to this ride is a wasted oportunity shadow man would make the ride 1000x better especially with "friends on the otherside"

[@khelerp]

One of the things I noticed is that when you watch the original video where they show the log they zoomed out and you can see a Tiana bent down looking for something, but I couldn’t quite tell, anyways you should check it out!

[@brAnd7onX87]

Awesome now fix the expedition everest yeti after you are done.

[@PrimeStone]

I will have to admit as an animatronic fan my self. I down right love these animatronics. They look like they jumped right out of the movie and into reality. But they Treated 1974 America Sings Animatronics Badly and i wish they would have reused them for this Tiana ride. These high tech Animatronics are probably the only good thing about this attraction. I'm going to give it a chance because i grew up with Princess and the frog 2009 movie, let's hope it doesn't end up like stitch's great escape

[@dylanmcgorman8516]

Would’ve liked dr fracilier tbh

[@nicolegroves6080]

I am so glad to see these animatronics! I’m not necessarily a fan of the Splash Mountain retheme but I do like these. I think Tiana should have a spot in the park and I guess if Disney “must” get rid of Frontierland this is a step toward that. Thanks for the great show Brayden

[@m.hreels9822]

You are the best Disney reporter ever!❤

[@animatorbrent]

Using Maya to clean up animate the character motion curves. Nice! Looks great. Now please go animate figment!

[@superbucko8640]

Dude those animatronics look wicked. If they did a slow refurbish on some of the existing that would be so cool! Like Ariel and Ursula, The Three Caballeros, and maybe some scenes in Winnie the Pooh. Not necessarily ripping out all the old tech that still looks marvelous, but adding enhancements where it would benefit.

[@kevinfraser7815]

This is a late night drop I did not expect… Thanks for posting and we see all your hard work. Appreciate the neutral perspectives

[@SnapChit]

Ok, so like I’m happy to see black and brown bodies finally getting the representation they deserve in the Disney parks. However, all these characters are still cisgender heterosexuals, which is BORING. Like where is the REAL diversity? Where are the demisexuals and queers and pansexuals? Where are the female-to-male trans boys? Where are the gender fluid omnisexuals?? As a neurodivergent, nonbinary queer myself, I still don’t see myself in any of these characters. Until Disney adds some queer representation to this attraction, I really have no interest in it. It looks like just another example of cisgender, heteronormativity to me. Like I can’t even with this…it gives me the literal ick.

[@michelleculver238]

Walt would have loved these new audio animatronics ❤ he was always about progress it seemed

[@seanstein8313]

Can't wait for the new figment ride announcement! wait on it!!!!

[@Project-Jaden]

Would be a shame to lose rivers of America or Tom sawyers island

[@draegus0072]

I wonder if even though the animatronics count is low now, maybe later with some additional funding they can add extras to fill in any sparse areas. Also not a huge fan of the re-theme but I do very much appreciate the new tech and hope later that they can apply it to other projection-based rides.

[@seanstein8313]

The WDW splash mountain is a good deal longer than Disneyland's version, not the other way around, so hopefully we have more than 17 at WDW.

[@philrabe910]

4:27 They literally put hidden mickeys where they will actually be ... you know, hidden? And what do you think are the chances of them eve using some of the expansion lots around Epcot ctr.? Can't wait to see what's beyond TM. I'd love to see 'rattlesnake canyon' with a clone of the Hong Kong mine train.

[@FabioZanfir]

The fanfare over mediocre offerings is why Disney gets away with everything it does. It's as if pixie duaters really are just interested in a brand name experience. How sad.

[@Joe61032]

These look amazing, but all I can think of is how much they will cost to repair and maintain, and we all know how that goes with Disney. I give it one to two months before some of these become like the Expedition Everest Yeti and operate in "B Mode".

[@Steamfan1]

I want new scenery on the railroad when the new expansion is complete! Not some plain Chapek tunnel like Tron.

[@RetroFett]

The A-1000 animatronic figures is not a new thing; the first one developed, was the wicked witch in 1989 for the Wizard of Oz scene at the great movie ride. So odd to think that this technology is 35 years old!

[@cinnamonsugar2011]

No that was the A-100

[@hughmsonk]

Maybe all the pressure from Peltz lit a fire under them and they are getting back to the basics of what made the parks great.

[@happymaskedguy1943]

This was started before the Proxy War. But I do hope that they start prioritising the customer experience more, instead of nickle and diming every second and killing the magic dead before it has the chance to form.

[@andrewcalcagno8272]

Why can't they just build around the river?

[@adamiss]

TEHY LOOK AMAZBING OWO 😱😱😱😱

[@dannygrau2983]

I would love to see a cars attraction in what's beyond thunder mountain as part of the nww plan expansion.

[@reneevolak5266]

Great update, Braydon! Personally, I'd rather have impressive "magical" story-centric animatronics, than more less-impressive, less-impactful figures. Can't wait to see this ride in person.

[@buttercup8583]

I think the remaining critters in the musical finale are going to be projected like in Mickey's Runaway Train.

[@ScottJR7302]

Btw: 6:00, the Disney World ride length is longer than Disneyland version, not the other way round as you stated.

[@dennisd9804]

Louis the Alligator is incredible; the engineering from WDI here is impressive. I can't wait for Tiana's Bayou Adventure!

[@markeike]

To be fair, the bulk of the animatronic characters on Splash Mountain were dozens of singing chickens leftover from America Sings.

[@woodsofthewoods]

I was afraid the new ones would have same rubbery face that cartoons now have. Such a difference if you see the older ones.😢

[@TeddyLeppard]

With the current and replaced audioanimatronics, there are so many things that could go wrong on a ride it's amazing any of them are in perfect working order at any given time. These shows have to run like clockwork.

[@dannygrau2983]

I hope we get the same high quality on the new land expansions . I have a great feeling that the new expansions will happen . It's not a matter of if anymore it's just a matter of when.

[@TheWASHINGMACHINEBOY]

i was wondering if they were going to reuse a br'er gator statue (you know, the alligator that is seen fishing with br'er frog on his back) for louie at some point in the ride, but his animatronic form tells me they won't

[@AMagicProduction]

I trust Bruce Vaughn leading WDI… would I prefer someone like Tony Baxter, 100000%- but Bruce is certainty better than any outside hire that didn’t come up through Imagineering. I’m curiously optimistic

[@dannygrau2983]

Do you really think someday the frozen ride at Epcot would get the same update?

[@Themeparkfan630]

They did an amazing job with these animatronics. Cant wait to ride it.

[@CampbellzS0up]

We’re almost there…almost there

[@robertbrown7051]

I hope they bring Fantasy Springs to Orlando.

[@sethstrattan7380]

I just hope we get updated animatronics for Frozen Ever After.

[@happymaskedguy1943]

That will be very low on their list of priorities IMO.

[@charliemacsart]

I know outside of the 17 characters on that list and the critters, there's going to be frogs and fireflies on the ride, so maybe that'll bump up the physical figure count. There's at least two frogs sitting on a log on the outside portion of the ride, and concept art indicates there's many more on the inside. We'll have to see! I'd imagine if they're reusing any animatronics from the original ride (which they'd probably update to be electric like what's happening with the Country Bears), they wouldn't be on that list since they're not entirely brand new. Who knows!

[@johngosbee5574]

I wonder if expertise in small motors and actuators, fine adjustment (small motors fry if alignments are off, metal is unforgiving), etc. is more or less expensive and hard to hire - versus expertise for pneumatics/hydraulics? And, trouble shooting any programming glitches are a new kind of "fun". I'm not trashing the upgrade, just being realistic that its an open question if maintenance is somewhat, or a lot, easier...

[@briankunnari]

I loved this release by Imagineering. It felt like old-school Disney for the first time in forever. Not over-scripted, talking to those who are making these incredible figures, advancements in technology.... great all around! Just one clarification, Disney World actually has the LONGER Splash Mountain. Disneyland's dark ride portion is about a minute and 20 seconds shorter than WDW, so WDW should see more animatronics than Disneyland or, it will have more dead spaces. I'm still so skeptical of this sequel story to a great film, but these animatronics give me hope. It's going to all come down to story at this point....

[@dannygrau2983]

It would be cool if they add a wreck it Ralph attraction to the land.

[@juliec1257]

Not sure that Tiana looks correct. Kind of looks like Belle with a different skin overlay. Hidden Mickey on Louie

[@danielstadulis2320]

So refreshing to see investment of money and talent into an attraction experience. Seems like forever since we’ve gotten even a hint of this level of commitment.

[@hillelhalevi]

I would rather have more animatronics that are of lower quality. Does Pirates or Haunted Mansion ever get old? No.

[@mm-yt8sf]

we need an animatronics brayden 🙂