Mama Odie, Louis, Ralphie and more Audio-Animatronics revealed for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure coming to Magic Kingdom

Disney Imagineering has shared new images and video of more character audio-animatronics that will feature in Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, opening this summer at Magic Kingdom.

Today, Thursday, April 4, 2024, Walt Disney Imagineering has launched a new YouTube series, “We Call It Imagineering.”

This new series will showcases the work Imagineers are doing to shape the Disney Parks in the years ahead, creating the next great big, beautiful tomorrow.

These are the folks that bring new attractions and experiences to life in Disney Parks throughout the world, and in the inaugural episode of the all-new YouTube series “We Call It Imagineering, ” imagineers have revealed character audio-animatronics that will be within the new "Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, opening this summer at Magic Kingdom and later this year at Disneyland Park.

You can watch the first episode of “We Call It Imagineering.” here.

Earlier this week, Disney revealed the Walt Disney World attraction poster for the currently under construction Tiana’s Bayou Adventure at Magic Kingdom.

Earlier this week, Disney revealed the Walt Disney World attraction poster for the currently under construction Tiana’s Bayou Adventure at Magic Kingdom.

The colorful attraction poster features Tiana in her new adventure outfit with Tiana’s Palace, a Mansion, and the new attraction featuring the Tiana’s Foods Water Tower behind her.

The attraction poster also features some of the new critters musicians from the attraction, together with fireflies, Louis, and Mama Odie

Ahead of the attraction opening, Walt Disney World have been introduced the critter musicians that will feature within the new attraction.

In the first critter encounter, we’ll discover a group of critter musicians playing a rendition of one of our favorite songs from “The Princess and the Frog,” “Gonna Take You There.” 

This raucous Zydeco musical recipe of fiddle, accordion, washboard, and other instrument voices will have you singing along as you float down the river under dancing fireflies. The familiar melody is being played on charming makeshift instruments constructed from natural materials and some human-made found objects.

But who’s behind this critter band? Meet some of the adorable musicians and get to know them a little more.  

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. 

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. 

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.  

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.  

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. 

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. 

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.

Next, check out the Rara musicians! Often found at festivals and street processions, Rara is a musical tradition from Haiti that’s part of the musical history and melting pot of New Orleans. The genre includes unique instruments with beautiful, distinctive sounds.  

Octavia the Bobcat – Octavia plays the vaksin, a single-note horn instrument popular in Rara music. She’s an adventurous bobcat kitten, and she loves climbing and hanging out in trees almost as much as she loves performing. This daredevil almost never gets scared.  

Pawpaw the Bobcat – Not only is Pawpaw Octavia’s devoted grandfather, but he also taught her how to play the vaksin! Pawpaw lives to make Octavia smile and has the view that everything has a way of working itself out – he’s seen it all but isn’t jaded.  

Claude the Louisiana Black Bear – Claude is a salt of the earth kind of bear (or, as they say in the bayou, “salt of the mound”) who plays his horn along with the other members of his family. He’s a tinkerer who loves to create with things found in the forest, and is frequently funny without intending to be, especially when it comes to his home-grown creations. 

Bernadette the Louisiana Black Bear – Bernadette loves to enjoy life, from splashing in the waters of her bayou home with her cub, Sebastián, to playing the horn with her mate, Claude. She’s a clear thinker and is warm and supportive. Bernadette loves to sink into the bayou waters and munch on plants (so long as Sebastián is clearly within sight). 

Sebastián the Louisiana Black Bear – Though he’s definitely a “mama’s cub,” Sebastián charted his own musical course as a drummer, despite his parents being devoted horn players. He’s happy to follow his friend Octavia’s adventurous lead as they explore and play, and is fascinated with the small details in the bayou, like the insects and mushrooms. 

Phina the Gray Fox – Phina’s enthusiasm extends beyond her drumming, as she’s constantly thinking of new ideas with optimism and energy! This imaginative fox is continually starting new projects with excitement, and her friends accept and celebrate her unique thinking. 

PLUS, even more critters will be revealed next week!!

We are now closer than ever to the opening Tiana’s Bayou Adventure this summer here in Magic Kingdom Park, are you excited to experience this new attraction replacing the classic Splash Mountain attraction at Walt Disney World?

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