Disney has offered an early look at some impressive animatronics that are in the works for its upcoming attraction Tiana’s Bayou Adventure at Disney World and Disneyland.

Based on 2009’s The Princess and the Frog, this world will recreate characters from the 2D-animated feature film in lifelike form, powered by Disney’s Imagineering unit that handles research, design and construction of its theme park experiences.

The sneak-peek was largely presented in an episode from a new YouTube series called We Call It Imagineering, along with numerous clips on the Disney Parks TikTok (12.3 million followers). 

They show the film’s aspiring restaurateur protagonist, Tiana, gesturing in one of her animatronic avatars. In the YouTube video, senior show programmer Rob Fox and illusion-maker Heather Greene break down the intricate collaborative process using the example of Tiana’s arm, which must encompass a variety of wrist and elbow movements (designed by Fox) without any obstruction from her costume (designed by Greene). 

Also featured is Louis the trumpet-playing alligator, who principal illusion-maker Sonny Chapman calls one of the “dynamic” figures in the attraction. This animatronic uses new tech and materials to capture the gator’s playful expressions and dancing with fluidity.

Tiana’s Bayou Adventure will feature the eponymous princess and a crew of animal friends who sing and play instruments.

These new figures are designed to push the envelope on animatronics that are already popular highlights of Disney’s parks, ranging from Ariel’s Undersea Adventure (Disney California Adventure) to Frozen Ever After (Hong Kong Disneyland). 

Tiana’s Bayou Adventure will open its gates this summer at the Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom park, before expanding to Disneyland later this year, replacing the Splash Mountain attraction that closed in 2023. 

With three Oscar nominations, The Princess and the Frog grossed US$271 million against a US$105-million budget and notably starred the first African-American Disney princess. The brand’s new attraction should help build anticipation for an upcoming Disney+ spinoff series called Tiana that will follow along as the eponymous character explores New Orleans.

April has been quite a news-heavy month for Disney, which is basking in the glow of its proxy battle victory last week, and also readying an expansive password-sharing crackdown for Disney+ this June.