I watched it last night and I think they could have done a better job with it.
I have no nostalgic feelings for this ride. My first visit to Disney World was in 2012 and I'm from Europe. I liked the ride, but it had some dull moments in the beginning. After the first hill, when you go by all the little houses of the critters, it's a bit boring. However, it did tell a story. You can see the sign post and it prepared you for a fox and a bear. Not exactly friends of little critters. You get clues of a story, later added with more voice overs and the animals giving you more information. The signs near the big hill with "beware" etc.
I do think it's good that they have added an animatronic of Tiana at the start of the first hill, however what she says, that there is a celebration being prepared is not much of a story. There is a sign post, but it points you to the test kitchen, the break room, the office and the garden. Not really a story.
At this point there is not much talking, but there is the music from the movie of Princess and the Frog. Which I get on one hand, as that's what people know. On the other hand the new ride has its own story. Although at this moment it's not clear exactly what that story is.
We sail by some plants of ocra and Louis yells something about going fishing(?), which feels like filler. Then when we get in the bayou part of the ride, it feels empty in comparison to the old ride. Lots of screens with fireflies. In the old version it looked like there was a lot more happening.
Could also be the lighting on the video Disney released, it's very dark. Maybe there is more to see. On the other hand, the bayou is a dark place, where the world of Brer Rabbit is full of light.
When we see Tiana in the bayou next to the band of critters, only then we get more of the story. Tiana is preparing a celebration and she is looking for a band.
And can I ask: are there mammals like bears in the bayou? I sometimes get the feeling they just selected animals at random in the bayou instead of those who probably live there.
Finally, I would have liked it if they kept the riverboat in the finale, as it fits within Tiana's world. Could have been a new boat to fit "human size" animatronics.
I think Disney could have done a better job with creating a new story with Tiana and this ride.
