Tiana's Bayou Adventure - post questions & experiences here

[SueM in MN]

Disney has posted a full ride Point of View video of the new attraction.

It's currently doing Cast Member previews, with AP and Disney Vacation Club previews soon. I thought I would start a thread discussing the attraction.
Things we know:

• The attraction is based on the characters from Disney's Princess & the Frog animated movie. It takes place after the events of the movie, so the villain, Dr. Facilier is not a character in the attraction
• The attraction uses the same boats as the previous attraction, Splash Mountain
• The attraction uses the same track and path as Splash Mountain
• The Splash Mountain Queue contained stairs partway into the queue, just before entering the 'barn' area. There was a pull off just before the building for those who couldn't use stairs. I had seen that John Saccheri (AKA Panda) was doing a preview today, so I asked him to let me know if the queue still contained stairs - it still does

 

[Karin1984]

Came across this Tiktok, might be useful for wheelchair users.
https://vm.tiktok.com/ZIJntksaF/

 

[Groot]

Disney has posted a full ride Point of View video of the new attraction.

It's currently doing Cast Member previews, with AP and Disney Vacation Club previews soon. I thought I would start a thread discussing the attraction.
Things we know:

• The attraction uses the same boats as the previous attraction, Splash Mountain.

How tall are the sides on the boats?

• The Splash Mountain Queue contained stairs partway into the queue, just before entering the 'barn' area. There was a pull off just before the building for those who couldn't use stairs. I had seen that John Saccheri (AKA Panda) was doing a preview today, so I asked him to let me know if the queue still contained stairs - it still does

Will anti-stair people have to enter through the exit or something?

 

[DVCBeachBum]

This ride just pisses me off. They had every opportunity to update this to make it more wheelchair friendly and instead they just did cosmetic changes. I am really disappointed in this "revamp"

 

[Evita_W]

This ride just pisses me off. They had every opportunity to update this to make it more wheelchair friendly and instead they just did cosmetic changes. I am really disappointed in this "revamp"

Yep, compare that to Knott's Berry Farm who is redoing a lot of their Camp Snoopy rides, which are intended for children, much of it is more of a retheme, although there are major changes at the same time. But for example, their little train they have has been changed to electric, but more than that they made it able to accommodate wheelchairs. They technically didn't have to because it isn't a new ride legally speaking, even though they changed the track out, changed the engine, but we are pretty sure the cars themselves are the same, just rethemed, but even if they aren't, because the track uses the same path, the state doesn't consider it a new attraction. But Knott's has a history of adding wheelchair access where possible to existing attractions, sometimes even when there isn't a retheme. Not everything is perfect there with accessibility, but it is showing how they are stepping up their game while Disney isn't. Even the train at Knott's has been designed with better accessibility, it can accommodate more than one ECV (or wheelchairs of course) at a time and if they had to stop mid park, in most locations they could get the wheelchairs/ECVs off because they use a lift built into the train, so no ramps are needed, even though the train doesn't have stops throughout the park.

Disney could have taken the opportunity to make a log or two where the side opens for easier transfers. Obviously only the top half would need to open, we know it is possible to do so and make a water right seal, as there are walk in tubs that work on a similar concept. This would show dedication to making all disabled guests feel welcome.

 

[DVCBeachBum]

Yep, compare that to Knott's Berry Farm who is redoing a lot of their Camp Snoopy rides, which are intended for children, much of it is more of a retheme, although there are major changes at the same time. But for example, their little train they have has been changed to electric, but more than that they made it able to accommodate wheelchairs. They technically didn't have to because it isn't a new ride legally speaking, even though they changed the track out, changed the engine, but we are pretty sure the cars themselves are the same, just rethemed, but even if they aren't, because the track uses the same path, the state doesn't consider it a new attraction. But Knott's has a history of adding wheelchair access where possible to existing attractions, sometimes even when there isn't a retheme. Not everything is perfect there with accessibility, but it is showing how they are stepping up their game while Disney isn't. Even the train at Knott's has been designed with better accessibility, it can accommodate more than one ECV (or wheelchairs of course) at a time and if they had to stop mid park, in most locations they could get the wheelchairs/ECVs off because they use a lift built into the train, so no ramps are needed, even though the train doesn't have stops throughout the park.

Disney could have taken the opportunity to make a log or two where the side opens for easier transfers. Obviously only the top half would need to open, we know it is possible to do so and make a water right seal, as there are walk in tubs that work on a similar concept. This would show dedication to making all disabled guests feel welcome.

Thats great to hear about Knotts!

There are so many things that we give Disney a pass for because its Disney and we justify that they are doing their best but when you take down a ride of this magnitude to re-theme there really is no excuse for it.

 

[mamabunny]

This ride just pisses me off. They had every opportunity to update this to make it more wheelchair friendly and instead they just did cosmetic changes. I am really disappointed in this "revamp"

Presumably, that's *why* they just did cosmetic changes. They only have to bring it to ADA standards if they change structure, right?

 

[Evita_W]

Presumably, that's *why* they just did cosmetic changes. They only have to bring it to ADA standards if they change structure, right?

Actually, there are other items that could trigger a change in requirements; however, in this case they could have changed say two to four of the logs to have sides that open and it would have improved accessibility and would not have triggered a change in ADA requirements. And that would have been the right thing to do here. In general changing the ride vehicles in such a way would not trigger new ADA requirements. Additionally, even if new requirements did get triggered, there is very little, if anything that wouldn’t be compliant aside from the logs and even less that they couldn’t justify by saying it would be cost prohibitive and/or physically impossible to change.

I also hope we all send a message to Disney that ignoring such a simple change is not acceptable and that they need to do better.

 

[DisneyOma]

Disney could have taken the opportunity to make a log or two where the side opens for easier transfers. Obviously only the top half would need to open, we know it is possible to do so and make a water right seal, as there are walk in tubs that work on a similar concept. This would show dedication to making all disabled guests feel welcome.

They'd have to replace the seal how often? I mean, a tub gets used once or twice a day. A ride vehicle gets used how many times a day? 50 times? We've been in logs where the water comes up on the outside above the height of the seat - no way would having a door that could be opened at that level be safe. And if someone panicked (like they do) and opened that door? I mean, people panic and jump out of the boat already! If there was another way to make the seating more accessible (hoyer lift?) it would be great - but no door on logs in water please!

I agree that the trains should accept more mobility vehicles, and that should be an easier fix.

 

[Evita_W]

They'd have to replace the seal how often? I mean, a tub gets used once or twice a day. A ride vehicle gets used how many times a day? 50 times? We've been in logs where the water comes up on the outside above the height of the seat - no way would having a door that could be opened at that level be safe. And if someone panicked (like they do) and opened that door? I mean, people panic and jump out of the boat already! If there was another way to make the seating more accessible (hoyer lift?) it would be great - but no door on logs in water please!

I agree that the trains should accept more mobility vehicles, and that should be an easier fix.

Actually, the seal wouldn’t be too problematic, as you only need to open the top half of the log since the bottom half is still obscured by the loading dock and the split would be above the water level. It wouldn’t be going to be all the way up to the seat and it wouldn’t be perfect, but it would increase accessibility. My understanding is that doors on logs have been done before in other parks and work, so not quite sure why it wouldn’t work here.

And yes, there would need to be mechanisms in place to prevent opening the door mid-ride, but that is minor and can be purely mechanical.

 

[sunburnin]

Actually, the seal wouldn’t be too problematic, as you only need to open the top half of the log since the bottom half is still obscured by the loading dock and the split would be above the water level. It wouldn’t be going to be all the way up to the seat and it wouldn’t be perfect, but it would increase accessibility. My understanding is that doors on logs have been done before in other parks and work, so not quite sure why it wouldn’t work here.

And yes, there would need to be mechanisms in place to prevent opening the door mid-ride, but that is minor and can be purely mechanical.

A missed opportunity for sure. There is still about 12" from the water line to the open entry for the boat—plenty of room to add a door for easier access.

There are accessible doors on Guardians, Tron, and Big Thunder that make transferring much easier. However, they can only be opened by a CM from the back of the car and are not reachable by a guest.

 

[SueM in MN]

Presumably, that's *why* they just did cosmetic changes. They only have to bring it to ADA standards if they change structure, right?

Amusement Park attractions need to be updated to meet accessibility if:

• structural or operational changes are made to existing ride vehicles from the original design specifications/design
• if the load or unload area is newly designed or newly constructed

As far a I know, neither of those happened, but didn't need to be brought up to ADA standards because it already met ADA standards as Splash Mountain. Requirements include:

• accessible route to get from the entrance to the load area. Link to chapter about accessible route for amusement attractions
  • The regular queue at this attraction is not accessible because of stairs; there is an accessible route that bypasses the stairs.
  • The regular boarding area is at one side of the track, but the unload area is on the other side of the track. Guests using the accessible route load and unload from the unload side because there isn't a way to get wheelchairs across the track.
• Accessible ride vehicles are required. The choice of which type of access is provided for each ride is left up to the operator or designer. Link to information about accessible ride vehicles. Must provide:
  • at least one wheelchair space with companion seat. (The fast, steep main drop and the other shorter drops would make a wheelchair vehicle impossible.)
    • OR
  • at least one ride seat designed for transfer (example: Slinky Dog Dash, Rise of Resistance and Guardians have a built in transfer assist)
    • OR
  • a transfer device designed to transfer a person from the load/unload area to a ride seat. This attraction has a transfer device that can be moved into place to use. It PREVIOUSLY HAD a transfer tier; these screenshots from the TikTok video link posted earlier actually show the NEW transfer device that was added.

A missed opportunity for sure. There is still about 12" from the water line to the open entry for the boat—plenty of room to add a door for easier access.

There are accessible doors on Guardians, Tron, and Big Thunder that make transferring much easier. However, they can only be opened by a CM from the back of the car and are not reachable by a guest.

None of those are water ride and none have the same kind of fast steep drop that Tiana's Bayou Adventure has.
The boats for this attraction have a tight fit and higher sides that are part of the restraint. The guidelines do indicate that sides of the ride vehicles are often part of the containment or restraint.

A watertight door like on walk in tubs was also mentioned. There are a couple major differences/issues:

• walk in tub is stationary and firmly installed in a building, not being jostled around on a track and going down a 50 foot drop at 40 mph every few minutes
• walk in tub door is probably opened and shut several times a week; even if the person takes a bath once a day, it would open and shut much less often than one on a ride vehicle
• walk in tub door is designed to keep water in, not out. My understanding is that the pressure of the water against the seal is actually a functional part of the seal

Many of really neat queue features are in the building that can be reached by going up the stairs. It would have been nice if they had figured out a way for guests who can't use stairs to be able to see those things. I think the biggest issue is that the regular line goes to the load area and unload is on the other side of the track

 

[Simba's Mom]

Came across this Tiktok, might be useful for wheelchair users.
https://vm.tiktok.com/ZIJntksaF/

Helpful to see-thank you very much!

 

[SueM in MN]

I'm going to make this a sticky near the top of the board

 

[SueM in MN]

With sides I could possibly prop myself up. Is there an exercise to practice? It would definitely take me longer. I really want to see the pre drop! Maybe I should just watch videos…but it would be great to do it.

UGGG!

I quoted your post to move it over to this thread where there is already some information that might be helpful to you.
See especially the video link on post 1 and the photos of a transfer device on post 12

 

[ahutton]

The video seals that I will not be able to ride this, or Pirates in MK. My problem is the step down into ride vehicles. No Navi either. I struggle with the big step up to get out of the ride. I'm left side hemiplegia.