How Will Tiana’s Bayou Adventure Affect Lightning Lanes and Virtual Queues?

Tiana’s Bayou Adventure will open at Disney World in the summer of 2024. We have a lot of questions about how this retheme will affect Lightning Lanes and virtual queues in the Magic Kingdom. We lay out three options in this post; let us know what you think!

Option #1: Genie+

The first option would involve Disney including Tiana’s Bayou Adventure with Genie+ just like Splash Mountain was. Essentially, it’s still the same ride system just with a different theme.

Of course, demand for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure will be greater than Splash Mountain. I (Monica) imagine this attraction would “sell out” quickly in the day. People will want to experience the ride in this new way.

Option #2: Individual Lightning Lane

Option 2 would involve Disney adding Tiana’s Bayou Adventure to the lineup of Individual Lightning Lane Selections. If you are not familiar with ILLS, these a la carte rides do not come with the purchase of Genie+.

Disney has stated in the past that up to two attractions will be included in Individual Lightning Lane Selections for each park. As it stands, TRON and Seven Dwarfs Mine Train are currently those two rides.

If Disney sticks with this rule, I would bet money (if I was a betting woman, of course) that Seven Dwarfs Mine Train would be added to Genie+. TRON is still so new and uses a virtual queue almost a year into operation.

If Disney does not stick with this rule, Magic Kingdom could potentially have three ILLS attractions. That is a hefty price tag for many families who are purchasing all ILLS and Genie+ in Magic Kingdom.

Option #3: Virtual Queue

The third option would involve Disney adding Tiana’s Bayou Adventure as a virtual queue only. A virtual queue for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure seems unlikely to me. I can’t imagine the ride being that popular as it is not a new attraction but a retheme.

I also can’t see how Disney would make Guests choose between a virtual queue for TRON or Tiana. This would certainly make a lot of people angry. Unless Disney removes the virtual queue option for TRON, I don’t see a virtual queue happening for two rides in the same park.

As for my (Monica) best guess, I think Disney will add Seven Dwarfs Mine Train to Genie+ and add Tiana’s Bayou Adventure as an Individual Lightning Lane. Seven Dwarfs Mine Train is 10 years old, and while the ride is still very popular Tiana’s Bayou Adventure will be even more popular.

What do you think Disney will do with Tiana’s Bayou Adventure? Let us know in the comments below. And, share this post with a friend to continue the conversation!