Louisiana, Doing Disney for Mardi Gras? Be Aware of These Changes

As the calendar flipped to January 2024 in Louisiana most people were already making plans for our state's next big party Mardi Gras. If you weren't aware Mardi Gras comes "early" this year. Fat Tuesday is February 13th, the day before Valentine's Day this year. And for a lot of Louisiana families, the Mardi Gras break from work and school means a trip to Disney World in Orlando Florida. 

If you've never experienced Mardi Gras at Disney World you should know it's like attending a family reunion. You can tell all the guests who are visiting the park who are from Louisiana because we all wear our Mardi Gras shirts, we bring beads, and we do Mardi Gras stuff. You can take the boy out of Louisiana but you can't take Louisiana out of the boy, right?

Disney World Announces Huge Changes to 4 Popular Attractions

Speaking of Louisiana and Disney there is a new Louisiana-themed ride that is scheduled to open at the Disney World in 2024. The imagineers at Disney are retooling the old Splash Mountain Ride to become Tiana's Bayou Adventure. The reimagined attraction is based on Disney's The Princess and the Frog. 

If you were hoping to take a turn on the newly remodeled attraction during your Mardi Gras trip you probably won't be able to. Disney has stated that the new ride will open in both California and Florida in 2024 but it looks as if that opening date will be much later this year.

Star Wars Fans There is Something New for You at Disney

The Star Wars-themed attraction Star Tours - The Adventure Continues first opened at Disney parks in 1987. If you've enjoyed Star Tours you'll be pleased to learn that more stories and more characters are being added to the attraction for 2024.

You can expect to visit Star Tours- The Adventure Continues to unveil the specifics of the changes being made later this year. So far, Disney is being very tight-lipped on what's new with the attraction saying they want the changes to be a surprise for guests when they are revealed later this year. You can find Star Tours - The Adventure Continues at Disney World's Hollywood Studios in Orlando, Florida.

Disney Announces New Production Inspired by The Little Mermaid

Fans of Ariel and her friends "Under the Sea" will be happy to learn Disney is planning a new Little Mermaid-themed theatrical production. It is set to debut in 2024 but specific dates have not been announced. The new production is reported to feature a stunning set, cutting-edge effects, and a new design that captures Ariel's imagination and emotions as she views the world around her.

What's Up with Disney World's Country Bear Jamboree?

The attraction was one of the original attractions at Disney World when it opened in 1971. At the time the animatronic musical bears were a technological amazement. But alas the attraction lost a lot of its sizzle as newer technologies began to flourish in the park.

So, the decision has been made to upgrade and refurbish the attraction. Let's just say that Disney traditionalists did not take the news lying down. Many Disney fan groups have vocalized opposition to the new iteration of the classic attraction. The new show set to debut in 2024 will feature Disney songs reinterpreted in different styles of country music. The new attraction will also pay homage to the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville.

So, as you plan your Mardi Gras migration to Disney World next month keep these changes in mind. Granted many of them will not be completed by the time Mardi Gras rolls around in a little over a month but you never know, maybe you'll get a sneak peek. And be sure to wear your Mardi Gras colors and shirts in the park on Fat Tuesday. That way everyone else from Louisiana can identify the "home folks", if you know what I mean.