Following the news that Tiana’s Bayou Adventure will open this summer at Walt Disney World, Disney has shared images of new adorable critters that will feature on the ride.
These original characters form part of Tiana’s vibrant Zydeco band and will be found throughout the ride playing makeshift instruments. Laura West was the lead concept designer who collaborated with Walt Disney Imagineering to bring these critters to life. Disney shared the below Instagram video detailing Laura’s creative process.
Meet the New Critters
Byhalia the Beaver is a strong-willed percussionist who helps to build musical instruments using materials from the bayou, while Gritty the Rabbit plays the washboard – a car licence plate.
There there’s Beau the Opossum, who truly adores Zydeco music and uses her tail to play her upright gourd bass. Apollo the Raccoon is an innovator who loves transforming abandoned objects into musical instruments, while Rufus the Turtle is the king of the harmonica (and more than a little bit sassy.)
The final critter, Timoléon the Otter, is the eldest and wisest of the band, but his fiddle-playing is next level.
If, like us, you can’t wait to meet these new characters, you’ll be glad to know that Beau, Apollo, and Rufus will soon be available to purchase as huggable plushies inside the park. Disney has teased that another bunch of new characters will be released soon, so check back with Themepark+ as we bring you the latest news.
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