Aquatica Orlando Announces the Grand Opening of The World’s Most Digitally Immersive Waterslide Experience

Aquatica Orlando announce the grand opening of its newest attraction, Tassie’s Underwater Twist, on 15 March 2024.

The perfect way to start spring, this is the only waterslide experience of its kind which promises to transport guests all the way to Australia’s Shark Bay, where they will glide through a vibrant digital underwater world set in luscious sea grass meadows and brimming with marine life. Guests will encounter incredible species such as manta rays, humpback whales, colourful schools of fish, a variety of plant life, sea turtles and even the occasional shark, all of which call the Shark Bay region home. All while twisting, turning, and swirling through a unique super-bowl element.


“Aquatica Orlando is proud to welcome the all-new Tassie’s Underwater Twist to our park, with its one-of-a-kind immersive experience and adrenaline pumping twists and turns,” said Brad Gilmour, Park President of Aquatica Orlando. “We are so excited for guests to experience this incredible immersive attraction that only Aquatica could create, while making unforgettable memories with family and friends.”
Set to an inspiring orchestral score, the 129-foot-long attraction is sure to evoke a sense of wonder and adventure in every rider. Manufactured by WhiteWater West Industries, Tassie’s Underwater Twist will also feature a synchronised video display, allowing guests to become part of the enchanting underwater world. Guests will experience the attraction in a two-person innertube, allowing riders to experience the thrill with a friend. The importance of seagrass meadows will also be highlighted through visual components along the path of the ride, encouraging visitors to learn more about seagrass meadows and the marine life that depends on them.

New Disney ‘Star Tours’ Adventures From April 2024

Starting April 5, 2024, at Walt Disney World Resort, Disneyland Resort and Disneyland Paris, the attraction Star Tours – The Adventures Continue will introduce a new destination and characters

From recent Disney+ series – “Ahsoka,” “Andor” and “The Mandalorian.” During their flight, guests may encounter urgent transmissions from Ahsoka Tano, Cassian Andor or Din Djarin and Grogu. Guests may also visit the planet, Peridea, from the “Ahsoka” series.

With these additions, you’ll now have an opportunity to experience one of more than 250 storyline variations aboard the attraction, including a visit to the planet Peridea from the Ahsoka series.

2024 EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival

With spring breezes already gently blowing across Walt Disney World, it is time to welcome back the EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival. For 90 breathtaking days, guests are treated to one of the resort’s most beautiful events, which offers captivating displays of blooms, stunning topiaries that highlight the beauty of nature, engaging musical acts that inspire audiences to sing along and interactive elements that put guests in the center of it all.

New! Groot, Asha and Miguel Topiaries Debut

Once again, Disney horticulture cast members have created a spectacular array of topiaries featuring myriad Disney characters, seasonal displays and whimsical items. Debuting this year, Groot takes root in EPCOT! The “flora colossus” from the “Guardians of the Galaxy” trilogy will appear near the Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind attraction in World Discovery. In the spirit of season one of the Disney+ “I Am Groot” series, Groot is trying his hand at creating his own topiary. Observant guests may spy an homage to the horticulture team on the mix tape that Groot is hoisting in the air.

Also new this year, guests can see new topiaries from the Walt Disney Animation Studios film “Wish,” including Asha, Valentino and Star, at the park’s main entrance. And in Mexico, Miguel and Dante from Disney Pixar’s “Coco” take center stage.

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Tiana’s Bayou Adventure Opens This Summer at Walt Disney World

During Mardi Gras in New Orleans – home to Princess Tiana and her big dreams – they say “laissez les bons temps rouler!” And the good times will roll this summer when Tiana’s Bayou Adventure opens in Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida.

With Princess Tiana at the helm, this new attraction “digs a little deeper” into her story after the events of the Walt Disney Animation Studios film “The Princess and the Frog.” It is Mardi Gras season at Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, and the bayou will light up for a journey full of music, Mama Odie’s magic, and a whole boatful – log-ful? – of new friends, in preparation for a celebration where everyone’s welcome.

They got music, it’s always playin’

Music is at the heart of New Orleans, and guests will be tapping their toes all throughout the attraction thanks in part to adorable critters, who sing and play instruments made of natural materials found in the bayou. Tiana’s new friends include an otter, a rabbit, a racoon, a beaver, a turtle and more. Their spirited stylings will turn the bayou into a party with zydeco and other types of music authentic to the region of New Orleans. There will be new, original music alongside favorite tunes from the film, created in collaboration with award- winning artists PJ Morton and Terence Blanchard.
In addition to musical critters, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure welcomes talent voices from the film as they reprise their roles, including Bruno Campos as Prince Naveen, Jenifer Lewis as Mama Odie, Michael Leon Wooley as Louis and the one and only Anika Noni Rose as Princess Tiana.

Grab somebody, come on down

As guests float through the cypress trees and Spanish moss of a beautiful Louisiana bayou, they may see some familiar faces as part of the dozens of entirely new Audio-Animatronics figures. Along with Princess Tiana, Louis and Mama Odie, keep an eye out for Eudora, Charlotte, Prince Ralphie, Prince Naveen, and others.

As “The Princess and the Frog” makes its home in the Big Easy, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is more stuffed with authentic NOLA artistry than Charlotte is with Tiana’s “man-catching” beignets! Artwork from Louisiana artist Malaika Favorite will delight guests as part of the queue, and guests can see an original metalwork weathervane from third-generation master blacksmith, Darryl Reeves and his apprentice, Karina Roca. New Orleans artist Sharika Mahdi’s artwork has inspired the attraction from the beginning. And, for some lagniappe (a “little extra”) guests will have a nose full of the sweet scent of beignets frying – reminiscent of strolling through the French Quarter – as part of the attraction queue.

Dreams do come true in New Orleans

The heart of Tiana’s story reminds guests that everyone has the potential to make their dreams a reality. With teams of Imagineers, Disney Animation artists, Cast Members and Louisiana artisans working together, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is sure to pass a good time when it opens at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida in summer 2024 and later in 2024 at Disneyland Park in California!

©Disney