The entertainment giant has scrapped the animation series, originally planned to center around the characters from The Princess and the Frog, PEOPLE can confirm.
Though the series has been shelved, the studio is working on a separate short-form special inspired by the original movie. Details are still under wraps, but the short will feature all new storytelling with Joyce Sherri writing and directing alongside Steve Anderson.
The move is tied to Disney’s shift in animation strategy and its plans to move away from creating long-form streaming content, PEOPLE understands.
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At the time, Anika Noni Rose, who voiced Tiana in The Princess and the Frog and Ralph Breaks the Internet, wrote on social media of the announcement, “Are y’all as excited as I am?!?!”
The attraction takes the place of Splash Mountain, with the majority of the ride mechanism the same (including the famous 50-foot drop) but a total refresh on the décor and storyline. Instead of a briar patch, guests are now taken through the Louisiana bayou, to help Louis the alligator find a band to play during a big Mardi Gras celebration thrown by Tiana — which is shown in all its glory at the very end of the attraction.
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The ride features various authentic inspiration, from the scent of beignets wafting throughout, to pieces from local artists like Malaika Favorite and Varion Laurent, to music from Crescent City-born Grammy winners PJ Morton, Terence Blanchard, Trombone Shorty and Jon Batiste.
“I think the fans of Princess and the Frog may love the music the most,” Rose told reporters of the “magical” ride during a media preview. “But it’s also beautiful — like, the light is stunningly beautiful. And just reacquainting ourselves with the characters and hearing their voices again in a new space.”
