I agree. The ride needs a villain. Even if they created a fox or beaver who stole the instruments or the food for the party. There's no conflict. There's no--here park guests--you can be the hero and save the day! I think bringing Dr. Facilier back would have brought voodoo into the ride and then a whole other set of pearl clutchers would have been complaining, so I see why they left him out. That lift hill with "Are You Ready" playing would have been sooooo cool though.
I also think that Tiana's Bayou Adventure is the start of Frontierland maybe not so much being Frontierland anymore....especially if/when the whole Beyond Big Thunder happens. I don't want to be like Tim and completely speculate incorrectly, it's just something I thought about when they first announced BBT.