UPDATED JUNE 28, 2024
We dig a little deeper with Princess Tiana on Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. The attraction opened on June 28th at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom.
It’s a celebration of Black excellence, and culture, specifically New Orleans. It is a point not lost on Disney Imagineers who worked on the project for the past four to five years. Tiana’s character is based on the real-life NOLA culinary legend, Leah Chase, the late owner of the iconic Dooky Chase’s Restaurant.
“When Disney visited New Orleans and sat down with Chef [Leah] Chase, they knew this American original was the perfect inspiration for Disney’s first African American Princess,” Walt Disney creative executive Carmen Smith said during a recent media showcase.
Charita Carter, the executive creative producer of Walt Disney Imagineering added, “Tiana was our inspiration because Tiana is everybody’s princess. She comes from a real place in America. She wasn’t born into royalty, she has a working mom, she has military ties and there’s so much about her life that is relatable.”
Most importantly, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is a celebration of Disney’s first Black princess Tiana. Actress Jenifer Lewis, who voiced Mama Odie in both the movie and attraction, highlighted the need for well-educated African American women to be depicted as role models.
“It’s very important for the children to see this character like us,” Lewis said during a group interview. “All those beautiful African American women that were onstage speaking,” referring to the media showcase Disney hosted, “how they carry themselves, the professionals, the well educated. That’s who we depend on.”
The attraction’s storyline takes place one year after the 2009 movie, in which Tiana is now the proud owner of Tiana’s Restaurant and has also launched a new business venture, Tiana’s Foods.
In the queue, guests would be delighted by the smell of beignets and music from Blanchard as they walk through the main office of Tiana’s Foods, the kitchen where she makes her ‘man-catching’ beignets and the numerous pictures and newspaper clippings of her family life and accomplishments.
While on the ride, lifelike animatronic figures of Princess Tiana, Prince Naveen, and others will be with guests as they make their way through the bayou to help Tiana find musicians for her Mardi Gras party that night.
The audio-animatronic figure of the Crescent City princess will be the first Tiana figure of its kind. Expect to see audio-animatronic figures of Prince Naveen, Mama Odie, Louis, Eudora and others. Towards the end of the ride, is an original musical number featuring Grammy award-winning musician and songwriter PJ Morton and Tiana Anika Noni Rose titled “Special Spice” before plunging 50 feet down.
VP of Walt Disney World Marketing Strategy Sivonne Davis tells RoyalTee Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is going to be a one-of-a-kind celebration.
“I think that Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is going to be so incredible,” says Davis. “It is a story showcasing the next chapter of Princess and the Frog…and it’s showcasing her story and how she’s continuing to pursue her dreams.”
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure replaces Splash Mountain which closed in January 2023. She would be ready to take everyone down the bayou on June 28! Another version of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure will open at Disneyland Park in California later this year.
