June 28, 2024 is destined to remain a historic day of progress and positivity for the Walt Disney Company – as well as the United States – as this milestone achievement finally opens to the public, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. For several years, Walt Disney Imagineering promised that Tiana’s Bayou Adventure would be “a true love letter to New Orleans.” I have experienced this attraction myself and I can attest that Disney hit a homerun!

Princess Tiana, Disney’s first Black animated princess who made her debut to the world in the 2009 Disney Animation Studios feature The Princess and The Frog, is the star of this fun and entertaining attraction. Picking up where the animated feature left off, Princess Tiana is the proprietor of “Tiana’s Foods,” while also continuing to own and operate “Tiana’s Palace” restaurant. As a full-throated celebration to entrepreneurship, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure does more than just entertain, it shines a beautiful ray of light on the achievements of successful Black women who are passionate about achieving their dreams.

Tiana’s Bayou Adventure welcomes everyone to join beloved characters Princess Tiana, Mama Odie, Louis, as well as all-new friends on a thrilling adventure that is filled with same energy, music and excitement of a New Orleans celebration.

The Elephant in the Room…and no, I don’t mean Dumbo

When it was announced in 2020 that Splash Mountain would be replaced, there was some noted negative criticism from a segment of that attraction’s diehard fans. Despite that negative feedback, a wide majority of Disney fans celebrated the positive news that came from the announcement: Princess Tiana was getting her own exciting attraction! This joy is the result of Walt Disney Imagineering’s long and deliberative process (which started in 2019) to give Princess Tiana a new chapter to her story. 

I love what Charita Carter, Vice President and Executive Creative Producer at Walt Disney Imagineering, eloquently stated, “My favorite part (with this attraction) has to do with the process. The fact that I was able to work with an expanded Imagineering team, have us all come together, with all different backgrounds, and come together in unity, with a passion, and a common vision and then be able to present the world with this attraction, that’s my favorite part.” Carter’s key word that punctuates the essence behind Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is “unity,” which is completely in line with Princess Tiana’s story, and it is relevant, relatable, and will be appreciated for generations to come.

For more backstory, please check out this interview with Stella Chase Reese and other Disney executives.

The Spirit of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure

Let the record show, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure was not a hastily conceptualized project. Led by Walt Disney Imagineering (WDI) Executives, Carmen Smith, Charita Carter, and Ted Robledo, the WDI team took mindful steps to not only tell Princess Tiana’s story with considerable relatability, but they also took great care to ensure that an authentic depiction of the city of New Orleans would play an active role in the attraction’s storytelling. Accuracy was always paramount. Through numerous reconnaissance trips, video conference calls, etc., the WDI team collaborated with the Chase family of New Orleans’ historic Dooky Chase’s Restaurant, New Orleans government entities, as well as numerous other established and noted artisans, music artists, and others for their assistance in creating an experience that represents New Orleans well. Of particular note, the late Leah Chase was an inspiration for Disney’s characterization of Princess Tiana. Leah Chase was known for her dedication to community and family, and encouraging everyone to make their dreams come true. For more information on Leah Chase inspiring Tiana’s story, please check out this video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_4z9u_h6EM

As promised by Disney, “Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is more stuffed with authentic New Orleans artistry than Charlotte is with Tiana’s ‘man-catching’ beignets!” Walt Disney Imagineering teamed up with several Louisiana-based artists in their effort to make this attraction genuine to the region which serves as the ever-present backdrop of Tiana’s story:

• Louisiana native and Baton Rouge Gallery’s Malaika Favorite provides her visual artistry talent for a stunning line queue mural which introduces guests to the story of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure.
• New Orleans artist Sharika Mahdi’s bold art interpretations of Tiana’s story and the related characters which guests will encounter on the attraction are prominently showcased throughout the attraction;
• New Orleans-based, third-generation master blacksmith, Darryl Reeves and his apprentice, Karina Roca created an original metalwork weathervane and lightning rod which is rich in West African symbolism and is prominently adorned to the exterior of the attraction.

Authentic New Orleans Art at Tiana’s Bayou Adventure

Performing artistry also plays a huge role throughout Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. In addition to the original The Princess & The Frog vocal talents of Anika Noni Rose (Princess Tiana), Jenifer Lewis (Mama Odie), and Michael-Leon Wooley (Louis) reprising their roles, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure includes familiar songs from the movie’s Oscar-nominated score that was composed by Randy Newman. Additionally, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure includes brand new compositions that were produced by New Orleans natives: Grammy Award-winning record producer, songwriter, and singer PJ Morton, as well as Oscar and BAFTA-nominated trumpeter and band leader Terence Blanchard. Fun fact: The new songs for the attraction were recorded in New Orleans.

For more on the music artistry behind Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, please check out this video: 

To celebrate the opening of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure attraction on Friday, June 28, Walt Disney Records is digitally releasing the original soundtrack featuring the foot tapping music of New Orleans that will be heard throughout the attraction. It features music performed by Award-Winning Artists Anika Noni Rose, Terence Blanchard, Terrance Simien, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, and more! Listen to the soundtrack below:

The Experience

As you enter the line queue for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, you are immediately inserted into Princess Tiana’s story where you have been invited to a party! As you’re walking through this thoughtfully designed space, you will see signage reflecting her latest venture, “Tiana’s Foods.” As Tiana continues to experience phenomenal success with her Tiana’s Palace restaurant, Princess Tiana is not about to rest on her laurels. As a true entrepreneur, Tiana’s Foods is central to the next chapter of Princess Tiana’s story.

You’ll experience a tour of Tiana’s Foods business operations, which is headquartered alongside a salt mine that Princess Tiana has purchased, before you begin your journey down the bayou. While enjoying the surroundings of Tiana’s Foods, you will be met by a technologically advanced Princess Tiana Audio-Animatronics figure who will invite you to experience Tiana’s Foods.

As you float along the very scenic path, which is typical of a beautiful Louisiana bayou lined with cypress trees and Spanish moss, you will also encounter Louis and Mama Odie, before being enlisted by Tiana to help her locate something special that is essential for her party. With Never fear, you will locate the missing item – just before taking a thrilling 50-foot plunge down the bayou! Afterwards, you will arrive at the party where you will be greeted by Princess Tiana, Prince Naveen, Charlotte, Eudora, and many other familiar faces from The Princess and The Frog!

During your journey, you’ll also be introduced to some of Tiana’s newest friends who play instruments made of natural materials found in the bayou. So be sure to keep an eye out for adorable critters, including an otter, a rabbit, a raccoon, a beaver, and a turtle, all of which will play music that is authentic to New Orleans, including Zydeco, Rara, and Afro-Cuban.

After disembarking from your journey, you’ll have the opportunity to peruse two separate shopping experiences that are adjacent to Tiana’s Bayou Adventure: Critter Co-Op and Tiana’s Bayou General. An amazing array of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure merchandise abounds, including spirit jerseys, spice racks,Dooky Chase’s Seasonings, Mama Odie’s Hot Sauce, and an attraction branded Loungefly!

The Big Celebration! Final scene of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure

Final Impressions

As I’m sure you can tell, I am a huge fan of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. The storytelling, music and all the technology and show elements provided an experience which will leave you feeling uplifted – even though you will most likely be wet after the final drop! One major takeaway that I especially appreciated with this attraction is visibility. As stated by Carmen Smith, Senior Vice President & Executive Creative Development, Walt Disney Imagineering: “It’s incredibly inspiring that young girls, young boys, their moms and dads and their grandparents can have an opportunity to be on an experience where they can say: “They see me! They hear me!”

Taking an attraction with origins in archaic storytelling, and then re-theming it to the story of a triumphant Black woman who makes her dreams come true as an entrepreneur, was a timely, smart and bold move on the part of Disney leadership. Their decision to approve Walt Disney Imagineering’s 2019 re-theming concept, which we now call Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, is the very definition of the word Progress. As a positive role model anchoring a fun and thrilling attraction, Princess Tiana and her Tiana’s Bayou Adventure are certain to have lasting longevity, in the same way that classic Disney princesses have experienced along with their attractions.

Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is so nice, that Disney Parks did it twice! In addition to opening today at Magic Kingdom Park within Walt Disney World, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure will open this fall at Disneyland Park in Anaheim, California. I’ll be there to experience it and look forward to sharing the goodness with you!