The highly anticipated Tiana’s Bayou Adventure officially made a grand splash at Disneyland Park in Anaheim, California, on Nov. 15. The new attraction kicked off Disney’s holiday season and brings the culture and vibrancy of New Orleans, inspired by the beloved animated film The Princess and the Frog.
During the Mardi Gras-esque opening weekend, guests got to head down to the newly renamed Bayou Country with Anika Noni Rose (Tiana), Jenifer Lewis (Mama Odie) and Michael-Leon Wooley (Louis the Alligator).
The log flume ride (formerly Splash Mountain) takes guests on the adventure of helping Tiana and Louis find the perfect band for a grand Mardi Gras soiree.
In addition to Tiana and Louis’ swamp adventures, Disney has made the princess’ dreams come true with additions to Tiana’s Palace, the grand eatery Tiana worked so hard for in the film. The quick-service restaurant serves New Orleans-inspired dishes such as hearty gumbo and specialty beignets for lunch and dinner.
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure isn’t just another example of Disney bringing life to one of its films; it’s representation.
“For the first time, I had a princess that looked like me,” Charita Carter, executive producer of Walt Disney Imagineering, said. Carter, the first African American woman to hold the role of executive producer, worked alongside executive creative director Ted Robledo and a host of others to create the park 15 years after the impactful movie release.
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Disney’s The Princess and the Frog drew inspiration from famed New Orleans restaurateur and chef Leah Chase, owner of Dooky Chase Restaurant.
Carter stressed how Tiana’s character “exudes pride, perseverance, chasing your dream, never stopping or taking no for an answer.”
“She wasn’t born to royalty. She has a working mom who has her own shop. She has family ties to the military. She has worked hard for her dreams. She’s an excellent cook and loves to feed people good food,” Carter said of Disney’s first Black princess.
With the expansion of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, guests can also enjoy retail locations celebrating the princess’ feral friends, including Ray’s Berets and Louis’ Critter Club. The sounds of Crescent City also take center stage, as Tiana’s guests get the opportunity to enjoy Zydeco, Rara and Afro-Cuban music as well as arrangements from Grammy Award-winning musicians such as Terence Blanchard and PJ Morton.
After their time in the bayou, guests can enjoy Disney’s Festival of Holidays at Adventure Park. Appearances include Mirabel from Encanto honoring the spirit of the holidays during a Fiesta de Navidad celebration, and Miguel from Coco singing a beautiful rendition of “Silent Night.”
The festival runs from Nov. 15 to Jan. 6, 2025, with new, exciting character activations for everyone from the Chip and Dales, Goofy and, of course, Mickey and Minnie.
