On Sunday, June 9, Walt Disney World hosted a media event ahead of the opening of Walt Disney World’s newest Attraction, “Tiana’s Bayou Adventure.”
Guests were asked to come to the “party” in their stylish summer whites to “experience great vibes at a lively reception to gather, to celebrate and amplify Black voices and storytelling across Disney Experiences.
The theme of this event was “We Came To Play.” Sivonne Davis, VP, Walt Disney
World, Marketing Strategy, explained it this way,‘When black people show up, they also show out,” she says. Using the slogan adopted by HBCU bands, she continued, “We are here to play.” During the event media guests were provided a taste of what to expect when visiting Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. This included an eclectic mix of NOLA-inspired jazz tunes and Bohemian-inspired food and drinks.
Disney spokespersons emphasized that Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is not simply a thrill ride or rollercoaster, it tells a story. Based on “The Princess and the Frog,” that featured Disney’s first Black princess., Princess Tiana. Tiana is an aspiring restauranteur in New Orleans, Louisiana in 1926. During a masquerade ball at the mansion of her friend Charlotte “Lottie” LaBouff (Jennifer Cody), Tiana meets a talking frog. The frog is Prince Naveen (Bruno Campos), who was transformed by Dr. Facilier (Keith David). Tiana kisses him, hoping to make him human, but instead becomes a frog herself. The two travel into the bayou to find Mama Odie (Jennifer Lewis), a voodoo priestess who can help them. They befriend Louis (Michael-Leon Wooley), an alligator who plays the trumpet, and Ray (Jim Cummings), a firefly in love with a star.
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure invites guests to join beloved characters Princess Tiana, Mama Odie, Louis, and all-new friends on a thrilling adventure, all set against the music and excitement of a New Orleans celebration. This new attraction features dozens of Audio-Animatronics figures, a foot-tapping soundtrack, and a celebration where everyone’s welcome.
Music is at the heart of New Orleans, and guests will be tapping their toes all throughout the attraction thanks in part to appealing critters, who play instruments made of natural materials found in the bayou. Tiana’s new friends include an otter, a rabbit, a racoon, a beaver, a turtle and more. Their spirited stylings will turn the bayou into a party with Zydeco, Rara, and Afro-Cuban music authentic to the region of New Orleans. There will be new, original music alongside favorite tunes from the film, created in collaboration with award-winning artists PJ Morton and Terence Blanchard. “I was told that some found the music so appealing in the queue, that they wanted to turn back to continue to listen rather than proceed to the ride,” stated Blanchard.
In addition to musical critters, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure welcomes talent voices from the film as they reprise their roles, including Jenifer Lewis as Mama Odie, Michael-Leon Wooley as Louis, and Anika Noni Rose as Princess Tiana.
Guests can take a thrilling boat ride with views of cypress trees and Spanish moss along a beautiful Louisiana bayou,The ss Tiana, Louis and Mama Odie, you may also see Eudora, Charlotte, Prince Ralphie, Prince Naveen and others. Between Disney’s iconic storytelling, technologically advanced Audio-Animatronics figures, and a thrilling 50-foot drop,
As Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “The Princess and the Frog” makes its home in the Crescent City, Stella Chase Reese, at Sunday’s event, discussed her mother’s influence and source of inspiration for Princess Tiana’s character in the “The Princess and the Frog.” Leah Chase was a chef based in New Orleans, LA. She was known as the Queen of Creole Cuisine, advocating both African-American art and Creole cooking. Her restaurant, Dooky Chase, in the 1950s and 1960s was known as a place for civil rights leaders to safely “meet and strategize and was also known as a gallery due to its extensive African-American art
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is replete with authentic NOLA artistry. Artwork from Louisiana artist Malaika Favorite will delight guests as part of the queue, and guests can see an original metalwork weathervane from third-generation master blacksmith, Darryl Reeves and his apprentice, Karina Roca. New Orleans artist Sharika Mahdi’s artwork has inspired the attraction from the beginning.
Also within the attraction, guests will be introduced to a new Princess Tiana merchandise line, as well as some of the Dooky Chase restaurant’s specialty spices.
While moving through the queue guests will sense the sweet aroma of beignets being kept warm in the oven – reminiscent of strolling through the French Quarter – as part of the attraction queue.
During the boat ride Disney’s cameras will capture guests as they plunge into thebayou on Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. This new themed attraction photo will also feature some of Tiana’s critter friends— and through some Disney PhotoPass magic, a few surprises may show up! Guests will be able to take home this unique souvenir with Disney PhotoPass Service’s all-inclusive digital download package, Memory Maker.*
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure opens in Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World Resort on June 28!
