I remember seeing the Princess and the Frog on the big screen in 2009. Even though I was a bona fide adult, the opportunity to see the first official Disney Princess that was Black tapped into my childhood fantasies, and I asked my mom to take me.
Seeing Tiana’s beautiful face on screen, a woman who wasn’t afraid to chase her entrepreneurial dreams and, as a bonus, found a prince along the way, let me know that all Black women rightfully deserve for their dreams to come true.
Princess Tiana ushered in a new era of Disney royalty as the first who looked like us. The woman with a dream took us all on an adventure of magic, adventure and romance on screen. Now, with a new Disney ride and experience, the bayou queen shares her world with us all. Tiana’s Bayou Adventure opened in November at Disneyland in Anaheim, California, and at Magic Kingdom in Orlando, Florida, this past summer.
Like any good celebration—and Princess Tiana and friends know how to throw them—Disneyland celebrated its newest attraction, located in Bayou Country at Disneyland Park, with a party featuring music, a southern feast and an on-water performance featuring Anika Noni Rose and Jenifer Lewis, who voice Princess Tiana and Mama Odie in the animated feature.
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is a musical journey through her inner sanctuary. While waiting in line, you see pictures of Tiana’s family and friends on the walls and visit her kitchen. The ride is a fun and wet experience (rain covers are provided!) featuring The Princess and the Frog-themed animatronics who speak, sing and play music as a log-like boat takes you through the ride’s twists, turns and a 50-foot drop. After the ride, you can eat at Tiana’s Palace, located in the park’s New Orleans Square, which serves Creole and Cajun-inspired cuisine.
New Orleans painter Varion Laurent, who once dreamed of being a Disney Imagineer, experienced a life-changing opportunity with Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. Invited to a meeting by his alma mater, Laurent learned he was joining a team of local artists to share their thoughts for the ride. “Disney makes a concerted effort to make sure they are respectful to the cultures they depict and represent. We had a full and engaging conversation about its look and feel,” he told EBONY. Upon learning of Laurent’s artwork, Disney decided to work with him. “In that moment and from those words, my dreams of being a Disney artist shifted back into this reality! Later, “two years to be exact, I found myself fully seen as a Disney Artist at such a historic event within the company.”
For me, the best part of visiting Disneyland was meeting Princess Tiana. With her southern drawl and hospitality, our interaction brought on the giggles in this very grown Disney fan.
Disneyland’s Tiana’s Bayou Adventure opened during its Festival of Holidays (running through January 6, 2025), which adds extra magic to the experience. It’s a seasonal celebration with multicultural performances, festive food from themed food carts and the opportunity to catch a classic Disney character in holiday gear.
With its new slogan: “We Came to Play,” Disney is also making sure the doors are wide open for us. “It’s not just characters and experiences, but also just the music, the vibe, the tone,” said Sybil Crum, Vice President of Marketing and Commercial Strategy for Disneyland Resort. “It’s an invitation that feels welcoming because it’s for us by us and feels authentic to who we are.”
