Media previews were held for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure early this week amid a star-studded event to celebrate the opening of the attraction at Walt Disney World on June 28th. Its Disneyland counterpart is set to open later in the year. I Love Us was on-site to experience all of the magic of this moment.
Despite early reviews hastily underrating the attraction, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is much more than just an amusement park ride. For Disney, attractions are blank canvases for immersive storytelling, and this new attraction celebrates many facets of Black Americans and our contributions to this country.
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A Monument to Black History
While the loss of Splash Mountain faced pushback from Disney World enthusiasts, Michael Ramirez, Public Relations Director at Disneyland Resort, emphasized the importance of this retheming: “The retheming of Splash Mountain is of particular importance today. The new concept is inclusive – one that all of our guests can connect with and be inspired by, and it speaks to the diversity of the millions of people who visit our parks each year.” The shift to a Princess and the Frog-inspired overlay has been dismissed by some as a “woke” move. However, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure showcases the universal story of achieving the American Dream and serves as a reminder that Black history is American history. For Black park-goers who have long felt underrepresented, this attraction is monumental.
The Details of Storytelling
In Disney attractions, the story is in the details. Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is located in Frontierland and is visible across the water from Liberty Square. This juxtaposition among so much American nostalgia tells a story in itself. We see narratives of early settlers and America’s forefathers in the attractions between the two lands. With the new ride, we witness the story of an average American family through the lens of Black Americans during that time.
The queue for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure begins in a garden adorned with Bese Saka symbols, which represent affluence, power, abundance and unity. We learn how Tiana has evolved from a determined young woman into a community leader who inspires and teaches local children to grow food in her garden. She employs community members through Tiana Foods, an employee-owned cooperative. The queue also pays tribute to Black military history, including Tiana’s father, who served in the 369th Regiment, one of the most renowned African American combat troops. To have Tiana’s father as a Harlem Hellfighter is great on its own, but that detail also sets him in Harlem at the start of its renowned renaissance. It’s a detail that suggests he brought big dreams about what Black people are capable of accomplishing back to his impressionable daughter.
Honoring Leah Chase
The real-life inspiration for Princess Tiana was Leah Chase, the award-winning head chef of Dooky Chase’s Restaurant. Her family was present at the celebration, expressing gratitude for the representation of her legacy. Stella Chase, Leah’s daughter, tearfully thanked Disney: “We thank Disney for selecting the Chase family to help them continue to tell their story of unity, and for including us so that my mother’s values of entrepreneurship, of faith, of love of all people and appreciation of who you are in your values in your culture can live on for many years.”
Leah Chase’s grandson, Edgar “Dook” Chase IV, also expressed appreciation for the authenticity Disney Imagineers brought to the attraction. “When you see the ride, when you hear the music, you see the art, you see the landscape, you’re gonna know something that we all know–we fell in love with one of the greatest cities in America, New Orleans,” he shared.
A Celebration of Community and Culture
Development of this attraction had the help of several notable Black women. Carmen Smith, the Senior Vice President and Executive for Creative Development Product/Content & Inclusive Strategies at Disney Parks, Experiences, and Products, prioritizes inclusivity and storytelling–which is evident to anyone who rides the attraction. Charita Carter, executive producer at Walt Disney Imagineering, lead the project. She explained a strong desire to “showcase [New Orleans] to all of our Disney audience…because not everybody has experienced New Orleans culture.” She continued on, sharing how this exposure plays into unity. “As we get exposed to more things, we understand each other even more, and we can have time for celebration and coming together.”
In addition to Smith and Carter, the list of Black women contributors also includes costumer Ida Muldrow, artist Sharika Mahdi, muralist Malaika Favorite, and actresses Anika Noni Rose and Jenifer Lewis.
The attraction captures the “If I got, everybody got” attitude prevalent in close-knit Black communities. Dook Chase explained, “We’re celebrating 83 years. We opened in 1941. When you talk about how we got to that, we only got there because of community support. That’s what my great grandparents, my grandparents, my parents know, and we know. As our community gets better, as we’re doing better, we [all] get better.”
The music of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure further enriches its cultural narrative. Grammy award-winning musicians PJ Morton and Terence Blanchard, both New Orleans natives, were integral in creating the attraction’s music. Morton composed “Special Spice,” performed by Tiana herself, Anika Noni Rose. Blanchard, who provided musical performances for Louis the Alligator in the film, arranged music for the guest experience in the ride queue. Having worked on a song that Anika Noni Rose refers to as an “earworm,” the resounding story of dreaming big resonates with Morton. “Many times when you’re striving for your dreams… when you actually realize them and you’re in the middle of them, it’s hard to know that you’re there. But, I’ve slowed things down and I’m like, ‘I’m in the middle of my dream,’” he shared.
Terence Blanchard acknowledged the responsibility he felt while working on this project and the profound impact this attraction will have on future generations, sharing, “We were trying to influence young minds to dream big.”
Representation and Inspiration
Jenifer Lewis, who voices Mama Odie, emphasized the importance of representation in the parks. “It’s time that we all unite. This place that they call the ‘[Most Magical Place on Earth],’ how can you say that when everybody is not represented? So, here we are.” It is not just about seeing a representation of Black people in the physical, either. Once again, it is all in the details.
Mama Odie’s role is expanded in the ride, as she guides us through our own transformations. Lewis, often referred to as the “Mother of Black Hollywood,” portrays a fixture in Black communities—surrogate mothers—in the form of Mama Odie. In The Princess and the Frog, Tiana’s transformation into a frog thrusts her into an unfamiliar and challenging world. Stripped of her human form and the direct support of her biological family, she must rely on Mama Odie to navigate this new reality.
Mama Odie, with her wisdom and nurturing spirit, becomes the surrogate mother Tiana needs, helping her find the strength and clarity to reach her goal despite the obstacles. This dynamic mirrors real-life scenarios where Black communities often rally around individuals facing hardships. Whether it’s due to systemic injustices, economic struggles, or personal crises, the community frequently comes together to offer support and guidance. Surrogate mothers, grandmothers, aunts, and even close family friends play crucial roles, stepping in to provide stability and wisdom. Now, we have this pillar represented in a Disney Parks attraction.
Leaving a Legacy
Noni Rose pointed out that the attraction will continue to teach even when she is no longer around to do so. “It is everlasting in a way that I am not as a human being.” Tiana’s story will continue to show Disney Parks guests what hard work, community, and dreaming big can do.
As Tamron Hall aptly said, “There’s no better storytelling than Disney.” Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is a testament to this, offering a heartfelt homage to Black Americans and our indispensable role in the nation’s history. It is a celebration of culture, resilience, and the ongoing pursuit of dreams, making it a powerful and meaningful addition to Disney’s array of attractions.
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