Disney’s Imagineering project team is drawing inspiration from the city of New Orleans for the upcoming attraction, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. Recently the team traveled to The Big Easy for ongoing recording sessions and are excited to announce that they are collaborating with award-winning artists PJ Morton and Terence Blanchard on the musical guests that will be heard as part of this adventure. There will be more to share down the road as teams make progress on a new original song composed by PJ Morton and new renditions of fan favorite music from the Walt Disney Animation Studios hit film, “The Princess and the Frog.”
PJ Morton is writing, arranging, and producing the original song for the attraction, while Terence Blanchard is arranging the music for the attraction’s queue.
The music will reflect several musical styles that either originated or took up permanent residence in New Orleans. Some of the brand-new Audio-Animatronics figures will bring the sounds of New Orleans to life. In this artist’s rendering of Prince Navel’s brother, Ralphie, he is jamming to the beat of his songful soul. Or check out the band of friendly critters playing joyful Zydeco-style music.
Through the power of New Orleans music, Disney had a priority to properly represent all aspects of the city’s culture throughout the attraction. This is why so many local voices were involved in helping to bring Tiana’s story to life.
While in New Orleans, the Imagineering team made a stop at Dooky Chase’s Restaurant. The founder of the restaurant, Leah Chase was one of the inspirations for Princess Tiana and shared a special connection with the Chase family.
Stella Chase Reese, Leah’s daughter, shared that “if we have children and grown people coming here because of Tiana, they’re not coming here just because of Tiana’s restaurant and the food, it’s the value, it’s what she meant to them. Dream big and you can make it happen.”
Imagineers often dive deep into projects to help inspire their work. Four pieces of art from New Orleans artist Sharika Mahdi were committed to aid in the creative process of the Imagineers.
Born and raised in New Orleans, Sharika paints with a colorful and free-flowing style. Sharika’s pieces for the project have featured Tiana and friends, a jazz club scene joined by a band of frogs, and even Mama Odie and her “seeing eye snake,” Juju.
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure opens at Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort in 2024.
Excited about the progress being made on Tiana’s Bayou Adventure?