Dive into the magic of New Orleans as Disney’s new ride, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, invites guests to join Princess Tiana on a vibrant musical journey set after the beloved film The Princess and the Frog. This immersive attraction not only celebrates Tiana’s culinary dreams and Mardi Gras spirit but also bridges the story to the now-canceled Tiana TV series, offering fans a glimpse into the next chapter of her life as a crown princess and entrepreneur. While the series won’t grace screens, the ride keeps Tiana’s legacy alive, blending familiar tunes, new adventures, and the rich culture of the bayou in a thrilling experience that expands her story beyond the movie.
“Tiana’s Bayou Adventure takes place about a year after the events of the film The Princess and the Frog,” said Ted Robledo, executive creative director at Walt Disney Imagineering, in a presentation at a Walt Disney World press event. “So a lot has changed since then. And one of the most exciting parts of the attraction is seeing where life has taken her after that movie. Following the successful opening of her restaurant, Tiana’s Palace, there next to the beautiful Mississippi River in New Orleans, she’s continued to grow her business. But this time, she’s included members of the community, and built a new, beloved brand called Tiana’s Foods.”
There’s a whole storyline with the ride, which involves Tiana and Louis the alligator searching for animal musicians for an upcoming Mardi Gras festival. It isn’t the first Disney ride to be a sort of micro sequel: Frozen Ever After in neighboring Epcot takes place a year after the events of Frozen. But Disney Parks senior vice president of creative development Carmen Smith says Tiana’s story will continue beyond the ride.
“Our partners at Walt Disney Animation Studios have also been amazing about this attraction’s development,” said Smith. “We’re so excited that Tiana’s story will continue after the attraction. And that’s with a new show coming to Disney Plus.”
The Tiana show was previously announced back in 2020, along with a Moana series, but production news has been scant. The Moana series was retooled into an upcoming theatrical movie, but beyond a few writer-director announcements and delays, there hasn’t been news about the Tiana show in quite some time. It was originally supposed to debut in 2022, but then was pushed to 2023, then to 2024, with the announcement of Joyce Sherri as showrunner. No specific premiere date has been announced.
If the Tiana show’s summary is still accurate, it will see Tiana setting off for Maldonia, where her husband, Naveen, hails from, and stepping up as crown princess. But her New Orleans heritage is still a huge part of her life. The setting difference means the story of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure won’t have significant plot ramifications for the show. An Imagineer that AELGAMES spoke to at the event maintained that the ride is “about a specific story in a specific moment here at Tiana’s Foods.”
But it’s hard to imagine that some of the details established by the ride – especially Tiana managing an employee-owned company – will be totally ignored by the upcoming show. Smith’s words imply that Walt Disney Imagineering and Walt Disney Animation Studios have been working together at least a little to establish a canon for Tiana. After all, Tiana is a business owner and chef first, and a princess second; leaving behind the restaurant and business she worked her whole life for doesn’t seem like the Tiana way.
How does Disney’s new Tiana ride hint at the upcoming TV series connection
Disney’s new Tiana’s Bayou Adventure ride hints at its connection to the upcoming Tiana TV series by continuing the story about a year after The Princess and the Frog film, showing Tiana as a successful restaurant owner and community leader in New Orleans. The ride’s storyline, involving Tiana and Louis searching for musicians for a Mardi Gras festival, serves as a micro-sequel that expands her journey beyond the movie, reflecting her growth as both a businesswoman and a princess. Disney Imagineering and Walt Disney Animation Studios have collaborated to establish a cohesive canon, suggesting that elements introduced in the ride-such as Tiana managing an employee-owned company-will influence the narrative of the forthcoming Disney+ series, which will explore her role as crown princess in Maldonia while maintaining her New Orleans roots.
How does Tiana’s Bayou Adventure expand her story beyond the movie
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure expands her story beyond the movie by picking up about a year after The Princess and the Frog, showing Tiana as a successful entrepreneur who has grown her dream from opening Tiana’s Palace restaurant to establishing “Tiana’s Foods,” an employee-owned food co-op that creates products inspired by the bayou. The ride’s narrative centers on Tiana and Louis searching for musicians to perform at a Mardi Gras celebration, highlighting her deepening community ties and leadership. This continuation not only celebrates her culinary and business achievements but also emphasizes empowerment and collective ownership, portraying Tiana as a thriving restaurateur and community figure who builds on her father’s legacy while enriching New Orleans culture.
