Tiana’s Bayou Adventure will feature a salute to military service, with a storyline inspired by Tiana’s father.

Tiana’s Bayou Adventure Military Service Storyline

In “The Princess and the Frog,” Tiana’s father, James was a World War I veteran. That story will continue and expand in the queue of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, which opens at Walt Disney World on June 28, thanks to photos of James that will be found in the queue.

Ted Robledo, executive creative director for Walt Disney Imagineering discussed the inspiration for the art made exclusively for the attraction, which included real-life photos of soldiers who served in 369th Regiment, one of the first African American regiments to serve with the American Expeditionary Forces during World War I. Robledo shared the following:

We looked for inspiration for how we could best expand on his backstory in a way that honored the military families who visit our parks. In creating these photos for the attraction, we were inspired by real photos of soldiers who served during WWI to ensure we got it right.

Ted Robledo, executive creative director for Walt Disney Imagineering

Another form of inspiration came from Charita Carter, executive creative producer for Walt Disney Imagineering, and project lead for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. Carter is the daughter of a U.S. Air Force officer, so the story was personal for her. Carter shared:

Growing up in a military family is a wonderful and challenging experience that we hoped to pay tribute to inside our newest attraction, even if in a small way. In this expanded story, you will see just how much Tiana is proud of her father and his military service. Just like so many of the families who visit us are proud of their military hero. I know I am very proud of my family’s military service, including my father and sister.

Charita Carter, executive creative producer for Walt Disney Imagineering

Tiana’s Bayou Adventure

The story of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure continues where “The Princess and the Frog” left off. The success of her restaurant, Tiana’s Palace, prompts Tiana to open Tiana’s Foods, an employee-owned community food co-op built in a salt mine. Throughout the attraction, Tiana plans to throw a thank you party for her friends and family during Mardi Gras season, but her party is missing one key ingredient. Guests will join Tiana on a trip down the bayou to find her animal friends and the missing ingredient.

Tiana and her restaurateur aspirations were inspired by Leah Chase, founder of the New Orleans restaurant, Dooky Chase. Stella Chase Reese, daughter of Leah Chase, has been a part of the attraction’s development and will be among the first to ride Tiana’s Bayou Adventure.

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