Most of the scrim has come down from around what used to be the French Market Restaurant in New Orleans Square, revealing the refreshed exterior for Tiana’s Palace at Disneyland.
Tiana’s Palace Construction
French Market Restaurant closed permanently in February to become Tiana’s Palace and scrim went up around the building in April.
The façade has retained its basic shape, but the wrought iron balcony is now mostly gold with green accents. String lights hang across the balcony.
The red brick remains beyond the balcony, while the walls to the side have been painted yellow with white window frames and trim, and green shutters.
Disney Imagineers are partnering with Disney Animation artists from “The Princess and the Frog” to bring Tiana’s Palace to life. The film’s designers took inspiration from the exterior of the original French Market Restaurant in New Orleans Square when designing Tiana’s Palace, so the re-theme is relatively easy.
Scrim is still wrapped around the scaffolding covering the very top of the building, which will have new palatial columns.
The Mint Julep Bar is also closed for construction but will reopen with Tiana’s Palace, still as a Mint Julep Bar and still serving mint juleps and Mickey beignets. The classic treats are available at the nearby Royal Street Veranda during construction.
Tiana’s Palace Details
At the 2022 D23 Expo, it was announced that in addition to her own ride — Tiana’s Bayou Adventure — a second “The Princess and the Frog”-themed installation would come in the form of its very own restaurant: Tiana’s Palace.
Tiana’s Palace will be very similar to the restaurant that Tiana owned in the movie and will feature elegant fixtures and decorations that represent Tiana’s life and friendships. The quick-service restaurant will offer New Orleans flavors inspired by Tiana’s friends and adventures. It’s scheduled to open later this year.
Tiana’s Palace will not be a character dining location, but guests who wish to meet Tiana will be able to do so in New Orleans Square.
Eudora’s Chic Boutique featuring Tiana’s Gourmet Secrets is already open in New Orleans Square.
A restaurant called Tiana’s Place — which was the original name Tiana envisioned — is on the Disney Wonder cruise ship.
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure
Splash Mountain permanently closed in May at Disneyland to make way for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure.
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure picks up after the events of “The Princess and the Frog.” In 1927, Tiana founded the Tiana’s Foods co-ops, which is located in a salt mine, where cultivators grow crops along the waters. During Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, Tiana and alligator Louis venture into the bayou to find animal friends. They’re preparing a special Mardi Gras celebration for the people of New Orleans.
The scene depicted in the above concept art is “the thrilling moment you first drop into the bayou and encounter some friends both new and familiar.” Louis and a band of animals will be playing zydeco music, a blend of rhythm and blues that was created in Louisiana. The band of animal friends includes an otter, a rabbit, a raccoon, a beaver, and a turtle playing instruments made from natural bayou elements.
The ride will feature 17 new characters, including Prince Naveen’s younger brother, Ralphie. The Splash Mountain track will remain, but the attraction will get new set dressing and audio-animatronics. There will be multiple Tiana audio-animatronics, and she will have a new adventuring outfit.
The exterior landscaping is being made to look more like the Louisiana bayou.
The queue and attraction music is being arranged by award-winning artists PJ Morton and Terence Blanchard, who will mix classic songs from the movie with New Orleans classics and original compositions. The scent of beignets is also set to be pumped throughout the queue.
Some of the original cast will be providing their voices to the attraction, including Anika Noni Rose (Tiana), Bruno Campos (Naveen), Michael Leon Wooley (Louis), and Jennifer Lewis (Mama Odie). Concept art shows Mama Odie in the crow’s nest of her crashed ship home, with bottle lights hanging around her.
Are you excited for this new restaurant and Tiana’s Bayou Adventure? Let us know in the comments.
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