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See how Disney cast members pours their heart and soul into these new Tiana experiences and how you can be a part of them now.
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure
Back in June of 2020, Disney announced that a major reimagining of Splash Mountain would happen. This attraction, based on the controversial 1946 film Song Of the South, has been a fan favorite since it debuted in 1989.
The attraction will begin where the film leaves off; with the final kiss. We’ll join Princess Tiana and her trumpet playing alligator friend Louis “on a musical adventure.” We recently shared cool details about this new attraction HERE and all about the amazing music you’ll find on the attraction HERE.
EPCOT welcomes Tiana
The sun is shining, the gardens are thriving, and thanks to cast members like Brittany and Antoinette, the iconic topiaries you can only find at EPCOT are blooming. Each year at the EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival, favorite Disney characters spring to life as living statues.
Take a look at one of Disney’s newest additions to this year’s festival, Princess Tiana from the Walt Disney Animation Studios classic, The Princess and the Frog.
Cast Member Artists
From following her artistic passions to pursing her dream career of working for Walt Disney Imagineering, Production Designer Senior – Specialty Design, Brittany Smith, has taken inspiration from favorite character Princess Tiana and her dig a little deeper philosophy for years.
As a recent graduate, Brittany started off fresh to the topiary art world and quickly became known for taking characters from almost there to the one-of-a-kind masterpieces we see throughout our parks. Little did she know that with the help of her Disney Horticulture friends, she’d one day use her expertise to bring Tiana to life in an entirely new way.
I’ve always dreamed of working on a Princess Tiana topiary because, as a Black woman, she means so much to me and our community. I want children to see her confidence and courage, and realize that they can be a princess, too!
Brittany Smith, Disney Imagineer, Production Design Senior Specialty Design
Cool Effects
In fact, that same courageous spirit inspired Brittany and her team to explore something they’d never done before: creating a fully floral scene to surround Tiana with a piece of the bayou, complete with illuminated fireflies. And to make this vision a reality, Planned Work Specialist Antoinette Valentin, was ready to use her expertise to create living art in topiary form.
Tiana’s topiary includes a fully floral scene to surround Tiana with a piece of the bayou, complete with illuminated fireflies.
One of the factors considered was staying true to the New Orleans spirit and scenery by using magnolias and florals native to the area. Much like Brittany, Antoinette said she feels a special connection to Princess Tiana not only as a fellow Black woman, but also because she loves her determined, go get ’em attitude.
Celebrate the Coming Attraction
In addition to this amazing Tiana topiary, Disneyland also added a cool photo opportunity near the Tiana’s Adventure Bayou attraction opening in 2024. You can pose here like you’re part of the band with this spirited mural.
Take a look at a Tik Tok Disney shared below:
Are you excited about Tiana’s Adventure Bayou? Do you wish Tiana would be more represented in Disney Parks? Please share your thoughts in the comments and share this post with a Tiana loving friend.
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