Disneyland is building a real-world version of the New Orleans restaurant in the “Princess and the Frog” animated film to go alongside the Princess Tiana transformation of the Splash Mountain log flume ride.
Disneyland will transform the French Market restaurant in New Orleans Square into Tiana’s Palace starting on Feb. 17, according to the Disney Parks Blog. Tiana’s Palace and the adjacent Mint Julep Bar will reopen later this year.
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The quick-service restaurant will offer New Orleans classics and seasonal flavors inspired by the film while expanding on current dishes offered by the French Market. The Mint Julep Bar will continue to sell mint juleps and Mickey beignets.
While the Princess Tiana meet-and-greet character may frequent the New Orleans Square area around her Disneyland eatery, the new restaurant will not offer character dining.
The theme park eatery and the restaurant run by Tiana in the animated movie share a long history. Filmmakers took inspiration from the exterior of Disneyland’s French Market when designing Tiana’s Palace for the movie.
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is scheduled to open in 2024 as replacement for the controversial Splash Mountain ride based on the 1940s Disney film “Song of the South” that has been criticized for perpetuating racist stereotypes.
Eudora’s Chic Boutique retail store opened in New Orleans Square in September with a portion of the new shop dedicated to Tiana’s Gourmet Secrets. The Tiana-themed store that replaced Le Bat en Rouge shop is named for the seamstress mother of the animated Disney princess.
The addition of Tiana’s Palace in New Orleans Square has been long anticipated. Actress Anika Noni Rose, who voiced Princess Tiana in the 2009 movie, told People magazine she wanted to see Tiana’s Palace from the film realized as a real restaurant at Disneyland.
