Disneyland’s French Market in New Orleans Square will soon be seeing itself transformed into Tiana’s Palace this year. The new venue will be inspired by the adventures and friends of Tiana. It will continue to be a quick service restaurant with cuisine that will center around authentic New Orleans flavors. This will be an expansion on the current favorites found at the location. There will also be seasonal flavors presented. When completed, guests will get to experience The Princess and Frog as it comes off the screen and into the park in a whole new way!
Concept art for the new location was released by Disney today. It shows Tiana greeting her guests, friends, and family from a balcony above the dining area. Tiana Palace won’t be a dining location. However, Tiana might be found around New Orleans Square greeting happy travelers and potentially even diners. The concept art also showcases the new look for the location that is inspired by the film. The story (and reality) for Tiana’s Palace is that it is the newest restaurant on Orleans Street. It will have beautiful peach-colored walls and fancy green wrought-iron balconies. Throughout the location there will be elegant fixtures and appointments that act as reminders of Tiana’s life and friendship. Throughout the venue, there will be the magical feel and energy that was found in Tiana’s restaurant in her movie.
Tiana’s Palace will feel authentic to the movie as Disney Imagineers are partnered with Disney Animation artists from the film as they bring this story to life in a whole new way at the Disneyland Park. Interestingly enough, the original film designers used the French Market Restaurant in New Orleans square when they were designing Tiana’s Palace for the movie. The arrival of Tiana’s Palace at the location is a magical connection of combination of old and new that could only be found at Disney.
The work will begin on February 17, 2023 on the French Market Restaurant and Mint Julep Bar, which will close the at the end of the day before. Tiana’s Palace and the Mint Julep Bar will both be reopening later this year. The Mint Julep Bar will again serve its popular mint juleps and Mickey beignets. More details about the restaurant will be coming in the future.
The addition of Tiana’s Palace continues the expansion of the telling of Tiana’s stories at Disneyland Park, particularly in New Orleans Square. Last year at D23 Expo several announcements were made about the addition of Tiana’s stories to the area of the park. This includes the already open Eudora’s Chic Boutique Featuring Tiana’s Gourmet Secrets and also Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, which will be opening at Disneyland in 2024.
The French Market initially opened in 1966 in New Orleans Square. New Orleans Square was the first new land to be added to the park. Walt Disney and the mayor of New Orleans Victor H. Schiro dedicated the land on July 24, 1966. Schiro also announced that Walt Disney was an honorary citizen of New Orleans that day. Through the years, New Orleans Square has embodied the spirit of New Orleans and the dreams of Walt Disney. As it moves into this new era, those dreams will continue to live on and expand with more stories, more magic, and the continued dedication of Disney cast members and Imagineers to create an experience that authentically represents the culture and stories found in New Orleans along with The Princess and the Frog.
What do you think of Tiana’s Palace coming to New Orleans Square at Disneyland Park? What are you most excited about from what you are seeing? Share your thoughts and opinions in the comments below!
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