Standing in a Dream: My Joyful Visit to Tiana’s Bayou Adventure

I knew that I wouldn’t get the chance to experience the full magic this trip. Mere days away from its grand opening, I was just grateful to see Tiana's Bayou Adventure opening gate in person.

That morning, I clipped bright butterfly clips in my hair, donned my colorful romper, and carefully placed my Minnie ears just so on top of my braids. There. I was ready. 

From Cinderella Castle to Tiana's Bayou Adventure

My brother and I had a smooth entrance into Disney World's Magic Kingdom. We stopped for our mandatory photos in front of Cinderella's Castle. And then, in wordless agreement, we stepped off in search of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. 

There it was.

I could see the lush green mountain peeking out from the tree line as we made our way through Liberty Square. Surrounded by this colonial section of Magic Kingdom, emotions swirled through my head. It started sinking in how amazing this moment truly was.

So excited to journey through Tiana's Bayou Adventure one day

I walked past replica relics from the not-too-distant past of American History where my ancestors labored through bondage. Walking this pathway felt like I was traveling through history.

Tiana's Bayou stood proud as a symbol of progress as my brother and I traveled from Liberty Square's colonial town, to Frontierland's Old West, and finally into the Jazz Age where The Princess and the Frog (2009) takes place.

Powerful Representation Decades in the Making

Here am I, a young Black woman who saw this animated Disney princess introduced in theaters 15 years ago. Here am I, the Black woman who remembers first glimpsing this whispered possibility of Black Disney nobility on a trip to Disney World in the early 2000s.

My mind flashed back to seeing the framed concept art of The Princess and the Frog as a teased future film almost two decades ago. 

My brother and I seeing the The Princess and the Frog poster at Disney.

In the present, here I see people young and old wearing green, floral, amphibian, Mardi Gras, and lily pad accessories in celebration of this movie and Black American princess. 

Tiana's Backstory: A Real-Life Journey Inspired by Chef Leah Chase

Moving ever closer, the bright “Tiana’s Bayou Adventure” sign came into view and another thought hits me…Princess Tiana's story was inspired by real-life Chef Leah Chase (1923-2019).

Now, today, Tiana's Bayou Adventure amusement ride is one new piece of a lasting legacy to the Queen of Creole Cuisine.

Learn more about Chef Leah Chase, her restaurant's legacy, and how she inspired Princess Tiana's backstory.

Chef Chase and her musician husband Dooky Chase Jr. pushed past Jim Crow-era discrimination to run their family restaurant, support the New Orleans community, and advocate for civil rights.

Their restaurant established in the 1940s is another piece of her legacy still going strong today. Her daughter, Stella Chase Reese talked about the impact of this Disney movie on their family business:

"If we have children and grown people coming here because of Tiana, they’re not coming here just because of Tiana’s restaurant and the food, it’s the value, it’s what she meant to them. Dream big and you can make it happen."

Chef Chase's determination brought an actual fairytale to life. And here I was to witness the next part of her legacy.

Joyful Celebration

I felt the tears before I realized I was crying. Just looking at this lush, glorious ride brought me to tears.

Soft jazz music played over the ride’s rushing water. Looking out, I could make out decorations, frog characters, and a water tower topped with the movie’s iconic two stars.

So much joy. So many tears. I stood there in reflection and admiration.

Another group walked up to the sign next to us. I heard another Black woman say, “Oh my gosh, this makes me want to cry.”

I looked at her and we both smiled while wiping away tears of joy. Her friends offered to take pictures of me, and I could barely keep myself composed enough to pose for photos. It was just a beautiful moment.

Dreams Made Real

A whole childhood in the making, it is an indescribable feeling to see the movie you first watched as a little kid come to life in person.

Of course, that’s Disney magic at work.

I felt like that little girl again, sitting in the theater waiting to see this princess take her long-awaited place on the silver screen. I felt that same weight, knowing that this moment’s significance is something historic that so many of my ancestors dreamed one day could be.

Lines from the film play through my head while staring out at the ride. “Anything can happen.” “Almost there.” “Dig a little deeper.” 

Look closely for the easter egg. Two frogs are looking at the water tower's starry tiara.

Tiana’s journey is set in a time when it was nearly impossible to achieve one’s dreams.

Her story, based on a real woman’s story, truly emphasizes the power of believing in yourself. She faces real setbacks and puts in real effort to bring her dreams to life. She is a role model businesswoman that turns entrepreneurship and self-belief into a kind of magic.

Her story may feel like a fairy tale, but it is real.

Tiana's goal of owning a successful business is a dream that any child — any person — can strive for. Her determination is uplifting every time I rewatch her film.

After all the struggles Tiana faces in her film, I am so grateful Disney chose to set her ride in her successful era as a restaurant owner. Rather than emphasizing struggle, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is joyful, magical, and uplifting.

Her ride is truly a celebration of her achievements, determination, optimism, hopes, dreams, faith, and self-belief.

Taking that upward climb on her bayou adventure is a chance for us all to step into her shoes. We can see the fruits of her labor. We can journey through the bayou with her. Tiana never leaves our side, dressed the part in her adventure gear.

We can journey to her fairytale ending.

I so look forward to splashing down into her celebration. Seeing her sing her new original song and dance with modern animatronic technology, Tiana lives her dreams in person for all of us to see. We can join her in her magic.

All day long at Magic Kingdom, I saw parkgoers young and old dressed in celebration. At the parade in the afternoon, people cheered for Princess Tiana and Prince Naveen. So many faces alight with joy. So many hearts reignited with wonder at seeing new heights for what is possible.

Later in the day at sunset, my brother and I returned to the bayou ride. At night, Tiana’s Bayou glows in jewel-tone hues.

"Imagine how many kids this will inspire," I said to myself, "imagine how many dreams it will spark."

Standing there, soaking up the nature view in its evening glory, my eyes welled up again.

That day at Disney World, so many dreams came true. My dream, other visitors', Chef Leah Chase and her family, and my ancestors long since passed.

Here I stand in the middle of my ancestors’ wildest dream.

It shines brightly for all to see. A fairytale? No, more than that. It’s a soulful combination of hope, determination, and magical self-belief.

Explore More Stories

Thanks for reading. Want more cozy adventures and inspiring stories? Check out Crowning Natural Hair in Media.

This story was originally published on medium.com (@alexisrenae) and alexisrenaemedia.com in July 2024.