ORLANDO -- Tiana's Bayou Adventure, Disney's retheming of the Splash Mountain ride in the Magic Kingdom, was designed to focus on a princess for everyone, its designers said during a media event here on Monday.
"Tiana is everybody's princess," said Charita Carter, executive creative producer of Walt Disney Imagineering. "She comes from a real place, in America. She wasn't born into royalty. She has a working mom. She has military ties. And there's so much about her life that is relatable -- everyone can find an aspect of Tiana's story in their own story, and so many people are inspired by her."
The attraction officially opens to the public on June 28.
A trip through the bayou
Ted Robledo, portfolio executive creative director with Walt Disney Imagineering, set the stage for the attraction: It takes place one year after the events depicted in 2009 animated film "The Princess and the Frog."
A lot has changed since then, Robledo said, but one of the most exciting things is seeing how far Tiana has come. Following the successful opening of her restaurant, Tiana's Palace, she has continued to grow her business with a new brand, Tiana's Foods.
On the attraction, riders will learn that she's planning a celebration of Mardi Gras that very evening and everyone is invited. She needs help finding a band, though.
Riders will take a trip through the bayou searching for musicians, Robledo said. Along the way, they will meet a number of critters playing instruments crafted from things found in the bog. Nineteen new critters in total were created for the attraction.
The character Mama Odie uses her magic to "shrink" riders down to the size of a frog during the ride, lending an interesting perspective in the search for a band. Mama Odie eventually right-sizes riders to get them to Tiana's celebration, via the attraction's hallmark 50-foot plunge.
The show's culminating scene takes place during the celebration at the home of Princess Tiana and Prince Naveen.
New Orleans inspiration
While creating Tiana's Bayou Adventure, Imagineers took multiple research trips to New Orleans.
The Disney company's ties with the city run deep, Carter said, pointing to the 1966 opening of New Orleans Square in Disneyland. The expansion was one of the park's first major ones, she said, dating back to Walt Disney himself.
During their modern-day trips, Imagineers sought local artists and musicians to collaborate with on the attraction.
"This attraction is truly a love letter to New Orleans," Carter said, one she hopes residents of New Orleans recognize and one that inspires riders to visit the city themselves.
Music plays a large part in the attraction.
"Special Spices" is an original song written and produced by P.J. Morton and performed by Anika Noni Rose, the voice of Tiana. She sang the song during the panel presentation.
Robledo called it an "instant Disney classic."
Terence Blanchard, who played the trumpet parts for Louis the alligator in the original film, was also involved in the music for the attraction, Robledo said.
Tiana inspired by real stories
Carmen Smith, senior vice president of creative development of content, products and inclusive strategies at Walt Disney Imagineering, spoke about Tiana's roots and inspiration in the late Leah Chase.
Chase owned the restaurant Dooky Chase, "a gathering place that inspired so many," Smith said, from former presidents to civil rights activists.
Both Leah and Edgar "Dooky" have died, Smith said, "but their legacy lives on through the future generations who are a huge part of this project. Their children were our guides, her life and her community."
Indeed, Smith said, her daughter Stella was made an honorary Imagineer. Her son, the late Edgar, also worked with Imagineers, sharing stories.
"The whole family is in this," Smith said.