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One only needs to mention “Splash Mountain” (the now permanently-closed Magic Kingdom ride that was inspired by the infamous 1964 movie Song of the South) to hear many ardent Disney fans’ passionate thoughts about the expansion of the 2009 movie Princess and the Frog’s presence in the Disney Parks.
Princess Tiana, the animated heroine who works towards creating her dream New Orleans restaurant while also dealing with a temporary magical frog transformation — and who falls in love with Prince Naveen of Maldonia along the way — has been taking Disney by storm as she racks up accolades like her own upcoming Disney+ series, her own boutique, and her own Magic Kingdom ride called Tiana’s Bayou Adventure.
Princess Tiana is getting her own Disney Park restaurant called Tiana’s Palace (which also comes with a Mint Julep Bar). Credit: Disney
The Ultimate Princess Celebration honoree has also just been honored with her own new restaurant, which will be called Tiana’s Palace after Princess Tiana’s dream restaurant in the Princess and the Frog film — and now the restaurant that is being ousted by Tiana’s Palace has just met its permanent demise!
The French Market Restaurant in Disneyland Resort, which Tiana’s Palace is replacing, has just closed its doors in a very final way as of February 17.
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure concept art. Credit: Disney
As we learned earlier this year, Walt Disney Imagineers and Disney Animation animators are working together to create a dining establishment with “the same pinch of pizzazz and flair as the restaurant from the film”, even as it replaces the French Market Restaurant that was considered a classic destination among Disneyland Guests.
Disney has previously described Tiana’s Palace as a restaurant that will feature “peach-colored walls and fancy green wrought-iron balconies” alongside “elegant fixtures and appointments reminiscent of Tiana’s life and friendships”.
The restaurant will also supposedly pay some homage to the French Market Restaurant’s aesthetic, and it will also be paired with a Mint Julep Bar.
Princess Tiana herself will not be in Tiana’s Palace within New Orleans Square, since the meals here are not part of a character dining offering, but customers can expect lots of New Orleans cuisine (including lighter fare, such as beignets and mint juleps) that relates to Tiana’s signature cooking style.
Disney has also said that “the menu at Tiana’s Palace will expand on many of the current favorites served in the location”, which suggests that some favorites from the now-defunct French Market Restaurant might make an appearance!
As Disney fans say goodbye to the French Market Restuarant, they must also prepare to say hello to Tiana’s Palace when it opens later on in 2023! What do you think of this change to the Disneyland dining scene?
