This weekend I had front row seats to the unveiling and welcoming of Disneys newest Princess, Princess Tiana of The Princess and the Frog. Myself, along with hoards of media of all types, stood with baited breath during the huge To-Do that Disney created for her very first appearance.
Before you ask, I did not kidnap, bribe, or blackmail anyone to get there.
I swear.
On the tail end of a massive Disney New Orleans style parade, Princess Tiana rode in on a carriage (as only princesses ride of course) and was officially inducted as the first African American Princess into Disney’s Family.
I literally teared up.
The celebration pulled at your heartstrings as I watched a true piece of Americana come to life. Princess Tiana is from the new animated film that will be on the big screen Dec 11th for the Princess and the Frog.
Walt Disney Animation Studios presents the musical THE PRINCESS AND THE FROG, an animated comedy set in the great city of New Orleans. From the creators of “The Little Mermaid” and “Aladdin” comes a modern twist on a classic tale, featuring a beautiful girl named Tiana (ANIKA NONI ROSE), a frog prince who desperately wants to be human again, and a fateful kiss that leads them both on a hilarious adventure through the mystical bayous of Louisiana.
On the heels of Mulan, Pocahontas, and Jasmine, I was surprised it took this long to introduce a Princess of Color to her own full length feature movie. Even more interesting and historical, at least in my opinion, was that Princess Tiana has an interracial relationship. Now I haven’t seen the movie, but her prince doesn’t appear to be of the same decent she is.
I first noticed this on my media tag via the graphics and asked about it.
Someone responded that he was Cajun.
Cajun is not a race; even if New Orleans wants it to be.
He is Caucasian.
Perhaps Disney, and the world, may be catching up with the reality of the time and it was surprisingly refreshing. That doesn’t mean I didn’t wonder why they didn’t use an African American Prince, but baby steps I suppose.
After the debut, we went over and watched all the little girls get their Princess Makeovers in the Bibbity Bobbity Boutique. There were Disney models and real kids in there alike, and to be perfectly honest, there were lots of peeved off parents that people were potentially taking pictures of their kids.
You know, for a place like Disney with most likely 50,000+ cameras at any one time in the park shooting a picture, it sorta seemed pointless to get panties in a wad over the whole sitaution. I took over 400 photos while on my vacation and 390 of them have other people in them.
I actually had a guy stop me and ask me if I was media.
I said yes.
He said “I don’t want a picture of my kid published.”
My outside voice said “Its not”.
My inside voice said “Your kid isn’t that attractive and you are kinda jumping to conclusions there buddy.”
I was taking pictures of hair and hair clips anyway.
After I realized I was left behind at the Bibbity Bobbity Boutique, no doubt engrossed in NOT taking a picture of someones kid illegally, I ran to the next world and got to meet her Highness and the very charming (and with the cutest dimple!) Prince Naveen.
Her dress was GORGEOUS.
Then off to the boat celebration where the park got to listen to a sample of the music and I had the best front row seat in the house.
It was fabulous! Jazzy and Bluesy and upbeat. The music team got it right right out of the gate. I am unsure if this was a special parade/show for that day, but if its ongoing and you visit the park, I highly suggest taking some time out to go over and watch it.
It really made me excited to take Charlotte to the movie.
scheming voodoo magician Dr. Facilier
Ooh, and look, Disney Approved models!
I can say that with all the excitement, the parade, the music and the costumes, I cannot WAIT to see the movie bring it all to life.
I have no doubt Princess Tiana will be the idol of many Princesses-in-the -Making for years to come.
~trisha
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Thanks goes out to Disney for this memory! Disney media passes were provided.
Trailer
Wow! Princess Tiana is Gorgeous..not a bad looking Prince either. Unfortunately, my daughter is going through a stage where she is afraid of everything! Especially anything with witch doctors turning people into frogs and searching out other witches to solve the problem. I’m not into that kind of stuff either. Why couldn’t they make it the usual fluff? She won’t even watch Cinderella or The little Mermaid because she is afraid of the witch and the evil stepmother. Oh well, This one we will have to pass on for the time being. Great pictures!
We were at Disney last month, and my daughter fell in love with Tiana’s dress…and dressed up as Tiana for Halloween this year. We are very excited to see the movie. My daughter is oblivious to the race issue (other then requesting that I dye her blonde hair so that she can have beautiful brown hair like Princess Tiana) but I think it is important that Disney’s characters reflect different cultures – and having a “Princess of Color” is long overdue !
Oh goodness, wasn’t the prince SO goodlooking?! Your so right that it time more interracial relationship were featured in a cartoon. And for it to be with a black princess I’m overjoyed, but then I’m bias on this topic. =P
I cannot believe they actually let you in. FOR REAL this time!! LMAO
That is awesome!
Glad you had such a good time.
It looks like you had an amazing time! I am looking forward to the movie and can’t wait to go to Disney to see all the Princesses someday.
Wow! What an experience… not only are all the kids I teach going to be jealous but so will all the adult women… me included. No matter how old we get the Disney magic and princesses still have us fantasizing of true princes and gorgeous gowns!
See how excited I am . I can’t even spell.
Wonderful post Trisha. Absolutely gorgeous. I was anxious to see the movie when I first heard about it but now that I’ve seen your pic I am even excited. Thanks for sharing. Glad you enjoyed your trip. Now if I can only get to DISNEY!!!!!!
Amazing trip!
I bet Charlotte is still dreaming in “Princess” mode!
That is so special! What great pictures you took too. Thanks for sharing this. Cant wait to see the movie
how awesome! so glad you enjoyed yourself
I saw the trailer for this on the Snow White DVD. I cannot WAIT to take my daughter to see it. My mom is from New Orleans so I grew up spending a pretty significant chunk of my life there with my grandparents, aunts, uncles, etc. I freaking LOVE that there is finally an African-American Disney princess. So excited to see the movie.
Oh it sounds great! Austin digs Princesses!!!
How exciting! I can’t wait to see this movie and I’m sure my girls will love it. I too wonder why it took so long to get a Princess of color and I think the interracial prince and princess is wonderful! That will teach kids that loving each other based on what’s inside and not outward appearances (color, etc.) is ok and acceptable. Wonderful idea!
She is just beautiful and that prince is WAY hot! lol Love his dimple!
What a great experience for your family! Sigh – I don’t think we’ll ever get to Disney with my youngest who is already nine. I took my eldest when she was three and she doesn’t remember it at all – thank God for photos.
Speaking of which, twelve years ago when I took my eldest there, we went to Magic Kingdom and she spotted Minnie Mouse. She ran away from me and almost body slammed Minnie, giving her a huge bear hug. I just barely got a photo snapped off of it before I realized that there was a huge line of kids waiting to hug Minnie. I had no idea people lined up to hug the characters!
What fun! I’m so happy you for you that you were invited to such a magical unveiling!
Looks like it was a great time at Disney. Glad you got the opportunity to attend.
Princess Tiana Is already A hit here! She is soooo Beautiful! Great Pictures!!
What an amazing experience for all of you! I’ve never been to Disney World and would love to take my children there soon! Thanks so sharing and so happy you were able to go!
Lucky Girl! great opp and fantastic photo’s.
I call my neice Tiana
Fabulous photos! Great post Trisha
Nothing like a new princess and magical story that supports her to remind us of the sweetness that is what the Magic Kingdom and Disney dreams are really about. No analyzing, no questioning, just look at how MAGICAL and wonderous it is! The in park presentation is fabulous, meticulous, and so perfect…what’s not to love? I’m SO glad that Disney is mindful to keep the Princess Court alive and well =) So glad they invited you to attend…yeah Trisha! P.S. i’m totally biased because I was blessed to be a WDW College Program Intern in 1985 so I’m all about the Pixie Dust…have a bottle in my office and use it often =)
It looks like you had such a GREAT time. Love the photos, and I’m excited to see the movie as well.
This is fabulous!
I was looking forward to seeing this movie when it comes out in theatres, but I suppose a trip to Disney should be in the cards too. Hmmm…
How cool is that! I can’t wait to see the movie with my girl
and take her to Disney hopefully next year…
I can’t wait to see this movie with my own girls. I think it is great to see these changes!! and woohooo on going!!!
Oh, Wow! That looks so… magical! I can’t wait for the movie to come out!
That had to be so exciting Trisha. I’m almost in tears reading this and looking at her beautiful dress (pathetic I know). I’ve never been to a Disney Park and dream of the day I will be able to take my daughters there, hopefully before they are all adults. Reading all of this makes me feel like a little wishful 8 year old again.
How great! Can’t wait to see the film!
Wow everything looks so beautiful!