Princess Tiana sings in New Orleans Square, joins royal court at Disneyland

After a successful run in “Tiana’s Showboat Jubilee,” Princess Tiana from the animated movie musical “The Princess and the Frog” will disembark from the Mark Twain riverboat for a show on dry land starting next week at Disneyland.

Beginning Feb. 5, “Princess Tiana’s Mardi Gras Celebration” will feature Disney’s first African American princess singing with a live band in New Orleans Square. Backed by the Jambalaya Jazz Band, Tiana will perform songs from the animated movie during “atmosphere” shows occurring five to seven times daily.

Full Story

The Nation: With Disney Magic, New Orleans Awakens

Disney's The Princess and the Frog opened last week. It showcased Disney's first African American princess, prompted significant merchandise sales, and provoked racial and feminist criticism.


As the mother of a 7-year-old daughter, I knew I'd have to see the film. I went to the theater prepared to deconstruct troubling racial images, which Disney has a history of producing, and distorted notions of womanhood, which Disney makes its fortune creating. But I was mostly delighted by the music, characters, and plot. I found neither race nor gender the driving concerns of this animated film.