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Guests of the gift shop at Disney World's newest attraction can bring home a true taste of New Orleans, straight from the kitchen of iconic eatery Dooky Chase.

Why it matters: A selection of Dooky Chase's products will be on sale at Tiana's Bayou Adventure, as part of the park's effort to showcase the legacy of chef Leah Chase.

Catch up quick: Chase is the inspiration for Princess Tiana, Disney's first Black princess who debuted in the 2009 movie "The Princess and the Frog."

Tiana's Bayou Adventure replaces Splash Mountain this year at Disney's U.S. parks.

The ride opens June 28 at Disney World in Florida and later this fall at Disneyland in California.

The big picture: During a preview of the attraction this week, shelves in the ride's two shops were stocked with several Dooky Chase spice blends and the late chef's book, "And Still I Cook."

Executive chef Edgar "Dook" Chase IV said Tiana's story, like his grandmother's cuisine, reflects the sense of community at the heart of New Orleans' culture.

"You can't cook a small pot of gumbo. You have to invite people over."

A large pot of fake gumbo at the entrance to the gift shop.

A large pot of (prop) gumbo. Photo: Jeff Weiner/Axios

A gumbo pot greets you upon entering the ride's main gift shop, Critter Co-op. Weeks ahead of the ride's opening, it was already stocked up on a wide variety of merch featuring Tiana and her friends.

Think plush bayou critter musicians, princess jewelry, Mama Odie's hot sauce and the debut of the highly collectible Loungefly backpack.

And there's a new Tiana sipper cup topped with a miniature figurine of the princess.

Meanwhile, Disney is adding more New Orleans-themed food to the parks once the ride opens.

Beignets will finally be for sale in Magic Kingdom, along with gummi frogs, Tiana Bayou coffee and Chantilly cake, which was invented in New Orleans.

Here's some of what we saw in the gift shops.

A rack of Princess and the Frog-themed merchandise. 

Check out those new Loungefly backpacks. Get ready to see a lot of those stuffed opossums around. Photo: Jeff Weiner/Axios

... and the harmonica turtles and the accordion raccoons. These are $24.99 each. Photo: Jeff Weiner/Axios

Caution: Mama Odie's hot sauce may have undisclosed magical properties. Photo: Jeff Weiner/Axios

A rack of merchandise including jewelry, pillows and blankets.

Disney has all the things for your inner princess. Jewelry: check. Tiaras: check. Photo: Jeff Weiner/Axios

A rack of clothing at the Tiana's Bayou Adventure gift shop.

For the non-princess set: Bayou adventurer chic awaits. Photo: Jeff Weiner/Axios

First look: Tiana's Bayou Adventure ride at Disney World.

Disney World adds New Orleans art to Tiana's Bayou Adventure ride.

First look: Tiana's Bayou Adventure ride at Disney World

Disney World adds New Orleans art to Tiana's Bayou Adventure ride

Tiana's Bayou Adventure merchandise includes hot sauce and Dooky Chase's spices

Think spices, hot sauce and plush bayou critters.

Members of the Chase family discuss the role Leah Chase's legacy plays in Tiana's Bayou Adventure.

Myla Poree and Edgar "Dook" Chase IV showcase the Dooky Chase's Restaurant wares soon for sale at Disney World. Photo: Jeff Weiner/Axios

Guests of the gift shop at <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Disney World&#x27;s newest attraction" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2024/06/12/tianas-bayou-adventure-ride-disney-world-first-look" data-vars-content-id="321c0df1-9657-4f0b-840b-5e9d185fe5a6" data-vars-headline="Tiana&#x27;s Bayou Adventure merchandise includes hot sauce and Dooky Chase&#x27;s spices" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2024/06/12/tianas-bayou-adventure-ride-disney-world-first-look" target="_self">Disney World&#x27;s newest attraction</a> can bring home a true taste of New Orleans, straight from the kitchen of iconic eatery Dooky Chase.Why it matters: A selection of Dooky Chase&#x27;s products will be on sale at Tiana&#x27;s Bayou Adventure, as part of the park&#x27;s effort to showcase the legacy of chef <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Leah Chase" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2023/06/01/leah-chase-princess-tiana" data-vars-content-id="321c0df1-9657-4f0b-840b-5e9d185fe5a6" data-vars-headline="Tiana&#x27;s Bayou Adventure merchandise includes hot sauce and Dooky Chase&#x27;s spices" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2023/06/01/leah-chase-princess-tiana" target="_self">Leah Chase</a>.

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For New Orleans painter Varion Laurent, "serendipity" came how he least expected it, in the form of a chance invite to meet with Disney Imagineers.

Why it matters: Laurent is one of several local artists whose work features prominently in Disney World's new ride, Tiana's Bayou Adventure. 

Catch up quick: Tiana's Bayou Adventure replaces Splash Mountain this year at Disney's U.S. parks.

It's based on the 2009 movie "The Princess and the Frog."

The big picture: As Imagineers brought the film to life, they were guided by New Orleans culture bearers.

The incorporation of local art is a key element in Disney's quest to ensure the attraction's authenticity.

That includes the ride's most prominent artwork, a colorful mural by Louisiana artist Malaika Favorite at the entrance.

Photo shows the entrance of Tiana's Bayou Adventure with a colorful mural on the side of the building.

The mural is the work of Louisiana artist Malaika Favorite.  Photo: Jeff Weiner/Axios

Flashback: Laurent lost his entire portfolio when Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans nearly 20 years ago.

"I lost all my work... my complete body of work," Laurent told reporters. "... So I had zero identity as an artist."

Unable to replace his lost art and struggling to begin again, he returned to his alma mater, Xavier University, and became director of student media.

When Disney came to New Orleans to research the city, Laurent was asked to contribute, which led to him being commissioned for a painting.

The work depicts the new ride's climax, with Tiana and Prince Naveen celebrating Mardi Gras with their friends, human and critter alike.

What they're saying: "It's like a full circle moment for me," Laurent said. "... I couldn't have asked for this dream to come true in the manner that it did." 

First look: Tiana's Bayou Adventure ride at Disney WorldTiana's Bayou Adventure merchandise includes hot sauce and Dooky Chase's spices.

Painter Varion Laurent speaks in front of his Princess Tiana themed artwork.

Varion Laurent painted the ride's climax, a lively jazz party celebrating Mardi Gras. Photo: Jeff Weiner/Axios

For <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="New Orleans" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans" data-vars-content-id="345e868f-8949-496d-923b-b3e8fdf3108f" data-vars-headline="Disney World adds New Orleans art to Tiana&#x27;s Bayou Adventure ride" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans" target="_self">New Orleans</a> painter Varion Laurent, &quot;serendipity&quot; came how he least expected it, in the form of a chance invite to meet with Disney Imagineers.Why it matters: Laurent is one of several local artists whose work features prominently in Disney World&#x27;s new ride, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Tiana&#x27;s Bayou Adventure" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2024/06/12/tianas-bayou-adventure-ride-disney-world-first-look" data-vars-content-id="345e868f-8949-496d-923b-b3e8fdf3108f" data-vars-headline="Disney World adds New Orleans art to Tiana&#x27;s Bayou Adventure ride" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2024/06/12/tianas-bayou-adventure-ride-disney-world-first-look" target="_self">Tiana&#x27;s Bayou Adventure</a>.

Culture

Disney World's love letter to New Orleans opens to the public Friday.

Why it matters: Tiana's Bayou Adventure replaces Splash Mountain and is Disney's first ride celebrating its only Black princess.

Catch up quick: Tiana's Bayou Adventure is based on the 2009 movie "The Princess and the Frog" and has been in the works for 10 years, Disney says.

In the movie, Tiana is a server in New Orleans and helps a frog prince turn back into a human. The movie ends with her opening a restaurant.

Tiana's Bayou Adventure is the next chapter. As Imagineers designed the ride, they were guided by the family behind Dooky Chase's Restaurant, whose matriarch, chef Leah Chase, is the inspiration for Princess Tiana.

Leah Chase died in 2019 at the age of 96.

The big picture: Axios previewed the ride earlier this month, along with the Chase family, Drew Brees and Cam Jordan.

It's still a log flume ride with that familiar 50-foot drop — and the splashdown.

All aboard: The ride takes you on a quest through the bayou, led by Tiana and fan-favorite alligator trumpeter Louis, in search of musicians for a Mardi Gras party.

The action ramps up when voodoo priestess Mama Odie shrinks us down to bug-sized so we can scout talent among Ray the firefly's brethren.

New music: The ride features an all-new song, "Special Spice," performed by Tiana voice actress Anika Noni Rose and written by New Orleans native PJ Morton.

And that voice you hear covering the Louis Armstrong classic "Do You Know What It Means to Miss New Orleans?" is none other than Leah Chase-Kamata.

The soundtrack also features Tarriona "Tank" Ball and dozens of local musicians. Go deeper.

New merch: A selection of Dooky Chase's spices and books are on sale at the ride's two shops.

There's also plush bayou critter musicians, an interactive dragonfly toy, princess jewelry, Mama Odie's hot sauce and the ride's new Loungefly bag. 

New food: Disney is adding New Orleans-themed food to the parks for the ride.

Photo shows Cam Jordan and Drew Brees riding Tiana's Bayou Adventure.

Saints legends Cam Jordan and Drew Brees braved the 50-foot drop at Tiana's Bayou Adventure. Photo: Courtesy of The Walt Disney Co.

If you go: The ride is in Disney's Magic Kingdom and has a virtual queue and paid option called a Lightning Lane to skip the line through Disney's Genie+ service.

What's next: Tiana's Bayou Adventure is also coming to Disneyland in California. That opening is slated for later this year.

Tiana's Bayou Adventure merchandise includes hot sauce and Dooky Chase's spices.

New Orleans chef Leah Chase was inspiration for Disney's Princess Tiana.

Photo shows the bayou area of Tiana's Bayou Adventure

Tiana's Bayou Adventure replaces the briar patch from Splash Mountain with a cypress swamp. Photo: The Walt Disney Co.

New Orleans chef Leah Chase was inspiration for Disney's Princess Tiana

Tiana's Bayou Adventure ride opens at Disney World

The ride celebrates Disney's only Black princess.

Photo shows the voice actors of "The Princess and the Frog" riding Tiana's Bayou Adventure at Disney World.

The original voice actors from "The Princess and the Frog" checked out Tiana's Bayou Adventure earlier this month. Photo: Courtesy of The Walt Disney Co.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Disney World&#x27;s love letter" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2024/06/12/tianas-bayou-adventure-ride-disney-world-first-look" data-vars-content-id="a4bb431f-0988-4117-803b-f743de49cbfb" data-vars-headline="Tiana&#x27;s Bayou Adventure ride opens at Disney World" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2024/06/12/tianas-bayou-adventure-ride-disney-world-first-look" target="_self">Disney World&#x27;s love letter</a> to New Orleans opens to the public Friday.Why it matters: Tiana&#x27;s Bayou Adventure replaces <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Splash Mountain" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2023/06/01/tianas-bayou-adventure-ride-disney-world-new-orleans" data-vars-content-id="a4bb431f-0988-4117-803b-f743de49cbfb" data-vars-headline="Tiana&#x27;s Bayou Adventure ride opens at Disney World" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2023/06/01/tianas-bayou-adventure-ride-disney-world-new-orleans" target="_self">Splash Mountain</a> and is Disney&#x27;s first ride celebrating its only Black princess.

Things to Do

When her raft splashed down from the 50-foot drop, the cascade of water was a relief to Tracie Griffin, granddaughter of New Orleans culinary legend Leah Chase.

"I'm glad I got wet, because it wiped my tears away," Griffin told Axios. "It's a beautiful ride. It's a love letter, not just to the Chase family, but to the city of New Orleans."

Why it matters: Griffin and dozens of her relatives got an early look this week at Tiana's Bayou Adventure, a new Walt Disney World ride celebrating New Orleans' cultural history.

Catch up quick: Tiana's Bayou Adventure replaces Splash Mountain this year at Disney's U.S. parks. 

As Imagineers brought the film to life, they were guided by the family behind Dooky Chase's Restaurant, whose matriarch inspired Disney's first Black princess.

The entrance to the Tiana's Bayou Adventure ride is portrayed as the entrance to a business called Tiana's foods.

The vibe: Set a year after the film's happy ending, riders enter the Bayou Adventure through our restaurateur's new business, Tiana's Foods.

The walls are lined with mementos of Tiana's life with Prince Naveen and, if you look and listen closely, homages to the Chase family's New Orleans legacy.

🎶 Case in point: That voice you'll hear covering the Louis Armstrong classic "Do You Know What It Means to Miss New Orleans?" is none other than Leah Chase Jr.

All aboard: The ride sends guests on a quest through the bayou, guided by Tiana and alligator trumpeter Louis, in search of musicians for a Mardi Gras party.

Along the way, you'll meet several cuddly new critter musicians. (Yes, plushes are for sale in the gift shop.)

The action ramps up when kindly voodoo priestess Mama Odie shrinks the riders down to bug-sized so we can scout talent among Ray the firefly's brethren.

When Mama Odie reverses her magic, get ready for that 50-foot splash — followed by an animatronic New Orleans celebration. Here's a video from the rider perspective.

An animatronic of the Disney character Mama Odie. 

The benevolently mischievous Mama Odie, in animatronic form. Photo: Jeff Weiner/Axios

The intrigue: The ride features an all-new song, "Special Spice," performed by Tiana voice actress Anika Noni Rose and written by New Orleans native PJ Morton.

What they're saying: Disney executive and Imagineer Carmen Smith said working with the Chase family to continue Tiana's story was "an honor and a blessing."

"Tiana would not be possible if were not for Leah Chase. She was a dreamer and a doer, a working mom of four who followed her dream to run a restaurant."

If you go: The ride is in Disney's Magic Kingdom and will have a virtual queue and paid option called a Lightning Lane to skip the line through Disney's Genie+ service. 

The ride is a love letter to New Orleans.

Influencers pose for photos in front of Tiana's Bayou Adventure, a new Disney World ride. 

A preview of Disney's new ride this week drew content creators, international media and the Chase family. Photo: Jeff Weiner/Axios

When her raft splashed down from the 50-foot drop, the cascade of water was a relief to Tracie Griffin, granddaughter of New Orleans culinary legend <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Leah Chase" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2023/06/01/leah-chase-princess-tiana" data-vars-content-id="bad13a8d-e464-41c6-9a61-2b30071bf423" data-vars-headline="First look: Tiana&#x27;s Bayou Adventure ride at Disney World" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2023/06/01/leah-chase-princess-tiana" target="_self">Leah Chase</a>.<ul><li>&quot;I&#x27;m glad I got wet, because it wiped my tears away,&quot; Griffin told Axios. &quot;It&#x27;s a beautiful ride. It&#x27;s a love letter, not just to the Chase family, but to the city of New Orleans.&quot;</li></ul>Why it matters: Griffin and dozens of her relatives got an early look this week at <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Tiana&#x27;s Bayou Adventure" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2023/06/01/tianas-bayou-adventure-ride-disney-world-new-orleans" data-vars-content-id="bad13a8d-e464-41c6-9a61-2b30071bf423" data-vars-headline="First look: Tiana&#x27;s Bayou Adventure ride at Disney World" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2023/06/01/tianas-bayou-adventure-ride-disney-world-new-orleans" target="_self">Tiana&#x27;s Bayou Adventure</a>, a new Walt Disney World ride celebrating New Orleans&#x27; cultural history.

The Saints enter the NFL Draft ready to build around Tyler Shough, the promising young quarterback they selected this time last year.

Why it matters: Shough's rapid rise to Rookie of the Year contender creates a degree of urgency for the Saints to build up the roster around him.

State of play: New Orleans is thin at wide receiver beyond Chris Olave, who's on the last year of his contract and has been injury-prone. 

Other needs include cornerback and pass rusher. The Saints have eight picks in this draft, including No. 8 overall Thursday night in the first round. 

Names to know: Many analysts have forecast the Saints will use that pick on Carnell Tate, the Ohio State star considered the draft's best receiver. 

But Tate may not make it to the eighth pick. Another touted receiver who could is Arizona State's Jordyn Tyson.

Other options for No. 8 could include pass rushers Reuben Bain Jr. of Miami and David Bailey of Texas Tech, or cornerback Mansoor Delane, a local favorite who played for LSU.

A football player wearing a white, black and red Louisville uniform runs up the field while holding the ball as a defender in a blue, white and red jersey chases him.

Receiver Chris Bell says his former teammate has been lobbying for the Saints to draft him. Photo: Matthew Visinsky/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

The intrigue: If the Saints don't take a receiver in the first round, a name to watch in Round 2 is Louisville's Chris Bell. 

Bell and Shough were college teammates, and Bell told reporters that Shough "wants me so bad, and he's been pushing my name."

How to watch: The draft starts Thursday at 8pm. Rounds 2 and 3 air at 7pm Friday, with the remaining four rounds airing Saturday, starting at noon.

There are a ton of places to watch: ESPN, ABC (for Round 1), Disney+, NFL Network and the ESPN App.

A casual Saints fan's guide to the 2026 NFL draft

Tyler Shough's rapid rise creates a degree of urgency for the Saints

Carnell Tate, a young man wearing a long-sleeved red shirt and gray shorts, runs across a football field with a ball tucked in his right arm as dozens of scouts watch in the background.

Carnell Tate has been a popular projection for the Saints' first-round pick. Photo: Jason Mowry/Getty Images

The Saints enter the NFL Draft ready to build around Tyler Shough, the promising young quarterback they selected this time last year.Why it matters: Shough&#x27;s rapid rise to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Rookie of the Year contender" data-vars-click-url="https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/47485834/how-new-orleans-saints-quarterback-tyler-shough-went-backup-nfl-rookie-year-candidate" data-vars-content-id="e0d44b4a-004d-499d-8bb2-8064e90845b1" data-vars-headline="A casual Saints fan&#x27;s guide to the 2026 NFL draft" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/47485834/how-new-orleans-saints-quarterback-tyler-shough-went-backup-nfl-rookie-year-candidate" target="_blank">Rookie of the Year contender</a> creates a degree of urgency for the Saints to build up the roster around him.

Jeff Weiner

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