SuddenStorm
Well-Known Member
Because at the time, the film was one of the weaker box office releases of that Disney/Pixar era, did not have any cultural impact, and was not a merchandise driver. It would have actually been odd for them to even consider making PATF a permanent addition to any theme park, just like nobody would have suggested a Bolt or Chicken Little attraction/restaurant (which both performed better than PATF).
Animated releases of the era (in 2009 dollars):
2005 Chicken Little $341M
2007 Ratatouille $647
2008 Bolt $328M
2008 Wall E $531M
2009 Princess and the Frog $271M
2009 Up $731M
2010 Tangled $575M
I can only leave it up to your speculation why 24 years later this particular IP deserves both a major E ticket attraction and restaurant in two different areas.
I had a post written up mentioning that it is a bit strange for a movie to get this treatment 13 years after release- then scrolled up and saw this!
It is important to note, everything about the new stuff is focused around Tiana- less so the film or the characters or music. Tiana as a character/icon does have cultural appeal.
The IP lends itself to a restaurant first and foremost- this is perhaps the best conceived Tiana addition to Disneyland. Certainly way more appropriate than Tiana's Bayou Adventure or the store they added in New Orleans Square. AND if Tiana's cooking is supposed to be great- Disney's gonna have to make sure they do the menu justice.