Go behind the scenes with Walt Disney Imagineering to see how music is created for upcoming attractions like Tiana's Bayou Adventure.
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Tiana’s Bayou Adventure
Disney Parks share a long love of New Orleans, its culture and its music. As we
shared in episode one, Walt Disney drew inspiration from New Orleans when creating Audio-Animatronics figures. In the early days of Disneyland, New Orleans music was prominently featured with performances by Kid Ory and Louis Armstrong himself.
With a new story, there was a need for new music to go along with it.
Imagineers worked with Grammy-winner, PJ Morton, in New Orleans to score a lyrical love letter to the city for
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. These recording sessions resulted in both new renditions of favorite tunes from the film and an all-new, original song, “Special Spice” with vocals by Anika Noni Rose, the original voice of Princess Tiana and Disney Legend.
This is a new chapter for Tiana as she grows her business and as a thank you to her community for their support, she’s throwing a party during Mardi Gras season. When it turns out there’s been a mix up in the preparations and she’s missing a band, Tiana invites us on a journey through the bayou discovering both friends familiar and anew for this last ingredient –
musical critters!
After the thrilling drop, you’ll soon approach Tiana and friends at her mansion, where Louis conducts a jazz band filled with all the critters we met on our journey. They play “Special Spice” along with Prince Naveen playing his ukulele and Prince Ralphie the drums. We’ve discovered the “Special Spice” making this joyful, one-of-a-kind celebration complete is in fact YOU. The melody continues as we approach Mama Odie, who acknowledges that this party wouldn’t be what it is without you.
As we near the attraction’s opening on June 28 at Magic Kingdom, PJ recently stopped by to hear his song alongside the project team. “Seeing my song on the ride for the very first time was mind blowing to me,” recounted PJ. “It’s surreal to be in this world after a long time writing this song and finally seeing it in action, it’s a dream come true.”
Not only does the latest episode of “We Call It Imagineering” feature a sneak peek of this catchy song, but the full version of “Special Spice” will also release on Walt Disney Records this Friday, May 31 across all streaming platforms!
Before even boarding the attraction, you’ll hear a radio program on a New Orleans station playing authentic jazz versions of familiar songs, including “Down in New Orleans,” “Ma Belle Evangeline” and more from “The Princess and the Frog”! Listen closely, you might catch the radio host sharing an important message to listeners, Tiana needs help finding musicians for her big party tonight.
Terence Blanchard, a featured musician in “The Princess and the Frog,” seven-time Grammy-winner and twice-Oscar nominated composer, helmed the music in the attraction’s queue. This is just one of the many ways Imagineers have leaned into local New Orleans voices to tell Tiana’s story — both artists are natives to this musical city.
“We really wanted to showcase New Orleans music, give people who are going to be in the queue line an experience of being in New Orleans,” shared Terence. “It will hopefully create a lasting memory and a relationship with the city.”
The Chase family is another center stone of the city and, as you may know, provided its own inspiration for “The Princess and the Frog.” We are honored that legendary singer Leah Chase Jr. and daughter of Chef Leah Chase who was one of the inspirations of Tiana, sings “Do You Know What It Means to Miss New Orleans.” I’ve seen Leah perform at New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival before, but there is nothing like her rendition of this song, which generations of our guests will now be able to experience. We can’t wait to share this heartwarming tune with all of you — thank you, Leah!
