A New Orleans-themed attraction is set to open soon at Walt Disney World, and local tourism officials, along with the family of a New Orleans legend, couldn't be happier.
It's called "Tiana's Bayou Adventure," based on the 2009 Disney animated musical, "The Princess and the Frog." That movie is set in New Orleans and the bayou, and its titular princess, Tiana, was inspired in part by New Orleans restaurant owner Leah Chase.
Stella Chase Reese, president of Dooky Chase restaurant, told WWL's Newell Normand that she was struck by how enamored of New Orleans Disney was.
"Disney was really attracted to New Orleans," Reese said, and at a preview of the ride for news media and other guests, she saw that it was full of the city's culture and art.
"Like a love letter to New Orleans," she said.
Mark Romig with New Orleans & Company was also there for the preview, and said Disney executives couldn't stop talking about how great the city is.
"You had Disney executives saying to the hundreds of media from around the world, 'we ask you to go to New Orleans and see how this was inspired, how this ride was inspired,'" said Romig.
"Tiana's Bayou Adventure" opens Friday at the Magic Kingdom.
