First Look at Tiana’s Palace Menu at Disneyland Park

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Dining, Disney Parks

We are almost there because the grand opening of Tiana’s Palace over at Disneyland Park is coming soon. On Sept. 7, the doors to this new establishment will be opening to feed hungry guests a little taste of New Orleans inspired by Tiana herself. Nestled on Orleans Street, this soon-to-be hotspot will be serving up can’t-miss classics like gumbo and beignets with a tasty twist. Guests can even use mobile order to get all the new bites on the way.

With flavors and ingredients coming right out of New Orleans, guests won’t need to chat with Dr. Facilier’s “friends on the other side” to know that this new spot is going to be the place to be on their next visit to Disneyland Resort.

Gumbo-lovers are in for a treat because this spot will feature a couple different options to try. The 7 Greens Gumbo is a must-try plant-based option. It features white beans, okra, yams, sweet potatoes, and heirloom rice. Those looking for something a little extra can feast upon the 7 Greens Gumbo with Chicken & Andouille Sausage. And of course, we’ve got the House Gumbo. This dish is a New Orleans staple combining braised chicken, andouille sausage, and heirloom rice into a mouthwatering delight that’ll leave guests coming back for more.

For those wanting a little extra spice from down in New Orleans, the Cajun Spice Half Chicken is the dish to try. The chicken is brushed with a house-made chicory BBQ sauce and served with baked macaroni and cheese & coleslaw.

The Muffuletta Sandwich stacks mortadella, salami, rosemary ham, cheddar, provolone and house-made olive relish on toasted New Orleans sesame seed bread. Another staple, the Beef Po-boy Sandwich features some slow-cooked beef perfectly coated with gravy and fully dressed with shredded lettuce, tomato and mayonnaise atop a toasted New Orleans French bread. Both tasty bites are served alongside red beans and rice and house-made pickles.

Tiana is also serving up Gulf Shrimp and Grits! Grilled to perfection and tossed in a Creole sauce, the shrimp are then paired with cheesy grits to form a classic dish that will transport you down the bayou with each bite.

The chefs have put together a lovely array of classic sides, like the Buttermilk Cornbread, Baked Macaroni and Cheese, Red Beans & Heirloom Rice, Coleslaw, Cheesy Grits, and plant-based Heirloom Rice.

For the little ones, there are also some kid meals they’ll love. The Roasted Chicken Drumstick is served with a sweet BBQ sauce and heirloom rice, while the Toasted Ham & Cheese Sandwich is topped with savory ham and provolone. Also, a classic Baked Macaroni and Cheese is on the menu for the kids too! All three of these are accompanied by a Cuties Mandarin Orange and applesauce with choice of DASANI Water or small lowfat milk.

Now onto the star of the show … No restaurant inspired by Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “The Princess and the Frog” could be complete without beignets, and at Tiana’s Palace, dessert is always first. But these delights aren’t your average beignets. The House-filled Beignet features a delicious lemon ice box pie filling topped with lemon glaze for the perfect bite.

A specialty sip is also on the menu. The Joffrey’s Coffee Chicory Cold Brew topped with sweet cream is a must for those coffee lovers out there. The Ray Firefly Glow Cube* is also available with the purchase of a beverage. This adorable addition will light up the drink just like Evangeline lights up the night sky.

Last but certainly not least, those wanting to take home a piece of Tiana’s Palace will love the Lily Pad and Lotus Cup Ceramic Set**. And it even comes with a House-filled Beignet.

With exciting new openings like Tiana’s Palace, there’s no limit to the foodie fun to be had at Disney Parks.

(Note: All offerings are subject to change and availability. *Limit 10 per person, per transaction for the Ray Firefly Glow Cube.**Limit two per person, per transaction for the Lily Pad and Lotus Cup Ceramic Set)

Entertainment at Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks

One of the biggest draws of Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party is the fantastic lineup of entertainment. The entertainment offerings are one of the reasons many guests return to the party year after year. It certainly is for us. We firmly believe that Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party has the best Disney entertainment offerings. The lineup includes one of the best Disney parades, an incredible fireworks show, a spell-bounding stage show, a Disney singing quartet, and fun dance parties for all ages.

1 – Mickey’s Boo-To-You Halloween Parade

Mickey’s Boo-To-You Halloween Parade is by far our favorite Disney parade. In 2023, the parade was updated, so even if you have seen the parade before, you’ll want to see the updates. In the descriptions below, we note which sections of the parade have something new in them.

Pre-Parade:

Headless Horseman – Your favorite galloping Headless Horseman is also back and rides through the streets of Main Street USA to set the spooky tone for the parade. He appears about twenty minutes before each parade performance, following the entire parade route.

Max Goof – Also before the parade, guests can ‘Stand Out’ and dance along with Max Goof, who is cosplaying as Powerline, his favorite pop superstar. Joining Max is a 90’s dance crew that encourages guests to dance along with them. Max Goof and the dancers make their way down Main Street, U.S.A., to the Railroad Station.

Boo to You Parade:

Pluto, Tigger, Winnie the Pooh, Mad Hatter, Alice and Wonderland, Snow White, Dopey, Jasmine, Aladdin, Rapunzel, and Flynn

(NEW) Minnie Mouse, Daisy Duck, and Clarabelle Cow as the Sanderson Sisters, Mickey, Donald, and Chip ‘n Dale – New for 2023, partygoers can see Minnie Mouse, Daisy Duck, and Clarabelle Cow dressed as the Sanderson Sisters from Disney’s “Hocus Pocus.” We love their costumes! These characters are on a new float. The old gazebo is (thankfully) gone. However, it is a little tricky seeing the sisters up on the float as the metalwork of the float blocks them. Mickey, Donald, and Chip ‘n Dale are in Halloween costumes.

Smee, Captain Hook, Wendy, Peter Pan, and some Lost Boys, ahead of Tinkerbell sitting on her treasure.

Pirates with flags dance troupe ahead of a pirate ship with Barbossa, Angelica, and Captain Jack Sparrow.

Haunted Mansion – Gravediggers, Leota Float, waltzing ghosts, the Spectral Bride, and the famous Hitchhiking Ghosts.

Sugar Rush – Vanellope and the girls from Sugar Rush make sure there’s plenty of candy to go around during the parade.

(NEW) Expanded Villians – Guests will be delighted to see Ursula, joined by Flotsam and Jetsam puppets, which is new in 2023. Ursala glides along the parade route and is a terrific addition.

Cruella Devil is now riding in a car along with Jasper and Horace, who are also new to the parade.

The Queen of Hearts is now accompanied by her card army, giving her an expanded role in the parade.

The Skeleton Band returns this year. Next is a group of Villains, including Anastasia and Drizella Tremain, Evil Stepmother, Gaston, Honest John and Gideon, and Oogie Boogie.

Finally, the classic villains float with Maleficent, Jafar, and the Evil Queen, ends the parade.

The parade follows the Festival of Fantasy parade route, beginning in Frontierland and ending near the City Hall on Main Street USA. The parade runs at 9:15 pm and 11:15 pm. Usually, the second parade is less busy, and you may not have to line up as early to get a good spot.

2 – Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacuar

The Sanderson Sisters are as popular as ever, and the stage show “Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular” is a chance to see them at their best. The cast is extremely talented, and I’ve always enjoyed watching this show. During this show, you’ll have a chance to see Dr. Facilier, Oogie Boogie, Maleficent, and of course, the Sanderson Sisters, who are trying to cast a spell over everyone at Magic Kingdom.

In August and September, the show runs at 8:35 pm, 10:45 pm, and midnight. In October, you’ll have an extra chance to see the show with the addition of a 7:40 pm show. The show runs for about twenty minutes, so keep that in mind when planning your evening. We always recommend guests catch the last show at midnight so you won’t miss any party time. There is so much to do and see at the party; by watching it at midnight, you can fit other things in and save it for last.

3 – ‘Disney’s Not So Spooky Spectacular’

In 2019, “Disney’s Not So Spooky Spectacular” debuted and quickly became a fan favorite. The fireworks show lights the night sky with projections and fireworks. As host of the spectacle, Jack Skellington from Tim Burton’s “The Nightmare Before Christmas” spins a not-so-scary tale about how anything can happen on Halloween night. Jack’s ghost dog, Zero, brings everyone along on a trick-or-treating adventure where four friends – Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Goofy, and Donald Duck – find themselves drawn into a haunted house. Encounters with dancing skeletons, waltzing ghosts, and wickedly troublemaking Disney villains make for a hair-raising adventure. It all comes to life with state-of-the-art projection effects, lasers, lighting, and dazzling fireworks.

The fireworks show is a lot of fun, and we really encourage you to catch it. It runs at 10:15 pm with the best viewing in front of Cinderella Castle, much like Happily Ever After. When choosing when and where to find your spot for the fireworks, keep in mind that the entire Hub area in front of the castle will be packed with people the whole night, from people watching Hocus Pocus Villain Spectacular at 8:35 pm and Mickey’s Boo to You Halloween Parade at 9:15 pm.

4 – Cadaver Dans

Finally, fans of the Dapper Dans won’t want to miss catching the Cadaver Dans. This quartet will sing your favorite spooky tunes in Frontierland throughout the evening at 7:00 pm, 7:45 pm, 8:30 pm, 9:50 pm, and 10:30 pm. Their “dead pan” humor is to die for and very entertaining.

5 – Rusty Cutlass Pirate Band

A new offering is in Adventureland! A spirited pirate band performs near Pirates of the Caribbean with spooky sea shanties. These guys were a lot of fun and added a lot to the atmosphere. You can catch them off and on throughout the evening.

6 – Zom-Beatz Bash

Over in Tomorrowland at the Rocettower Plaza Stage, guests can dance with zombies, cheerleaders, werewolves, and aliens for an out-of-this-world dance party!

7 – Disney Junior Jam

At Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe, guests can dance the night away with Vampirina and some of your other favorite Disney Junior Characters. Kids will certainly enjoy this one!

Tiana’s Palace Restaurant Set to Open in Disneyland Park on September 7, 2023

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Dining, Disney Parks

Laissez les bon temps rouler! We’re pleased to announce that the official opening date of Tiana’s Palace restaurant in Disneyland Park is September 7, 2023! This reimagined quick-service style restaurant is inspired by the one Princess Tiana created in the beloved Walt Disney Animation Studios film, “The Princess and the Frog.”

The Tiana’s Palace restaurant opening will mark the next step in bringing more of Princess Tiana’s stories to life in New Orleans Square, which began with Eudora’s Chic Boutique featuring Tiana’s Gourmet Secrets last year and will continue with the opening of the Tiana’s Bayou Adventure attraction in 2024. We are so thrilled to expand upon Princess Tiana’s story, pay homage to the cuisine of the Crescent City, and welcome guests into Tiana’s Palace in just a few short weeks!

There will be so many elegant yet subtle details throughout the restaurant that offer fun hints at Tiana’s rich past in New Orleans. Below the lit marquee that reads “Tiana’s Palace” hanging above a metallic gold balcony, is an emerald green wrought iron railing and awnings dyed in yellow and green, reminiscent of Tiana’s beautiful formal ball gown. Guests will be surrounded by the colors of Mardi Gras as they sit at yellow tabletops, on warm vanilla-colored chairs with green seats, in the shade of yellow and green umbrellas. 

Disney Imagineers also took inspiration from the film for the interior of the restaurant, which includes a large mural of the bayou. Guests will also see other references to Tiana’s story – lilies represented on numerous signs, plaques and light fixtures, frog porcelains, cookbooks Tiana has collected on little shelves, and her father’s favorite gumbo spoon proudly on display. Guests will also want to keep an eye out for the letters from her father and neighbors on display, alongside a childhood photo of Tiana. 

Did you know? The design of Tiana’s Palace from the Disney Animation film “The Princess and the Frog” was actually inspired by the French Market Restaurant – the former restaurant in this space – in New Orleans Square at Disneyland Park. In the film, Disney Animation artists added a wheelhouse and two smokestacks to give Tiana’s restaurant an iconic silhouette, so when the time came to bring Tiana’s Palace to life at Disneyland, Disney Imagineers made those same additions to create the real Tiana’s Palace, making this a full circle moment!

We are so excited to welcome guests soon to see this exciting transformation, as well as mark the return of the Mint Julep Bar! At Tiana’s Palace, Guests can enjoy new menu items that represent Tiana’s story and honor the flavors and flair of New Orleans, with an effort to source some ingredients directly from the state of Louisiana when possible. Plus, we’ll now be able to mobile order these new dishes on the Disneyland app* when the location opens. Stay tuned for a first look of the full menu, coming soon! 

We look forward to welcoming Guests to Tiana’s Palace in New Orleans Square beginning Sept. 7!

Disney Proposal Gone WRONG! (Not Really)

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks

For many Disney fans, a proposal in Disney would be a dream come true. There’s something truly special about saying “I do” in the world of Disney, where dreams come true and fairy tales become reality. Whether it’s in front of the iconic Cinderella Castle in Walt Disney World or Sleeping Beauty Castle in Disneyland Park, these enchanting locations have witnessed countless magical moments over the years.

However, sometimes a happily ever after ends up being an unfortunate rejection…

Many Disney fans grew up watching their favorite Princes and Princesses get their happily-ever-afters in the movies. There are love stories seen in many of Disney’s iconic movies, and that can absolutely be seen and felt in the Parks. This is one of the reasons why many couples and Disney fans choose to get engaged on Park property.

However, not all proposals end in a happy ending, and if there were a list of the worst places to get rejected, Disney would indeed be nearing the top. This is especially true when one decides to propose in a location as insufferable and busy as Toontown at Disneyland Resort. In a viral video posted by A, a proposal goes majorly wrong when her partner decides to propose in Toontown instead of her ideal location.

A video of the scene has blown up due to just how wild the whole scene really is. It is absolutely hilarious and shocking to see it all play out in real time like it did. Seeing the shock and horror on the faces of surrounding Guests is something that must have been scarring to see in real life.

@alisonbanow

Then followed them around all day…. @jesse_kendall #disneyproposal #disneyland #disney #disneyadult #disneyadults #proposalfail #disneyproposalfail #comedy #ohshit #disneylandcalifornia #proposalgonewrong

♬ original sound – Alison Banowsky

It turns out that the video is actually a parody; the “couple” in question planned it all as a prank. Still, I cannot imagine what it must have felt like to be a Guest watching this all go down in this Disney Park last week!