Let the good times roll! Tiana’s Palace has officially opened at Disneyland. The restaurant, which is a retheme of the old French Market in New Orleans Square, has a whole new look and menu. We were able to preview Tiana’s new eatery a day early and have some great news and views for you below.
We were at Tiana’s Palace for a media preview on September 6th and to witness opening day on September 7th. We have everything you need to know below:
Tiana has a new look as proprietor of her Disneyland restaurant. The simple dress evokes the feeling of her princess gown, but seems more plausible as an outfit that a business owner of the time would wear.
As expected, crowds showed up in force. Mobile Order availability for the entire day filled up in minutes. Standby lines switchback all the way around the restaurant.
Let’s take a look at the menu and details for this Princess and the Frog-themed restaurant…
About Tiana’s Palace Restaurant
Tiana’s dream restaurant from “The Princess and the Frog” has made its way to Disneyland. The restaurant features tones of yellow and green and is decorated in Mardi Gras style. Taking direct inspiration from the film, Tiana’s Palace has many of the stylistic elements you’d expect to find, such as lilies, frogs, and cookbooks.
Disney Imagineers took inspiration from the film for the interior of the restaurant, which includes a large mural of the bayou. You 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. You’ll also want to keep an eye out for the letters from her father and neighbors on display, alongside a childhood photo of Tiana.
And don’t worry about that big banyan tree out front; it’s been kept and its planter has been enhanced a bit. Below is a photo of the tree as it looked before the redo:
And how it looks now:
The patio has been expanded a bit from how you remember it.
Windows outside the establishment are decorated with the fixin’s for Mardi Gras.
And, yes, that’s a jar full of babies… it’s the secret ingredient in a King Cake.
One thing to note: Although Tiana’s name is on the restaurant, this is not character dining and she will not be meeting with guests here. However, you may see Tiana out in New Orleans Square.
Tiana’s Palace Mobile Order
A new Mobile Order pick up window has been added outside (just to the left of the front door). We’re a bit worried that this will slow down the standby line and reduce the amount of available seating. But we hope the park will keep a close eye on capacity and limit the amount of Mobile Order spots available.
Tiana’s Palace Cast Member Costumes
Cast member costumes are simple with embroidered lily on the front of the apron. I took this shot at a press event prior to the opening of the establishment.
Mint Julep Bar Reopened
The attached Mint Julep Bar will continue serving its famous mint juleps and Mickey-shaped beignets and mouthwash-esque mint juleps (non-alcohol only).
A new switchback queue has been created. And the establishment offers Mobile Order.
Tiana’s Palace Menu!
Add a little spice to your life… the menu at Tiana’s is straight from the Big Easy. If you can handle a little heat, try the House Gumbo. But if you’d like to play it safe, there are still plenty of great new options to try. Tiana takes Disneyland casual dining up a few notches. For many, this may be your new favorite place to dine in the resort. It’s table service quality food in a quick service establishment.
Although Disneyland has a bakery on property and produces some delicious sourdough, the sandwich bread for Tiana’s Palace is being shipped in from New Orleans! Several other ingredients are also sourced from Louisiana.
Entrees:
- Cajun Spice Half Chicken – brushed with a house-made chicory BBQ sauce and served with baked macaroni and cheese & coleslaw. The chicken we tried was delicious and juicy.
- Gulf Shrimp and Grits – Tossed in a Creole sauce and paired with cheesy grits. I tried this dish and will absolutely be ordering it when the restaurant opens. The shrimp were large and not overly spiced. The grits were delightfully creamy with a cheddar flavor.
Gumbos:
- 7 Greens Gumbo is a must-try plant-based option. It features white beans, okra, yams, sweet potatoes, and heirloom rice. There’s an option to add Chicken & Andouille Sausage. This was a highlight for me. Unlike a traditional gumbo, this version has a clear base.The chopped veggies make the perfect dish, but I’ll opt to add the chicken and sausage. One of the best dishes in the entire resort!
- House Gumbo. A New Orleans staple combining braised chicken, andouille sausage, and heirloom rice. This traditional gumbo packs the heat. Disney will hopefully warn guest by adding the word “Spicy” to the item description. But the flavor is rich and dreamy. Intensely flavorful, and a real taste of New Orleans. If you can handle a bit of heat, this is a must-try.
Sandwiches:
- Beef Po-boy Sandwich – slow-cooked beef, coated with gravy and fully dressed with shredded lettuce, tomato and mayonnaise atop a toasted New Orleans French bread. Served with red beans, rice and house-made pickles. There’s no doubt this will be a huge hit with guests. This is a savory dish which is perfectly accompanied by red beans and rice. Put this one on your list of things to try!
- Muffuletta Sandwich – mortadella, salami, rosemary ham, cheddar, provolone and house- made olive relish on toasted New Orleans sesame seed bread. Served with red beans, rice and house-made pickles.
Sides:
Buttermilk Cornbread, Baked Macaroni and Cheese, Beans & Rice, Coleslaw, Cheesy Grits, and Heirloom Rice.
It’s all about the cornbread folks. Be sure to add it. Unlike the cornbread I grew up with, this one is just shy of being a dessert… sweet, slightly crunchy on the edges, and that wonderful corn meets cake taste that only the best cornbreads achieve. A huge thumbs up from me.
Kids Meals (Served with a Cuties Mandarin Orange, applesauce, and a choice of DASANI Water or small lowfat milk):
- Roasted Chicken Drumstick with sweet BBQ sauce and heirloom rice
- Toasted Ham & Cheese Sandwich
- Baked Macaroni and Cheese – Adults, you can get this as a side. We know you want to.
Specialty Desserts and Drinks:
- House-filled Beignet with lemon ice box pie filling & topped with lemon glaze. This is a real treat. Many guests are going to come to Tiana’s just for this item. Those who are accustomed to their beignets being light and fluffy in the center will be surprised to find that this one is filled with a tart and sweet lemon custard. It’s very good, and a great twist on a beignet. But, for those of you who want something more traditional, the Mint Julep Bar will continue to sell its classic Mickey-shaped version without the icebox filling.
The beignets are fresh and filled and iced just before serving:
- Joffrey’s Chicory Sweet Cream Cold Brew – There are quite a few cold brews at the Disneyland Resort. This is another good one, and a basic uncomplicated option for those who don’t want a novelty drink.
- Ray Firefly Glow Cube is available with the purchase of a beverage. But if it’s a novelty you want… add this cute Ray glow clip. There’s a button on the side of the clip that lets you change the color and turn the figure on and off.
- Lily Pad and Lotus Cup Ceramic Set – comes with a House-filled Beignet. An elegant collectible with a subtle nod to Princess and the Frog. The water lily is just the right size to add a votive if you want to make this a candle holder at home. But it’s made to hold a dipping sauce… which the Disneyland version of a beignet doesn’t need since it’s essentially filled with sauce already.
More Tiana News
That’s not all the Tiana-related updates we have for you. Take a look at the recently opened Eudora’s Chic Boutique that features more than a pinch of Tiana in it:
NEW DISNEYLAND SHOP! Eudora’s Chic Boutique Opens in New Orleans Square
Plus, get caught up on the upcoming retheme of Splash Mountain to Tiana’s Bayou Adventure:
NEW DETAILS ARRIVE: Tiana’s Bayou Adventure at Disneyland and WDW!
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Let’s Hear From You
Guests have been wondering for years why Tiana didn’t have a restaurant at Disneyland since it seems to be such an obvious fit. How does the new menu look to you? Now that the details have been revealed and we can see how the new smokestacks and sign will look, what do you think about Tiana’s Palace?
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