Today it was announced by Carmen Smith, Senior Vice President, Creative Development — who leads product development and inclusive strategies for Disney parks and recreation — shared a new update on their blog about the latest on Tiana’s Bayou Adventure at Disney World.
The attraction has now added a custom handcrafted weathervane by Louisiana’s master blacksmith, Darryl Reeves. Following in the spirit of New Orleans, you can walk within two city blocks to see the metalwork by Darryl, a third generation master blacksmith and Vietnam Veteran. Whether it’s historic wrought iron fences or intricately designed custom pieces, his work is displayed across the city, and in fact, around the world. His craftsmanship comes with 50 years of service to his city, and the weathervane is one of the high points of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure.
The immense artistry and complexity displayed by Darryl and his apprentices is evident in the dozens of works displayed in his gallery.
“I take metal and do anything I want with it,” the master blacksmith proudly says. “To have a free hand to design and fabricate the weathervane for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure…that’s an honor.”
What sets Princess Tiana’s weathervane apart is that it’s crafted using centuries old techniques with a subtle African flair. You can feel the love Darryl and Karina have poured into this smoldering iron to shape it into a masterpiece.
One of Walt Disney Imagineering’s highest priorities is to bring the authenticity of New Orleans to Disney parks and resorts to immerse guests in this inspiring tale. According the Disney Parks and Rec team, for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, they want you to feel like taking a trip down the Louisiana Bayou in a way only Disney can bring to life.
Guests can experience this incredible collaboration between Walt Disney Imagineering, Darryl Reeves, and Karina Roca when Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, an attraction inspired by the story from the Walt Disney Animation Studios film “The Princess and the Frog”, opens at Disneyland Resort in California and Walt Disney World Resort in Florida in 2024.