Princess Tiana’s story continues to grow, and this time it steps beyond the screen and into an immersive museum experience.
Produced by Walt Disney Imagineering and The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis, Tiana’s Joyful Celebration is the first museum exhibition dedicated entirely to Princess Tiana. The experience invites families to step into the vibrant culture of 1920s New Orleans while helping Tiana prepare for a festive Mardi Gras season parade.
Inspired by the beloved Disney film The Princess and the Frog, the exhibition blends storytelling, interactive activities, and cultural history into a joyful exploration of community, creativity, and collaboration.
Visitors will not meet live costumed characters, but they will hear familiar voices throughout the exhibit. Original voice actors return to bring the characters to life, including Anika Noni Rose as Tiana, Jenifer Lewis as Mama Odie, Michael-Leon Wooley as Louis, Jennifer Cody as Charlotte La Bouff, and Bruno Campos as Prince Naveen.
The exhibit also draws inspiration from Disney Parks’ Tiana’s Bayou Adventure attraction and the legacy of legendary New Orleans chef Leah Chase of Dooky Chase’s Restaurant. Together, these influences celebrate the rich traditions of New Orleans through food, music, art, and storytelling.
Stepping Into Tiana’s World
Set in 1920s New Orleans, the exhibition welcomes guests into Tiana’s office at Tiana’s Foods, where the hardworking princess is preparing for the upcoming Mardi Gras season parade. She needs help from visitors to bring the celebration to life, turning the experience into a collaborative adventure.
Through hands-on stations and immersive environments, families can contribute their own “special spice” to the festivities.
Art, Music, Dance, and Food
The exhibit centers on four key creative pillars that reflect New Orleans culture.
Art
Guests can visit Eudora’s Chic Boutique to design bead patterns for the parade queen’s cape or help Charlotte add sparkle to Mardi Gras masks. Visitors can also paint sections of a mural created by artist Malaika Favorite, whose artwork appears in Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. Aspiring designers can even sketch costumes for parade floats.
Music
Music lovers can join Prince Naveen and the Bayou Community Band to experiment with percussion rhythms inspired by Rara and Zydeco sounds. The music-themed float also features decorative elements like fireflies and water lilies. Guests might even spot Lari the armadillo and his collection of instruments made from found objects.
Dance
Visitors can learn traditional second line dance steps through guided tutorials while helping bring the royal parade float to life. Families can also create colorful sno-balls with Mama Odie, choosing vibrant flavors that light up as the parade celebration continues.
Food
No visit to Tiana’s world would be complete without cooking. Guests can help prepare Tiana’s father’s famous gumbo recipe while learning about the dish’s New Orleans history. With Louis as host, visitors explore a giant gumbo pot display, experiment with creating their own hot sauce blends, and tend a children’s garden filled with vegetables and herbs.
A Celebration of Culture and Community
Jennifer Pace Robinson, President and CEO of The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis, says the exhibit captures the heart of both the character and the city that inspired her.
“Tiana’s Joyful Celebration brings the heart and rhythm of New Orleans, along with Princess Tiana’s vibrant spirit, right here to The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis,” Robinson said. “Families can add their own creativity, joy, and teamwork to Tiana’s Mardi Gras season parade.”
Carmen Smith, Senior Vice President of Creative Development for Walt Disney Imagineering and Disney Consumer Products, says the exhibit continues the expansion of Tiana’s story beyond film and theme parks.
“We are deeply honored to share another chapter of Princess Tiana’s legacy,” Smith said. “This exhibition celebrates culture, the power of coming together, and the inspirational spirit of Tiana.”
A Nationwide Tour
The exhibition will debut at The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis before traveling across the United States for the next five years. Planned stops include:
- Center of Science and Industry in Columbus
- Discovery Cube Los Angeles in Los Angeles (2027)
- The Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn
- Fort Worth Museum of Science and History in Fort Worth
- Children’s Museum of Atlanta in Atlanta
- Glazer Children’s Museum in Tampa
Additional cities will be announced in the future.
For fans of Tiana and lovers of culture-rich storytelling, Tiana’s Joyful Celebration offers something special. It is part Disney magic, part cultural history, and fully rooted in the spirit of New Orleans.
