If Tiana’s Palace Comes to Walt Disney World

At the end of 2009's Princess and the Frog, Princess Tiana finally realizes her dream to open her own restaurant, Tiana's Palace. Flash forward to 2023 when in anticipation of the re-theming of Splash Mountain to Tiana's Bayou Adventure, Disneyland in California opens a Tiana's Palace quick service restaurant. However, no such restaurant has been mentioned as part of any Walt Disney World project, even with the Magic Kingdom's Tiana's Bayou Adventure already running. So, it begs the thought exercise of figuring out where a Tiana's Palace restaurant would go in the Magic Kingdom if such a project is ever considered. We have identified three potential spaces.

Pecos Bill's Tall Tale Inn and Cafe in Frontierland

Tiana's Bayou Adventure is in Frontierland. Therefore, one of the most attractive locations for Tiana's Palace would be in the current location of Pecos Bill's Tall Tale Inn and Cafe. This location is just across the walkway from TBA and shares a backroom preparation area with the now closed Tortuga's Tavern (soon to be reimagined Pirates themed lounge). Pecos Bill's also has the ability to have both indoor and outdoor seating - a feature that would fit the Tiana's theme well. Finally, Pecos Bill is not a fresh IP (intellectual property) for Disney and with the gradual introduction of a new Frontierland story (see the newly announced Cars Land) the need to maintain a traditionalAmerican West theme is less important going forward.

There are not too many drawbacks form this idea except that Pecos Bill's offers a unique menu of Tex-Mex style options that is a refreshing change from burgers and nuggets. However, Tiana's would also offer a unique menu themed after her New Orleans heritage. Trading one unique menu for another may not be such a bod tradeoff unless nachos and tacos are your thing.

Because of these reasons, we feel that Pecos Bill's is the most likely candidate for a Tiana's restaurant.

Liberty Tree Tavern/The Diamond Horseshoe in Liberty Square/Frontierland

A second option is one that is already setup for a sit down dining experience with the potential for entertainment. This is the Liberty Tree Tavern and Diamond Horseshoe in Liberty Square/Frontierland. With the announcement of the eventual closing of Tom Sawyer Island and the Rivers of America Riverboat, Liberty Square may be heading to an eventual closing or re-theming, too. If such a re-themeing included extending the new Frontierland into the current Liberty Square location, the Liberty Tree Tavern and Diamond Horseshoe would certainly need to be reimagined.

Together, both restaurants would create a large area for seating and dinner entertainment that could be really interesting. Think about a Tiana's version of the Hoop Dee Doo Review! If that was the plan, this would be an ideal location for such an experience.

The Plaza Restaurant at the end of Main Street USA

Our final potential location is our least likely spot, but remains a decent candidate. We are talking about the Plaza Restaurant at the end of Main Street USA. While this restaurant is the furthest away from Tiana's Bayou Adventure, it is an established sit down location with a decor that is not too far removed from the Tiana's/New Orleans style. There is also a precedent for IP related restaurants on Main Street with Tony's Town Square near the park entrance. While this location is not likely to see a Tiana reimagining, on our last visit to the Magic Kingdom, this was one restaurant that we felt could use a refresher and Tiana's might fit the bill.

There you have it. Our top 3 potential locations for a Tiana's restaurant in the Magic Kingdom. What do you think? Do yo agree with our choices? Is there a spot we didn't mention? Let us know.

Comment here, send us an email at disneyassembled@gmail.com or send us a message on the socials @disneyassembled (Facebook, X, Instagram, Threads, and TikTok).

See you real soon!

Troy and Mimi

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