Photos & Reporting by Mark Zimmer
The former French Market final emerged as Tiana’s Palace and Alumni Mark Zimmer was there on opening day.
It was Thursday morning, September 7, 2023 and Cast Members were making final preparations all around the patio dining area.
Disneyland fans who were there that day received a special button.
It didn’t take long for the line to get really long.
The line wrapped around the patio dining area and over to the train station and back.
But it gave Guests a chance to see the new faux “steam-powered riverboat” sign.
Here’s a closer view.
Paper menus were available for Guests to peruse while waiting in the long queue line.
Mobile ordering was also available beginning at 7 AM.
Princess Tiana was on hand to watch over the grand opening of her new restaurant.
A Jazz Band belted out a number of popular tunes, including some from the Disney animated movie “The Princess and the Frog,” on which the restaurant is based.
One Guest was wearing a neat jacket with one of the song titles embroidered on the back.
The sign on the entrance side of the establishment. Let’s go inside.
The main menu has Dessert at the top, along with descriptions of the various offerings.
The ceiling inside the buffeteria is decorated in a blue motif.
Cast Members prepare and plate some of the food in full Guest view.
One of the details in the restaurant is an ode to a famous Disney Jazz Band, the Firehouse Five plus Two – which was comprised of several Disney animators.
Here is one of the food trays ready to be taken out to the patio and consumed.
Here is a closer view. Looks delicious.
Dessert First, well why not.
Here is that dessert.
A Cast Member prepares the dessert by filling it with…filling!
Now to find a seat at a table and eat that food!
And also enjoy the Jazz music while dining.
The Mint Julep Bar also opened and had a long line.
Lo and behold, the Mint Julep Bar’s Mint Julep.
Alumni Mark Zimmer snagged one to sip and enjoy after working so hard to get all the photos you’ve seen.
Editor’s note: If you have a great story or photos from when you visit a Disney or other theme park, or other fun trips, (like to a national or state or local park) and Disney Reunions, please send us photos and a story.
You can send them to editor@disneylandalumni.org.
September 17th, 2023