Disney‘s First-Ever Princess Tiana Exhibition Debuts in Indianapolis. Princess Tiana’s story has always been about hard work, determination, family, and never losing sight of your dreams. Since the release of The Princess and the Frog, fans have connected with her inspiring journey, and recently we’ve seen her story continue through Disney Parks with Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. Now, Disney fans will have an entirely new way to step into Tiana’s world as Walt Disney Imagineering and The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis team up to create a first-of-its-kind interactive exhibition dedicated to New Orleans’ favorite princess.
Disney and The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis Debut First-Ever Princess Tiana Exhibition
Disney fans and families will soon have the opportunity to experience Princess Tiana’s world in an entirely new way.
Walt Disney Imagineering and The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis have partnered to create “Tiana’s Joyful Celebration,” the first-ever museum exhibition centered around Princess Tiana. The immersive experience officially opens March 7, 2026, and will run through January 3, 2027, before embarking on a nationwide tour.
Inspired by Disney’s The Princess and the Frog, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure at Walt Disney World and Disneyland, and the legacy of legendary New Orleans chef Leah Chase, the exhibition celebrates the culture, traditions, music, food, art, and community spirit of New Orleans.
Step Into Tiana’s World
Set during the 1920s in New Orleans, the exhibit places guests right in the middle of preparations for an upcoming Mardi Gras season parade.
Upon entering, visitors are welcomed by Princess Tiana herself in her office at Tiana’s Foods. Tiana is hard at work planning the celebration and needs guests to help bring the parade to life. Through a variety of hands-on activities, families become part of the story while learning about the traditions that inspired it.
Art, Music, Dance and Food Come Together
One of the most exciting aspects of Tiana’s Joyful Celebration is how interactive the experience is.
At Eudora’s Chic Boutique, guests can help design bead patterns for the parade queen’s cape, decorate Mardi Gras masks alongside Charlotte La Bouff, and contribute to a colorful mural created by acclaimed artist Malaika Favorite, who also designed artwork for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. Visitors can even create costume concepts for parade floats.
Music lovers can join Prince Naveen and the Bayou Community Band, experimenting with rhythms inspired by Rara and Zydeco music. Guests will also discover hidden surprises throughout the exhibit, including found-object instruments created by Lari the armadillo.
The celebration continues with dance activities where families can learn traditional second-line dances through guided tutorials. Guests can even create colorful pretend sno-balls with Mama Odie as part of the Mardi Gras festivities.
Of course, no trip to New Orleans would be complete without food.
Visitors can help Tiana prepare her father’s famous gumbo recipe while learning about the dish’s rich history. Along the way, they’ll explore a giant gumbo-themed float, create custom hot sauce combinations, and tend a children’s garden filled with herbs and vegetables used in Louisiana cooking.
Original Voices Return
One feature Disney fans will especially appreciate is the return of many familiar voices from the film and attraction.
Throughout the exhibition, guests will hear original performances from:
- Anika Noni Rose (Princess Tiana)
- Jenifer Lewis (Mama Odie)
- Michael-Leon Wooley (Louis)
- Jennifer Cody (Charlotte La Bouff)
- Bruno Campos (Prince Naveen)
These voice performances help bring the beloved characters to life throughout the experience.
Designed for Everyone
The exhibit was created with accessibility in mind and includes bilingual English and Spanish elements, American Sign Language features, Braille components, and other accommodations to help ensure all guests can participate fully.
It’s important to note that while Princess Tiana plays a central role in the experience, there will not be live character appearances or costumed performers in the exhibition.
Taking the Celebration Across America
Following its Indianapolis debut, Tiana’s Joyful Celebration will embark on a five-year national tour.
Planned stops currently include:
- Columbus, Ohio
- Los Angeles, California
- Dearborn, Michigan
- Fort Worth, Texas
- Atlanta, Georgia
- Tampa, Florida
Additional locations will be announced in the future, giving even more families the chance to experience the exhibit.
As Disney continues to expand Princess Tiana’s legacy through attractions, storytelling, and now museum experiences, Tiana’s Joyful Celebration offers families a unique opportunity to explore the culture, creativity, and community spirit that have made her one of Disney’s most beloved princesses.
What makes Tiana’s Joyful Celebration especially exciting is that it isn’t just about looking at displays, it’s about participating, creating, learning, and becoming part of the story. Princess Tiana has always represented perseverance, family, and following your dreams, and this exhibit appears to capture that spirit beautifully while celebrating the rich culture of New Orleans. If you’re planning a trip to Indianapolis or happen to catch the exhibit when it begins its nationwide tour, this looks like an experience Disney fans and families won’t want to miss.
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