In Front of Cinderella's Castle
In 2009, Walt Disney released, The Princess and the Frog featuring the first African-American Princess. When the original announcment came that Disney was developing the film, the response was “it’s about time and what took so long.” And I agree, it was an achievement. Princess Tiana entered a very elite club, the Disney Princess Club which is akin to Jewish and Blacks finally being allowed to join all-white country clubs.
Admittedly, I was happy that Disney finally got around to introducing the character but certainly did not think that I had missed much or that my life was impacted in a major way that there was not a black Princess when I was younger. And that’s most likely because, there were so few black female role models that not having a African American Princess just seemed like the norm.
From an earlier post, Cynical New York Mom Goes to Cinderella Breakfast, I mentioned that I was happy about my decision to book the Cinderella breakfast at Cinderella’s castle and I am and will always be.
Breakfast with Cinderella at Cinderalla's Castle
That said, after the waiter asked if we needed anythng else, signaling the end of our breakfast did I then I realize that maybe Princess Tiana was not going to make an appearance.
And as if she was thinking the same thought, my daughter asked “Where is Princess Tiana?”
“I don’t know, I am not sure why she isn’t coming.” I responded with a touch of sadness in my voice.
In fact, during our entire time wandering around the Magic Kingdom, I realized that Princess Tiana was no where to be found for photo opps. We did run into Cinderella’s evil stepmother and stepsisters. I guess they have more cache than poor Princess Tiana as they were outside Cinderella’s castle when we left the breakfast. Even Jasmine made a personal appearance over in Adventureland.
With Cinderella's Evil Stepmother and Stepsisters
The funny thing is that right outside Cinderella’s Castle is a store called the Castle Couture. Each corner of the store is dedicated to a Princess. And there is an entire section devoted to Princess Tiana, right next to Cinderella. Just like the other princesses, you can outfit your little Princess Tiana literally from head to toe just like the animated character, from her Tiara to her iconic green dress to glass slippers.
Yet, Princess Tiana is not allowed to make an appearance at Cinderella’s Castle.
Castle Couture
Given my daughter’s personality, she probably won’t mention this ommision again as by the next time we visit Disney World, she will have aged out of her Princess phase. It will just be a fond memory for her. That said, you have to wonder how a seven year old will internalize this less than subtle message that yes, it’s okay to sell Princess Tiana products to serve the bottom line but she isn’t fit to visit her fellow princesses in the big castle.
“Dreams Come True” that is Disney’s slogan.
I hope that Disney executives at some point realize that little African-American princesses will sadly have their hearts broken that a beloved character like Princess Tiana is no where to be found in the Magic Kingdom.
i agree its odd
Hmm. First I can believe you figured it out. Scandal! LOL. Second, it’s an interesting point. Deserves some research. I’m on it!
I loved your account of this story. It saddens me that we have yet to move a step closer to embracing all races, backgrounds, faith, creeds, etc. It seems we are always just making steps but never truly changing.
This breaks my heart– your daughter is such a beautiful sweet princess- thank g-d she has you as a mom; a wonderful, strong princess-like woman!!
I cannot believe it! I went to Disney CA in July and Princess Tiana was there! I did not go to any Princess breakfasts but she was there for photo ops.
Who knows why they werent there but I should have mentioned that we also went to a princess dinner and she wasnt there either so that was two princess events that did not make an appearance.
She meets in a set location every day with Naveen at Magic Kingdom- Liberty Square. She never makes appearances at dining locations as many other princesses do not (Mulan, Pocahontas). Might be since she has her own restaurant.
That is disappointing. I hope Disney does something about this, and soon. Perhaps as they see more folks speaking out about it, like this, they’ll realize how important it is to us.
I hope you emailed and twittered this post to everything and everyone Disney related. This is unacceptable. They want everyone’s money, lord knows they ask for it at every turn in that place, and this is how they treat people in 2010? Unacceptable, I hope they let us know how this gross omission occured.
http://www.gaynycdad.com
Thats a good idea
i never really thought of Disney as racist i always figured that there characters were white because that’s the way the stories were originally written, and i always considered the location of where the person who wrote the stories lived. i’ve been to places where all white races live and places where all black races lived. so i never considered them racist, they produced the most popular fairy tales at the time and those were Cinderella and snow white. i will always give even this situation the benefit of the doubt, it could have been the fact that the lady who normally portrayed Tiana just wasn’t in that day, and there was no one to fill her in. there are plenty of other possible explanations to why she wasn’t there without jumping the gun and saying they were being Racist, because good chances are they weren’t. which is why i’m disappointed in all these assumptions to a business where none of these commenter’s work.
I just wondered if the other princesses get “a day off” and if they have replacements? Surely a company as large as Disney can find two black ladies to portray Princess Tiana?? Even my local employer can find someone to contract and in Hollywood, there is always an actress in need of a role and some money!!
I am a pass holder and my daughter’s favorite princess is Tiana. We have met around 8 different Tianas. This article is BS
Just like they dont want people to know that the bride of christ is a black female woman. They keep things on the DL
http://rebecca-park-totilo.wrytestuff.com/swa482713.htm
It was taught that the QUEEN OFHEAVEN IS THE BRIDE AND FEMALE. THAT IS WHY THEY WAS baking cakes, etc.
God is doing a wedding for his son Jesus The NEW ADAM, but where is his EVE?!
PSALM 42:10
10 Listen, daughter, and pay careful attention:
Forget your people and your father’s house.
11 Let the king be enthralled by your beauty;
honor him, for he is your lord.
12 The city of Tyre will come with a gift,[a]
people of wealth will seek your favor.
Tiana does greetings everyday in the magc kingdom with prince navine. Check your facts before you blast Disney.
Someone had stated in a comment earlier that Princess Tiana does make appearances in the Magic Kingdom close to Liberty Square. She used to meet with Prince Navieen, but I believe it is just her now. She does meet and greet several times a day at the Gazebo beside the Christmas Shoppe in Liberty Square. Disney does it’s best to clarify that not all Princess characters will be appearing at Princess meals, and the ones they list for that certain restaurant (and yes, they do list them) are subject to change. We’ve had hearts set on seeing Ariel at a meal, only to find out that she only does certain meal times, but she can be found at her Character spot in the Magic Kingdom. Next time ask a Cast Member beforehand, or the person who books your meal. Find out a little information beforehand so that you don’t get disappointed.
My brother took my niece and my younger daughter to Disney last May. My daughter was19 and went along as a helper for my niece. They had dinner at the castle and Princess Tiana was there. Additionally, there were several little girls dressed up as her and a few were white. Tiana was also in the little princess show ( not sure what it’s officially called). Perhaps Tiana was at an earlier or later dinner shift. I know my daughter said that Ariel wasn’t at the dinner she attended— she was a huge little mermaid fan when she was little and wanted a pic with her for nostalgic reasons. I do think that since there is only one black princess that she should be available for all of the dinner shifts even if they have to hire several girls to fill her spot.
Princess Tiana came n 2012 after many request so the lady above was correct she was not there when she took her daughter in 2010
INCORRECT! They even had her coronation on Oct. 26, 2009. (Link to video below). Once she is coronated she takes her place as a permanent meet and greet princess.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pxP2aTBxDiw
She just doesn’t attend dining. (Mulan, Pocahontas usually don’t either)
When we went to have breakfast at Cinderella’s castle, Princess Tiana was not one of the princesses we saw that is not the same as permanent meet and greet. That is the point.
Did you happen to ask anyone working there if Tiana would be making an appearance? As PP said, maybe she was at another shift, or perhaps she called in sick that day. It’s a job, things happen. Although we would like to believe that Disney is the land of dreams come true, it is still just a job to some and there could have been some simple explanation as to why she was not there.
Remove your tampon cunt this isnt a mother fucking attack on niggers so stfu the reason shes not an official disney princess is probably fucking because it was a small side film made just to make the niggas shut the fuck up about “No black princess boo-hoo” this is not one of disneys classic films so shut the fuck up
ANON AND OTHER IGNORANT INDIVIDUALS THAT MAKE INAPPROPRIATE REMARKS NEED TO BE BANNED FROM TOPICS AS THIS. ITS CLEAR THAT HE IS RACIST AS WELL AS HIS REMARKS.
ANON shut up. You obviously don’t like negros but waste what’s left of your short hateful existence trolling negro blogs – because you can’t get enough of us.
Tiana IS a Princess and deserves to be treated as such because we DO matter.
As for NYCmom, if you’d like, you definitely have my support to nudge Disney to include Tiana.
Wow ! are you absoluterly certain? 🙂
Mein limitierender Faktor ist die Zeit. Unbändig sozusagen.
We are Annual Passholders to Walt Disney World. While Princess Tiana is definitely underrated, this article is not correct at all. Princess Tiana and Naveen can be met pretty much all day in Magic Kingdom-Liberty Square. They even had a huge coronation on October 26, 2009 to welcome Princess Tiana to Magic Kingdom (which is when she takes her spot for her meet and greets).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pxP2aTBxDiw (Shows the stage show at the castle as well as the parade)
The Port Orleans resort is themed after The Princess and the Frog movie. There are Royal Guest Rooms that can be booked where Princess Tiana is featured throughout your room and even writes the guest a letter.
While she can’t be found at any dining locations (I have already complained about this), there are a lot of other princesses that can not as well IE Pocahontas, Mulan, Jasmine, Anna/Elsa (some of these can be seen at a dining location however it is very rare).
This article should be taken down. Are you serious with that title? This is not the 1900s. I’ve seen many little girls of all colors wear her dress and even be made over as her at Bibbiti Bobbit.
The point of the article is that she does NOT appear the castle. I think it’s great she has her own meet and greet but I still think to this day is that she should appear with all the other princesses at Cinderella’s castle along with Belle and Sleeping Beauty.
This is old I know but she is in the castle show (both..the morning welcome and he Firendship Faire) In fact..Cinderella got the boot for Tiana and Rapunzel from both shows..she also got her restaurant on the Disney Wonder cruise ship..I hope this helps.
this was so long ago and I dont know if its has changed. I know that Tiana can be found in the park. My original comment was regarding breakfast at the Castle.