The family of Leah Chase, the inspiration for Princess Tiana, will be the first to ride Tiana’s Bayou Adventure at Magic Kingdom when the ride opens this summer.

Leah Chase’s Family to Be First to Ride Tiana’s Bayou Adventure

Charita Carter, the Imagineer leading the development of the reimagined attraction, was among the Disney executives who visited Dooky Chase, Leah Chase’s New Orleans restaurant. They surprised the family with the invitation to the ride and presented Leah Chase’s daughter, Stella Chase Reese, with a Tiana’s Bayou Adventure poster.

Stella Chase Reese has been involved in the development of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure so Disney named her an honorary Imagineer and gave her a personalized hard hat.

Stella also spoke on FaceTime with Carmen Smith, Disney Parks’ Senior Vice President of Creative Development, who could not attend the event.

Other family members received Mickey Mouse ear hats and Mickey himself was in attendance.

Leah Chase passed away in 2019 at 96 years old. The chef was known as the Queen of Creole Cuisine.

Tiana’s Bayou Adventure will open at Magic Kingdom this summer and at Disneyland later in the year.

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