VIDEO: Showboat Jubilee Returns with Anika Noni Rose, Jenifer Lewis, & Live Band for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure Grand Opening

In celebration of the grand opening of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure at Disneyland Park, Disney brought back Tiana’s Showboat Jubilee for one night only.

Tiana’s Showboat Jubilee Returns

A large riverboat is brightly lit at night with people watching in the foreground. Beams of light project into the sky from the boat.

Tiana’s Showboat Jubilee was an offering that ran at both Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resort in 2009 to celebrate the theatrical release of “The Princess and the Frog.” In the original show, performers would lip-synch to “Down in New Orleans” from the film, with Tiana, Louis, and Mardi Gras dancers making their way to the Mark Twain Riverboat at Disneyland, or the Liberty Belle at Magic Kingdom. Both riverboats were also decorated for the show.

A brightly lit riverboat with performers on multiple decks entertains an audience at night.

For last night’s grand opening celebration of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure at Disneyland, this show was brought to life once again, but with a few special changes.

For one, there was a live band performing rather than playing the audio from the film — which included PJ Morton, composer of the original song for the attraction, “Special Spice.” In addition, stars Anika Noni Rose (voice of Tiana) and Jenifer Lewis (voice of Mama Odie) both appeared on the Mark Twain.

Performers on a brightly lit two-tiered riverboat stage, decorated with American flags and blue drapery, entertain the audience at night.
Performers in elegant attire sing on a two-story riverboat decorated with American flags and dark blue drapery at nighttime.

Songs performed included “Gonna Take You There” (with a special appearance by Louis), “Almost There” (performed by Rose), “Special Spice” (performed by Rose), “Dig a Little Deeper” (performed by Lewis), and “Down In New Orleans” (performed by Rose).

A paddlewheel steamboat with banners and decorations is docked at night, surrounded by green fireworks lighting up the sky.

Following the final song, the band performed “Special Spice” as the Mark Twain sailed away on the Rivers of America.

Watch our video of the full show below:

Tiana’s Bayou Adventure opens to guests on Friday, November 15 at Disneyland Park. Check out our full ride POV and queue tour, get the details on the ride’s three virtual queue windows available at opening, and see a scene-by-scene comparison of Disneyland’s Splash Mountain to Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. You can also take a look at our full tour of Louis’ Critter Club, which opened to Disneyland guests on Wednesday, November 13.

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