CHARACTER MAGIC : TIANA
BY TRISHA DAAB
MEET TIANA : At Princess Fairytale Hall in Magic Kingdom , one line will lead to Cinderella and ( usually ) Elena and the other to Rapunzel and Tiana .
The entrées at Homecomin ' are packed with strong flavors and familiar comfort foods . PHOTO BY STEPHANIE SHUSTER
floors , paneling , and furniture were locally crafted and salvaged from lumber right here in Florida .
The big round crosscuts on the corners of the bar as well as the large tables are from a camphor tree planted on a farm in Clarcona , Florida , in 1870 . This tree was just a sapling when the Brooklyn Bridge was being built . Measuring 6 feet in diameter , this tree was the smallest of the grove . The grove was singed when a large vineyard near the farm was burned during prohibition . The resulting scarring created the singular character and color that appears in our bar top and large tables .
The straightaways of the bar tops were made from a hybrid river red eucalyptus . These trees were salvaged from the Davis Island Country Club and Lake Seminole Golf Course in the Tampa Bay area .
Even our chandeliers have an authentic Florida touch . Revelle commissioned the structures and then found burlap produce bags from regional farmers to complete the look .
I am so glad my mother Addie Mae got to see Homecomin ’ before she passed . She was thrilled with the menu and entire building .
Anything on the horizon for Chef Art Smith ' s that we can share with our readers ?
I don ’ t sit still as most people know , and neither does my team . We ’ ve extended our outdoor seating to provide more options for dining al fresco . Homecomin ’ will always be that place you want to return to because you know we will be offering the fare you love with a few new twists here and there . That ’ s why our servers always say , “ Welcome home ,” at the door . You are home at Homecomin ’— my home .
WHEN VISITING TIANA : Look for Tiana ’ s custom portrait in the lobby . When in the room with the princesses , wave at Tiana . She may do a jazzy spin in her ball gown .
NOT SURE WHAT TO SAY ? Ask Tiana where to find the best cooking at WDW , how Charlotte is doing , or if she ’ s seen any frogs lately !
MAKE SURE TO : Try beignets at Port Orleans - French Quarter ( it just reopened at the end of last month !) or find a frog to kiss in the Disney PhotoPass Magic Shot in Fantasyland . For the ultimate experience , stay in a Royal Room at Port Orleans - Riverside ( also just reopened ). Explore a Royal Room in our August 2021 issue .
BEYOND THE AUTOGRAPH BOOK : Bring a cookbook , apron , or wooden spoon to show your mutual love of cooking or a doll in a dress to honor Tiana ’ s talented dress-making mom .
FUN FACT : Disney is digging a little deeper and planning a Princess and the Frog rework of Splash Mountain ! Can ’ t wait for that ride music .
** Tiana ’ s meet-and-greet may be impacted by modified operations . Check the My Disney Experience app for the latest information .