I remember a few years ago when I first heard that Disney was doing an animated movie with it’s first African American princess and I was so excited.  Since that time I have heard all sorts of commentary about what she should look like, what her cultural background should be and how she should be portrayed.  Poor Princess Tiana…as I have said before she has a heavy crown to carry on that pretty little head; being “the first” anything is hard.  But from what I have seen, Disney has done a remarkable job with the movie The Princess and the Frog; don’t you agree?   If you haven’t seen a preview of the movie, I encourage you watch this high-quality, official Disney video.

Besides the movie, I’m excited that my daughter has Disney images that reflect her cultural heritage.  During my recent media trip to Disney World (you know how I do, VIP-style) I got to see a display of Princess Tiana merchandise already available for purchase in stores and I’m happy to say that Disney’s Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, a princess make-over salon located in Cinderella’s Castle, now has a Princess Tiana package.

I got my own wonderful Princess Tiana doll as a gift from Disney and my daughter claimed as her own the minute I walked in the door.  I wanted to keep her for my black doll collection (I have Brandy, Beyonce and Serena dolls still in the box), but I guess that I just have buy one for myself.   She graciously let me snap a photo of the doll before she took Princess Tiana to met her Jasmine, Cinderella and Belle dolls.

African Americans were intricately involved in all aspects of the movie, from the voices of Anika Noni Rose, Jennifer Lewis, Keith David, Terrence Howard and Oprah Winfrey to Supervising Animator Bruce Smith.  Bruce has a long and impressive career trail as one of the few African American animators in the industry.  Just to name a few highlights, he has worked as Supervising Animator on several Disney movies, directed the animation in Space Jam, directed Bebe’s Kids and he’s the creator of The Proud Family.  My son loves The Proud Family and was pretty impressed when I told him that I met and hung out with Bruce at Disney World.   I didn’t tell him yet about Space Jam; he’s going to love that because it was his favorite movie as a toddler.  Bruce is gonna kill me, but none of us could believe that this man is 48 years old; we made him show his driver’s license!   It’s the cartoons; they keep a person young.   Further reason for me to indulge in my love of cartoons and animated movies.

Bruce Smith, Tonya Pendleton, Heather Murry, Darcie Maranich, Laura Spencer, Me & Lorraine Robertson at Victoria Falls Lounge at Animal Kingdom Lodge.

We were all there to witness the official welcome of Princess Tiana into Disney World with all the pageantry and celebration that such an important occasion deserves (you can see those photos and video in my previous blog post).  Besides the processional parade, we got to see the debut of Princess Tiana’s Showboat Jubilee, a 9 minute show aboard a riverboat on the Rivers of America in Magic Kingdom.

I really enjoyed the show and grooved along to the music; I tell you, this movie is going to have an awesome soundtrack!  As usual with all Disney movies, the songs are so catchy that you pick them up in no time.  I left Magic Kingdom that day singing, “♫ Going down the bayou, going down the bayou, going down the bayou, taking you all way ♫”.

Look at this video of Princess Tiana’s Showboat Jubilee that I filmed; you’ll hear what I mean.

I have to say that the highlight of my Princess Tiana media experience was meeting the Princess herself.  I was like a big kid, all wide-eyed and grinning.  She told me that I was pretty and I said, “Me?  You!”  She was very beautiful and kind; I wish my daughter had been there to meet her too, but I got autographs on my media badge.  Heather, one of the Disney Moms, was getting an autograph for a little African American girl back home who told her, “I’ve been waiting my whole life for an African American princess.”  My daughter hasn’t said that, but how about I’ve been waiting my whole life for an African American princess.  I was so happy to meet the princess that I neglected Prince Naveen until he said, “Hello, I’m here too!”  He’s a cutie pie and they are a handsome couple together.

Before someone calls a psychiatrist for me, I do know that Princess Tiana and Prince Naveen are not real people.  I mean, they are people, but they are dressed as characters from the movie.  I do know that, so put down the phone.  But when I am in Disney World, it’s all real to me; it’s part of the magic….to believe.

I hope that you are as excited as I am about The Princess and the Frog and plan to go see the movie the day it comes out.  As Mama Odie says, “It’s ‘gon be good!”

*You can read about the rest of my trip in my blog post Doing Disney World VIP-Style.

*Full Disclosure: I was invited to Disney World as “media” for the debut of Princess Tiana.  My entire trip was paid for by Disney (hotel accommodations, flight, transfers and meals).