What's New on the Re-Imagined Disney Wonder: Let's Talk Tiana's Place

Mickey Chick
with Ariel in the Atrium of the Disney Wonder

   On a recent back-to-back sailing, Mickey Chick explored just about every corner of the fresh-from dry dock Disney Wonder. There was so much to share, that I needed to break it up into a deck-by-deck tour - but the newest jewel of the ship is Tiana's Place, which rightfully deserves it's own entry:

Entrance to Tiana's Place

     Today we continue our series on the newly re-imagined Disney Wonder with the last stop on Deck 3: Tiana's Place.
The space formerly known as Parrot Cay -the restaurant with a relaxed, Caribbean flair- has been transformed into a hoppin' new NOLA hot-spot.
       The best approach to describing this fantastic new dining venue is to describe the approach itself.

Shops on "the street" outside Tiana's 

Entering Tiana's from "The Street"

      When the doors open, guests are guided through the pulsating back streets of New Orleans' French Quarter. The walkway is dark, but for naked Edison bulbs strung across the sky and throughout the wrought-iron balconies above.

Wrought Iron Balconies
Overlooking Tiana's Entrance

             The railings, dripping with beads, masks and finery reminiscent of Mardi-Gras draw the crowd further in, while the creole beats rumble through the rustic entryways and storefronts, enveloping the newly arrived revelers. There is excitement in the air when, at last, the dark of the side-street gives way to a bright, open, and utterly enthralling environment.

Aft Stage at Tiana's Place

Tiana's Place Dining Room   

As guests enter, they are greeted by their serving team and led under the gas-light chandeliers into the restaurant.  From their stage at the aft, the venue's own "Crawfish Crooners" belt out bayou-influenced versions of Disney favorites and old-standards. One can't help but get caught up in the celebratory atmosphere as they make their way to their seat and are handed their own set of celebratory Mardi-Gras beads. Aside from the addition of the stage, another noticeable change in the design of the room is the removal of the serving stations to a single row against the wall near the entrance to the kitchen. This affords guests relatively unobstructed views of the stage and center of the room.

Tiana's Place Table Settings

 
        Most impressive, however, is the attention to detail in the table settings themselves. In a nod to Tiana's dress in the movie, the celery color of the tablecloths contrasts with the chiffon yellow napkins, folded in the shape of the fleur-de-lis - a NOLA staple. Under the lotus-flower bread baskets, we find dark-green lily-pad doilies. The glassware, colored art deco goblets, play against the decorative plate-chargers, enhanced with cute depictions of Frog Prince Naveen and colorful lily pads. They seem almost too sweet to sully with the down-home dishes to come.

Tiana's Place Dishes

Tiana's Place Menu Starters

Tiana's Place Menu Entrees

     Parrot Cay had been my least favorite rotational menu and I wasn't expecting much better. I had glanced at the menu through the Disney Cruise Line onboard app and was already planning on nibbling on some bread and ordering room service later. I am pleased to say that I could not have been more wrong!

Tiana's: Ahi Tuna Tartare

Tiana's: Seafood Pepper Pot

      The descriptions on the menu do not do justice to the sophisticated complexity of the flavors. Thankfully, we ordered a varied selection over the course of our two nights at Tiana's. I won't go into detail about each dish, but I will say that the Seafood Pepper Pot, Shrimp and Grits and James' Roasted Pork Tenderloin became fast favorites.

Tiana's: Cajun Spiced Sea Bass

Tiana's: Sausage Fritters

Tiana's: Shrimp and Grits

Tiana's: James Roasted
Pork Tenderloin

Tiana's: Pecan Pie

Tiana's: Beignets

        Now I know you're wondering, since it's Tiana's Place, will we get to see Tiana? At the risk of including spoilers, I will only answer with a resounding: YES!! There is also a Mardi Gras style parade, complete with the serving team sporting parasols leading guests in a celebratory procession.


      From the food, to the entertainment, to the jubilant ambiance, Tiana's is a "down-home"run!

Tiana's Place: Sundae

Mickey Chick's Adventures are sponsored by Second Star Travel. 

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