Next time you’re at Walt Disney World Magic Kingdom, don’t forget to cast your gaze upward as you stroll past Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. Experience a captivating new addition with a bespoke weathervane, skillfully crafted by Louisiana’s master blacksmith, Darryl Reeves.
In the vibrant city of New Orleans, every few steps lead you to the masterful metalwork of Darryl, a third-generation blacksmith and Vietnam Veteran. His legacy is woven into the cityscape fabric, from the historic wrought iron fences to the exquisitely crafted custom pieces, showcasing his skill locally and globally. With a remarkable 50 years dedicated to both his craft and the city, it was only fitting that we approached Darryl to craft the centerpiece weathervane for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, marking another pinnacle in his illustrious career.
Inside Darryl’s workshop in the historic Seventh Ward in New Orleans, you can feel the heat emanating from the many furnaces used to create his shop’s labors of love. The immense artistry and complexity displayed by Darryl and his apprentices is evident in the dozens of works displayed in his gallery.
“I take metal and do anything I want with it,” the master blacksmith proudly says. “To have a free hand to design and fabricate the weathervane for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure…that’s an honor.”
Much like simmering a flavorful pot of gumbo, Darryl and his apprentice, Karina, bring together the wealth of their accumulated skills and experiences to narrate the compelling tale of Princess Tiana and her venture to establish Tiana’s Foods. Just as a well-crafted gumbo combines various elements, Darryl and Karina blend their expertise to weave a captivating narrative.
What sets Princess Tiana’s weathervane apart is that it’s crafting using centuries old techniques with a subtle African flair. You can feel the love Darryl and Karina have poured into this smoldering iron to shape it into a masterpiece.
One of Walt Disney Imagineering’s highest priorities is to bring the authenticity of New Orleans to Disney parks and resorts to immerse guests in this inspiring tale. When you visit Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, we want you to feel like taking a trip down the Louisiana Bayou in a way only Disney can bring to life.
Visitors can immerse themselves in the fiery collaboration of Walt Disney Imagineering, Darryl Reeves, and Karina Roca as they unveil Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. This attraction, inspired by the narrative from the Walt Disney Animation Studios film “The Princess and the Frog,” is set to debut at Disneyland Resort in California and Walt Disney World Resort in Florida in 2024.
