Next time you walk through Walt Disney World Magic Kingdom, don’t forget to look up near Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. You’ll discover a stunning new weathervane—crafted by New Orleans master blacksmith Darryl Reeves. This unique piece brings the spirit of New Orleans to life through intricate design, timeless technique, and a whole lot of heart.
Darryl Reeves Brings Legacy to Disney
Darryl Reeves is a third-generation blacksmith and a proud Vietnam veteran whose work can be found all across Crescent City. For more than 50 years, he’s forged his legacy in metal, his artistry gracing iron fences, custom home features, and now, the Magic Kingdom skyline.
When Disney set out to bring the soul of New Orleans to Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, Imagineers turned to Darryl to create something authentic. Darryl took the lead on designing and shaping the custom weathervane in his Seventh Ward workshop, filled with centuries-old tools and the heat of multiple furnaces.
Crafting a Story Through Metal
Creating the weathervane wasn’t a solo effort. Darryl worked alongside his apprentice, Karina Roca, to blend traditional metalwork with cultural elements of Princess Tiana’s story. Together, they brought in subtle African influences and storytelling details to give the piece its emotional and artistic weight.
“I take metal and do anything I want with it,” Darryl said. “To have a free hand to design and fabricate the weathervane for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure…that’s an honor.”
Like gumbo, the work is a careful mix of technique, passion, and flavor. Their combined experience results in more than decoration—it’s a tribute to Tiana’s journey and the roots of New Orleans culture.
Celebrating Cultural Authenticity
Disney Imagineering’s top priority has been delivering an authentic New Orleans experience within Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. Inspired by The Princess and the Frog, the story picks up after the film’s events, following Tiana as she launches her dream of Tiana’s Foods and throws a Mardi Gras celebration for all.
The weathervane, now perched atop the attraction’s façade, is just one of many storytelling details that help bring this vision to life. It symbolizes transformation, culture, and heritage—elements that define both Tiana’s story and Darryl’s legacy.
Coming Soon to Magic Kingdom and Disneyland
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure will open in 2024 at both Walt Disney World Resort in Florida and Disneyland Resort in California. As guests prepare to journey through the bayou, the new weathervane will greet them—a timeless reminder of Princess Tiana’s roots and the real-world craftspeople who brought her world to life.
Stay tuned to SamsDisneyDiary for more updates on the attraction, behind-the-scenes looks, and upcoming coverage when Tiana’s Bayou Adventure officially opens.
