On March 4, millions of Americans across the country celebrated Mardi Gras, also known as Fat Tuesday. It’s a day filled with parades, an abundance of beads, and indulging in tasty food and drinks. Mardi Gras falls the day before Ash Wednesday, marking the start of Lent, when Christians around the world begin giving up some of their favorite things.
While the biggest celebration takes place in New Orleans, people outside the city still enjoy the festivities. Even Disney joined in on the fun, though things didn’t quite go as planned for the company.
The Timing of the Post
The controversy began when Disney posted a video on its official social media channels featuring Tiana and Louis from The Princess and the Frog (2009). In the video, Tiana talks about how excited she is to celebrate Mardi Gras.
However, the video was posted just one day after announcing the cancellation of Tiana, a series that would have followed Disney’s first Black princess on a new adventure. This sudden move left fans disappointed, as the show had been promised for years.
They were also frustrated that Disney would promote Tiana immediately after canceling her show.
Happy Mardi Gras from Tiana and Louis! 🎺🎉 #DisneyParks #MardiGras #TianasBayouAdventure pic.twitter.com/8OBKvuNMoY
— Disney Parks (@DisneyParks) March 4, 2025
One Twitter user expressed the sentiment of many, saying: “This is… I know that this was supposed to show that at least the parks have Tiana, but it’s a bad look given how Disney nixed the project.”
Fans’ Criticism of Disney’s Decision
The character of Tiana is particularly significant in the Disney lineup, not only as the first Black princess, but also as a character that represents progress and inclusivity within the franchise. To cancel a highly anticipated series about her, only to promote the character in a Mardi Gras-themed post, seemed like a contradiction that many fans found hard to overlook.
Critics were vocal across social media, calling Disney out for what they perceived as an insensitive move. One user remarked, “Oh, so you honor them when it’s Mardi Gras, but you canceled their animated series. Way to go, Disney, way to go. (Slow clapping)”
Oh, so you honor them when it’s Mardi Gras, but you canceled their animated series. Way to go, Disney, way to go. (Slow clapping)
— Olivia (@Olivia1472033) March 4, 2025
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This sentiment was echoed by many who were frustrated with what they saw as a lack of genuine commitment to honoring Tiana’s legacy.
The Challenges with Tiana’s Bayou Adventure
Adding to the criticism of Disney’s Mardi Gras post was the growing frustration surrounding the newly opened Tiana’s Bayou Adventure attraction, which replaced the controversial Splash Mountain.
Since its opening, the ride has faced multiple operational issues. Guests reported frequent ride breakdowns, and the animatronics, while impressive, have malfunctioned on several occasions, drawing further ire from visitors.
Most recently, guests at Magic Kingdom noticed issues with the Louis animatronic. The character’s throat appeared to be slit, which caused an unsettling reaction from park-goers. Social media was flooded with images of the malfunctioning animatronic, adding to the negative perception of the attraction.
No Major Mardi Gras Celebrations at Disney Parks
To make matters worse, Disney Parks also failed to deliver a significant Mardi Gras celebration this year. Despite promoting the holiday on social media, the company did not organize a proper event in the parks.
While the Port Orleans – French Quarter resort at Walt Disney World celebrates Mardi Gras every day, including special parades and festivities, the theme parks themselves lacked any major celebrations.
This is in stark contrast to Disney’s primary competitor, Universal Studios Orlando, which has been hosting a month-long Mardi Gras event with parades, concerts, and festivities since the early 1990s.
Disney’s inability to deliver a larger Mardi Gras experience left many feeling that the company missed an opportunity to truly embrace the holiday spirit.
Fans expected Disney Parks to step up with a more immersive experience, especially considering how Universal’s Mardi Gras celebrations have become a major draw for visitors.
A Missed Opportunity for Disney
Disney’s social media post, which was intended to be a cheerful moment of celebration, ended up amplifying existing frustrations among fans. The failure to launch the Tiana series, combined with ongoing technical issues with Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, created the perfect storm for backlash.
Related: A Live-Action ‘Princess and the Frog’ Movie Poster Is Trending on Social Media
Ultimately, Disney’s failure to “read the room” and its lack of clear messaging on Tiana’s legacy have left many fans feeling disillusioned. What should have been a fun and celebratory post ended up highlighting deeper issues within the company’s handling of its Black characters and attractions.
Do you think Disney made a mistake with their Mardi Gras post? How do you feel about the cancellation of the Tiana series? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
