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Credit: DisneyChanges to the character have now been seen at multiple Disney theme parks.
The Princess and the Frog: A 16 Year Legacy
The Princess and the Frog (2009) marked a return to hand-drawn animation for Walt Disney Animation Studios, bringing audiences a fresh twist on the classic fairy tale.
Set in 1920s New Orleans, the story follows Tiana (Anika Noni Rose), a hardworking young woman who dreams of opening her own restaurant, and Prince Naveen (Bruno Campos), who is transformed into a frog by the charismatic yet sinister Dr. Facilier (Keith David), also known as the Shadow Man.
When Tiana kisses Naveen in hopes of breaking the spell, she too is transformed, leading them both on a magical journey through the bayou. The film stood out for introducing Disney’s first African American princess and celebrating jazz, Creole culture, and the vibrancy of New Orleans.
The movie has since expanded into Disney’s theme parks around the world. Tiana appears in parades, stage shows, and meet-and-greet experiences, and she has become a staple character at both Disneyland and Walt Disney World.
Most notably, in 2020, Disney announced the reimagining of the Splash Mountain attraction into Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, opening in 2024 at both Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom.
The ride continues Tiana’s story after the events of the film, highlighting New Orleans music, culture, and food. Beyond the U.S., Tiana also appears at international Disney resorts in shows and character greetings, further solidifying her place among the Disney Princess lineup.
Dr. Facilier Changed at Park
A standout element of the film is its villain, Dr. Facilier, whose eerie charm, smooth-talking demeanor, and “friends on the other side” make him one of Disney’s most memorable antagonists. Voiced by Keith David, Facilier combines charisma with menace, using voodoo magic and shadowy powers to manipulate others in pursuit of wealth and influence.
His stylish presence and haunting musical number have ensured he remains a fan favorite in Disney villain lineups, such as the Halloween celebrations across Disney theme parks.
Dr. Facilier also appears in the Walt Disney World Resort’s latest villain addition, Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After! at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The new show opened earlier this year after replacing the space previously occupied by the Lightning McQueen Racing Academy.
Dr. Facilier has debuted a new look in Tokyo Disneyland at the Tokyo Disney Resort, and one vastly different from his previous looks at the parks and his animated counterpart. Shared by WDWNT on Instagram, the new look has gone international after first appearing at the Oogie Boogie Bash in Disneyland Resort’s Disney California Adventure Park.
When compared to his previous outfit from last year, this version is incredibly toned down, with elements like his tooth necklace—as seen in the 2009 movie—now removed. His suit is also less flamboyant, and the skull on his hat—which wasn’t there in his 2024 costume but was seen in other iterations—is also not there.
Many characters at the Disney theme parks look slightly different from their animated origins, but this change to Dr. Facilier is notably striking.
Over the years, there has been discourse about the exploration of voodoo in The Princess and the Frog being problematic, and when information dropped about Tiana’s Bayou Adventure ride in 2023, it was clear that Disney was focusing on events after Dr. Facilier’s downfall.
While not corroborated by Disney, some noticed that the House of Mouse was seemingly reframing the voodoo aspects of the film, calling Mama Odie (Jenifer Lewis) the “Bayou Fairy Godmother” and not by the name Louis the Alligator (Michael Leon-Wooley) gives her in the movie—the “Voodoo Queen of the Bayou.”
Do you think the changes to Dr. Facilier reflect something deeper? Let Inside the Magic know in the comments down below!