Tiana's Riverboat Party begins on the launch/dock of the Liberty Square Riverboat. The area is closed to everyone except those guests going to the party.
Almost time for the party to begin! The check-in podium is rolled out on a walkway that's located to the left of the Liberty Square Riverboat's main entrance.
Party guests can check-in at the podium and will be given a sticker to attach to your clothing, proving that you are an event guest.
The landing/dock area can be quite crowded. There are only a few standing tables in this area, but if you go on the Liberty Square Riverboat, and down a level, there's another ice cream and pastry station that isn't quite as busy.
One of the two large dessert stations at Tiana's Riverboat Party. Here is where you can pick up ice cream and a trio of pastries.
There's a few 'New Orleans' themed props here and there. Perhaps the most important thing in this photo, is the napkin dispenser. You probably won't get through this one without getting ice cream or cupcake frosting on your fingers.
The Lemonade table at Tiana's Riverboat Party features some really cool colored plastic cups.
A close up of the lemonade dispenser. Another lemonade station is below on what many would consider the "exit" landing of the boat (down just one level).
How cool is that lily pad table? There were only a couple tables like this one, and they were being used as "topping stations". You'll find two syrups, gummy worms, and a couple sprinkles that can be used as ice cream toppings.
The dry toppings were being used quite a bit, but not too many guests went for the syrups. There's not really a lot of room in the ice cream cups to start with, and the number of things you can balance in two hands, makes waiting for syrup to pour out, a little difficult.
The Strawberry Ice Cream at Tiana's Riverboat Party is really quite good. I topped mine with some sugar pearls. The ice cream is all pre-scooped and kept in giant chillers.
One of three pastry desserts at Tiana's Riverboat Party, a Cream Filled Tart Decorated with Yellow Buttercream Icing.
Another of the trio-of-pastries, a Yellow Sponge Cupcake topped with Green Buttercream Icing (and finished with a Tiana chocolate coin on top).
The Chocolate Cookie Sandwich finished with a Green Chocolate Frog is a surprisingly dark, decedent pastry with a nice crispy cookie, granulated sugar, and a fudge-like chocolate filling.
The trio of desserts are all pre-plated on a small clear tray (and also kept semi-chilled). Like all desserts at Tiana's Riverboat Party, you can get as many of the trio-trays as you would like.
Okay, these two were really great looking characters... totally playing the part the entire time, Princess Tiana and Naveen totally rocked the event. You'll get two photo opportunities with them, this is at the first... under the entrance landing/dock platform. A photopass photographer should also be on-hand.
As you leave the dock and board the Liberty Square Riverboat a couple of cast members make sure you have a couple strands of shiny beads.
On either side of the main deck there are popcorn displays. The popcorn you can eat, is already in little plastic bags.
The purple, green and gold (or butter in this case) color scheme is repeated in many ways at the event. The original colors of Carnival were selected in 1872, but later became synonymous with Mardi Gras, symbolizing justice (purple), faith (green), and gold for power.
Once on the Liberty Square Riverboat, cast members have bottled water and soda, pretzels, bags of sugar and buttered popcorn, and cotton candy.
Like all the treats at Tiana's Riverboat Party, you can pretty much just eat as much as you would like. Pictured here are the buttered and sugar popcorn bags.
Pretzels are also available, as are apple slices and cotton candy.
Another ice cream and pastry trio station is located on the "exit" dock, just off the lowest portion of the Liberty Square Riverboat. Here, you will find the same treats as the entry dock. In this photo, there's some lemonade, chocolate ice cream, and the trio of pastries.
The trio of mini pastries at Tiana's Riverboat Party.
Here's a close-up of a Cream Filled Tart Decorated with Yellow Buttercream Icing. The pastry shell had a little more texture to it than a cupcake, so it was a little different than the cupcake (although the flavors were very similar).
The real star of the pastry trio, a Chocolate Cookie Sandwich finished with a Green Chocolate Frog. This one was surprisingly rich and chocolatey.
The only problem with pre-scooped ice cream is that every time you open the door to a giant commercial chillier, it gets a little warmer. The nice icy textured finish on the ice cream was turning into a puddle after the first half hour or so.
The pastries were pre-plated on these clear three-part trays. I didn't try to get three chocolate frog cookies. My guess is, these are intended to be handed out, just like this.
Your view of the Festival of Fantasy Parade, is admittedly, not like being in the front row on the street. However, you're also not right in the middle of all those other guests.
If you are collecting photos of the steampunk-inspired Maleficent dragon float from every possible angle, then you'll have to try taking a few photos from the Liberty Square Riverboat. If only he would have been breathing fire right at this moment. Oh well, next time.
Here, I'm on the lower deck of the Liberty Square Riverboat looking straight out across the street. Each deck provides a different vantage point, but all views are partially obstructed by trees and whatnot.
Looking back at the tail end of the Festival of Fantasy Parade as it rounds the corner and moves past the Hall of Presidents. This was taken on the top level of the Liberty Square Riverboat.
After the parade, Tiana and Naveen rejoin the party on the boat for one trip around Tom Sawyer's Island.
As the Liberty Square Riverboat leaves the dock, cast members wave farewell.
A festive sendoff as the Liberty Square Riverboat leaves the dock and sets sail for one trip around Tom Sawyer's Island.
Once underway, Tiana and Naveen pose for photos (with you, naturally) on the bow of the Liberty Square Riverboat. No, I couldn't get them to recreate that scene from the Titanic... I tried.
After you have completed one trip around Tom Sawyer's Island you will dock back at the main landing. Be sure to grab a bag of popcorn or cotton candy for a little snack later in the day!