Today In Disney History ~ November 25th
10 Things You Didn’t Know About The Princess and the Frog from Oh My Disney
1. It took three and a half years to make the film. (No frogs were kissed in the process.)
2. Directors Ron Clements and John Musker pitched the film to Oprah on a trip to Disneyland, just for fun. She loved the idea so much that she asked to be a part of it.
3. The women who fawn over Prince Naveen are all caricatures of women who work at Walt Disney Animation Studios.
4. Anika Noni Rose requested that Tiana be left-handed, just like her. (Tiana’s dimples are also borrowed from Anika.)
5. This interlude is an homage to Dick Van Dyke’s dance with the penguins in Mary Poppins.
5. “Achidanza,” a word Naveen says in the made-up language of Maledonian, means, “cool!”
6. In an earlier version of the story, Louis was a human who couldn’t play any instruments, but really wanted to, so went to Dr. Facilier who gave him the ability to play the trumpet–and turned him into an alligator in the process. It was too complicated, so filmmakers nixed the subplot.
7. Ray was animated by Mike Surrey who also animated Timon in The Lion King. He’s voiced by Jim Cummings, the voice of Winnie the Pooh!
8. Mama Odie’s character is based half on comedian Moms Mabley and half on Yoda.
9. Dr Facilier’s name is derived from the french word “facile,” meaning easy. The idea was that he would lure people in under the guise of giving them what they wanted with ease–without them having to earn it the old-fashioned way (work).
10. The birds used in this shot were recycled from existing bird animation in The Lion King.
TMSM Today in Graphic by Sherry Rinaldi DeHart
Michele also contributes theme park news for Fox 35 Orlando 11pm news and on the radio on WDBO.
- St. Patrick’s Day Specials at Summer House on the Lake - February 21, 2025
- New Featurette for Disney’s Snow White Now Available - February 20, 2025
- Disney x Marc Jacobs Line Launches Today! - February 20, 2025
Our Official Travel Partner of The Main Street Mouse is MEI-Travel & Mouse Fan Travel
Mouse Fan Travel® an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner, has been planning and creating magical Disney vacations since 2005. Their mission is to provide premium service and expert advice to help you get the most for your vacation time and dollar. Their Disney Travel Agents operate with the highest degree of integrity and will handle your family vacation, reunion, honeymoon, corporate incentive trip or getaway, as if it were their own. They pride themselves on expertly representing and advocating for you – their client.
The next time you and your family are planning a Disney vacation, visit Mouse Fan Travel for your no obligation quote or to answer any Disney vacation questions you may have. Are you looking for a beach vacation, tour or cruise to destinations across the globe? Visit MEI-Travel for exceptional expertise with ZERO agency fees.