Louisiana Blacksmith Forges Metal Weathervane for Disney’s Tiana’s Bayou Adventure

Louisiana Blacksmith Forges Metal Weathervane for Disney’s Tiana’s Bayou Adventure

Work continues on Tiana’s Bayou Adventure in Magic Kingdom. Recently, a new custom handcrafted metal weathervane was installed at the attraction. This weathervane was forged by Louisiana’s master blacksmith, Darryl Reeves.

Related – Greenery Added to Tiana’s Bayou Adventure in the Magic Kingdom

In the spirited city of New Orleans, you can barely walk two blocks before seeing metalwork by Darryl, a 3rd generation master blacksmith and Vietnam Veteran. Whether it’s historic wrought iron fences or intricately designed custom pieces, his work is displayed across the city, and in fact, around the world. With over 50 years of service to his craft and city, it’s no wonder why Disney asked Darryl to create the weathervane; one of the high points of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure.

Inside Darryl’s workshop in the historic Seventh Ward in New Orleans, you can feel the heat emanating from the many furnaces used to create his shop’s labors of love. The immense artistry and complexity displayed by Darryl and his apprentices is evident in the dozens of works displayed in his gallery.

“I take metal and do anything I want with it,” the master blacksmith proudly says. “To have a free hand to design and fabricate the weathervane for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure…that’s an honor.”

Just like a good pot of gumbo, Darryl and his apprentice, Karina, have taken everything they’ve learned throughout their careers to help us tell the story of Princess Tiana and her journey to open Tiana’s Foods.

What sets Princess Tiana’s weathervane apart is that it’s crafted using centuries old techniques with a subtle African flair. You can feel the love Darryl and Karina have poured into this smoldering iron to shape it into a masterpiece.

One of Walt Disney Imagineering’s highest priorities is to bring the authenticity of New Orleans to Disney parks and resorts to immerse guests in this inspiring tale. When you visit Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, Disney wants you to feel like taking a trip down the Louisiana Bayou in a way only Disney can bring to life.

Are you looking forward to Tiana’s Bayou Adventure opening later this year?

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