Disneyland’s Tiana’s Bayou Adventure Cast Member Costumes Revealed

Written by Joshua Posted October 15th, 2024

Earlier this week, Disney revealed the Tiana’s Bayou Adventure Cast Member costumes coming to Disneyland. Today, we’re learning about the design process that went into these many pieces. As you’d expect, New Orleans culture played a big role. Designers, led by Ashton Montgomery, wanted to create authentic clothing. The team began by “researching period photos from farmer’s markets, envisioning what Tiana’s friends and coworkers might wear in real life.”

“We incorporated historical references, such as men’s workwear from the period, but with modern updates for durability and comfort. We engaged in frequent discussions with Walt Disney Imagineering (WDI), refining the designs to ensure they suited both the attraction and cast members’ roles.”
Ashton Montgomery

Ashton and her team used Mardi Gras hues, earthy tones, and prints to inspire their designs. They wanted the costumes to be an integral part of the storytelling. From a pragmatic standpoint, the uniforms use breathable fabric. Even better, the outfits are mix-and-match, giving Cast Members flexibility when choosing their clothing for their shift. Once the initial designs were set, the team worked with actual Cast Members to fine-tune the uniforms, balancing form and function.

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Ashton working at Walt Disney World in 2015 or 2016. Copyright Disney. — Ashton in Walt Disney World in 2015 or 2016. Copyright Disney.

Ashton has always dreamed of designing for Disney. She was first hired as a Disney World food and beverage CM in 2011 before returning three years later for the Disney College Program. After receiving a Master of Fine Arts in Costume Design, she interned at Disney Live Entertainment. Today she is a full-time costume designer. Her work history helped inform her designs: “I take costumes to heart because I was the Cast Member wearing them day in and day out.” Let’s see what Ashton and her team came up with!

All images are copyrighted by Disney.