Alabama teen scores sneak preview of Tiana's Bayou Adventure after viral prom dress fame
A high school graduate whose viral prom dress, inspired by Disney's "Princess and the Frog," garnered national attention was invited to preview the new ride Tiana's Bayou Adventure at Walt Disney World in Orlando.
"I knew that I wanted to make a prom dress, but I didn't wanna make anything that was already out there or that I see people doing a lot," Layla Hildreth, who graduated from Shades Valley High School in Alabama, told USA TODAY.
Instead, she chose to create a prom dress similar to the ball gown in the movie that inspired her in her childhood.
Princess Tiana, the movie's protagonist, was "an independent woman," said Hildreth. "She didn't need anybody's help, per se, and she never gave up on what she wanted."
She spent five months sewing her dress while juggling her senior year and extracurricular activities. After her dress went viral, Disney's Imagineers invited her to Walt Disney World, where she met voice actors from the very movie that inspired her dress, "Princess and the Frog."
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Her dress captivated people at the prom.
"A lot of people were just amazed," said Hildreth.
She adds that folks from her school, who she didn't really know, were stopping her and asking to take photos with her.
But, she didn't just grab the attention of fellow students from her school. She's conducted multiple interviews with different media outlets and grabbed the attention of Disney's Imagineers.
Charita Carter, Disney Imagineer and executive creative producer on Tiana's Bayou Adventure, said imagineers were so captivated by Hildreth's story that they invited her and her family to the resort. They also got to attend the "Dig a Little Deeper" showcase, when Hildreth got to show off her dress.
"I didn't expect for the story to touch so many people," Hildreth told Florida Today, a part of the USA TODAY Network. "I know people my age have seen Tiana, but they don't really talk about it as much as they used to. So I'm just glad it's coming back."
Sewing was integral part of creating viral prom dress
It took the graduate five months to complete, but worked on it in between school responsibilities.
She sewed her while attending rehearsal and performing in three shows throughout the school year. She said she would have rehearsal from 3 to 10 p.m. some days.
"If I really think about how much time actually put into making the dress, it was probably like 2 weeks worth of work," said Hildreth.
Those who want to begin sewing "just have to start," said Hildreth.
"It took me a very long time to just start doing it," she said. "And it's gonna be a while to actually really, really enjoy it because I was just making things to say that I made it at first. But now I really enjoy making stuff, and I will work until one in the morning if I want to."
While Hildreth recently finished other projects that involved hemming her parents' pants, she's also working on creating more varsity jackets for the university she is going to attend in the fall: Georgia State University.
She isn't selling her creations though, and is instead using her talents to make gifts for others and honing her craft for now.
"I'm trying to learn how to use my embroidery machine better so that I can actually start selling things," said Hildreth.
Teen's trip was a magical experience
Hildreth got to try Princess Tiana's Beignets, which was her favorite thing to eat on the whole trip, explore Pandora's Island in Animal Kingdom, and wander through Galaxy's Edge in Hollywood Studios.
Aside from exploring the most magical place on Earth, Hildreth also got to meet Anika Noni Rose, the voice of Princess Tiana and Michael-Leon Wooley, the voice of the trumpet-playing alligator, Louis at the showcase.
Her favorite part, though, was tasting all the different types of food that were inspired by the movie's New Orleans setting.
"I'm a foodie, so I definitely enjoy trying all the new foods and seeing what I'd do and do not like," said Hildreth.
Sneak preview of Tiana's Bayou Adventure
Along with the invite to the most magical place on Earth, Hildreth also got to get a preview of Magic Kingdom's newest ride, Tiana's Bayou Adventure.
"I've never been on a ride like that," said Hildreth. "When it first started, I expected that it would just be really slow and that was fine. But then there's also like drops, and there's fast moments and slow moments and the visuals are just amazing."
The water ride is set to open to the public on June 28, this summer. But a word of advice from the recent high school grad:
"You will get wet," warned Hildreth. Especially if you sit at the very front of the ride vehicle.
She adds that folks who want to use their phone should take extra precautions.
"Definitely get something for your phone if you wanna take videos so that it doesn't get wet," said Hildreth.
Florida Today suggests that folks should watch the movie before getting on the ride. "Princess and the Frog" can be watched on Disney+.
Contributing: Britt Kennerly, Florida Today
Julia is a trending reporter for USA TODAY. She has covered various topics, from local businesses and government in her hometown, Miami, to tech and pop culture. You can connect with her on LinkedIn or follow her on X, formerly Twitter, Instagram and TikTok: @juliamariegz