‘Princess and the Frog’ bayou to debut at Epcot Flower & Garden show

Princess Aurora and Prince Philip from 'Disney’s Sleeping Beauty' appear at the entrance to Epcot during the 2009 Flower & Garden Festival. The Princess and The Frog Wedding Bayou debuts among the royal gardens this year. (Walt Disney World photo)

The Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival begins in two weeks — and this year a new tribute to royalty has been added for Disney’s first African American princess.

The Princess and the Frog Wedding Bayou will be nestled in a corner around a pond with water lillies outside of Mouse Gear near Test Track. Purple wrought-iron, French Quarter-style gates open to a path that leads guests through existing trees and plant beds. Colorful bottles will hang from the natural arch created by the trees.

Instead of topiaries, visitors will see large cutout images of Princess Tiana and Prince Naveen, Mama Odie, Louis the alligator and other animal friends.

There will be activities for children, such coloring and image-rubbing stations — similar to the hands-on activities in Tinker Bell’s Nook adjacent to Pixie Hollow Fairy Garden.

The Princess and the Frog will be released on DVD and Blu-ray on March 16.

Epcot’s Flower & Garden Festival runs March 3 through May 16 and is included in regular admission to the theme park.