Among the most striking features of the new Tiana's Bayou Adventure attraction at Walt Disney World is the impressive Tiana's Foods Water Tower, standing 32 feet tall and adorned with a grand tiara.
This water tower was created by Walt Disney Imagineering and a local Central Florida business, Icarus Exhibits. Founded in 1987, Icarus specializes in themed designs and has been working with Disney since the 1990s. Their expertise and dedication were crucial in bringing the water tower to life and seamlessly integrating it into the rich narrative of Tiana's Bayou Adventure.
Disney Imagineers are known for their attention to detail and high standards, and the Tiana's Foods water tower project was no exception. The process involved extensive collaboration, from initial design mock-ups to the final installation. Peter Ricci, principal show manager at Walt Disney Imagineering, praised the partnership, highlighting the long-standing relationship and the high-quality work Icarus consistently delivers. "Whenever we're creating new experiences, we frequently work with trusted and valued industry leaders like Icarus," Ricci said. "That was no different for the construction of the beautiful water tower at Tiana's Bayou Adventure. I've had the privilege of working with Icarus for more than two decades now, and their work as a longtime collaborator never ceases to amaze me."
A Project of Pride and Passion
For Icarus, the project was not just another assignment; it was a labor of love. Co-owner Mark Ireland reflected on the immense pride and relief felt upon the successful completion of the installation. "There's an immense sense of pride to know that you've built it," Ireland said. "First, there's a little bit of relief that everything turned out and was installed correctly, but mostly there's pride."
This sentiment was echoed by fellow co-owner Drayton Knox, a lifelong Floridian who has cherished Disney parks since childhood. "Growing up here in Florida, I've been going to Magic Kingdom since I was seven years old," Knox shared. "Any time we work on anything at the park, it's special. Working on an attraction like Tiana's is really cool."
Jennifer Smith, Icarus General Manager, brought a unique perspective to the project. Having spent over a decade as a Disney Imagineer, she possesses a deep understanding of both the creative and practical aspects of such endeavors. Her dual experience enriched the collaboration, ensuring that every detail met Disney's exacting standards. "My combined past of working for Disney and working with Icarus definitely helped prepare me for my role at Icarus today, as I have a deep understanding and respect for both sides of the work," Smith said. "I am immensely proud of the work we produce for all of our clients. It is also quite fun to still have an opportunity to leave my mark at Disney!"
Bringing Dreams to Reality
The Tiana's Foods water tower is just the latest in a series of successful collaborations between Icarus and Disney Imagineers. Icarus has contributed to numerous iconic Disney landmarks, from the post-show Lightcycle in TRON Lightcycle / Run to the immersive photo ops in Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge and the larger-than-life figures in Toy Story Land.
Icarus is one of the 2,500 Florida-based small businesses that supply products and services to Disney World. This relationship has allowed Icarus to grow and expand, working with high-profile clients like NASA. "Our relationship working with Disney has allowed us to grow," Ireland noted. "We now get to work with NASA and other companies like that, and we may not have had those opportunities if it hadn't been for Disney."
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