Disney Parks are marking Black History Month in FEB with the return of "Celebrate Soulfully" events to Walt Disney World Resort and their debut at Disneyland Resort. The events invite guests to gather for experiences that recognize and celebrate Black heritage and culture through music, food, art and more.
Walt Disney World Resort
At Disney Springs, Motown-themed musical experience return alongside jazz, R&B and pop hits, with a line-up of featured musical acts throughout the month of FEB. Throughout Disney Springs, guests can view new murals and art displays, several of which have been inspired by characters from "The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder" TV series. And at House of Blues Restaurant and Bar, guests can discover a permanent collection of Southern Vernacular Art.
At Epcot, guests can explore the evolution of jazz at "The Soul of Jazz: An American Adventure" exhibit in The American Adventure, and view the legacies of famous musicians and stories of how jazz took root in cities across the U.S. Since its debut in 2021, the exhibit has travelled to museums across the country and expanded to include histories from Kansas City and Harlem, according to Disney.
The experiences continue at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park, where guests can encounter the beats of the Tam Tam Drummers of Harambe as they bring rhythms from the Congo to Mombasa Marketplace in Africa or attend "A Celebration of Festival of the Lion King," a Broadway-style show with pageantry puppetry and classic songs from Disney’s "The Lion King."
Guests at Walt Disney World Resort can also join viewings of films including "Soul," "Remember the Titans," and more as a part of Movies Under the Stars.
Disneyland Resort
Disneyland Resort will present "Celebrate Gospel" at Disneyland park for the first time. A-winning Gospel singer, actor and fashion designer Kierra Sheard opens the event with a performance on 19FEB at Fantasyland Theater, along with a capella Gospel group Sacred Groove. On 26FEB, Grammy-award winners Jonathan McReynolds and Mali Music take the stage, along with The Singers of Soul performing in their a capella style. On both weekends, guests can hear Southern California community choirs as they also join this tribute to the spirit of Gospel Music from 3-7 p.m. local time on the Fantasyland Theater stage.
At Downtown Disney District, guests can celebrate with nightly outdoor concerts covering genres such as R&B, Gospel, reggae, funk and jazz throughout FEB, plus Saturday afternoon Gospel music. Guests can also listen to live jazz piano nightly at Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen.
Also at Downtown Disney District, guests can discover art displays from emerging Black artists who took inspiration in Disney and Pixar’s "Soul." Originally developed in collaboration with Pixar and HUE Unlimited in a collection of wearable art, the works are from Bee Harris, Bianca Pastel, Arrington Porter and Cory Van Lew. In addition, chalk muralist Marcella Swett will create a new chalk mural each week in FEB.
Feeding the Soul
Guests can discover favours inspired by Black stories and new dishes throughout Walt Disney World Resort. This includes "Cooking with Soul" featured menu items, spotlighting authentic dishes and the chefs who create them across Walt Disney World Resort, including EPCOT and Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
Some highlights include:
- The flavors from the Caribbean, Africa and the Southern United States as chefs and culinary cast members draw on their heritage for new menu items at Polite Pig, Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar and D-Luxe Burger - located at Disney Springs at Walt Disney World Resort
- Found at Refreshment Outpost, the Plant-based Bratwurst is inspired by the flavors of Eastern Africa and is served with spicy turmeric aioli, Kachumbari slaw and coffee barbecue jackfruit - located at EPCOT at Walt Disney World Resort
- Available at Creature Comforts Coffee Shop, Flame Tree Barbecue and Restaurantosaurus, the Celebrate Soulfully Cupcake is an homage to the Disney-Pixar film, "Soul" - located at Disney’s Animal Kingdom at Walt Disney World Resort
- "Celebrate Soulfully" in New Orleans style at Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen at Downtown Disney District, where chefs honour the flavor of Louisiana with creole cuisine including their NOLA BBQ Shrimp & Grits - located at Disneyland Resort
Other highlights include retail destinations at both Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort which spotlight Black designers, artists and visionaries with celebratory merchandise items.
For more information, visit Disney Parks' web site.
