Walt Disney World and Disneyland recognize Black History and heritage throughout the year with their Celebrate Soulfully experiences.
The Celebrate Soulfully installations, events, and attractions are part of Disney Parks’ commitment to be intentional with its cultural mindfulness. UPTOWN recently reported on the much-needed revamp and renovation to the amusement juggernaut’s Splash Mountain rollercoaster. To recap, that attraction included aspects of the culturally insensitive Song of the South movie that was released in the 1940s. Disney has reimagined Splash Mountain into an attraction that is more culturally relevant and respectful, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, which is slated to open in 2024 at Walt Disney World and Disneyland. However, there’s much more to the Celebrate Soulfully initiative.
Similarly, Disneyland’s permanent Black History feature has some new enhancements. A new video that highlights the unique and historic relationship between abolitionist and author Frederick Douglass and President Abraham Lincoln now accompanies the 2022 installation of a bust and portrait of Douglass in the pre-show area of the “Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln” attraction. The video is narrated by Good Morning America’s Robin Roberts and highlights testimonials from historians, as well as descendants of Douglass, with a specific focus on Lincoln’s and Douglass’s efforts to abolish slavery.
For more than a decade, Disneyland has hosted Celebrate Gospel, which is a powerful tribute to Gospel music through the voices of notable and award-winning music artists and local choirs. This year, Grammy Award-winning singer Erica Campbell, Jekalyn Carr, DOE, Melvin Crispell, III, Sacred Groove, local community choirs, and others took center stage at the Fantasyland Theatre for an uplifting and inspirational time celebrating Gospel sounds.
“At the Disneyland Resort, we strive to create products and experiences that reflect the rich heritage and culture of our guests and celebrate their diverse, intersectional stories,” said Sybil Crum, Vice President, Disneyland Resort Marketing & Commercial Strategy. “These stories are reflected in our offerings as told by our cast through the communities we serve. Our guests have an emotional connection to our stories – and when they see themselves, their cultures, their families depicted in our stories and in the experience, that creates a deeper, more personal connection.”
As part of its 100th anniversary celebration, aptly dubbed Disney100, The Walt Disney Company recently opened the reimagined animated neighborhood of Mickey’s Toontown at Disneyland Park. While Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin continues to remain a fixture to this unique land, families with children of all ages can enjoy the new and exciting Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway attraction, which has zero height and age restrictions. Walt Disney Imagineering aimed to make this space a more physically-inclusive and playful area that doesn’t skimp on experiential and sensory opportunities. The centerpiece of Mickey’s Toontown is a colorful and whimsical fountain featuring water elements, as well as a dreaming tree that begs for children of all ages to play. Another existing fun-sized attraction has been transformed into Chip ‘n’ Dale’s GADGETcoaster, where guests can go nuts on a coaster that was created by the resident tinkerer of Mickey’s Toontown, Gadget Hackwrench.
There’s always a lot going at the Disney park that started it all, so make your plans to visit Disneyland soon!
