Throughout the month of February, Walt Disney World Resort is celebrating Black heritage and culture through their annual ‘Celebrate Soulfully’ experiences.
Talk show host Tamron Hall kicked off festivities as the grand marshal in the parade down Main Streef U.S.A. at Magic Kingdom on Feb. 1.
“To be here at the park and to see the diverse groups of people and families celebrating this important moment of culture, of food, of music…I’m rarely speechless,” she says. ” But I’ll tell you my heart is full, it’s full of joy and love and inspiration.”
From music and art to food and entertainment, below are ways to take in everything Black and magical this year at the most magical place on earth.
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure
Inspired by the life and adventures of Tiana, Disney’s first Black princess, take a ride down the Bayou to the sounds of Mardi Gras and down a 50-foot drop on Tiana’s Bayou Adventure at Magic Kingdom.
Guests can hear original songs written and produced by Grammy award-winning musician, PJ Morton, including one featuring Anika Noni Rose, the voice of Tiana in The Princess and the Frog.
The attraction opened last summer at Walt Disney World and last November at Disneyland, replacing Splash Mountain. Princess Tiana is based on the real-life of New Orleans culinary legend, Leah Chase.
Black art at EPCOT and Disney Springs
For the melanin art lovers, start at Disney Springs Art Walk: A Canvas of Expression.
Black artists featured include Ernest Shaw, Nneka Jones, Nardstar, Marci Swett and D.C.-based artist Brandon Hill; who made his debut this month with a new mural.
At EPCOT, the International Festival of the Arts is underway. Several Black artists have their work on display there such as Yesenia Moises, Ryan Riller, Larissa Brown
and Mark Page.
Disney on Broadway
Get into the spirit with Disney in Broadway at EPCOT.
The Lion King’s Broadway stars Jelani Ramy, Alton Fitzgerald White and Kissy Simmons and Aladdin’s Michael James Scott ( who plays Disney’s first Black genie) serenade audienes to some of our favorite songs.
Meet the Black princesses
If you know where to go, you could meet your favorite Black Disney princesses.
Princess Tiana is at Magic Kingdom, Ariel from the live-action story “The Little Mermaid’’ ia at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Asha is at EPCOT.
Representation matters whether you’re 5, 35 or 55. Seeing a Disney princess with hair and skin that looks like us will always be a win in our book.
To learn more about Celebrate Soulfully click here.
