Every Disney experience is rooted in storytelling, from the first animated movie to the latest theme park attraction. Over time, the brand has actively expanded the stories it tells to reflect the cultures, backgrounds, and experiences of Disney fans around the world.
Part of that evolution has been the modernization of attractions at U.S. theme parks — including the upcoming re-theming of Splash Mountain from “Song of the South” to “The Princess and the Frog” — but it has also introduced more cultural festivals, activities and experiences.
For the second year, Walt Disney World Resort commemorated Black History Month with “Celebrate Soulfully,” which honors Black heritage and culture through food, art and music. When the event launched in Florida last February, the California parks were still closed, so Disneyland is happy to be joining the 2022 celebration for the first time.
“Last year we weren’t able to play,” said Veronica Horton, senior operations leader for Disneyland and a leader within Disney's Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Employee Resource groups. “But this year we definitely wanted to make sure the West Coast was able to participate.”
Celebrate Soulfully at Disneyland Resort
A primary focus of Disneyland’s event was the opportunity to expand its popular annual “Celebrate Gospel” performances. This year, there will be appearances by award-winning gospel music stars Kierra Sheard on Feb. 19, and Jonathan McReynolds and Mali Music on Feb. 26.
"Part of 'Celebrate Gospel' that we've been doing for over a decade has been our community groups, our church choirs and acapella groups," Horton said. "We would do that one day in February — to showcase all that talent — so now we've [expanded to] two weekends, and we love that connection of the Southern California groups and to be able to showcase them here."
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Nightly musical performances take place on the Celebrate Soulfully stage in Downtown Disney.
Credit: 2022 Samantha Davis-FriedmanWhether clients are already gospel music fans or want to learn more about it, interactive opportunities — such as leaving messages on a Gratitude Wall — and displays outlining gospel’s history and evolution enhance appreciation of this distinctive musical genre.
With music as the centerpiece of Disneyland’s celebration, nightly reggae, jazz, Motown, doo-wop, R&B and funk performances take place on the Celebrate Soulfully stage in Downtown Disney District, while local singers, musicians and choirs — including acapella group Sacred Groove — perform with the headliners inside the park.
It's Black History Month, and to have this many Black voices on this stage, understand what a special moment this is, and we hope this continues in a long-lasting legacy for this park.
"We're so grateful to be here for this extremely special event," said James, a member of Sacred Groove. "It's Black History Month, and to have this many Black voices on this stage, understand what a special moment this is, and we hope this continues in a long-lasting legacy for this park."
Horton says Disneyland plans to offer “different beats throughout the year that will Celebrate Soulfully,” including the spring return of “Tale of the Lion King,” an adaptation of the animated movie that presents Simba’s story through music and dance. And although Susana Tubert, creative director at Disneyland, noted that Disneyland “started small” with this year’s event, she expects it to grow in the future.
Celebrate Soulfully at Walt Disney World Resort
For the second year, Celebrate Soulfully experiences could be found across Walt Disney World, from performances by the Tam Tam Drummers of Harambe in Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park (which returned to the park’s entertainment lineup late last year) to treats inspired by Pixar’s “Soul” and “The Princess and the Frog” at bakeries in the Disney Springs shopping and dining district.
Park guests could also experience the Broadway-style “A Celebration of Festival of the Lion King” at Animal Kingdom, which tells the story of “The Lion King” through puppetry and songs, and Epcot’s “The Soul of Jazz: An American Adventure” exhibit that presents the evolution of jazz through the eyes of Joe Gardner, the music teacher in “Soul” voiced by Jamie Foxx.
“Joe Gardner was the inspiration to Imagineers,” said Jackie Herrera, assistant producer for Walt Disney Imagineering. “After seeing his love of jazz on film, we wanted to share the history of jazz with our guests.”
A particularly delicious aspect of Walt Disney World’s celebration is the opportunity to sample “Cooking with Soul” menu items inspired by Black stories and created by Black chefs, including dishes reflecting flavors of Eastern Africa in Epcot and tributes to African recipes at Animal Kingdom.
“Cooking With Soul is a food and beverage content platform designed to honor and celebrate the soulful history of ingredients, flavors, recipes and how Walt Disney World chefs find inspiration in creating foods that nourish the soul,” said Gregg Hannon, director of culinary concepts for Walt Disney World. “Whether guests delight in a dessert inspired by James Heming’s recipes, Celebrate Soulfully with a namesake cupcake or experience a Southern food delicacy like shrimp and grits, Cooking With Soul ensures that wherever you are on-property, you find an item that stirs your soul and sparks delight as you Celebrate Soulfully with us at the Walt Disney World Resort.”
Celebrate Soulfully will be an annual event honoring Black History Month each February at both Disneyland and Walt Disney World.
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