During the month of February, The Disneyland Resort welcomes guests to Celebrate Soulfully, shining a light on the beauty of black culture. Vibrant music, powerful stories, enlightening Black heritage is illuminated throughout Disney’s amusement parks, Downtown Disney and Disneyland Hotels. This coming weekend on February 15, Celebrate Gospel with the everlasting sounds of Melvin Crispell, III. This four GRAMMY®-Award nominated performer also has six, Stellar Award nominations and four Dove Award nominations, Melvin’s Gospel artistry inspires the message of hope.
Photo courtesy of Disneyland Resort.
Experience Soulfully Downtown Disney
During Black History Month, guests can listen and dance to live musical performances highlighting a variety of genres at the Downtown Disney LIVE! Stage.
Shop
Head over to lovepop in Downtown Disney for a Black is Beautiful pop-up card. Designed in collaboration with black artist Anthony Conley, this beautiful card is a tribute to the legacy and rich culture of the Black community.
Celebrate Soulfully at lovepop. Photo Jill Weinlein
The store is donating 50% of every purchase of the Black is Beautiful pop-open card to The Conscious Kid. This organization is dedicated to equity and promoting healthy identity development in youth.
lovepop shop. Photo Jill Weinlein
Celebrate Foodie Opportunities
Downtown Disney
First stop is the new Sip & Sonder at Parkside Market in Downtown Disney. This Black women-owned brand features signature lattes, such as honey lavender, frozen drinks and baked treats such as cake pops and three different types of cinnamon rolls that include a blueberry brown sugar and cookies and cream. Celebrate soulfully when ordering a ‘Nod to Nicaud’ cold chicory brew.
Nod to Nicaud. Photo Jill Weinlein
This beverage is a nod honoring Rose Nicaud, a pioneering entrepreneur. She was one of the first women of color vendors in New Orleans. Her thriving French coffee business provided a hot beverage to patrons strolling along the river near St. Louis Cathedral. The success of her business allowed her the means to purchase freedom for her husband and herself. She subsequently established a thriving coffee business in the world-renowned French Market.
Vista Parkside Market views. Photo Jill Weinlein
Order and take food up to the second floor to VISTA Parkside Market for views of the Downtown Disney LIVE! stage. It’s a wonderful spot to sip festive cocktails, mocktails, beer and wine with delectable soulful fare from GG’s Chicken Shop, Sip & Sonder, and Seoul Sister.
Jazz Kitchen Coastal Grill and Patio. Photo Jill Weinlein
Nearby at Jazz Kitchen Coastal Grill & Patio, celebrates Black History Month with live jazz soloists and duo singers, along with instrumental music. Black artists will perform every Saturday evening during the month of February while guests enjoy New Orleans style food with California ingredients. Table reservations are recommended.
Ballast Point Brewing Co., is making Jalapeño Cornbread and Waffle Sliders and serving The Heritage Amber Lager. During the month of February, Ballast Point Co., will support 8 Trillion organization. It’s initiative is to provide capital and resources to support Black-owned breweries. The aim is to increase racial equity in the brewing industry. The series offers support in the form of mentoring, brand partnerships, financial support, and consultations.
Disney California Adventure
In Hollywood Land, Award Wieners in Disney California Adventure is preparing a Black-eyed pea stew with hot water cornbread now through March 2, 2025.
Award Wieners. Photo Jill Weinlein
Live Jazz Music
Listen to the hits of the 1920s and 1930s as soulful female singer Dime and her Five & Dime band play jazz with pizzazz entertaining guests along Buena Vista Street at Disney California Adventure Park.
Disney Legend Floyd Norman. Photo Jill Weinlein
Honoring Disney Legend Floyd Norman
Also in Hollywood Land there is a tribute to Celebrating Soulfully Disney’s first Black animator, Floyd Norman. his diverse career, insightful viewpoint and honesty’s made him a Disney Legend. He worked as an animator on Sleeping Beauty, The Sword in the Stone and The Jungle Book. After Walt Disney’s death, Floyd co-founded the AfroKids animation studio with Leo Sullivan. This is where he co-created “Hey! Hey! Hey! It’s Fat Albert” in 1969. He then returned to Disney to work on Robin Hood, Wheelie and the Chopper Bunch, and The Kwicky Koala Show. More recently he worked on Toy Story 2, Monsters, Inc., and Mulan. At the age of 88, he continues to collaborate with The Walt Disney Company as a consultant on various projects.
Disneyland
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure
In Bayou Country inside Disneyland, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is the newest fun water ride attraction inspired by Walt Disney Animation Studios film, “The Princess and the Frog.” This immersive musical journey takes guests on a log ride through winding waterways. It crescendos with a 50-foot exciting drop before traveling down the bayou to “drop on in” to Tiana’s swinging Mardi Gras soiree. She is joined with her pals gator Louis, Prince Naveen and others.
Tiana’s Palace
Afterwards Princess Tiana’s storytelling continues in New Orleans Square at her New Orleans-inspired restaurant, Tiana’s Palace with food and entertainment. Order the Celebrate Soulfully Catfish Po’Boy on toasted New Orleans French Market bread and a remoulade sauce. Its server with Black-eyed pea stew, hot water cornbread and house-made pickles.
Tiana’s Palace Catfish Po’Boy. Photo by David Nguyen/Disneyland Resort.
The Soulfully Southern-style dusted catfish filet with lettuce, tomatoes, and mayonnaise on toasted New Orleans French bread with remoulade sauce served with black-eyed pea stew, hot water cornbread, and house-made pickles. Available from January 31 – March 2 at Tiana’s Palace.
Tiana’s Palace in New Orleans Square. Photo by Christian Thompson/Disneyland Resort
Inspired by the Walt Disney Animation Studios film “The Princess and the Frog,” the reimagined quick service restaurant serves authentic New Orleans flavors inspired by Tiana’s friends and adventures.
Over at Fantasyland, the Troubadour Tavern is preparing a Fried Chicken Bowl on Fridays through Sundays now to February 23, 2025.
HOTELS CELEBRATE SOULFULLY
Disneyland Hotel
In the magical lobby of the Disneyland Hotel, listen to the a cappella group Sequin Dream every Friday and Saturday during the month of February. Listen to live jazz duos in the hotel’s Broken Spell Lounge on Mondays through Thursdays. On Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays entertaining Celebrate Soulfully artists will perform.
Entertainment all around the parks and hotels. Photo Jill Weinlein
Pixar Place Hotel
At select times in the afternoon and evening, Joe Gardner from Pixar Animation Studios hit movie “Soul” will play jazz tunes on the piano. Guests staying at Pixar Place Hotel at Disneyland Resort will hear Joe while passing through the lobby next to deep purple walls and drawings of jazz musicians and counselors from “The Great Before.”
Celebrate Black heritage and culture at Disneyland Parks through music, food and art through February 28, 2025.
Dine, Travel & Entertainment 