‘Celebrate Soulfully’ returns to Disney World, expands to Disneyland

Coinciding with Black History Month, Disney World is again hosting Celebrate Soulfully, inviting all to gather for experiences that honor Black heritage and culture through music, food and art. And, for the first time, the event is going to be held at Disneyland.

Here’s a look – from the Disney Parks Blog – what you will find at both resorts.

Entertainment

Walt Disney World

At Disney Springs, Motown favorites return alongside jazz, R&B and pop hits, with a line-up of featured musical acts all month long.  New murals and art displays throughout Disney Springs will be up inspired by favorite characters from “The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder” series on Disney+. And at House of Blues Restaurant and Bar, guests can discover a permanent collection of Southern Vernacular Art.

Explore the rich and dynamic evolution of jazz at “The Soul of Jazz: An American Adventure” exhibit in The American Adventure at EPCOT through the legacies of famous musicians and stories of how jazz took root in cities across the United States. Since its inaugural debut last year, the exhibit has traveled to museums across the country and expanded to include histories from Kansas City and Harlem.

You can continue to celebrate Black cultural influences at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park, where you may 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 filled with pageantry puppetry and classic songs from Disney’s “The Lion King.”

Disneyland Resort

As part of Celebrate Soulfully, Disneyland Resort will present “Celebrate Gospel” – at Disneyland park for the first time. “Celebrate Gospel” is a Disneyland Resort tradition, previously held in Stage 17 in Disney California Adventure park.

Opening this event, award-winning Gospel singer, actor and fashion designer Kierra Sheard performs on Feb. 19 at Fantasyland Theater, along with a capella Gospel group Sacred Groove. On Feb. 26, Grammy-award winners Jonathan McReynolds and Mali Music take the stage, along with The Singers of Soul performing in their unique a capella style. On both weekends, you can hear Southern California community choirs as they also join this beloved tribute to the spirit of Gospel Music from 3-7 p.m. on the Fantasyland Theater stage.

At Downtown Disney District, nightly outdoor concerts will cover genres such as R&B, Gospel, reggae, funk and jazz throughout February, plus Saturday afternoon Gospel music. You can also catch live jazz piano nightly at Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen. 

Also at Downtown Disney District, discover art displays from emerging Black artists who found 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. Plus, chalk muralist Marcella Swett will create a new chalk mural each week in February.

Feed Your Soul with Inspired Flavors 

Disney Springs at Walt Disney World Resort

• Come together with loved ones over a meal that nourishes your soul with brunch and happy hour menus at dining destinations across Disney Springs, including Wine Bar George, House of Blues, City Works Eatery & Pour House, STK and Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’. 
• Discover the flavors from the Caribbean, Africa and the Southern United States as chefs and culinary cast members draw on their heritage to infuse cultural flavors into mouthwatering new menu items at Polite Pig, Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar and D-Luxe Burger.
• Craving something sweet? Head to The Ganachery to indulge in Soulfully Sweet Pralines inspired by Joe Gardner from Disney and Pixar’s “Soul.”
• Support Black-owned businesses at Vivoli il Gelato by ordering Coffee Pot Gelato, a limited-edition flavor made with coffee stout sourced from Green Bench Brewing Company, a Florida-based Black-owned brewery. 
• For the full list of Celebrate Soulfully offerings at Disney Springs, click here. 
  

EPCOT

• Available at Refreshment Outpost, the Nairobi Coffee Porter is infused with Kenyan coffee and features subtle berry and stone fruit notes.
• Also 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.
• Featuring layers of Fanta Strawberry, Minute Maid Lemonade, Fanta Blue Raspberry Slushy and vanilla ice cream, the Half Note Float at Fife & Drum is named in honor of the jazz club frequented by Joe Gardner in Disney and Pixar’s “Soul.” 

Disney’s Animal Kingdom

• The Peach Cobbler Rum Cake at Tiffins Restaurant is inspired by a beloved recipe from chef James Hemings, celebrates his lasting creative and culinary legacy.
• At Nomad Lounge & Cocktail Bar, guests are invited to satisfy their sweet cravings with Mandazi, a delicious fried dough dessert with Swahili origins. 
• Available at Creature Comforts Coffee Shop, Flame Tree Barbecue and Restaurantosaurus, the Celebrate Soulfully Cupcake is a colorful and delicious homage to the Disney-Pixar film, “Soul.”
• Sip on a refreshing Mint Julep, flavored with pineapple and orange to honor the inspirational story of the drinks’ creator, John Dabney. This flavorful craft cocktail will be available at locations around Disney’s Animal Kingdom, including Nomad Lounge, Dawa Bar, Restaurantosaurus Lounge and Thirsty River Bar.

Disneyland Resort

• Celebrate Soulfully New Orleans style at Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen at Downtown Disney District, where chefs honor the flavor of Louisiana with creole cuisine including their NOLA BBQ Shrimp & Grits.
• Sip from a special menu, enhanced with wines, beer and spirits from Black-owned businesses, at Hearthstone Lounge at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa. Live jazz is offered nightly in the hotel lobby throughout February.

Treasures Celebrating Black Makers and Creatives

Retail destinations spotlight Black designers, artists and visionaries with celebratory merchandise items. 

Walt Disney World Resort

• Inside Art of Disney, check out the Artist Spotlight to learn more about Floyd Norman, Bruce Smith, Carole Holliday and others – some of the talented animators who have worked with the Walt Disney Animation Studios in films ranging from “The Jungle Book” to “The Proud Family” and beyond. And on select dates, meet artist, painter and operator of the Three Masks Art Gallery, Timothy Adebule. 
• In honor of Black History Month, Bowes Signature Candles, will offer special discounts off candle making. Founded by Jamaica native and artisan Dave Bowes, Bowes Candles is located inside Marketplace Co-Op and Disney’s Days of Christmas at Disney Springs. And during the month of February, Bowes Candles can also be found on the porch of the Discovery Trading Co. facing the Tree of Life at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
• Sephora at Disney Springs will celebrate a company-wide commitment to dedicate substantial shelf space in-store to diverse companies. 
• Be inspired by the words of modern age trailblazers like Muhammad Ali and historic figures like Maya Angelou at Sugarboo & Co., where you can find an assortment of writings from members of the Black community.
• Within some of the most popular Disney-owned locations at Disney Springs, you’ll discover products featuring classic and new characters and films, including “Soul,” “Princess at the Frog” and “Black Panther.”
• Under Armour joins the celebration with their Black History Month Collection for men, women and youth in apparel and footwear silhouettes. 
• Meet the talented African artisans behind unique craftworks near Mombasa Marketplaceat Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park.

Disneyland Resort

• Returning to Downtown Disney District on Feb.1, Post 21 features a collection of modern and design-forward merchandise from Black-owned businesses, curated by a local Los Angeles-based mother and daughter team at a kiosk location.
• At WonderGround Gallery, guests will discover items with connections to the films “Soul,” “Princess and the Frog,” “The Lion King” and more.
• Pelé Soccer will debut a new sweatshirt design that features an iconic image of Pelé and a call to “empower the culture.” 
• Lovepop honors Black History Month with special “We are Black History” and “Black is Beautiful” cards.