Disneyland’s homage to Black History Month

ANAHEIM, Calif. – The month of February is observed as Black History Month. Disneyland, the major theme park in Southern California, wants guests to know they’ve hopped about the history train by sprinkling a variety of mementos to celebrate Black History Month as well as the Lunar New Year. 

Disneyland went out of its way to make tourists feel right at home by dropping a dash of Asian culture with banners, food, parades, a general ambiance and a feel of the Lunar New Year. 

Within this scope, Disneyland has not ignored the African American community, featuring a tribute to gospel music with star headliners on Feb. 17 and Feb. 24.

There’s nothing new the theme is offering for Black History Month, but Disney is expounding the visuals of what they already have to offer guests. The two-weekend Disneyland Resort Celebrate Gospel is a follow-up on a recent tradition of the theme park to encompass the Black church in its push to make everyone welcome and celebrated. 

This year’s performers for the Disneyland Resort Celebrate Gospel performances is Bishop Marvin Sapp and Tasha Cobbs Leonard, two megastars in the world of gospel music, which, by the way, has always served as an anchor to the Black community. 

This year is no different. Besides Sapp and Cobbs Leonard, Disneyland’s Celebrate Soulfully features local gospel groups and performers to join in the celebration. There is a myriad of places around Disneyland Resort and Disney California Adventure Park where one can find a slice of Black history. 

As soon as you walk into the theme park, it doesn’t take too long for you to find that history. As you hit Main Street, U.S.A., guests should walk into the lobby of the Main Street Opera House and then they’ll see a bust of both Abraham Lincoln and the Black abolitionist Frederick Douglass.    

The busts of Lincoln and Douglass, who was prominent in urging the 16th President of the United States to abolish slavery, are part of a public display called “Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln.” 

For guests wanting a bit of nostalgia and southern cuisine, you can head on over to New Orleans Square and dine at Tiana’s Palace, which opened in late fall 2023. 

The delicious menu features 7 Greens Gumbo and Gulf shrimp and grits. And if you have enough to wash it all down with dessert, you can’t avoid the house-filled beignet. 

Finally, the Pixar Place Hotel inside of Disneyland Resort offers comfort and relaxation. The influence of jazz is all over with the main character from the animated film “Soul” sitting and playing the piano to get you in the right mood.