News Highlights
- Michael James Scott, a Broadway star and Orlando native, kicked off the Black History Month celebration at Walt Disney World Resort by being the grand marshal in a parade at Magic Kingdom Park.
- The Festival of Fantasy Parade showcased Scott among other popular Disney characters, backed by catchy music and vibrant spectacles.
- Scott engaged with Disney cast members, posed for pictures, and experienced signature attractions including Pirates of the Caribbean, Jungle Cruise, and Haunted Mansion.
- The parade is part of a wider “Celebrating Soulfully” campaign implemented at the Walt Disney World Resort throughout February and beyond.
- Three Black artists are displaying their artwork at the EPCOT International Festival of the Arts, which guests can view until Feb. 19. Plus, numerous Black artists are performing live at the Disney on Broadway Concert Series during the festival.
- The Disney Springs Art Walk showcases murals created by Black artists, celebrating Black culture and expression. Victor Ekpuk, a celebrated Nigerian American artist, has a new work displayed at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park, exploring historical narratives and the contemporary African diaspora.
- In Disney’s Animating Floyd Norman program at Animal Kingdom, guests can learn to replicate animations done by Disney’s first credited Black animator. Floyd helped animate characters for the popular Disney movie “The Jungle Book.’’
- Disney’s “Cooking with Soul” initiative offers classic comfort foods prepared by various Walt Disney World chefs. Dishes such as shrimp & grits and red velvet cake are available throughout the resort.
- Guests can interact with a variety of popular and diverse characters like Tiana at Magic Kingdom, Ariel from the live-action story “The Little Mermaid” at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Asha at EPCOT.
The Realists Take
Alright, mega-mouse fans! Feast your eyes on a realistic take on this news melange. Our magic carpet-riding buddy, Broadway star Michael James Scott, literally stole the show, or rather the parade, at the Magic Kingdom Park – not a genie-us move, just wrestling the spotlight from Mickey Mouse! Meanwhile, the EPCOT International Festival has turned into a visual candy store with artwork display from three talented Black artists. Also, do not miss out on the Disney Springs “Art Walk,” unless you’re allergic to vivid color and bold expression. And hey, don’t worry about the rumble in your tummy during the art walks. Disney’s “Cooking with Soul” ensures that comfort food is the real star of the parks. Best of all, character meetups are going stronger than ever. So leave your autograph notebooks at home; it’s selfie time!
https://wdwnews.com/releases/broadway-star-launches-black-history-month-festivities-at-walt-disney-world-resort-in-florida/
