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20 Sep

Why Disneyland Is The Perfect Destination To Have fun

 

 

When the considered Disneyland involves mind, the initial impression is usually fun, yet long, hot days filled with marathon walking, soundtracked by energetic children and punctuated with long lines and dancing characters. No less than that was the direction my mind went.

As a childless adult, I wasn’t sure what a family destination billed as “The Happiest Place on Earth” for children and the young a heart could truly need to offer to maintain me entertained for longer than a day. But as I learned while attending their June Black Music Month Have fun Soulfully event series, there may be a slew of fun, food, festivities – and yes, costumed characters – that may keep unattached adults much more entertained than the tiniest of Mouse-fanatics.

In a continuation of their Black History Month initiative, Disneyland is celebrating and highlighting the achievements and contributions of Black creators in the course of the month of June in recognition of Black Music Month. Dubbed Have fun Soulfully, it’s a possibility for park-goers to honor Black heritage and culture while having fun with the magic of Disney.

Offerings include day by day live entertainment, including the newly-launched Tale of the Lion King show, performed each Thursday through Monday on the Fantasyland Theatre, specialty food, art, and more.

Joe Chea

I used to be pleased to attend a preview of June’s offerings, starting with specialized food items from the Have fun Soulfully menu. On the Disney Theater, we were treated to a feast of braised short ribs, ceviche and pasta salad, all hand-crafted by Black Disneyland chefs. The identical was true once we hit the Troubadour Tavern right next to Fantasyland Theater to enjoy The Tale of the Lion King, with the chicken-coconut curry sweet potato topped with crispy kale and complimented by berbere-spiced popcorn, crafted by Chef Natalie Willingham. Finally, we were treated to a special meal at Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen in Downtown Disney, complete with an appearance by Princess Tiana herself and featuring NOLA BBQ shrimp & grits (that I’m still having dreams about) and a dessert of traditional beignets crafted by Executive Chef Darrin Finkel and complimented by a peach pie old fashion created by bar manager Jake Kerr.

On top of all these, Disneyland brought Black-owned food trucks to the Downtown Disney District for added cultural flavor. From June 1 through July 4, Bred’s Nashville Hot Chicken truck will serve up spicy fried chicken options (with a delicious southern-style banana pudding dessert option), while Blissful Ice is rolling through with ultra-premium Philadelphia Italian Ice treats to chill down from the Anaheim afternoon heat, starting at 3pm day by day.

But after all, you may’t spend all of your time eating. On to the experiences.

Disneyland Celebrate Soulfully June Black Music Month

Joe Chea

From Galaxy’s Edge to Avenger’s Campus, there’s sure to be something to make you’re feeling like a child again. For a Star Wars fan and Marvel enthusiast like myself, each was a dream come true.

After having a probability to fulfill with Chewbacca in front of the Millenium Falcon, we were whisked away to “Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance.” What I assumed to be a fast roll-through ride with some screens paying a nod to the source material turned out to be a totally immersive experience that I couldn’t even quite wrap my head around, thrusting us straight right into a tense altercation between the Resistance and the First Order. Get captured, plot a high-speed action-packed escape, and face off with Kylo Ren and a whole bunch of Storm Troopers aboard the First Order’s mothership.

Over on Avenger’s Campus, we quickly trained in defense and self-assuredness with the Dora Milaje before meeting together with his highness himself, King T’Challa, the Black Panther. From there, we went on to help Peter Parker with a crisis in Stark Labs in the course of the WEB SLINGERS Spiderman Experience. By the point we grabbed a fast bite at Pym’s Test Kitchen, it was time to bounce to latest heights on “Guardians of the Galaxy –MISSION: Breakout!” a ride that gives a singular experience combination every time, featuring big fun and even larger freefalls set to the 70’s soul soundtrack that Star-Lord keeps spinning in his walkman.

Disneyland Celebrate Soulfully June Black Music Month

Joe Chea

When night fell, we were treated to attractions like World of Color at Disney California Adventure Park, featuring projections and pyrotechnics that tell a few of Disney’s most beloved stories with little greater than water and lightweight, the Once Upon a Time Castle Show which features updated sing-along renditions of Disney animation favorites, and the fiftieth Anniversary of the Electric Parade through Disneyland’s Major Street USA.

Between the rides, food, and shows, all focused on immersing you in Disney’s various long-beloved stories, there’s plenty to enjoy no matter what age you occur to be. For those who could make it to Anaheim before July 4th, make sure you participate in a few of the cultural experiences celebrating Black culture and inventive contributions at this fun-filled destination.

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