There’s a new character and some fun celebrations at Disneyland. It’s a busy month with the continuation of the Disney100 Celebration, the tail end of the Lunar New Year Celebration at DCA, and also Black History Month! Disney “Celebrates Soulfully” around the Disneyland Resort this month including the arrival of Marvel’s Moon Girl on February 15th!
NEW: Moon Girl Arrives at Disney California Adventure
There’s a new super hero in town and she’s meeting with guests in Disney California Adventure’s Hollywood Land starting February 15th (for a limited time). While the character is from an animated show on Disney+ (which is now streaming), you’ll find a live-action version of Moon Girl in the park. Here’s a description of Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur:
Marvel’s Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur, based on the Marvel comic books, follows the adventures of 13-year-old super-genius Lunella Lafayette and her 10-ton T-Rex, Devil Dinosaur. After Lunella accidentally brings Devil Dinosaur into present-day New York City, the duo works together to protect the city’s Lower East Side from danger.
To celebrate the new character’s arrival at the Disneyland Resort, Disney California Adventure hosted a one-time cavalcade on February 15th. Of course, your MiceChat pals were there to capture the moment:
The cavalcade was followed by a one-day-only stage presentation in the performance space across from the Monster’s Inc attraction in the Hollywood Backlot. The presentation featured the character and the cast of the Disney+ show. The stage show will be repeated today (February 15th) at 2pm.
The cast of the show also took to the stage:
Following the short stage show, Moon Girl and the cast headed to her new photo spot (which is located just across from the Hollywood Pictures Backlot restrooms where Spider-Man used to do his meet and greet before Avengers Campus opened). This is where guests will be able to find the new character (check with the park app for days and times):
And Disneyland’s newest starring character… Moon Girl!
It was neat to see the character with her voice actor together.
Moon Girl is a science expert and super genius. We have a feeling guests are going to love her!
You can get to know Moon Girl now on the Disney Channel and streaming on Disney+:
We wish Devil Dinosaur was appearing with Moon Girl at Disneyland. That would be over the top! If Universal Studios can do meet and greets with live-action dinosaurs, we’re sure that could be a possibility for Disney too.
Celebrate Soulfully 2023
In recent years, Disney has made a concerted effort to celebrate diversity throughout all aspects of the company. This includes its theme parks and its media empire. Disneyland has a whole host of ways that the resort is participating in Black History Month. Guests all guests can Celebrate Soulfully with limited-time offerings that provide an expansion to what’s already available across the resort. We break it all out for you below:
Celebrate Gospel 2023
One of the staples of Celebrate Soulfully is the Celebrate Gospel showcase. This musical tradition has been going on at Disneyland for over a decade, and this year there are two dates for you to watch top-notch Gospel stars and ensembles perform at the Fantasyland Theater.
On February 18 and 25 from 2:30-7pm, you can find uplifting performances from award-winning Gospel music stars, recording artists and community choirs performing their hearts out.
February 18 brings recording artist Jekalyn Carr to the stage with singer-songwriter Melvin Crispell, III, and a cappella group Sacred Groove.
On February 25, you’ll find Grammy-winning singer Erica Campbell with DOE and the vocal ensembles The Singers of Soul. On both dates, you can also hear community choirs from across Southern California perform.
Last year, we really loved these entertainment showcases. Unfortunately, they’re not easy to find unless you know exactly what yu’re looking for. We wish that there was more visibility on this front. It would be amazing if they could do a cavalcade down Main Street with some performers and then do a performance out in Town Square as a teaser for the full show out in the Fantasyland Theater.
Celebrate Soulfully Food 2023
There are lots of specialty foods available around the Disneyland Resort right now for Disney100 and Lunar New Year, and there are a few new offerings for Black History Month as well. This month, you can find a special Honey-Glazed Fried Chicken Bowl and a Red Velvet Bundt Cake at the Troubadour Tavern during the Celebrate Gospel events on February 18 and 25. This will be in addition to the African-inspired fare that can be found there year-round for Tale of the Lion King.
Some of the restaurants at the Disneyland Resort will be participating in Celebrate Soulfully with limited-time menu items. Additionally, from February 9 through March 5, Black-owned food truck Wings ‘N Waffles is headed into Downtown Disney.
We’re expecting a full Celebrate Soulfully food guide for the Disneyland Resort to be released soon.
Celebrate Soulfully at Downtown Disney 2023
During Black History Month, there are a few offerings around Downtown Disney inspired by Black heritage.
The Lovepop card shop will feature two cards designed in collaboration with artist Anthony Conley. Additionally, there will be artist showcases and signings from Ryan Riller and Larissa Marantz from 11am-2pm at Disneyana in Disneyland on February 25 and Downtown Disney at the Wonderground Gallery pop-up on February 26.
If you’re feeling creative, there are some arts and crafts activities for all ages in Downtown Disney that celebrate Black History Month.
Every night in February, there are live musical performances highlighting genres such as R&B, Reggae, Funk, Motown, Jazz, Doo-Wop and Gospel. Scheduled acts including LALA Brass, Forward Motion Band, The Rhythm & Blues Brothas and others. On select weekend days, the festivities start in the afternoon with inspiring Gospel music performances by Sacred Groove and The Singers of Soul.
Over at the Grand Californian Hotel’s lobby (now called the Great Hall), The Mood Indo Group will entertain guests with jazz music every night of February. Additionally, overnight guests at the hotel can paint an animation cel with artwork from The Princess and the Frog.
Celebrate Soulfully Year-Round
In addition to the items listed above for Black History Month, there are also experiences that celebrate African heritage all year long. Here is what you can find:
New Frederick Douglass Video in Disney Gallery
A new video produced in collaboration with National Geographic has debuted in the lobby of Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln. This film looks at the historic relationship between Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln and the screen is aptly located between the busts of the two political giants who fought to end slavery. This presentation is narrated by Robin Roberts and features expert testimonials and the family of Douglass.
There’s also a colorful, new portrait of Frederick Douglass in the foyer of the Opera House towards the Mad Hatter. We hope that we get a placard with more information about this painting because it’s really amazing!
Tale of the Lion King
On select days at the Fantasyland Theater, you can watch the live stage production of Tale of the Lion King. We absolutely love this show and highly recommend you take a little bit of your time out of your day to watch this heartwarming and energetic projection.
For more info, take a look at the article below:
FIRST LOOK: Disneyland’s Jubilant Tale of the Lion King Show
Tiana-Themed Offerings
In New Orleans Square, there are several offerings inspired by Tiana from Princess and the Frog. First, there’s Eudora’s Chic Boutique in New Orleans Square. This store features decor inspired by New Orleans, and offers a selection of items that include apparel, cookbooks, artwork, and more!
There’s more information in the article below:
NEW DISNEYLAND SHOP! Eudora’s Chic Boutique Opens in New Orleans Square
Second, there’s the upcoming Tiana’s Palace that will be replacing the French Market Restaurant. The restaurant will be getting a light retheme to make it Tiana’s dream restaurant from the movie. We’re looking forward to seeing the new menu!
For full details, be sure to read the article below:
Tiana’s Palace to Replace New Orleans Square Classic in Disneyland
And finally, there’s the brand-new Tiana’s Bayou Adventure set to debut sometime next year! Join Tiana and Louis the Aligator on an original adventure through the bayou.
There’s LOTS of information about this upcoming attraction in the article shared below.
NEW: Concept Art and Story for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure at Disneyland & WDW
Powerful Black Super Heroes in Avengers Campus
Across the way at Disney California Adventure, you’ll find Super Heroes like Black Panther, the Dora Milaje and Captain America greeting and training with recruits.
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