LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (Feb. 8, 2024) – Broadway star and Orlando native Michael James Scott kicked off Walt Disney World Resort’s Black History Month celebration this week as the grand marshal in a magical parade at Magic Kingdom Park.
Scott, who dazzled theatre audiences with his performance as Genie in the hit Disney musical “Aladdin,’’ was the center of attention during the Festival of Fantasy Parade down Main Street, U.S.A., that featured popular Disney characters, toe-tapping music and colorful pageantry.
While at Magic Kingdom, Scott interacted with Disney cast members, posed for photos and experienced some of the park’s signature attractions, such as Pirates of the Caribbean, Jungle Cruise and Haunted Mansion.
The parade is just one of the ways that guests are “Celebrating Soulfully’’ through music, art and food at Walt Disney World Resort throughout February and beyond.
- Three Black artists are participating this month in the EPCOT International Festival of the Arts, a celebration of artistic expression in all forms. Guests can view their artwork until Feb. 19. Also, several Black artists are performing on stage at America Gardens Theatre during the DISNEY ON BROADWAY Concert Series on select nights during the festival.
- The Disney Springs Art Walk features Black artists and their colorful murals that celebrate Black culture and expression. Likewise, there’s a new creation by internationally renowned Nigerian American artist Victor Ekpuk at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park that explores historical narratives and contemporary African diaspora.
- Also at Animal Kingdom, guests can also learn how to replicate the animations of Floyd Norman, Disney’s first credited Black animator. Norman helped animate characters from the popular Disney movie “The Jungle Book.’’
- Throughout Walt Disney World, there are food and beverage items from Disney’s “Cooking with Soul” These are classic comfort foods prepared by a diverse group of Walt Disney World chefs, such as shrimp & grits and red velvet cake.
- And guests can always interact with a variety of popular and diverse characters, such as Tiana at Magic Kingdom, Ariel from the live-action story “The Little Mermaid’’ at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Asha at EPCOT.