Explore all of the special Celebrate Soulfully offerings available throughout the resort during Black History Month and beyond.
February is underway, which means Black History Month is here – and there’s so much to celebrate! Walt Disney World Resort is introducing a whole host of new ways to learn about and honor Black heritage and culture. While many are here just for Black History Month, others are part of the year-round Celebrate Soulfully event that includes experiences, food, music, and so much more.
So, how can you join in the celebration? Here’s everything you need to know about joining Walt Disney World Resort in Celebrate Soulfully and Black History Month events.
Discover the Art of Black Artists at the EPCOT Festival of the Arts
A look at some of the incredible work by CreativeSoul Photography. Photo courtesy of Disney
If you have yet to visit the EPCOT International Festival of the Arts, February is the perfect month to do so! The festival is in full swing – check out our guide here – and you can enjoy plenty of creative cuisine, new merch, and plenty of incredible art.
From February 3 to 5, you’ll also have an opportunity to celebrate the art of two of the Black artists whose work is featured at this year’s festival. Kahran and Regis Bethencourt, the founders of CreativeSoul Photography, will be at EPCOT’s American Adventure pavilion. Stop by their booth, and you’ll be able to see their incredible reimagined visions of classic Disney princesses in the form of dolls, costumes, and photographic prints.
Plus, for the first time ever, you’ll also be able to explore a special gallery exhibit featuring life-sized dresses and natural hair styled wigs, as seen in CreativeSoul Photography’s prints.
And there’s another art form you won’t want to miss at the EPCOT Festival of the Arts: Broadway-worthy performances as part of the DISNEY ON BROADWAY Concert Series! During Black History Month, you’ll be able to see featured Black Broadway performers on various dates from February 4 to 19. Here’s a look at some of the performers who’ll appear:
- L. Steven Taylor (The Lion King)
- Kissy Simmons (The Lion King)
- Michael James Scott (Aladdin)
Check the My Disney Experience app for more information about Black artists and performers who you can meet at the festival!
Explore the Work of Additional Black Artists at Disney Springs
Visit Disney Springs during Black History Month, and you’ll find plenty to participate in! If you’re an art enthusiast, don’t miss the Disney Springs Art Walk: A Canvas of Expression. This experience, which already features the work of Black artists Everett Spruill and David Anthony Geary, will grow to showcase a bigger commitment to diversity and representation at Walt Disney World.
The Disney Springs Art Walk will be expanded with the addition of work by two Black Artists. Ernest Shaw and Nneka Jones will paint their work live during Black History month, and their creations will become part of the exhibit so Guests can see them year-round.
Additionally, while you’re wandering through all that Disney Springs has to offer, you won’t want to miss Black musicians taking the stage to perform! On Monday nights, the smooth sounds of live Motown entertainment will take place. On all three of Disney Springs’ main stages, Black musicians will take center stage on Sundays, Mondays, and Thursdays, too.
Learn About Black Culture at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park
Join culturally-inspired entertainment at Animal Kingdom. Photo courtesy of Disney
If you’re interested in exploring Black culture at Walt Disney World, Disney’s Animal Kingdom is the perfect place to head. Within this theme park, you’ll be able to experience a variety of culturally-inspired music and art.
For example, you can enjoy the beats of the Congo with a performance by the Tam Tam Drummers and dance with the Caribbean Street party music of Viva Gaia. When it comes to art, you’ll be able to browse – and even bring home – art, crafts, clothing, and instruments created by African artisans at Mombasa Marketplace.
You can also head to the Conservation Station to learn about Floyd Norman, Disney’s first Black animator, who brought classic characters to life by drawing inspiration from real animals.
And don’t miss out on your chance to get Magic Shots with some of the most beloved Black Disney characters and stories! At Animal Kingdom, you can step right into the fun by snapping PhotoPass Magic Shots with Princess Tiana at Tiana’s place, Penny and friends from The Proud Family, and more.
Dig Into Delicious Foods with Cooking with Soul Offerings
A look at one of the Cooking with Soul food options. Photo courtesy of Disney
You definitely won’t want to skip all of the Cooking with Soul food offerings throughout Walt Disney World, either! For Black History Month, Cooking with Soul is bringing new and returning foods and beverages to the resort. And at each location, you’ll be able to learn how the dishes and drinks were inspired by cast members.
Here’s a sneak peek of some of the items you’ll want to try while Cooking with Soul is available:
- Shrimp & Grits featuring spicy shrimp, corn grits with bacon jam and crispy radish at Tiffins in Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park
- Tiana’s Mardi Gras Shake featuring a cinnamon vanilla milkshake topped with a Mardi Gras King Cake Doughnut served at Hollywood Scoops in Disney’s Hollywood Studios
- Gumbo with chicken, andouille sausage, okra and seasonings offered at ABC Commissary in Disney’s Hollywood Studios
- Pineapple Mule cocktail with Uncle Nearest Tennessee Whiskey, pineapple juice, ginger beer and mint available at Geyser Point at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
- Soulful Sunday Dinner at The Artist’s Palette at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa featuring a dinner plate of barbeque chicken, collard greens, black eyed peas and house-made cornbread
- Jamaican Jerk Chicken Frites featuring Sweet n’ Hot jerk marinated chicken, pineapple salsa, scotch bonnet aioli and fries available at The Daily Poutine at Disney Springs
These foods, drinks, and more will all debut throughout the month of February. For more on how Disney parks will celebrate Black History Month and offer Celebrate Soulfully all year round, keep reading:
