The Super Bowl is one of the biggest sporting events in the United States. And for over 30 years, Disneyland Park has hosted the Super Bowl winning team for a celebration the day after the big game. This exciting event draws huge crowds wanting to join the festivities and catch a glimpse of the championship players. Here is everything you need to know to plan your visit and make the most of Disneyland’s famous Super Bowl celebration day:
History and Details
- The tradition of Super Bowl winners going to a Disney park the day after the game started in 1987 after an idea from former Disney CEO Michael Eisner. Originally it was “I’m going to Disney World!” but has sometimes been “I’m going to Disneyland!” depending on location.
- The first Super Bowl MVP to go to a Disney park was Phil Simms in 1987 after winning Super Bowl XXI with the New York Giants. He visited Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World.
- Over the years, most Super Bowl MVPs and winning teams have continued the tradition of visiting either Disney World or Disneyland Resort the day after the big game.
- When the Super Bowl is closer geographically to Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, the tradition has been for the winning team to visit Disneyland Park instead of Walt Disney World. This brings huge crowds to Disneyland as fans want to join the celebration.
- Recent examples include the Los Angeles Rams visiting Disneyland Resort after winning Super Bowl LVI in 2022. There was a celebration cavalcade down Main Street USA featuring players like Cooper Kupp.
- Based on the 2023 location, this year on February 13th, the Super Bowl LVII winning team will be celebrating their victory with a parade and festivities at Disneyland Park.
Dining
Several restaurants and food carts will be offering special food and drinks themed to the winning Super Bowl team. Expect to see items like:
- Victory burgers and hot dogs in team colors
- Championship cupcakes and cookies
- Commemorative popcorn buckets and souvenir cups
- Specialty cocktails and mocktails
Some of the participating locations typically include:
- Refreshment Corner on Main Street
- Award Wieners in California Adventure
- Various quick service spots along parade routes
Be sure to check the Disneyland app when you arrive in the park for the full list of special offerings that day.
Merchandise
In the days leading up to the Super Bowl, Disneyland will sell generic NFL merchandise in anticipation of the big game. After a winner is declared, stores quickly switch over to items featuring the championship team. You can expect:
- T-shirts and hats with the team name and Super Bowl year
- Sweatshirts and jackets in team colors
- Commemorative pins and ornament sets
- Souvenir drinkware like mugs and water bottles
- Plus lots of accessories like keychains, lanyards, and more
Some of the most popular Super Bowl merch locations are:
- Emporium on Main Street
- Team Disney Anaheim Store in Downtown Disney
- World of Disney in Downtown Disney
Merchandise sells out very quickly, so shop early if you want the best selection. Popular items like t-shirts and hats are usually gone by noon.
Characters
Mickey, Minnie, and their pals will be dressed up in special NFL uniforms to celebrate with guests. Character appearances on Super Bowl Monday typically include:
- Mickey as the referee
- Minnie as a cheerleader
- Goofy, Donald, and Pluto wearing jerseys
Characters will pop up along the parade route and near the main hub before and after the cavalcade. This offers a great photo opportunity to capture the festive spirit!
Shows
Disneyland’s entertainment team will perform a special pre-parade show about 15-20 minutes before the cavalcade arrives. Expect high energy music, choreographed dances, pom routines, and more to pump up the crowd. There will also be a post-parade celebration show after the cavalcade passes featuring Disney characters, dancers, and music. Guests are encouraged to stick around Main Street for all the fun.
Parades
The highlight of the day is the Super Bowl victory cavalcade rolling down Main Street, U.S.A. This mini-parade features:
- Dancers and cheerleaders
- The Disneyland marching band
- Floats decorated in team colors and logos
- Mickey, Minnie, and MVP player(s) waving to fans
The cavalcade steps off around 1:30pm near “it’s a small world” and makes its way to Town Square. Guests begin staking out prime viewing spots over an hour in advance.
Fireworks
On years when the Super Bowl takes place close to Disneyland, there may be a special evening fireworks show with music and projections themed to football and the winning team. However, on most years there are no special pyrotechnics or shows that evening. Guests can enjoy the regular fireworks schedule instead.
Decorations
Expect to see Main Street decked out in balloons, pennants, and banners showing NFL and Super Bowl logos everywhere. Team colors and logos are added first thing Monday morning after the championship game. There may also be football helmets, jerseys, and foam fingers sprucing up storefronts and light posts along the parade route.
Cost
There is no additional cost to attend the Super Bowl celebration events at Disneyland beyond regular park admission. However, you may spend additional money on special food, merchandise, and character meet & greets. If you want to visit the parks on Super Bowl Monday specifically for the festivities, one-day tickets generally start around $104 per person. Magic Key holders can attend at no extra charge.
Crowds
Super Bowl Monday brings massive crowds to Disneyland as fans pour in to join the festivities. Attendance rivals peak days like Christmas week and 4th of July. Expect long lines all day – 60+ minutes for popular rides and 30+ minutes at quick service restaurants. Guests start reserving prime parade spots as early as 10am. If huge crowds aren’t your thing, you may want to avoid Disneyland on this day. Or at least be mentally prepared for the chaos!
Tips
Here are some tips to make the most of the action-packed Super Bowl celebration day:
- Arrive at park opening to shop for merch and stake out a parade spot
- Bring portable phone chargers – you may be in place for hours
- Pack sunscreen, hats, water and snacks to stay comfortable
- Utilize mobile ordering to avoid long lines at food spots
- Be prepared for crowds and delays on attractions
- Check the Disneyland app for updates and announcements
- Charge camera/video batteries to capture the celebration
Conclusion
The Super Bowl winner celebration at Disneyland is an over 35-year tradition that brings big crowds and excitement to the park, especially when the game location is on the West Coast near Disneyland Resort. This year, the LVII champions will be honoring the tradition on February 13th at the Disneyland Resort.
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