June is Pride Month, and that means a chance to celebrate all of the wonderful members of the LGBTQIA+ community. As in years past, Walt Disney World has gone all out in creating ways for to Guests and Cast Members to show their Pride!
Find a PhotoPass photographer for some special ops
The official Disney Parks blog put together a list of the best ways to celebrate Pride while in Walt Disney World and listed this special opportunity that you won’t want to miss. Disney PhotoPass photographers on property can set you up with special rainbow-themed photo ops, and some of them can even include Magic Shots!
Shop the Pride Collection
Since 2018, Disney has introduced an annual “Pride Collection” of merchandise. As Lisa Beckett, Executive Vice President of Global Marketing noted, “The 2023 Disney Pride Collection…was created by members and allies of the LGBTQIA+ community.”
Items like apparel, plush figures, pins, and more have been designed for the collection, and are available online and at select retail locations within Walt Disney World.
Beckett went on to state, “At Disney Parks, we want our guests and cast members to see themselves reflected in the Disney stories, experiences, and products they know and love — all year long — and we are grateful to work with members and allies of the community to deliver products that are authentic. In addition to creating products that bring the joy of Disney stories to life for our guests, I am proud of our work year-round with nonprofits that lead important programs in support of the LGBTQIA+ community around the world.”
Enjoy a delicious surprise from The Ganachery
At $28, this particular treat is on the pricier end of the spectrum, but one bite and you’ll be saying that it was worth every penny. That’s because it isn’t just a single treat. This chocolate piñata with rainbow Pride Mickey ears holds even more goodies inside. But to find out what they are, you will have to break it open!
The item can be purchased at The Ganachery in Disney Springs, located at The Landing.
Strike a pose in Disney Springs
After sinking your teeth into the chocolate at The Ganachery, you’ll probably want to take a little stroll around Disney Springs. Head on over toward Once Upon a Toy in the Marketplace and you’ll find a beautiful photo op. It’s the word “LOVE” in big, bold letters with a white outline. Located in the “O” is a rainbow silhouette of Mickey Mouse.
Stroll along the Art Walk
Located in Disney Spring’s Town Center, the art walk features murals created by local and global artists, including several who are members of the LGBTQIA+ community. Both Dom Corona and Chad Mize were featured in a Disney Parks blog article spotlighting the “contributions and stories of the LGBTQIA+ community” to Disney.
Speaking about his piece, “Proud Original,” Dom Corona stated, “‘Proud Original’ is about embracing one’s true being and appreciating self-worth. Over the years, we’ve seen the world’s most beloved character change and evolve in so many ways – yet he only becomes more loved and more valuable. Applying this theory to our own lives, it’s so important to be most proud of whoever you currently are as nobody can discount the value you’ve given yourself.”
Chad Mize echoed the sentiment of being true to oneself in his piece, relating, “I’m calling this piece Say It Without Saying It. In this current 2022 climate of what’s going on in Florida, I wanted to create a piece that is true to me. My most natural form of myself. These characters and icons are me! Images I draw all the time. I want to stand for my community and say it without saying it!”
Snap a pic in front of the Pride Wall in Epcot
In recent years, the Disney team has created a number of Instagram-worthy walls and photo spots, such as the “Purple Wall” located in Tomorrowland in the Magic Kingdom. For Pride Month, the team has unveiled a special Epcot-themed wall that reads “LOVE” along with a rainbow of hearts and Spaceship Earth! You can find this gorgeous picture spot near Connections Eatery in Epcot’s World Celebration neighborhood.
Have a refreshing beverage at the Regal Eagle Smokehouse
While you’re in Epcot, take a stroll over to the World Showcase and stop by the Regal Eagle Smokehouse located in the American Adventure pavilion. That’s where you can get a big glass of blueberry lemonade (for $5.29), or blueberry lemonade with moonshine (for $15.50).
What makes these so special? As Disney explains, “Blending memories of childhood and adulthood, Restaurant Guest Experience Manager Josh, a member of the LGBTQIA+ community, created these featured beverages inspired by the blueberries at the local farm-to-table produce stands in Maryland and his memories of trying various lemonade flavors on vacation with friends. The finishing touch of glitter makes this drink shine.”
Devour a cheesecake dome at Hollywood Studios
If you’re anything like me, you’re a sucker for a good dome cake. That’s why you need to stop by the ABC Commissary or Catalina Eddie’s in Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Throughout the month of June, they’re offering a “Pride Cheesecake Dome” which consists of whipped berry, white chocolate cheesecake on a vanilla cookie glazed with a red, white chocolate mirror glaze and is topped with Mickey Pride ears.
The cake is $5.99 and so beautiful that you’ll feel a little guilty eating it. But not THAT guilty.
Grab hold of a balloon near Grand Avenue
Ok. So, it’s not a real balloon, but it is an amazing photo opportunity that features a backdrop of balloons, each colored to represent a different LGBTQIA+ flag. The largest balloon, located in the center of the bunch, includes the word “LOVE” with a silhouette of Mickey Mouse. It makes for a beautiful picture, and as an added bonus you can stroll right into MuppetVision 3D or PizzeRizzo when you are done for all kinds of Muppety goodness!
Sink your teeth into a mouth-watering cinnamon roll
First, we should probably establish the fact that Disney calories don’t count. That’s part of the Disney magic! How do they do it? Nobody knows. But it’s a scientific fact.
Even if it wasn’t, who can resist the smell of fresh baked goods that wafts out of the Main Street Bakery located on Main Street USA in Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom? No one. That’s who.
Stop into the bakery to pick up a Pride Cinnamon roll for $6.79. And don’t let the name fool you. It’s actually three cinnamon rolls. One giant one that makes Mickey’s head, and two smaller rolls that make up his ears. Fortunately, as we’ve established, Disney calories don’t count.
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