Disney’s Latest Patriotic Turn

A bit more than 49 years ago, Disney theme parks did something interesting.

Now, in an instance of forced timing, both parks will again celebrate a birthday.

Credit: Disney

Let’s discuss Disney’s patriotic turn in the historical and current context.

Disney’s Big Announcement

For those of you who don’t know, the United States of America turns 250 in 2026.

So, Independence Day will take on substantially more meaning on July 4^th.

Long before then, Disney will host a bicoastal party for America’s 250^th birthday.

This isn’t the first time Disney has done this, although few of us were in a position to remember it.

In 1976, Disneyland and Walt Disney World celebrated America’s centennial anniversary.

Unless you’re over the age of, say, 60, and have vivid memories of early Disney trips, you don’t know that.

Thankfully, YouTube offers a little bit of everything, including this gem:

I’ll get to America on Parade in just a bit, but it’s important that I point this out now.

Mickey, Goofy, and Pluto

This isn’t new, as Disney did it 50 years ago. Please keep that in mind, as I understand why you may think otherwise.

The timing of this is a bit suspect for…reasons, but it’s something the company would have done anyway.

What does Disney have in store for 2026? The event will be called Disney Celebrates America.

Starting on Veterans Day, which is November 11^th – read: SOON! – the party begins.

(Steven Diaz, Photographer)

This limited-time event will last through the July 4^th weekend in 2026. So, it’s an eight-month celebration.

Disney promises unique activities on both coasts, along with a new version of Soarin’.

The timing of Soarin’ Across America is interesting in that it won’t arrive until next summer.

So, we’ll receive this version of the ride just before the July 4^th holiday, which is…cutting it pretty close.

Still, none of us will complain about a new Soarin’ experience, will we?

On a sidenote, this update could change the local economy, as Pigeon Forge has this:

Disney’s Patriotic Turn

You’re looking at SkyFly: Soar America, a (somehow) legally distinct knockoff ride of Soarin’.

That’s how popular Soarin’ has grown over the years. It’s got cheap imitations at tourist traps.

Lots of businesses are selling Disney ideas for cheap, which brings us back to Disney’s patriotic turn.

As you may have noticed, Disney has stepped in it a couple of times in the 2020s.

Credit: Disney

We live in politically charged times, and our favorite company has managed to do the impossible. Twice.

On two separate occasions, Disney has angered people on both sides of the political aisle.

Credit: Disney

Short of saying, “I hate puppies and kittens,” there aren’t many ways to do that these days.

So, Disney needs this event to go off without a hitch. I say this because of the reception to the news.

JIMMY KIMMEL

While many of us thought, “Oh, that’s nice,” and moved along with our lives, others didn’t.

Some have questioned the timing of this announcement coming so recently after the Jimmy Kimmel incident.

(ABC/Jeff Lipsky) JIMMY KIMMEL

I’ll defend Disney here in that I’ve seen the (current) full list of planned events and tie-ins.

Knowing the corporate world as I do, I’m acutely aware that this project didn’t happen overnight.

The timing doesn’t align for Disney to have thrown this together in the wake of the talk show standoff.

For instance, there’s this part of the 250^th anniversary event:

Goofy dresses in his patriotic best to celebrate the Fourth of July at Walt Disney World Resort. Goofy, along with Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck, appear for meet and greets at the American Adventure at Epcot for the holiday. (David Roark, photographer)

“National Geographic’s ‘America in Superlatives’ series will feature, across all platforms, a range of National Geographic storytellers and photographers exploring unique places and events from around the United States.”

That project has probably taken at least a year, if not longer. So, there’s nothing suspicious about this birthday party.

Looking Back and Forward

Photo: Disney Parks Blog

Disney has always demonstrated a patriotic slant, one that pre-dates its theme park empire.

Remember that Disney created many propaganda films to help the Allies’ war effort in World War II.

Here’s The Spirit of ’43, one of the most memorable creatures from that era:

These days, Disney definitely wants all your idle money to go in its coffers, but tax payments were more important then.

Photo: Disney

Walt Disney himself was so patriotic that he tried to serve in World War I despite being too young.

He worked for the Red Cross in France instead and aided the war effort then.

Photo:
NBC TELEVISION

So, patriotism has been part of Disney’s DNA since before Uncle Walt was selling drawings.

In 1976, ten years after his death, Disneyland and Walt Disney World hosted Disney’s America on Parade.

Disney

I linked it above, but that parade ran from the summer of 1975 through September 1976.  

Let’s just say that fans of the American flag would have loved this show, as everything was red, white, blue, and awesome.

Photo: John E Reed

Disney even coaxed the Sherman Brothers out of retirement to write a song, The Glorious Fourth.

Disney IS Patriotic

Disney fans may remember a different, more recent patriotic event. It’s this one:

Yes, that’s from this July, but it’s an ongoing event since 2008.

Each July 4^th (and sometimes on July 3^rd), Disneyland and Magic Kingdom host Disney’s Celebrate America.

Technically, the name of the event is Disney’s Celebrate America! A Fourth of July Concert in the Sky.

Cinderella Castle

Disney is riffing on that name with the new patriotic event, which shows its heart is in the right place.

How will fans receive this new event? Well, we’ll find out soon, as it’s starting in less than three weeks.

Disney has always done patriotism right: low-key and with zero self-indulgence.

So, I have a good feeling about this celebration despite the admittedly odd circumstances.

Photo: MickeyBlog

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