FANFAQ: What Does It Mean When the Super Bowl MVP Says 'I’m Going to Disneyland?'
Seahawks' Sam Darnold and Kenneth Walker III are going to Disneyland after the Super Bowl. Why?
Just moments after the confetti fell at the Super Bowl to celebrate the Seattle Seahawks’ win, QB Sam Darnold and MVP Kenneth Walker III delivered one of the most recognizable lines in sports:
It feels spontaneous, but the line is actually part of one of the most carefully orchestrated brand traditions in American sports.
Where did “I’m Going to Disney World” or “I’m Going to Disneyland” come from?
The phrase dates back to 1987, when The Walt Disney Company launched the now-iconic post-Super Bowl campaign.
The first athlete to ever say it was New York Giants quarterback Phil Simms, who appeared in a commercial filmed immediately after his Super Bowl win. An unseen narrator asked, “What are you going to do next?” and Simms was paid $50,000 to answer with the line that would become legend.
According to former Disney CEO Michael Eisner, the idea of the phrase itself came from his wife, Jane. In his memoir, Eisner recalled attending a Disney event where Jane asked record-setting pilots what they planned to do next after completing a historic flight. Their answer: “We’re going to Disneyland.” That response stuck.
Eisner realized the phrase captured something universal, the idea that after a huge, life defining moment, you’ll plan to celebrate somewhere joyful. Disney built the campaign around that exact feeling.
Disney refers to the campaign as “What’s Next?”, and the format hasn’t changed much since. The MVP answers the question, the ad airs nationwide, and the player typically appears in a Disney park parade the very next day.
Can fans actually go to the parade?
Yes, fans can attend the MVP parade, but location matters.
Disney alternates between hosting the celebration at its two U.S. parks; Walt Disney World in Orlando, FL, or Disneyland in Anaheim, California.
The choice is typically influenced by:
Proximity to the Super Bowl host city
Travel logistics immediately after the game
Which park Disney wants to spotlight
For example, last year, when the Super Bowl was played in New Orleans, Eagles QB Jalen Hurts celebrated at Walt Disney World. With this year’s game taking place in California, Darnold and Walker are headed to Disneyland.
If you’re looking to attend the Super Bowl cavalcade at Disney, there are a few things to keep in mind. Parades happen during regular park hours, so you don’t need an extra ticket to attend. But timing is announced with very little notice and viewing areas fill quickly.
Catching the celebration in person is for sure a once-in-a-lifetime moment for fans of both Disney and the NFL, so be sure to pay attention to Disney’s entertainment schedule so you don’t miss it!
FANFAQ is a recurring column from Fangirl Forward that demystifies the entertainment industry for fans. Got something you’ve always wondered about? Send us your question here.