“I’m going to Disneyland!” Patrick Mahomes said this iconic line after the Kansas City Chiefs defeated the San Francisco 49ers in the Super Bowl LVIII. The following day, the quarterback was parading on a float at Disneyland for the third time in his career to celebrate the win after Super Bowl Sunday.
On February 12, Disneyland visitors painted the park in the Chiefs’ team colors of red, white, and gold. Many fans wore jerseys and merchandise displaying the winning team’s players and logo. Those who wanted front-row seats for the celebratory parade waited as long as two hours before the parade started. As festive music started playing, Patrick Mahomes and Mickey and Minnie Mouse were seen on the float. The parade started near It’s a Small World and ended on Main Street. Dancers with red and gold pom poms were at the front, with Disney characters following, and finally, the cavalcade with the Chiefs’ logo and red and gold decorations.
The tradition of saying “I’m going to Disneyland/Disney World” started in 1987. Jane Eisner, the wife of former Disney CEO Michael Eisner, came up with the idea while discussing the newly opened Star Tours ride at Disneyland. Jeana Yeager and Burt Rotan were pioneering pilots who took a nine-day flight worldwide. When Jane Eisner asked Rutan what they would do after their flight, he said they were going to Disneyland. Eisner deemed it a good slogan and said it would be a good advertisement campaign. The following Super Bowl, Phil Simms of the New York Giants was the first to tell the phrase after beating the Denver Broncos (The Wrap).
In most cases, the Super Bowl MVP says this catchphrase, but there are also times when family and teammates are involved in this tradition. The people saying this line are featured in a commercial Disney produces called “What’s Next?” Said to be one of the most iconic ad campaigns ever made, the tagline has since spread to popular sporting events, including the NBA Finals, the World Series, and American Idol.
Megan Wang (10) comments, “It is great that players get to celebrate their win with the fans at Disneyland.” With the widespread joy and celebration that comes with this phrase, this line has an impact like no other. The tradition of going to the Happiest Place on Earth after a championship game win will be recognized for future years.
