Yes, the Super Bowl MVP usually goes to Disney World or Disneyland the next day as part of a long-running postgame commercial tradition.
As the confetti falls and the cameras close in, one line still cuts through the noise: “I’m going to Disney World!”
That moment feels so baked into Super Bowl night that many fans assume it happens every single year and always with the game’s most valuable player.
The real story is a little more nuanced, and it matters if you’re a fan planning a trip and hoping to catch the champion rolling down Main Street, U.S.A.
This guide breaks down when the Super Bowl MVP actually goes to Disney World, when Disneyland steps in instead, what the trip looks like behind the scenes, and how you can time your own visit to see it in person.
We’ll also clear up the big question everyone types into the search bar sooner or later: does the super bowl mvp go to disney world?
Does The Super Bowl MVP Go to Disney World? Tradition In Real Life
In most seasons since the late 1980s, Disney has invited a star from the winning team to shout the famous line on live TV and then head to a Disney park the very next day.
That player is usually the Super Bowl MVP, and they spend Monday celebrating at either Walt Disney World Resort in Florida or Disneyland Resort in California.
The deal works like a classic endorsement: Disney arranges the line in advance, films the quick spot on the field right after the clock hits zero, and then flies the chosen player and their group to a park for a parade and media appearances.
So when someone asks, “does the super bowl mvp go to disney world?”, the honest answer is “almost always, but with a few twists.”
| Question | Typical Answer | What It Means For Fans |
|---|---|---|
| Who Goes? | The Super Bowl MVP or a chosen star from the winning team | Expect at least one headline player to appear at a Disney park |
| Which Park? | Either Walt Disney World Resort or Disneyland Resort | Check announcements to see if the trip lands in Florida or California |
| When Is The Visit? | Usually the day after the Super Bowl, on Monday | Plan for a midday or afternoon parade on the first weekday after the game |
| What Happens There? | A short parade, media interviews, and time on a few rides | You can watch the parade and might spot the MVP around the park |
| Does It Happen Every Year? | It has run almost every year since 1987, with one gap | Most seasons include the commercial and a park appearance |
| Is It Always The MVP? | Usually, but sometimes a different star is chosen | Now and then, a key player who was not named MVP still gets the trip |
| Can Regular Guests Watch? | Yes, the parade is held on a regular park day | If you have a ticket and show up early, you can see the celebration |
For a fan on the couch, the moment looks spontaneous.
In reality, it’s a planned partnership between Disney and a star player, timed so the commercial can air almost immediately after the trophy presentation and the trip can happen while the win still feels fresh.
How The “I’m Going To Disney World” Line Started
The tradition kicked off in 1987 after Super Bowl XXI.
New York Giants quarterback Phil Simms led his team to a title, then turned to the camera and delivered the very first “I’m going to Disney World!” for a new Disney commercial.
Disney had arranged the line before the game, paid Simms for the appearance, and promised him a day at the Magic Kingdom with his family once the season ended.
The concept didn’t come out of a marketing meeting in a boardroom.
Disney’s then-CEO Michael Eisner later described how the idea grew out of a casual conversation about what high-achieving people do after a big milestone.
Someone mentioned a plan to head to Disneyland after a daring aviation feat, and that simple answer turned into the tagline that still echoes after the Super Bowl.
From One Commercial To A Standing Super Bowl Ritual
After that first spot with Simms aired, Disney saw how strongly fans responded.
The line was short, easy to remember, and tied the biggest game in American football to a place families already associated with celebrations.
Within a few seasons, the “What’s next?” commercial and the Monday park visit were regular parts of the postgame routine.
Over the years, the slogan has shifted slightly between “I’m going to Disney World!” and “I’m going to Disneyland!” depending on which resort is hosting the visit.
The core idea stays the same: a championship moment capped off with a quick escape to a Disney park, cameras in tow, and thousands of fans lining the street.
Super Bowl MVP Trip To Disney World Tradition Explained
For modern games, the process usually starts weeks before kickoff.
Disney’s marketing team selects a likely headliner and puts a contract in place.
When the final whistle blows and that player has stamped the win, a camera crew asks what they are doing next.
The star delivers the line, and within hours the clip airs during the broadcast, often before many fans have even left their couches.
The next day, the chosen player heads to either Walt Disney World Resort or Disneyland Resort for a short but busy schedule.
That day often includes a short Main Street parade, a few staged photos, interviews, and time to ride at least one marquee attraction with family or teammates.
Recent seasons have featured quarterbacks like Patrick Mahomes at Disneyland and Jalen Hurts at Magic Kingdom Park, keeping the link between the Lombardi Trophy and Disney front and center.
ESPN’s look at the Disney MVP campaign
walks through how that first ad with Simms came together, how often the commercial has aired since, and how the park day works for the winning player.
Disney’s own parks blog has covered recent visits in detail, including
Jalen Hurts’ parade at Walt Disney World
after his MVP performance, with photos of the float, the crowd along Main Street, and his time on headline rides.
Do All Super Bowl MVPs Actually Go To Disney Parks?
The short answer many fans expect is “yes, every single time.”
The reality is slightly more flexible, and that adds a few wrinkles if you are planning a trip around the event.
Years Without A Commercial Or Parade
Since 1987, at least one player has shouted the line in almost every year, but there are a few exceptions.
In 2005, after Super Bowl XXXIX, Disney did not run a “What’s next?” commercial at all, which meant no linked park appearance tied to the slogan that season.
More recently, in 2021, Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski still visited Walt Disney World after their win with Tampa Bay, yet the usual parade in front of fans was canceled because of public-health limits on large gatherings.
Those seasons underline a simple point: the campaign is a strong habit, not a formal league requirement.
Disney can scale it back or change the format when circumstances on the ground make a normal parade tough to stage.
When Someone Other Than The MVP Goes
The line usually comes from the Super Bowl MVP, but not every year follows that script.
In some seasons, Disney has chosen another star from the winning roster who delivered a key performance or had a strong off-field story.
One well-known example came when Tom Brady handed the experience to running back James White, whose overtime score sealed New England’s comeback against Atlanta; Brady had already enjoyed a Disney MVP trip before, so he let a teammate take this one.
There have also been seasons with more than one player featured.
Disney has occasionally invited multiple stars from the same team to share a float, so the parade can include a quarterback, a standout defender, or a popular skill-position player together.
From a fan’s point of view, that only adds to the spectacle rolling past the castle or down Main Street.
What The MVP Disney Trip Feels Like For Park Guests
If you happen to be in the park on “MVP Monday,” the day feels a bit like a regular operating day with one bonus event layered on top.
Attractions and dining keep their usual schedules, and the parade slots into a short time window in the afternoon so it fits cleanly around daily entertainment.
On a typical Super Bowl Monday at Magic Kingdom Park, the float carrying the MVP glides down Main Street, U.S.A. with the Cinderella Castle in the background.
At Disneyland, the scene plays out along the route that runs from Town Square toward Sleeping Beauty Castle.
The float usually includes Disney characters such as Mickey and Minnie, team flags, and plenty of confetti.
If you want a solid view, plan to stake out a spot along the route at least 30–45 minutes before the announced start time.
Crowds tend to bunch near the hub and at the front of Main Street, so many park veterans pick a stretch somewhere in the middle where the view is clear and the backdrop still looks great in photos.
Tips For Seeing The MVP Without Losing Your Park Day
You don’t have to sacrifice your whole day to catch the MVP float.
A little planning keeps the event in your schedule while leaving space for rides and meals.
- Book popular rides in the morning while lines are shorter, then shift toward the parade route around midday.
- Grab a quick snack or drink from a Main Street location so waiting for the float feels laid-back instead of stressful.
- Have your camera or phone ready early; the float can move past faster than you expect once it appears.
- Look beyond the float itself; you might spot the MVP greeting fans or posing near the castle shortly before or after the parade.
Planning Your Own Trip Around The Super Bowl MVP Visit
For football fans who love theme parks, pairing the Super Bowl with a Disney trip turns one weekend into a full travel event.
Whether you cheer in the stadium city and fly straight to Orlando, or watch the game from home and head to Florida just for the Monday parade, a little structure goes a long way.
| Day | Where You Are | Main Goal |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday | Arrive in Orlando, check into hotel near Disney World | Settle in, explore your resort, and get some rest |
| Sunday (Game Day) | Sports bar, hotel lounge, or in-room viewing | Watch the Super Bowl, listen for the “I’m going to Disney World” line |
| Late Sunday Night | Hotel | Confirm parade details once Disney releases timing |
| Monday Morning | Magic Kingdom Park | Hit a few favorite rides before the crowd gathers for the parade |
| Monday Midday | Main Street, U.S.A. | Grab a viewing spot, watch the MVP float, and snap photos |
| Monday Afternoon | Magic Kingdom Park | Enjoy more attractions once the parade crowd spreads out again |
| Tuesday | Any park or Disney Springs | Relaxed park time or shopping before departure |
Prices and crowd levels change from year to year, so keep an eye on Super Bowl dates and park calendars before you lock in flights.
Booking refundable rates where you can gives you some flexibility if the league shifts the schedule or if Disney tweaks parade timing.
In the end, the answer to “Does The Super Bowl MVP Go to Disney World?” is still part fairy tale and part careful planning.
The MVP usually does head to a Disney park right after the big game, the slogan still runs on national TV, and thousands of guests line up to cheer one more time.
If you plan your own trip around that moment, you can stand on Main Street and see the story play out a few feet away instead of on a screen.