Disney and the Super Bowl

Since 1987 (except for 2005) after the Super Bowl a player or two from the winning team has announced "I'm going to Disney World!" or "I'm going to Disney Land!". The idea is credited to former CEO Michael Eisner's wife, Jane. While at the grand opening of Star Tours the couple had dined with Dick Ruton and Jeana Yeager, who in January of 1986 had flown around the world without stopping or refueling. Jane had asked them what they were going to do next. The two replied, "Well, we're going to Disney Land." So, the idea was born for a great marketing campaign. Weeks later during Super Bowl XXI, the plan had been laid out, the New York Giants won and quarterback Phil Simms was the first to shout out "I'm going to Disney World!" In alternate takes he would say "I'm going to Disney Land!" He was paid $75,000 to participate in the ad.

Disney later aired three more ads with other athletes and stars appearing at of the two theme parks. In future years, athletes and stars were paid $30,000 to participate in the ad. Famous athletes such as Joe Montana, Troy Aikman, Emmitt Smith, John Elway, Tom Brady, Eli Manning, Ben Roethlisberger, Jerome Bettis, Drew Brees, Aaron Rodgers, and many more. The commercial was not aired in 2005. In 2006 it returned for Super Bowl XL in the days leading up to the game scenes from it's 20 year history were projected on a Detroit skyscraper. During the game scenes of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Seattle Seahawks players were scene practicing saying the famous saying. After the game the next day the "What's Next" ad was aired featuring Hines Ward and Jerome Bettis.

The commercial itself contains the narrator, Mark Champion (voice of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Detroit Lions, Detroit Pistons, and Westwood One), saying "What are you going to do next?". The song 'When You Wish Upon Star is being playing, recently sung by Idina Menzel. The ad ends with fireworks above either Cinderella Castle in Disney World or Sleeping Beauty Castle in Disney Land.
So the question is who will shout this famous saying after they win the Super Bowl tonight? Will it be some one from the Seahawks or the Patriots?

Last years Super Bowl Winner Seahawks Malcolm Smith at Disney World in a parade honoring the win.


This Day in Disney History:
In 2004 after winning the Super Bowl, New England Patriots Tom Brady is filmed proclaiming, "I'm going to Disney World!" The ad began airing the following morning.

Also in 2009, following theirSuper Bowl XLIII win over the Arizona Cardinals 27-23, Pittsburgh Steelers Santonio Holmes and Ben Roethlisberger are filmed saying, "I'm going to Disney World!" At the end of his halftime show, Rocker Bruce Springsteen, said to the camera, "I'm going to Disney Land!"

Daily Disney Quote:

"All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them."

Walt Disney

That's all for today and in the words of Mickey Mouse, "See Ya Real Soon."