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Kobe celebrates Lakers NBA Championship at Disneyland

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Celebrating the best in basketball, the Disneyland Resort saluted the 2009 World Champion Los Angeles Lakers today with a victory parade down Main Street U.S.A, for Kobe Bryant, MVP of the recent NBA Finals. Kobe smiled and waved to fans as he rode on a float with Mickey Mouse and other characters.

“It’s like a dream come true to be here and celebrate at Disneyland, coming down Main Street U.S.A. with all the fans cheering,” Bryant said after the parade. “It’s a tremendous honor to represent my team.”

As part of the ‘Fairytale Series’ the presidents of the two Resorts, Ed Grier at Disneyland and Meg Crofton at Walt Disney World, made a friendly wager on the NBA Finals. On Thursday, Meg Crofton fulfilled her pledge by donning a pair of Lakers’ purple and gold Mickey Mouse ears and walking down Main Street, U.S.A., in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. I’m hoping a photo of that will turn up somewhere.

Each of the Resorts also turned the lights of their respective castles to the team colors of the Lakers and the Magic, in celebration of the historic pairing. Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland park was glowing with Lakers purple and gold during the NBA Finals and will stay that way through Thursday night.

“I heard there was a little competition with Disneyland and Disney World and we won,” Kobe Bryant said, “so our colors are staying up a little bit longer.”

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Two of the many Lakers fans at Disneyland on Thursday were selected to ride the Matterhorn Bobsleds with Bryant after the parade. David Guerrero and his son Jonathan, 4, of Pomona, are Annual Passport holders and they came to Disneyland in their team jerseys to celebrate the Lakers’ World Championship.

“They just picked us out of the crowd and said, ‘Do you want to ride the Matterhorn with Kobe?’ I’m shaking, this is so exciting,” David Guerrero said as Jonathan jumped up and down. “In Southern California, being a Disney fan and a Lakers fan, it just goes together and that’s why we wanted to be here today.”

A short video of Kobe Bryant at Disneyland is below the cut:

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Sappy “Celebrate” Disney World Video

Just saw this video from Walt Disney World advertising how the new “What will you Celebrate?” campaign is perfect for couples, from engagements to 60th anniversaries and everything thing in between, and was overcome by the sappy happiness of it all. So I had to… Read More »Sappy “Celebrate” Disney World Video

Steelers’ Holmes and Roethlisberg “We’re Going to Disney World” Commercial

Pittsburgh Steelers’ Santonio Holmes and Ben Roethlisberger, in the famous “what’s next?” Super Bowl Commercial, declare “We’re Going To Disney World”. Superbowl MVP Holmes will be at the Magic Kingdom today (Feb 2) at 11AM for his victory parade. (video courtesy Disney) Previously: Holmes to… Read More »Steelers’ Holmes and Roethlisberg “We’re Going to Disney World” Commercial

Holmes and Roethlisberger Celebrating their Super Bowl with victory parade at Disney World!

Update: Just heard that Roethlisberger will not be in the parade. But MVP Holmes will be. Be there at 11AM. So how are Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Santonio Holmes and quarterback Ben Roethlisberger celebrating their heroic play in Super Bowl XLIII? In the frenzied moments… Read More »Holmes and Roethlisberger Celebrating their Super Bowl with victory parade at Disney World!

Celebrate! A Street Party

The LA Times travel blog has details on the upcoming “Celebrate! A Street Party” calvacade that will be showing up at Disneyland in late March. There’s also some concept art that gives you an idea of what to expect. In Florida, the “Move It! Shake… Read More »Celebrate! A Street Party

First Free Birthday Admission Celebrates at Magic Kingdom

Update: Added video of family in the Magic Kingdom. Congratulations to Andrew DaCosta who was the first guest to enter any US Disney theme park using the free admission that’s part of Disney Park’s “What Will You Celebrate?” campaign. DaCosta used an oversized park ticket… Read More »First Free Birthday Admission Celebrates at Magic Kingdom

Michael Phelps celebrates his Olympic Victory at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom

Direct from the Beijing Games Olympic Gold Medalist and world champion swimmer Michael Phelps celebrated his unprecedented achievement with an all-American homecoming parade in his honor at Walt Disney World Resort this morning. In a star-spangled salute amidst confetti and thousands of flag-waving fans in the Magic Kingdom, Phelps was honored for his record-setting wins and for the spirit in which he captivated the world in his quest for Gold.

The 23-year-old from Baltimore beamed as he rode through the park alongside Mickey Mouse, waving to fans who chanted his name.  Magic Kingdom guests joined in “America’s Homecoming Parade” for the swimmer who broke records in each event he entered in Beijing. For Phelps, who also was honored in Disney parades at both Walt Disney World in Florida and Disneyland Park in California following the 2004 Summer Games, it was a sweet homecoming to the United States and to see fans who supported him in his quest for Gold in Beijing.

“I am so happy to celebrate here and see some of the fans who supported me,” said Phelps. “It’s great to feel so much excitement around the sport of swimming in the U.S. and around the world.  To top it all off with a parade at Disney World is just incredible.”

During his celebration in the Magic Kingdom, Phelps also took time to meet a group of local swimmers from the central Florida area. The aspiring young swimmers had the chance to talk with Phelps, ask about his record-breaking experiences and see the Gold Medals he won in Beijing.

Phelps, who has announced he will train for the 2012 Games, now owns the record for most Gold Medals in a single event (8) and for a career (14).

All photos Copyright Disney. More photos below the cut:

Read More »Michael Phelps celebrates his Olympic Victory at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom