Why Super Bowl MVPs Say I'm Going To Disney World

“Nick Foles, you and the Philadelphia Eagles have just won the Super Bowl. What are you going to do next?”

“I’m going to Disney World!”

https://twitter.com/WaltDisneyWorld/status/960410855572688896

Out of all the places to celebrate winning the biggest prize in professional football, why would Foles, the Eagles MVP-winning quarterback, head to Disney World? It’s not because he wants to take his seven-month-old daughter, Lily.

It’s a Super Bowl tradition dating back to the 1980s.

The slogan can be attributed to Jane Eisner, wife of former Disney CEO Michael Eisner. According to his autobiography, Work in Progress: Risking Failure, Surviving Success, Eisner recalls having dinner in 1987 with his wife, Star Wars director George Lucas, and Dick Rutan and Jeana Yeager, the first people to fly around the world without stopping.

Eisner wrote: “It was late and the conversation hit a lull as we waited for our food. So I asked Dick and Jeana, ‘Well, now that you’ve accomplished the pinnacle of your aspirations, what could you possibly do next?’ Rutan responded, without hesitation, ‘I’m going to Disneyland’ And of course I go, ‘Wow, that’s cool! You made the right choice.’ But my wife interjects: ‘You know, that’s a good slogan.’ ”

Eisner and Disney wasted little time implementing the new marketing campaign. Less than a month later, New York Giants quarterback Phil Simms was the first to utter “I’m going to Disney World” after defeating the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XXI.

The Disney promo traditionally airs after the conclusion of the Super Bowl and features the game’s MVP, quarterback, or other star excitedly saying a similar phrase with “When You Wish Upon a Star” playing in the background.

These proclamations aren’t just made in jest. The players traditionally follow suit, visiting either Disney World in Florida or Disneyland in California shortly after. They’re treated to a parade to culminate their prior victory on football’s biggest stage.

The promos aren’t just limited to Super Bowl champions, though. Other stars including Nancy Kerrigan (1994 Olympics), Boston Red Sox trio David Ortiz, Curt Schilling, and Pedro Martinez (2004 World Series winners), and David Cook (American Idol Season 7 winner) have been featured as well.

About the author

Michael LoRé

Sports Editor

Michael has been obsessed with sports since he started playing recreationally when he was 5 years old. Realizing he couldn't make it as a professional athlete and was a decent enough writer, the lightbulb went off: sports journalist. After honing his craft at the University of Delaware, Michael has covered anything and everything from scholastic field hockey to the World Series. Born and raised in New Jersey, Michael now lives in New York City, having worked most recently for New York City FC and the NHL. His favorite sport is soccer.