Friday, November 11th was the opening day of “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” – the highly-anticipated sequel to Marvel Studios’ “Black Panther.” The very same day, the Disneyland Resort introduced multiple Wakanda Forever activities, characters, and food in Disney California Adventure that celebrates the culture and legacy of the Marvel superhero. Friday was also the launch of the holiday season at the Disneyland Resort. With so much going on, it’s easy to completely miss the Wakanda Forever celebration if you don’t know where to look…
The limited-time celebration includes new Wakanda Forever merch, special Wakanda-inspired food items, and appearances by new characters from the movie in Avengers Campus and the nearby Black Panther Celebration Garden (AKA the Hyperion Theater Courtyard)
Spoiler Alert! If you don’t want to know anything that will be revealed in “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” come back and read this article after seeing the movie.
Black Panther Celebration Garden
“Black Panther Celebration Garden is a place where we celebrate the mantle of the Black Panther, and how important that is to the world of Wakanda,” explained Disney Live Entertainment Executive Creative Director Michael Serna. “Here, you can celebrate the current Black Panther and the previous Black Panthers all the way back to the first one, which is Bashenga.”
The courtyard also contains a few Easter Eggs, which Serna says can be discovered by translating glyphs throughout the garden (translation keys can be found online).
“Afrofuturism [the intersection of the African culture with science and technology] was a key part of the films, and we want to celebrate that element here,” he told me.
He also generously offered a little primer to help me interpret the four pillars on either side of the garden’s Black Panther altar (the backward Cs are Ls, and the little “goalposts” are As). Thanks to the help, I could figure out that (from left to right) the four pillars represent the four family members: T’Challa, Shuri, N’Yami, and T’Chaka.
In the evenings, at 5:15 p.m., a “lighting moment” illuminates the glyphs and bathes the garden in purple light.
Here’s the moment captured by the MiceChat team:
Meet New Characters from “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever”
Avengers Campus is home to all-things Marvel superheroes – and the land is known for introducing new characters as soon as they appear in the MCU – so it’s no surprise that new characters from “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” are being welcomed to campus.
Guests will be able to meet the newest Black Panther, who will appear on Avengers Headquarters with General Okoye and the Dora Milaje for a special arrival moment each day at approximately 11:20 a.m. AST (Avengers Standard Time).
@disneyparks LOOK WHO’S ARRIVED! The new warrior taking the legendary mantle of the Black Panther is here at Avengers Campus in #DisneyCaliforniaAdventure Park in celebration of #BlackPanther #WakandaForever 💜 #Disney #Disneyland #AvengersCampus
In addition, M’Baku (the Lord of the Jabbari) is also making his first appearance on campus to teach guests the way of the Jabbari.
“Jabari are not necessarily the most excited about Vibranium because they’re a more naturalistic tribe,” Serna said. “So, he’s going to share what that is and how we as a group of people (and as a family) are stronger together.”
“The Way of the Jabari” will be offered in addition to the “Warriors of Wakanda: The Disciplines of the Dora Milaje.”
Wakanda Forever Food and Merch
As part of the celebration, Avengers Campus Marketplace: Flavors of Wakanda (near Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue) is serving Wakanda-inspired Maafe (ground peanut stew with sweet potatoes, tomatoes, black-eyed peas, and spices) served with naan; Peri-Peri Chicken with yellow Jollof rice, and Butterfly Pea Tea Lemonade (lemonade, honey, and ginger beer with butterfly pea tea).
In addition, the Wakandan Roasted Pork wrap (spiced pork with black garlic sauce and chermoula) is available at Sharma Palace and Shawarma Palace Too.
The Wakanda Forever merch includes Minnie ears, mugs, shirts, and action figures, all showcasing the signature Wakandan colors of Purple, turquoise, black, and gold.
Of course, it wouldn’t be a Disneyland Resort celebration without a collectible item (or two). This time around, guests can find Shuri’s gauntlet at the Flavors of Wakanda marketplace, both Shawarma Palace locations, and select vending carts near Avengers Campus and a Celebrate Wakanda Coca-Cola can that’s available at the Flavors of Wakanda marketplace.
The celebration is designed to appeal to longtime Black Panther fans as well as people who are new to the franchise.
“We want something for fans who read the comics and watched all the films and follow them closely – that’s why the glyphs have some surprises and what’s in that storytelling is geared specifically for that,” Serna said. “But if you don’t know anything about Black Panther, this is a great way to introduce this world and help you understand the Wakandans, what they mean as a people, what their spirit is about, and what the legacy of the films have created. The stories are really deep and connected…about a family, of course, but a very exciting royal family that we can all connect to in a really interesting way and that teaches us a lot about ourselves and our culture.”
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever Costumes
In the Super Store (located in Hollywood Land at California Adventure), Black Panther fans can also see a display of some of the props and costumes from “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.”
“Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” in Downtown Disney
The Black Panther celebration isn’t only in the parks. In Downtown Disney, guests can pose with an all-new, limited-time mural that pays homage to the film. The colorful illustration was created by artist Nikkolas Smith, who previously designed the “King Chad” mural that honored the late Chadwick Boseman.
Wakanda Forever will continue in Disney California Adventure park at the Disneyland Resort through Jan. 8, 2023.
Holidays at the Disneyland Resort
The “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” movie celebration lines up directly with the holidays at the Disneyland Resort. This means that from November 11, 2022, through January 8, 2023, guests to the Disneyland Resort can enjoy both the Black Panther celebration and the other holiday festivities lined up for the year. To learn more about the holidays at Disneyland, take a look at the article below!
Disneyland Holidays Begin Here – Your Guide to 2022 Holiday Magic
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Let’s Hear From You
Are you ready to celebrate the “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” at DCA this Holiday season? Is the new film on your list of things to see? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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