For the first time in Disney’s 66-year theme park history, Americas Disney parks are including a Black Santa Claus in Christmas celebrations this year. How is that for competing with Kwanzaa. Portlanders going to Cali soon may experience see him. Black Santas have been spotted at Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California, and Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida.
The move by Disney is an effort to reflect the diversity surrounding the company’s parks across the country. Disney goers of the Magic Kingdom’s “Very Merriest After Hours” event this week sees Black Santa Claus at the Main Street nighttime parade. Sharing a video on TikTok account, @rozyqueenofcups wrote, “I can’t express how magical this moment was. Thank u @disneyparks for the representation,” and adding hashtags including #blacksanta and #representationmatters. It’s a big deal.
This was not announced. Black Santa was a great way for Disney to represent the old Kris Kringle. Some weren’t so happy though, tweeting, “Santa’s not real anyway” and “we all know Santa Claus is white.” Go figure. Other companies are hopping on board showing our old clause Black, including Old Navy and Oreo.
