Peyton’s Places Goes To Disney World
“I’m Going To Disneyland or Disney World is the best marketing campaign in football history.” – Peyton Manning, Peyton’s Places
Source: Peyton’s Places
Have you ever wondered how that famous “I’m Going To Disney World!” campaign got its start? This week on ESPN+’s Peyton’s Places, Peyton Manning breaks down the history of this iconic slogan with the Super Bowl MVP that started it all — Phil Simms.
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I covered the history of this Super Bowl tradition in my On This Day in Disney History series back in 2022, but I loved seeing it highlighted as a topic in Season 4 of Peyton’s Places this week. It’s been almost forty years since this post-Super Bowl commercial tradition began, and I know many have wondered where it all began.
“I’m Going To Disney World”
Source: Empire Sports Media
So how did this phenomenon begin? A few weeks before Super Bowl XXI, Disney CEO Michael Eisner and his wife Jane had dinner with Dick Rutan and Jeana Yeager — the first two people to fly around the world without stopping. Eisner asked them what they’re planning to do next after completing this major accomplishment and Rutan joking replied, “I’m going to Disneyland!”
Jane Eisner thought that sounded like a great slogan, and the idea was born. With the Walt Disney Company producing the halftime show for Super Bowl XXI, there was already an in to put this plan in motion. Disney reached out to both Super Bowl teams’ quarterbacks during the week of Super Bowl XXI to secure that they would in fact say “I’m Going To Disney World!” in their post-game interviews for the commerical.
On February 25, 1987, the New York Giants defeated the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XXI, meaning Super Bowl MVP Phil Simms would be the first to exclaim he’s “Going To Disney World!” 36 years later, this tradition continues with the Super Bowl MVP sharing their plans to either visit Disney World or Disneyland after winning the game.
Peyton’s Places Goes to Disney World
Source: Peyton’s Places
As a lifelong Disney fanatic, I loved seeing Peyton Manning and Phil Simms experience Walt Disney World in this episode! You see, since Phil Simms never actually got his Super Bowl parade at Disney World and Peyton Manning never got his “I’m Going To Disney World!” commerical, Manning felt the two deserved their chance to make it happen all these years later.
The two venture to Orlando, Florida, bright and early before the park is open for the day. By saying the magic slogan (you know where this is going!) they are granted access to the Magic Kingdom with just a tap of their Super Bowl rings.
Source: Peyton’s Places
Peyton Manning and Phil Simms go over how Simms had the opportunity to say this post-Super Bowl slogan, Super Bowl XXI, and more. We see footage of Simms repeating the line over and over again to ensure that the cameras got the perfect shot for the commerical spot. He even said both “I’m Going to Disney World” and “I’m Going To Disneyland” to cover all of his bases.
Source: Peyton’s Places
On Peyton’s Places, Phil Simms remembers that the day after Super Bowl XXI once the commerical debuted that’s all anyone was asking him about! They wanted to know how he got that commerical, no mentions of his Super Bowl victory.
After reliving Super Bowl XXI, Peyton Manning wants Phil Simms to bring one of his Super Bowl plays to life once again at Walt Disney World. Since they need a third player, Goofy is called in. The three do the famous flea flicker play in Magic Kingdom!
Source: Disney Parks Blog
To end the episode, Manning and Simms explore the Magic Kingdom before it opens to guests. They experienced Tron Lightcycle / Run, The Magic Carpets of Aladdin, Country Bear Jamboree, Mad Tea Party, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, and more. They even stopped for some turkey legs and Phil Simms pulled the sword out of the stone in Fantasyland!
Parade Time
Source: Disney Parks Blog
Both Phil Simms and Peyton Manning get their “I’m Going To Disney World” moments they previously missed, starting with Simms’ parade. Manning, Simms, and Mickey parade through the Magic Kingdom and the episode finishes with Peyton Manning’s “I’m Going To Disney World” commerical!
Source: Peyton’s Places
My husband and I have watched Peyton’s Places on ESPN+ since the series launched, so seeing this new episode featuring one of my favorite moments in Disney History was such a treat. A special thanks to Ohama Productions for allowing me to view the episode early!
If you’re a fan of football, Disney, and history, I highly recommend checking out the latest episode of Peyton’s Places on ESPN+.
Source: Disney Parks Blog