California Adventure at Disneyland Resort is hosting a Black Panther: Wakanda Forever celebration at the Avenger’s Campus. Here is what you need to know.
What is included in the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever Celebration
Below is a list of the items included in the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever celebration. I will cover each of them in more detail further on in this post.
- Meet characters from the Black Panther franchise, including some new ones from Wakanda Forever.
- Black Panther Celebration Garden
- Wakandan inspired food
- Props from the film
- Wakanda Forever themed merchandise
- Art installation in the Downtown Disney District
Chance to Meet Black Panther Characters
As part of the Avenger Campus, you have the chance to meet several Black Panther characters, including those from the Wakanda Forever movie. Just after finishing lunch at Pym’s Kitchen, I was walking through Avenger’s Campus when they started playing the music to indicate that a character was going to be coming out onto the walkway of the Avenger’s compound building. When I got closer I realized it was one of the Dora Milaje and Shuri in her Black Panther suit. She did a small speech and then left the walkway rather than staying around so park visitors could take photos. I was so excited I actually forgot to take any photos. After getting off Spider-Man Web Slingers we realized she had come down for a meet and greet, but her line had been cut off by the time we tried to join it.
Another Balck Panther character that you have a chance to see is M’Baku. I did not get the chance to see M’Baku or “The way of the Jabari”. This is a performance that showcases the Jabari clan through chants and percussion. Like most character experiences in avenger campus there is not a posted time for it, so you either need to find a cast member who knows, or get lucky like I did when they presented Shuri as the Black Panther.
Black Panther Celebration Garden
The Black Panther Celebration Garden is in the area adjacent to the Guardian’s of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout. In the garden, it is full of the usual tables that are there, but they did add a Wakanda Forever sign, with a quote from King T’Challa on the back and some Black Panther Posters on the wall of the area.
The main feature of the garden is a large Black Panther sculpture that is surrounded by The Heart-Shaped Herb. It’s a very captivating center piece for the whole area.
Wakandan Inspired Food
Outside the Black Panther Celebration Garden and in the Hollywood Backlot area, they set up the Flavors of Wakanda Marketplace. Here they have Wakandan inspired food based on traditional African cuisine. They even have a specialty alcoholic beverage, the Dawa. It is made with vodka, lemonade, honey, ginger beer, and butterfly pea tea.
If you wanted to get Shwarma but still have a Wakanda Forever themed meal, you could get the Wakandan Roasted Pork Wrap and get Shuri’s amazing gauntlet on the side. Shuri’s gauntlet is advertised as a drinking vessel, but at the Shawarma locations, they were using it as a Shawarma holder. Either way, it looked pretty cool.
Props from the Film
In the Avengers super store, located in the Hollywood area, there were props and costumes from the films. It was amazing to see all of the details that were put into these items. Because they are located in the Avenger super store, and the store is so far off any of the main areas guests typically go to, I actually almost missed this, since it took some looking to find.
Wakanda Forever Merchandise
Throughout the Avenger’s Campus, and especially at the Avenger’s super store there was a wide array of merchandise. From t-shirts, to mugs, to gauntlets, to figurines, if you are a Wakanda Forever fan, the chances of you finding a souvenir that speaks to you is very likely. The Black Panther merchandise had more to choose from than most other Marvel franchises.
The Black Panther: Wakanda Forever Art Instillation in the Downtown Disney District
If you are unable to get park reservations, or do not want to purchase a park ticket but still want to experience the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever celebration you can get your fix at the Downtown Disney District. In addition to some merchandise in the World of Disney store, you can also see an amazing art installation that features characters from Wakanda Forever. The mural was done by the artist Nikkolas Smith. If you want to see this, you will need to walk to the opposite end of Downtown Disney from the parks. It is on the outside of the building adjacent to the Star Wars Trading Post.
How Long Will the Celebration Run
The Black Panther: Wakanda Forever celebration will run at California Adventure from November 11, 2022 – January 8, 2023. These dates coincide with Disney’s Festival of Holidays. If you want to see everything I have mentioned, make sure to do so in this limited time frame, and enjoy some Disney holiday magic while you are there.
My Overall Thoughts
I honestly wish the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever celebration had been something more. It is clear they were trying to use available space in the park, and that came in the form of current unused space, but for me, that was the detriment. I was expecting all of the items for the Wakanda Forever celebration to be more pronounced. What would have made it better is if they had been able to put everything in or right around the Black Panther Celebration Garden area. Then it may have truly felt like a Wakanda Forever celebration rather than a marketing gimmick. Disney had the chance to make it great, and I honestly don’t think they reached their potential here.
