Super Bowl 2024: List of football players that really said, 'I'm going to Disney World!'

What would you do if you won the Super Bowl?

Say it with me, "I'm going to Disney World!"

Countless superstar athletes over the years have uttered those words (or "I'm going to Disneyland!" depending on geography) soon after winning a major title. That phrase has become synonymous with Super Bowl winners and MVPs, although there have been exceptions, such as the 1991 NBA Finals with the GOAT of basketball, Chicago Bulls MVP Michael Jordan.

Typically, the MVP of the game is chosen to attend a Disney theme park, either Disneyland in Anaheim, California, or the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando.

We'll find out on Super Bowl Sunday 2024 who will win, who will be chosen to go to a Disney theme park, and whether that Disney theme park will be in California or Florida. In the meantime, here's a look back at the "I'm going to Disney World!" declarations.

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Do football players really go to Disney every year after the Super Bowl? When do they go to Disneyland or Disney World?

There have been exceptions over the years, but for the most part, certain players from the winning team, usually the MVP (or most valuable player) visit Disneyland or Disney World the day after the Super Bowl.

In 2008, New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning declared he was going to Disneyland after his Super Bowl win. However, due to weather and other commitments, news reports show, a celebration for Manning occurred the next day at Disneyland, and the QB later appeared at a Disneyland, post-Super Bowl parade on May 8, 2008, more than three months after the big game.

When did 'I'm going to Disney!' start for Super Bowl winners? Is it really every year at Disney World in Florida or Disneyland in California?

The "I'm going to Disney!" tradition didn't start until Super Bowl 21 in 1987, and twice in history there was no theme park celebration for the winning Super Bowl team. In 2021, the Super Bowl parade at the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World in Orlando was canceled because of the COVID pandemic, however, Tom Brady, Rob Gronkowski and their families attended the theme park.

Who has gone to Disney World or Disneyland after the Super Bowl?

Typically, the Super Bowl MVP is featured in Disney’s “what’s next?” or "what are you going to do next?" commercial, with the “When You Wish Upon a Star” theme playing in the background. Here's a list of the player or players that were asked "what’s next" and who attended a Disney theme park the day after the Super Bowl.

Super Bowl LVII (aka Super Bowl 2023 or Super Bowl 57) was held in Glendale, Arizona, on Feb. 12, 2023. Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes said, "I'm going to Disneyland!"

Super Bowl LVI (aka Super Bowl 2022 or Super Bowl 56) was held at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, on Feb. 13, 2022. After winning the game, Los Angeles' Rams MVP Cooper Kupp, Aaron Donald and Matthew Stafford said, "I'm going to Disneyland!"

Super Bowl LV (aka Super Bowl 2021 or Super Bowl 55) was held at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, on Feb. 7, 2021. After winning his seventh Super Bowl championship, then-quarterback of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Tom Brady cemented his status as the GOAT of football and was named MVP. He and Bucs teammate Rob Gronkowski (or Gronk) were going to attend a parade at Disney World, but it was canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Not to worry, Brady and Gronk visited the Magic Kingdom with their families to celebrate their win.

Super Bowl LIV (aka Super Bowl 2020 or Super Bowl 54) was held in Miami, Florida, on Feb. 2, 2020. After winning his first Super Bowl championship, MVP and quarterback Patrick Mahomes declared he was going to Disney World.

Super Bowl LIII (aka Super Bowl 2019 or Super Bowl 53) was held in Atlanta, on Feb. 3, 2019. Before Tom Brady and then-wife supermodel Gisele Bundchen called Florida home, the superstar quarterback fulfilled a tradition: After winning the Super Bowl for the New England Patriots, he went to Disney World. Brady and wide receiver Julian Edelman celebrated their Super Bowl LIII victory Feb. 4, 2019, at Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando. As part of their visit, the pair went to the Magic Kingdom, then channeled Jedi warriors by donning robes and lightsabers at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Brady and Edelman even got a sneak peek at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, which opened later that year.

Super Bowl LII (aka Super Bowl 2018 or Super Bowl 52) was held in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on Feb. 4, 2018. Philadelphia Eagles quarterback and MVP Nick Foles attended Disney World in Orlando.

Super Bowl LI (aka Super Bowl 2017 or Super Bowl 51) was held in Houston, Texas, on Feb. 6, 2017. New England Patriots running back James White participated in a parade at Disney World in Orlando.

Super Bowl 50 (aka Super Bowl 2016, the year roman numerals was not used for the Super Bowl) was held in Santa Clara, California, on Feb. 7, 2016. Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning visited Disneyland in Anaheim, California, with his family.

Super Bowl XLIX (aka Super Bowl 2015 or Super Bowl 49) was held in Glendale, Arizona, on Feb. 1, 2015. New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman and cornerback Malcolm Butler celebrated at Disneyland in Anaheim.

Super Bowl XLVIII (aka Super Bowl 2014 or Super Bowl 48) was held in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on Feb. 2, 2014. Seattle Seahawks MVP Malcolm Smith celebrated at Disney World in Orlando.

Super Bowl XLVII (aka Super Bowl 2013 or Super Bowl 47) was held in New Orleans, Louisiana, on Feb. 3, 2013. Baltimore Ravens MVP Joe Flacco celebrated his team's win at Disney World in Orlando.

Super Bowl XLVI (aka Super Bowl 2012 or Super Bowl 46) was held in Indianapolis, Indiana, on Feb. 5, 2012. New York Giants quarterback and MVP Eli Manning (brother of football Hall of Famer Peyton Manning) celebrated at Disney World in Orlando.

Super Bowl XLV (aka Super Bowl 2011 or Super Bowl 45) was held in Arlington, Texas, on Feb. 6, 2011. Green Bay Packers quarterback and MVP Aaron Rodgers visited Disney World in Orlando.

Super Bowl XLIV (aka Super Bowl 2010 or Super Bowl 44) was held in Miami Gardens, Florida, on Feb. 7, 2010. New Orleans Saints quarterback and MVP Drew Brees visited Disney World in Orlando.

Super Bowl XLIII (aka Super Bowl 2009 or Super Bowl 43) was held in Tampa, Florida, on Feb. 1, 2009. Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver and MVP Santonio Holmes and quarterback Ben Roethlisberger visited Disney World in Orlando.

Super Bowl XLII (aka Super Bowl 2008 or Super Bowl 42) was held in Phoenix, Arizona, on Feb. 3, 2008. New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning said he would go to Disneyland. However, due to weather and other commitments, news reports show, Manning did not attend the Super Bowl celebration at Disney the next day. Manning later appeared in a Super Bowl parade at Disneyland in Anaheim May 8, 2008, more than three months after the Giants’ 17-14 upset win over the undefeated New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLII.

Super Bowl XLI (aka Super Bowl 2007 or Super Bowl 41) was held in Miami Gardens, Florida, on Feb. 4, 2007. Indianapolis Colts coach Tony Dungy and running back Dominic Rhodes celebrated at Disney World in Orlando.

Super Bowl XL (aka Super Bowl 2006 or Super Bowl 40) was held in Detroit, Michigan, on Feb. 5, 2006. Pittsburgh Steelers receiver and MVP Hines Ward and running back Jerome Bettis took a bus trip to Disney World in Orlando, according to a 2006 story by the (Sarasota) Herald-Tribune.

Super Bowl XXXIX (aka Super Bowl 2005 or Super Bowl 39) was held in Jacksonville, Florida, on Feb. 6, 2005. In 2005, there was no celebration at Disney World in Orlando or Disneyland in Anaheim following the Super Bowl. It was the second time since the "I'm going to Disney World! I'm going to Disneyland!" tradition made its debut in 1987.

Super Bowl XXXVIII (aka Super Bowl 2004 or Super Bowl 38) was held in Houston, Texas, on Feb. 1, 2004. New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady celebrated at Disney World.Super Bowl XXXVII (aka Super Bowl 2003 or Super Bowl 37) was held in San Diego, California, on Jan. 26, 2003. Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach Jon Gruden and quarterback Brad Johnson were chosen to celebrate at Disneyland in Anaheim.

Super Bowl XXXVI (aka Super Bowl 2002 or Super Bowl 36) was held in on Feb. 2002. New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady was chosen to celebrate at Disney.

Super Bowl XXXV (aka Super Bowl 2001 or Super Bowl 35) was held in Tampa, Florida, on Jan. 28, 2001. Baltimore Ravens quarterback Trent Dilfer was chosen to celebrate at Disney.

Super Bowl XXXIV (aka Super Bowl 2000 or Super Bowl 34) was held in Atlanta, Georgia, on Jan. 30, 2000. St. Louis Rams quarterback Kurt Warner was chosen to celebrate at Disney.

Super Bowl XXXIII (aka Super Bowl 1999 or Super Bowl 33) was held in Miami, Florida, on Jan. 31, 1999. Denver Broncos running back Terrell Davis and MVP quarterback John Elway were chosen to celebrate at Disney.

Super Bowl XXXII (aka Super Bowl 1998 or Super Bowl 32) was held in San Diego, California, on Jan. 25, 1998. Denver Broncos quarterback John Elway was chosen to celebrate at Disney.

Super Bowl XXXI (aka Super Bowl 1997 or Super Bowl 31) was held in New Orleans, Louisiana, on Jan. 26, 1997. Green Bay Packers return specialist and MVP Desmond Howard was chosen to celebrate at Disney.

Super Bowl XXX (aka Super Bowl 1996 or Super Bowl 30) was held in Tempe, Arizona, on Jan. 28, 1996. Dallas Cowboys running back Emmitt Smith celebrated at Disneyland.

Super Bowl XXIX (aka Super Bowl 1995 or Super Bowl 29) was held in Miami, Florida, on Jan. 29, 1995. San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jerry Rice and MVP quarterback Steve Young were chosen to celebrate at Disney.

Super Bowl XXVIII (aka Super Bowl 1994 or Super Bowl 28) was held in Atlanta, Georgia, on Jan. 30, 1994. Dallas Cowboys running back Emmitt Smith celebrated at Disney.

Super Bowl XXVII (aka Super Bowl 1993 or Super Bowl 27) was held in Pasadena, California, on Jan. 31, 1993. Dallas Cowboys quarterback Troy Aikman celebrated at Disney World.

Super Bowl XXVI (aka Super Bowl 1992 or Super Bowl 26) was held in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on Jan. 26, 1992. Washington Redskins quarterback Mark Rypien celebrated at Disney.

Super Bowl XXV (aka Super Bowl 1991 or Super Bowl 25) was held in Tampa, Florida, on Jan. 27, 1991. New York Giants running back Ottis Anderson visited Disney World.

Super Bowl XXIV (aka Super Bowl 1990 or Super Bowl 24) was held in New Orleans, Louisiana, on Jan. 28, 1990. San Francisco 49ers quarterback Joe Montana celebrated at Disneyland.

Super Bowl XXIII (aka Super Bowl 1989 or Super Bowl 23) was held in Miami, Florida, on Jan. 22, 1989. San Francisco 49ers quarterback Joe Montana celebrated at Disneyland.

Super Bowl XXII (aka Super Bowl 1988 or Super Bowl 22) was held in San Diego, California, on Jan. 31, 1988. Washington Redskins quarterback Doug Williams attended Disneyland.

Super Bowl XXI (aka Super Bowl 1987 or Super Bowl 21) was held in Pasadena, California, on Jan. 25, 1987. New York Giants quarterback Phil Simms celebrated at Disney World in Orlando.

Sangalang is a lead digital producer for USA TODAY Network-Florida. Follow her on Twitter or Instagram at @byjensangalang. Support local journalism. Consider subscribing to a Florida newspaper.

This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Super Bowl & Disney: Tom Brady, Mahomes, Eli, Peyton Manning went often