Video: Special Olympics Athletes Honored with Parade at Disney World

Special Olympics athletes took to the streets of The Walt Disney World Resort for a special celebratory parade through the Magic Kingdom.

Disney Parks Blog shared a video of the accomplished athletes receiving the applause of Disney Guests as they walked along the parade route, and they shared more information about what Guests can expect for this event at Disney World.

Earlier today, several Special Olympics USA Games athletes were celebrated in a parade as our honorary grand marshals at Walt Disney World! ✨ Take a look: https://t.co/qzDDSu2RUq pic.twitter.com/6J1sFaBLnA

— Disney Parks (@DisneyParks) June 3, 2022

This will be the first time in 50 years that the games will be held in Florida. Most of the Special Olympics USA Games will be held on Walt Disney World property, specifically at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.

“This is the biggest games,” said Joe Dzaluk, President and CEO of the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games. “We’re going to have over 5,500 athletes and coaches, and they’re going to get to show everything that they’ve been working on for the last couple of years.”

Twenty sports will be represented at this year’s games, a 50% increase, including golf, baseball, swimming, powerlifting, basketball, volleyball, and soccer. Dzaluk also excitedly confirmed that the surfing competition would be held at the wave pool in Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon water Park.

“It is going to be a tremendous event,” said Faron Kelley, Vice President, ESPN Wide World of Sports. “And we could not be more proud as Walt Disney World, as Central Florida, to host this incredible event.”

Read More: Full Schedule & Tickets Now Available for the Special Olympics USA Games at ESPN Wide World of Sports

 The 2022 Special Olympics USA Games will begin this Sunday, June 5, with an opening ceremony that viewers can watch on ABC as well as on the ESPN App and ESPN3. Live coverage of the event will be available on the ESPN app throughout the week. The games will run through June 12. All Guests planning to visit Disney World this coming week should keep this in mind when planning their trip.

We at Disney Fanatic will continue to update our readers on Disney Parks news as more developments come to light.