LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – “Steeler Nation” shifted the victory celebration east from Tampa to Walt Disney World Resort Monday as thousands of black-and-gold-clad, Terrible Towel-twirling fans of the Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh Steelers lined Main Street, U.S.A. They came to Magic Kingdom to be part of something that has become an iconic moment of post-Super Bowl celebration – to cheer one of their newest conquering heroes, Super Bowl MVP wide receiver Santonio Holmes, in a victory parade.
Just hours after he and quarterback Ben Roethlisberger hooked up for a surgically precise touchdown pass with 35 seconds remaining to earn Pittsburgh a 27-23 victory over the Arizona Cardinals in Super Bowl XLIII, Holmes was riding high, smiling and waving back from a convertible as he celebrated at Walt Disney World Resort.
Holmes was doing precisely what he said he was going to in the latest episode of the long-running Disney commercial that asks people who have just experienced a milestone, “You are celebrating your (accomplishment) ” What are you going to do next?”: In chorus with Roethlisberger, Holmes beamed and screamed, “We’re going to Disney World!”
At Disney World, a shower of red, white and blue confetti fluttered down on hundreds of similarly colored mouse-eared balloons interspersed with football-shaped balloons in Steelers black and gold. The police escort – six Orange County Sheriff’s officers aboard motorcycles leading the procession – added more color with flashing red, white, blue and golden yellow lights.
Mickey Mouse in full game uniform sat next to Holmes in the blue convertible while a group of NFL Youth Football players from Jacksonville, Fla., walked behind holding bouquets of colorful balloons. Goofy in Steelers colors was part of the procession, too, as were Chip ‘n’ Dale wearing referee stripes.
Holmes earned the MVP honor and the celebratory parade at Walt Disney World by catching nine Roethlisberger passes for 131 yards, including the game-winning 6-yard TD reception with 35 seconds left. Roethlisberger finished with 21 completions in 30 attempts for 256 yards. During Pittsburgh’s decisive 78-yard drive in the final 2:37, the pair connected four times for 73 yards as the Steelers earned an unprecedented sixth Super Bowl victory.
The commercial that was shot immediately after the game and aired Monday morning is the milestone 40th of a series that began in 1987 following Super Bowl XXI. The first ” I’m going to Disney World” commercial, featuring New York Giants quarterback Phil Simms, was regarded as a groundbreaking concept – a produced national commercial involving a current event, airing on major networks within hours of its conclusion. Holmes and Roethlisberger join a lineup of people from sports and beyond who have celebrated milestone accomplishments in “I’m going to Disney World” commercials.
Trending Now
These water bottles are adorable and serve an awesome function for your hydration needs during...
Let's talk about the dress code that Disney Adults are following in Magic Kingdom.Â
If you're on the lookout for new Loungeflys, you NEED to keep these rules in...
DVC is kicking off their Welcome Home Weeks which means you could be entitled to...
Despite recent success, there are still some issues at Universal.
August 31st is the day Disney fans have been waiting for!
It's easy to spot a tourist sometimes.
Beak and Barrel's reservation date has officially moved!
We've got some Disney World must-haves that you can buy from Dollar Tree!
We are spilling a Lightning Lane hack that is so good it feels illegal!
Ready to get the best candy at Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party? Here's how you can!
These closures run the gamut.
Come with us to Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party in 2025!
There's a NEW Disney villain AND new entertainment at Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party!
We're eating and drinking our way around Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party!
It never hurts to ask...
Come try the Halloween eats at The Plaza Restaurant in Magic Kingdom!
We have the FULL LIST of menus confirmed for the EPCOT Food and Wine Festival!
This airline has just added TWO new nonstop flight routes to the Orlando Airport!
Let's talk about a couple of new Exclusive Disney Loungefly Bags that you can grab...