Overview
- The two-hour primetime special, Disney Celebrates America: The Pursuit of Happiness, which airs Monday, June 29, will be hosted by Deborah Roberts from Walt Disney World and Will Reeve from Disneyland and will stream on Disney+ and Hulu the next day with an encore on July 3.
- The special uses Disney Parks and attractions as backdrops for segments on American innovation, culture, and history with contributors such as Dr. Sylvia Earle, Jon Batiste, Moana Jones Wong, and features on Toy Story Land, Pan Am, J&M Recording Studio, and ABC News’ Apollo 11 coverage.
- ABC News Studios and 20/20 are producing the program with executive producers Matt Lombardi, Jennifer Joseph, Janice Johnston, and David Sloan, showing the network and Disney coordinating news and entertainment teams for the rollout.
- The broader America 250 plan includes a 24-hour multiplatform broadcast that culminates in Nashville’s Star-Spangled Bash hosted by Ryan Seacrest featuring a multi-artist lineup and one of the largest fireworks and drone shows scored by the Nashville Symphony.
- Disney is tying the broadcasts to on-the-ground park programming by extending Fourth of July fireworks across July 3–5, offering special military and veteran benefits, and donating $2.5 million to Blue Star Families as part of its America 250 civic efforts.