Less than 24 hours after helping the New England Patriots win their sixth Super Bowl, Tom Brady and Julian Edelman, the game’s MVP, were all set to ride Slinky Dog Dash in Toy Story Land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
“Who’s Buzz Lightyear and who’s Woody?” Edelman asked on his Instagram story.
Pointing to Edelman, Brady said he’s Woody — even though Edelman suggested that role may be more suited for a quarterback. “You’re the sheriff, bro!”
It was one of several stops the new champions made Monday. The two could be seen in a lightsaber duel near one of the entrances for the upcoming Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge before heading to the Magic Kingdom for a parade with Disney characters like Mickey and Minnie Mouse. Edelman signed autographs for Patriots fans and repeatedly played to the crowd by leading a count of the franchise’s six titles.
Speaking to reporters after the parade, Edelman said a trip like this is part of enjoying the team’s championship season.
“I haven’t really had time to do that,” he said. “That’s what the next few weeks will be about.”
It’s not the first time Brady or Edelman have made the post-Super Bowl trek to Disney World. Brady was the special guest in 2002 and 2004 (after the team’s wins in Super Bowls XXXVI and XXXVIII) while Edelman made the trip after the Patriots won Super Bowl XLIX in 2015.
The tradition began with a 1987 commercial after Super Bowl XXI. Jane Eisner was credited with the idea in the 1998 autobiography of her husband, longtime Disney CEO Michael Eisner. While the slot is typically reserved for the Super Bowl MVP, there have been cases when another player goes in their place. When the Patriots won Super Bowl LI, running back James White went on the trip instead of Brady.
The Patriots win kept the Disney park visit in Central Florida. Had the Los Angeles Rams been victorious, the celebration would have instead been held at Disneyland in Anaheim, Calif.