What to Know
Conservative organizers are planning a “MAGA invasion” at Disneyland in California. The group, which is called 805 Patriots, is selling special merch for the “patriotic day of fun, freedom, and family values.”
According to a press release shared by 805 Patriots, the “Patriots in the Park” event is not a political demonstration or a protest. Instead, it’s described as “a peaceful, family-oriented meetup” at Disneyland for MAGA supporters…
Sharing the event via social media, organizers wanted to make it clear that they plan to follow all guidelines at the park during their “MAGA invasion” in February (this unofficial gathering is not an official Disneyland event).
They’re selling “Make Disney Great Again” merch.
The design, which features a “bold silhouette of a Revolutionary War patriot waving the Betsy Ross flag in front of a reimagined Disney castle,” is meant to symbolize “a return to American roots and classic values.” To prepare for this “MAGA invasion,” organizers are telling supporters of President Donald Trump to don their MAGA hats, shirts, and accessories while leaving their Trump flags and signs at home.
In the press release, the group said they want families to “enjoy a day at the park while celebrating patriotism, community, and traditional principles that inspired Walt Disney during the creation of the park.”
But they also want to trigger “as many liberals as possible.”
Though many of the group’s followers expressed interest in the meetup, some noted that they were worried that attending would mean directly supporting Disney, which they don’t want to do.
In response to some of these concerns, organizers shared more details about their goals for the event. Per People, they wrote back saying, “This is to go have some fun by triggering as many liberals as possible in their home turf as well as giving conservative families at least one chance to take their kids to Disneyland.”
Reactions to the meetup were mixed.
For some Disney fans, the date seems like an obvious day to avoid going to Disneyland. Meanwhile, some people questioned the group’s goals, with one person sarcastically writing, “LETS ALL GIVE MONEY TO THIS COMPANY WE HATE. THAT’LL OWN THE LIBS FOR SURE.”
Others were unfazed. “I already see so many dudes that can’t help turning themselves into 2nd amendment billboards every time I’m at Disneyland that this won’t really change much,” one person on Reddit wrote.
But for others, going to Disneyland feels like an escape, and they don’t exactly want to be reminded of politics during a family vacation.
Another person said they “feel personally disgusted” by the event but added that “they have the right to do this if we also want to support decent groups doing the same.”
In response, someone else wrote, “It’s just sad because I feel like their intent is to make people feel uncomfortable and that really sucks. It should be a place where we can all have fun and avoid stuff like this.”
