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How to Celebrate Tartan Day at Walt Disney World

Slainte! Happy Tartan Day! What is Tartan Day? Officially recognized by Congress in 1998, this is a day to celebrate Americans of Scottish descent. The date for April 6 is significant because on April 6, 1320 the Declaration of Arbroath was written. This document declared the Scots freedom from English rule. In fact, our own Declaration of Independence was modeled after it! There, don’t say a Disney blog has never taught you anything.

Tartan Day

To celebrate, cities all over the country host parades and games and traditional feasts. New York City and Boston really go all out for this holiday but Walt Disney World? Not so much. This obscure holiday doesn’t have much of a presence in the parks none at all to be precise). That doesn’t stop this girl though! My Scottish roots run deep and on this day I seek out ways to celebrate my heritage. The best way? Spending time with my girl Merida of course! 

Tartan day

Credit: Disney

Related: Merida Meet and Greet Returns 

The Merida meet and greet officially returned to the Parks last year and we are so excited about it. It’s one of the most unique meet and greets around and one you’ll definitely not want to skip! That’s because this is much more than a meet and greet, it’s a meet and play! She meets in Fairytale Garden and once there  you can practice archery, color your own “tapestry” of Merida as well as her faithful horse, Angus, and spend some time with Merida herself! Look out! Sometimes her rambunctious triplet brothers can be seen in the area too! 

Related: Turning Red Echos Themes From Brave

Merida is one of my favorite Disney princesses because not only does she buck the normal princess trope (I’m an archer myself so it’s nice to see a princess with my interests), she also represents the Scottish spirit so well. Concepts of destiny and fate are intervention through Gaelic and Cetic mythology but the free spirit to change your destiny is something most Scots relate to well. After all, they’ve been doing it throughout history! 

Tartan day u.k pavilion

Related: Rose and Crown Review 

If character meet and greets aren’t your thing, you can head over to EPCOT to the United Kingdom pavilion.  This area represents more than just England: Northern Ireland, Wales, and Scotland are all represented here as together they make up the United Kingdom. Head over to Rose and Crown where they have an impressive selection of Scotch Whiskey (and don’t forget to try their absolutely delightful Scotch Egg appetizer).  After that, stop in Crown and Crest where you’ll find an array of souvenirs representing every country in the U.K. 

 There you have it! If, like me, you want to celebrate your Scottish heritage at Disney on Tartan Day, yul have to get creative but it can be done.  Disney’s dress code does not prohibit wearing a kilt so if you really want to go all out today, feel free to dress the part. You’ll find me wearing my clan Tartan (as a scarf). 

About Jill Bivins

Jill Bivins has been visiting Disney Parks since she was 2 years old and loves sharing her Disney adventures with the world. She likes to say Disney is in her blood and writing is in her bones — so any time she has the opportunity to combine these loves she is one happy camper! She has a deep abiding love for Epcot and as a die hard Star Wars fan has a serious love for Hollywood Studios as well. When she isn't exploring or writing about Disney Parks, Jill is homeschooling her 8 year old son, playing with her brand new baby son, or pretending to be a farmer on her family homestead (despite being unable to keep even a cactus alive). Find Jill on Instagram @minnieonmain.