Plaza Inn's Pineapple Upside-Down Bundt Cake Recipe Launches Disneyland's 'Celebrate Soulfully: Summer Vibes'

Disneyland's 'Celebrate Soulfully: Summer Vibes' returns June 19 through July 19, 2026, honoring Black heritage through music, food, and art. The signature Pineapple Upside-Down Bundt Cake from Plaza Inn arrives early, and Disney has shared the home recipe created by Chef Michela Gilchrist.

Disneyland Resort's "Celebrate Soulfully: Summer Vibes" returns on June 19, and Disney is giving fans an early taste with the recipe for the Pineapple Upside-Down Bundt Cake from Plaza Inn — a celebratory dessert that's available at the park starting today.

A Soulful Celebration Returns to Disneyland

"Celebrate Soulfully: Summer Vibes" is a limited-time celebration at the Disneyland Resort that spotlights experiences honoring Black heritage and culture through music, food, and art. Running from June 19 through July 19, the celebration weaves these stories into the parks, and food is one of its most accessible entry points. The Pineapple Upside-Down Bundt Cake at Plaza Inn — the beloved fried-chicken-and-comfort-food restaurant on Main Street, U.S.A. — is leading the way, available before the celebration officially begins.

The Story Behind the Recipe

The dessert was created by Chef Michela Gilchrist, who drew inspiration from her grandfather. His cooking, she explained, is special to her because "every recipe carries the love, culture, and tradition that shaped who I am today." Through his recipes, Chef Michela says she inherited more than flavors — she inherited tradition, identity, and love, learning in his kitchen that "every recipe tells a story, and those stories became part of who I am."

"Every recipe carries the love, culture, and tradition that shaped who I am today." — Chef Michela Gilchrist

Why Pineapple Upside-Down Cake

Though the dessert was popularized in the 20th century, pineapple upside-down cake became beloved in many Black households because it transformed simple, affordable ingredients into something that felt joyful and abundant. Served at Sunday dinners, holidays, family gatherings, and reunions, it grew into more than dessert — it became a sweet expression of community. Choosing it as the headliner for Celebrate Soulfully ties that history directly to the celebration's mission.

Making It at Home

Disney shared the full recipe so fans can recreate the dessert in their own kitchens. The recipe yields 12 individual cakes, making it ideal for sharing or bringing to summer parties. The key technique: pineapple juice goes right into the cake batter, adding tenderness to the texture and just the right amount of sweetness. If you're using canned pineapple for the topping, save the juice when you drain the fruit and stir it into the batter rather than discarding it.

Making this dessert at home? Disney invites fans to share their creations with #DisneyEats. (All offerings are subject to change and availability.)

What This Means for Disney Fans

For guests visiting the Disneyland Resort this summer, the early arrival of the Pineapple Upside-Down Bundt Cake is a chance to sample a Celebrate Soulfully highlight before the full June 19 kickoff. And for fans who can't make the trip, the shared recipe brings a piece of the celebration — and a meaningful story about heritage and family — straight to the home kitchen. Expect more music, food, and art experiences to roll out across the resort through July 19.