Countywide : Fans Catch Sight of 49ers at Disneyland

Steve Young and Jerry Rice, members of the Super Bowl champion San Francisco 49ers, ran into a blitz of autograph-seekers Tuesday as they toured Disneyland with Disney executives.

Young, the Most Valuable Player of Super Bowl XXIX, and Rice, the most prolific wide receiver in Super Bowl history, were slowed by crowds of fans and well-wishers. Young, who stopped often to shake hands and sign autographs, joked that the rush of park guests didn’t compare with that of the San Diego Chargers.

“They don’t hit you, they just scream,” Young said. “As long as they don’t physically attack me, it’s fine.”

The players both starred in a parade down the park’s Main Street, USA. Disneyland President Paul Pressler then presented each player with a Crystal Castle trophy, which is often given to dignitaries visiting the park.

They then rode the park’s Mad Tea Party ride, although Young signaled the ride operator for a time-out about a minute after the ride started.

“Anything that goes in a circle is not for me,” Young said.

They left the park shortly afterward to fly to Hawaii for Sunday’s Pro Bowl.

Rice, who has three championship rings with the 49ers and was Super Bowl MVP in 1989, said he enjoyed the trip because it allowed him to spend time with Young off the playing field.

“This gives me a better way of getting to know Steve Young,” Rice said. “We can just come together and be like kids again.”

Young said these promotional trips to Disneyland have “become synonymous with Super Bowl championships.”

“This means we won,” Young said.

Rice and Young are featured in Disneyland television ads commemorating their 49-26 win Sunday. The latest of the now famous “We’re going to Disneyland” spots began airing Monday.