The Celebration Comes to a Close…Everything You Need to Know About the 50th Anniversary Celebration of Disney World
On Oct. 1, 1971, Walt Disney World Resort officially opened to guests for the first time, the culmination of years spent imagining, planning and developing Walt Disney’s magical dream. Five decades later, guests can experience that dream anew when they visit The Most Magical Place on Earth to be part of its 50th anniversary.
“The World’s Most Magical Celebration,” an 18-month event that began on Oct. 1, 2021, brings new attractions, nighttime spectaculars, and other magical experiences to Walt Disney World guests. Shining at the center of it all is Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom Park, welcoming guests with gleaming gold bunting, sparkling golden embellishments, a 50th-anniversary crest, and other enhancements inspired by the art of Disney Legend Mary Blair.
The celebration officially ends on March 31, 2023. With just about one month left of this historic celebration, we have a rundown on what you need to know! Catch all the details below.
1 – Help the Guardians of the Galaxy Save the Universe at EPCOT
Now open, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind is EPCOT’s first “other-world” showcase pavilion. The family-thrill coaster adventure starts in the Galaxarium, a planetarium-like exhibition that explores the similarities and mysteries of the formation of Earth’s galaxy and Xandar. Guests learn more about the technologies Xandar has to share – until Eson the Celestial arrives, and guests must help the Guardians of the Galaxy save the universe on an intergalactic chase through time and space. The attraction is one of the longest fully enclosed coasters in the world, and each vehicle rotates 360 degrees to focus guests on the action, including the first reverse launch on a Disney coaster. Guests are raving and love this attraction! This one was an awesome addition to EPCOT!
2 – Expanded EPCOT France Pavilion Serves Up New Attraction, Restaurant
Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure invites guests into the flavorful world of Disney and Pixar’s Academy Award®-winning film “Ratatouille.” In this family-friendly attraction, guests feel as if they shrink to the size of Chef Remy and scurry through Gusteau’s famous restaurant. They discover Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure in World Showcase as part of a newly expanded France pavilion, where the real is made fantastic in a reimagining of Paris inspired by the film.
Also new in this expanded section of the pavilion is a delicious new restaurant, La Crêperie de Paris, offering both table- and quick-service options. The menu features sweet crepes, savory buckwheat galettes (naturally gluten-friendly), and authentic French hard cider. The attraction, restaurant, and pavilion expansion are all part of the historic transformation of EPCOT currently underway, bringing a breadth of new experiences to the park as a celebration of curiosity, discovery, and the magic of possibility.
Click here for our review and what you need to know about Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure.
3 – Nighttime Spectacular ‘Harmonious’ Reimagines Disney Music at EPCOT
Editor’s Note: Disney announced that Harmonious will end its run on April 2, 2023. EPCOT Forever will return on April 3 and will run until a new nighttime spectacular debuts in late 2023
“Harmonious,” one of the largest nighttime spectaculars ever created for a Disney park, brings the globe together at World Showcase Lagoon in a celebration of Disney music that inspires people worldwide. It is a grand, powerful tribute to the unifying power of story and song, embracing new technical magic that incorporates pyrotechnics, choreographed moving fountains, lighting, massive LED panels and media in new ways. “Harmonious” features new interpretations of classic Disney songs in more than a dozen languages, performed by a diverse group of 240 artists from around the world, including Luis Fonsi, Joy, Danny Gokey, and the Ndlovu Youth Choir.
4 – ‘Disney Enchantment’ Lights Up Nights at Magic Kingdom Park
Editor’s Note: Disney announced that Disney Enchantment will end its run on April 2, 2023. Happily Ever After will return to Magic Kingdom on April 3, 2023.
“Disney Enchantment” at Magic Kingdom Park is a new nighttime spectacular created to launch with “The World’s Most Magical Celebration.” This evening extravaganza takes guests on a journey filled with adventure, wonder, and empowerment. Inspiring everyone to believe in magic, “Disney Enchantment” features stunning fireworks, powerful music, enhanced lighting, and, for the first time, immersive projection effects that extend from Cinderella Castle down Main Street, U.S.A. The show’s stirring soundtrack is anchored by an emotional original song, “You Are the Magic,” written and performed by multiple GRAMMY® winner Philip Lawrence. His musical career began as a Disney cast member performing in Walt Disney World shows.
Click here for our thoughts and what you need to know about Disney Enchantment.
5 – Beacons of Magic Shine at Walt Disney World Theme Parks
During the 50th anniversary celebration, icons at Walt Disney World theme parks transform at night into magnificent Beacons of Magic, coming to life with their own EARidescent glow.
- Cinderella Castle illuminates Magic Kingdom Park with a dazzling radiance and pixie-dust sparkle.
- At Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park, a warm light emanates from the Tree of Life as fireflies gather to usher in the magic of nature.
- The Hollywood Tower Hotel at Disney’s Hollywood Studios is awash in a brilliance evoking the golden age of imagination and adventure.
- And at EPCOT, new lights shine across the reflective panels of Spaceship Earth, connecting to one another like stars in a nighttime sky and creating a mesmerizing symbol of optimism. The iconic structure’s permanent new lighting will continue beyond “The World’s Most Magical Celebration” as a defining feature of the park.
6 – MagicBand+ Unlocks New Interactive Experiences at Walt Disney World Resort
In 2013, Walt Disney World Resort introduced the MagicBand, a revolutionary way to make the guest experience in its theme parks and resorts more convenient and hands-free. The next-generation MagicBand+ has debuted at Walt Disney World, adding new functionality to unlock experiential moments of magic.
After a guest enters a Walt Disney World theme park, MagicBand+ comes alive at various times with color-changing lights, haptic vibrations, and gesture recognition. The wearable allows guests to engage with favorite Disney moments in new ways and discover new interactive experiences, including:
- Play like a bounty hunter in a galaxy far, far away and find virtual bounties throughout Black Spire Outpost in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
- Interact with the “Disney Fab 50 Character Collection,” the golden sculptures spread throughout the Walt Disney World theme parks.
Experience nighttime spectaculars in a new way as they see their bands light up and complement the magic in the skies, including the new “Harmonious” at EPCOT and “Disney Enchantment” at Magic Kingdom Park.
Current MagicBands will continue to be available, along with the complimentary Disney MagicMobile service that extends MagicBand features, such as park entry, to smart devices. The technology has been spotty, and guests have complained that features do not always work. We’re hopeful that Disney will iron out the problems!
8 – ‘Hey Disney!’ Adds Magic to Amazon Alexa and Echo
Disney is creating its own custom voice assistant using Alexa technology for supported Amazon Echo devices. Called “Hey Disney!”, it will work alongside Alexa to respond to vocal prompts, bringing Disney characters and stories to life in magical new ways to make guest stays at Walt Disney World Resort more convenient, engaging and enjoyable.
“Hey Disney!” has begun to roll out in Disney Resort hotel guest rooms across Walt Disney World. Access will be offered as an optional, complimentary feature during guest stays. “Hey Disney!” will make the services Alexa users know and love – weather forecasts, timers, alarms, etc. – magical with the help of popular characters such as Mickey Mouse, Olaf, C-3PO, and many more. “Hey Disney!” also features an all-new character, the Disney Magical Companion, who will help guests discover more than a thousand magical interactions. Disney Resort guests can learn helpful information about their vacation, order room amenities, and more.
“Hey Disney!” will also be available for purchase for supported Amazon Echo devices via the Amazon Alexa Skills store, inviting Disney fans to make every day at home more magical. In addition, Amazon is announcing the availability of two new exclusive Mickey-inspired stands for the Echo Show 5; these durable OtterBox Den Series stands feature the iconic Mickey ears in playful designs inspired by either Mickey’s 50th-anniversary celebration outfit (which will be found in Disney Resort hotel rooms) or his classic red shorts.
9 – Golden ‘Disney Fab 50 Character Collection’ Sculptures Appear Across Theme Parks
New “Disney Fab 50 Character Collection” golden sculptures are spread across the four Walt Disney World theme parks in honor of the 50th anniversary. Fifty characters are featured in total, including Miguel and Dante from Disney and Pixar’s “Coco” at EPCOT; BB-8 and R2-D2 from Star Wars at Disney’s Hollywood Studios; Simba, Timon and Pumba from “The Lion King” at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park; and Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse – dedicated to Walt Disney World cast members – at Magic Kingdom Park. Later this year, guests will be able to use the new MagicBand+ to interact with these statues in fun and surprising ways as part of the 50th-anniversary celebration.
10 – Celebratory Food and Drinks Look to the Past for New Inspiration
During its 50th anniversary celebration, Walt Disney World once again demonstrates how food and drinks can be key ingredients for a fun day at The Most Magical Place on Earth. New menu items for the celebration offer nods to the resort’s past while pushing culinary adventures to exciting new places. These include theme park classics and some of Walt Disney’s favorite items, along with novel dishes and sips full of color, whimsy, and a touch of EARidescent shimmer. Of the 150-plus new items available, examples include:
- Cheese Fries with Walt’s Chili at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park
- Filet Mignon with Walt Disney’s Roast Beef Hash at The Hollywood Brown Derby in Disney’s Hollywood Studios
- Pressed Penny Silk Pie at Casey’s Corner at Magic Kingdom Park
- EARidescent Croissant Doughnut at EPCOT
- 50th Celebration Ganache Chocolate Bar at The Ganachery in Disney Springs
- Celebrating Layers of Magic Cake at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort
- Magical Beacon Cocktail, available at many table-service restaurants, lounges and pool bars throughout Walt Disney World
- Chicken Dinner Cupcake Trio (Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground) – Fort Wilderness has served more than 10 million chicken dinners, and this homage of a dessert features fried chicken-apple fritters with apple pie moonshine filling and vanilla buttercream.
- Novelty items developed for the celebration, including popcorn buckets, mugs, and sippers, roll out across Walt Disney World throughout “The World’s Most Magical Celebration.”
11 – Take the Magic Home with 50th Anniversary Merchandise Collections
Guests can discover new merchandise collections as part of the celebration. These new items include apparel, accessories, plush, homeware, keepsakes, collectibles, and much more, in several different collections:
- The Celebration Collection includes a wide-ranging assortment of commemorative merchandise for the whole family.
- Drawing inspiration from Cinderella Castle, the Disney Castle Collection features everything from collectibles – such as ornaments and charms – to castle-inspired attire and a light-up, 50th anniversary-edition Minnie Mouse ear headband.
- Disney fans and those who love all things vintage will be eager to unlock the Vault Collection that pays tribute to 50 years of Walt Disney World magic with an assortment of retro-themed designs right out of the Walt Disney Archives.
- In line with the new décor seen across Walt Disney World during the 50th-anniversary celebration, the EARidescent Collection features a shimmering array of themed fashions and accessories.
- As the name implies, the Luxe Logo Collection offers a range of upscale pieces for the Disney collector.
12 – Cirque du Soleil and Disney Bring Spectacular New Show to Disney Springs
Drawn to Life, the new family-friendly show at Disney Springs, is an original creative collaboration between Cirque du Soleil, Walt Disney Animation Studios, and Walt Disney Imagineering. Drawn to Life is a live acrobatic journey telling the story of Julie, a determined girl who discovers an unexpected gift left by her Disney animator father: an unfinished animation. As she dives into the inner world of animation guided by a surprising pencil, Julie embarks on an inspiring quest filled with her childhood Disney memories, brought to life through Cirque du Soleil’s innovative design and dazzling performances. Click here for our review. Tickets are available at cirquedusoleil.com/drawntolife.
13 – Space 220 Restaurant at EPCOT: The ‘Height of Dining’
In an expansion of the Mission: SPACE pavilion at EPCOT, the new Space 220 Restaurant is a culinary experience offering the celestial panorama of a space station, including daytime and nighttime views of Earth from 220 miles above the planet’s surface. Guests board a space elevator for a simulated journey to the Centauri Space Station, where they experience the “height of dining.” Once they arrive, guests enjoy meals and drinks while taking in views that are truly out of this world.
Click here for our review and what you need to know about Space 220!
14 – Original Walt Disney World Resort Hotels Add New Pixie Dust
As Walt Disney World celebrates its 50th anniversary, Walt Disney Imagineering is continuing to enhance the storytelling at the vacation destination’s two original Disney Resort hotels, part of the Disney Resorts Collection. All guest rooms in the iconic A-frame tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort are being completely refurbished, blending a sleek Monorail motif evoking Tomorrowland with some favorite characters from Pixar Animation Studios’ Incredibles films. In the lobby, guests see a collection of modern art pieces as well as historical, behind-the-scenes photographs of Disney’s Contemporary Resort in development and under construction. The resort’s lobby restaurant is aptly renamed Steakhouse 71, offering a reimagined dining experience just in time for the 50th-anniversary celebration.
Guest rooms were recently reimagined at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort with a color palette inspired by the Pacific Ocean and its necklace of islands. Their fresh new look draws on the details, textures and patterns found in Disney’s “Moana,” with characters and references to the film’s rich storytelling. The resort also boasts a dramatic new porte cochere to enhance the arrival experience as guests pull up to its Great Ceremonial House.
15 – Mickey, Minnie and Friends Dress for the Occasion
Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Daisy Duck, Goofy, Pluto and Chip ‘n’ Dale – otherwise known as the “EARidescent 8” – dress in sparkling new looks, custom-made for this special occasion. Highlights of these celebratory designs include beautifully embroidered impressions of Cinderella Castle backed by fireworks and a brocade in multi-toned, EARidescent fabric – all punctuated with pops of gold. Disney characters also make appearances at Disney Resort hotels, dressed in their EARidescent best.
Mickey and Minnie are the hosts of “The World’s Most Magical Celebration,” joined by Walt Disney World cast members at the heart of this event. Wearing new EARidescent nametags designed for the 50th anniversary, cast members will demonstrate yet again why they are renowned for their commitment to service, consistently exceeding guests’ expectations and going above and beyond to make visits to The Most Magical Place on Earth special.
16 – ‘The Magic Is Calling’ During 50th Anniversary Celebration
“The Magic Is Calling,” an inspiring new song written especially for the 50th anniversary, can be heard in a variety of ways during the 18-month celebration. Platinum-selling songwriter and music producer Alana Da Fonseca and Nashville-based songwriter and producer Bobby Studley created the original song, collaborating with award-winning composer Emily Bear and singing phenom Journi. Da Fonseca and Studley’s pop-music style, Bear’s soaring orchestrations, and Journi’s magical vocal performance come together to create a song that is at once nostalgic, inspirational, and contemporary.
The new song calls all guests to join in the celebration, including at night when icons at each theme park transform into Beacons of Magic.* “The Magic Is Calling” is also included in special live entertainment moments across Walt Disney World, such as during “Mickey’s Celebration Cavalcade” at Magic Kingdom Park, or performances by the Dapper Dans (Magic Kingdom Park), Discovery Island Drummers (Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park) and Voices of Liberty (EPCOT). “The Magic Is Calling” is available on the Walt Disney World playlist through Disney Music Group.
17 – Walt Disney World Transportation Features New Magic
Many of the fun and convenient forms of complimentary Walt Disney World transportation receive special 50th-anniversary décor during the celebration. Guests may ride in sparkling style with new artwork added to select Disney Skyliner cabins, Disney Transportation buses, and a golden Monorail train. Each Monorail train also receives special nighttime enhancements for the 50th anniversary with the addition of glowing lights that match each train’s specific color, spreading magic everywhere the Monorail runs across Walt Disney World.
18 – Electrical Water Pageant Adds 50th Anniversary Shimmer
A 50-year tradition, the Electrical Water Pageant sails nightly across Seven Seas Lagoon and Bay Lake, delighting guests at nearby Disney Resort hotels with music and lights in a floating parade. For the 50th anniversary celebration, the show adds new whimsy with a towering castle, swirling pixie dust and a version of the celebration anthem “The Magic Is Calling,” recorded in the pageant’s iconic electro-synth-magnetic sound.
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