NEWS: New 50th Anniversary Merchandise Coming to Disney World
This spring will see three new product lines unveiled as part of the Walt Disney World Resort 50th Anniversary celebration. The new lines will invite guests to commemorate their visit by taking a piece of the magic home. Blending new and nostalgia, the merchandise range will put a fun spin on the latest fashion trends and includes pieces inspired by retro designs and artwork from the 1971 grand opening of Walt Disney World Resort. Learn more below.
50th Anniversary celebration merchandise is available throughout the Walt Disney World Resort including Disney Springs. Select items will be carried at Walt Disney World Resort Hotels, Disneyland Resort and on shopDisney.com.
Here’s a first look at the collections:
EARidescent Shimmer Collection
The EARidescent Shimmer Collection draws inspiration from the iconic gold and blue turrets of Cinderella Castle in Magic Kingdom Park, reflecting the festive décor seen across Walt Disney World Resort as a part of the 50th anniversary celebration.
- EARidescent Shimmer Collection Minnie Mouse Headband glistens with bedazzled gold-toned sequins, the perfect accessory for any 50th anniversary celebration-themed outfit.
- EARidescent Shimmer Loungefly Backpack blends a classic royal color scheme with modern design through a unique swirl pattern that marbles blue and gold hues together.
- EARidescent Shimmer Collection Spirit Jersey, debuting later in spring, is a premium pullover Spirit Jersey featuring a ribbed crew neck, cuffed sleeves and gleaming EARidescent embellishments.
Disney Vault Balloon Collection
Longtime visitors of The Most Magical Place on Earth may recall the colorful balloon-patterned shopping bags used to package souvenirs purchased at Walt Disney World Resort in 1971. The DisneyVault Balloon Collection pays homage to the vintage Mickey Mouse balloon iconography from decades past.
- Disney Vault Balloon Collection Spirit Jersey features a bright, whimsical print and heritage Walt Disney World Resort logos.
- Disney Vault Balloon Collection Bucket Hat, with a transparent green panel and vintage Walt Disney World logo along the brim, is a fashion-forward item combining current style trends and 1970s flair.
- Disney Vault Balloon Collection Loungefly Backpack offers a bold geometric design across the exterior pocket, which makes a statement with its electric blue straps and classic balloon print.
New to the Celebration Collection
The Celebration Collection, which launched last fall at the start of the 50th anniversary celebration at Walt Disney World Resort, will expand to include brand new commemorative merchandise for the whole family.
- Celebration Collection Backpack decorated with stylized renderings of Walt Disney World Resort landmarks including Cinderella Castle, Hollywood Tower of Terror, Spaceship Earth and the Tree of Life.
- Dooney and Bourke Purses and Wallet will be available on two bag styles or a wallet, showcasing favorite characters and iconic Disney Parks locations.
- 50th Anniversary Character Plush Toys offerings expand with the debut of Donald Duck, Daisy Duck and Goofy, all sporting 50th Anniversary celebration fashions.
Disney Vault Orange Bird Collection debuting later this spring!
The Disney Vault Orange Bird Collection pays tribute to Orange Bird, a favorite Disney character who has come to symbolize Florida and its legacy in the citrus industry. Orange Bird’s spunky personality shines through a range of groovy new products, inspired by the retro flower-power styles that rose in popularity during the early 1970s. The collection will debut later this spring.
- Disney Vault Orange Bird Crossbody adds a touch of cuteness to any look as a three-dimensional replica of Orange Bird.
- Disney Vault Orange Bird Camp Shirt features a notched collar and muted color palette reminiscent of the 1970s, complemented by a cheerful motif of Orange Bird and various florals.
- Disney Vault Orange Bird Denim Jacket brings vintage trends to the 21st century with a funky bubble font, stylized Orange Bird artwork and decorative patches.
RELATED ARTICLE: Disney World 50th Anniversary Celebration – Everything You Need to Know About this Historic Celebration
by Chad and Cindy Nykamp
On October 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 the magic when they visit The Most Magical Place on Earth to be part of its 50th-anniversary celebration. There is so much to see and do during this historic 18-month celebration. Learn more below.
1 – Beacons of Magic-Cinderella Castle and Disney Enchantment
Nightly, Cinderella Castle is transformed into a Beacon of Magic and is illuminated with a dazzling radiance and pixie-dust sparkle. The castle is gorgeous and you don’t want to miss it.
There’s also a new fireworks show at Magic Kingdom – “Disney Enchantment.” The show takes guests on a journey filled with adventure, wonder, and empowerment. Inspiring everyone to believe in magic, “Disney Enchantment” features lots of 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 soundtrack is anchored by an emotional original song, “You Are the Magic,” written and performed by multiple GRAMMY® winner Philip Lawrence, whose 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.
2 – EARidescent 8 & Let the Magic Begin at Magic Kingdom
The “Let the Magic Begin” welcome show has returned to the park with a new 50th-anniversary theme and with the “EARidescent 8″ — Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Daisy Duck, Goofy, Pluto, and Chip ‘n’ Dale — welcoming guests to the park! The “EARidescent 8” also debuted in a new character cavalcade, Mickey’s Celebration Cavalcade, that traveled through the park five times throughout the day. Our favorite characters are dressed 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, as well as a brocade in multi-toned, EARidescent fabric – all punctuated with pops of gold. Disney characters will also make appearances at Disney Resort hotels, dressed in their EARidescent best.
3 – Expanded France Pavilion at EPCOT
The highly anticipated Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure is now open! The new attraction invites guests into the flavorful world of Disney and Pixar’s Academy Award®-winning film “Ratatouille.” 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 open in the expanded 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.
Click here for our review and what you need to know about Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure.
4 – Harmonious and Beacons of Magic-Spaceship Earth at EPCOT
“Harmonious,” one of the largest nighttime spectaculars ever created for a Disney park is now showing at EPCOT. This new show brings the globe together at World Showcase Lagoon in a celebration of Disney music. It is a 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.
Also at EPCOT, guests are treated to the transformation of Spaceship Earth into a Beacon of Magic. New lights shine across the reflective panels of Spaceship Earth, connecting to one another like stars in a nighttime sky. The iconic structure’s permanent new lighting will continue beyond “The World’s Most Magical Celebration” as a defining feature of the park.
5 – ‘Disney KiteTails’ Takes Flight and Beacons of Magic-The Tree of Life at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park
New daytime entertainment has also debuted at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park. “Disney KiteTails” comes alive several times daily at the Discovery River Theater. Performers fly windcatchers and kites of all shapes and sizes, while out on the water elaborate three-dimensional kites – some stretching to 30 feet long – depict Disney animal friends, including Simba, Zazu, Baloo, and King Louie. These colorful creations dance through the sky to the beat of favorite Disney songs in an uplifting, vibrant experience for the whole family.
Also at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park, the Tree of Life becomes a Beacon of Magic when a warm light emanates from the Tree of Life as fireflies gather to usher in the magic of nature.
6 – Beacons of Magic-The Hollywood Tower Hotel at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Not to be left out of the celebration, The Hollywood Tower Hotel also becomes a Beacon of Magic when it transforms nightly. The hotel has a golden glow and certainly is once again a star in its own right!
7 – Golden ‘Disney Fab 50 Character Collection’ Sculptures Appear Across Theme Parks
Also part of the 50th-anniversary celebration, 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. And beginning in 2022, 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.
8 – 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’s Hash at The Hollywood Brown Derby in Disney’s Hollywood Studios
- Mission to Mars burger at Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Café in Magic Kingdom Park
- EARidescent Croissant Doughnut at EPCOT
- EARidescent Ice Dream Cone at Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park
- 50th Celebration Ganache Chocolate Bar at The Ganachery in Disney Springs
- 50th Celebration Soufflé at Disney’s Contemporary Resort
- Magical Beacon Cocktail found at many table-service restaurants, lounges, and pool bars at Walt Disney World
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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.
Click here for more on the food and drink options available for the 50th-anniversary celebration.
Novelty items developed for the celebration, including popcorn buckets, mugs, and sippers, are now available, and will continue to roll out across Walt Disney World throughout “The World’s Most Magical Celebration.”
9 – Take the Magic Home with 50 Anniversary Merchandise Collections
Guests can discover multiple new merchandise collections launching in October and November 2021 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 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.
In addition, other famous brands are joining in and offering their own unique souvenirs. Learn more at the link below.
10 – ‘The Magic Is Calling’ During 50 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.
11 – Electrical Water Pageant Adds 50 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 includes 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.
12 – 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.
13 – 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.
14 – Drawn to Life, Presented by Cirque du Soleil and Disney
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. The show premiered in November 2021, during “The World’s Most Magical Celebration,” 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.
More Exciting Things On the Way – What’s Coming During the 50th Anniversary Celebration
1 – Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser, March 1, 2022
One of the most highly anticipated new experiences at Walt Disney World Resort will debut in 2022 as part of the 50th-anniversary celebration. On March 1, Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser will immerse its first official guests in a galaxy far, far away by going beyond anything Disney has created before. As part of this first-of-its-kind vacation experience, guests become the heroes of their own stories during a two-night adventure where they see, feel and live Star Wars.
2 – Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, Summer 2022
Also opening in 2022 as part of the historic transformation of EPCOT, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind will be the park’s first “other-world” showcase pavilion. The family-friendly adventure features a new storytelling coaster that rotates 360 degrees to focus guests on the action, including the first reverse launch on a Disney coaster. Guests will learn more about the treasures Xandar has to share – until the moment when the Guardians of the Galaxy arrive, and an intergalactic chase through space and time begins!
3 – MagicBand+ Unlocks New Interactive Experiences at Walt Disney World Resort in 2022
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+ will debut at Walt Disney World in 2022, adding new functionality to unlock experiential moments of magic.
After a guest enters a Walt Disney World theme park, MagicBand+ will come alive at various times with color-changing lights, haptic vibrations, and gesture recognition. The wearable will allow 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.
More details about MagicBand+ and its capabilities will be revealed in the future. Current MagicBands will continue to be available, as well, along with the complimentary Disney MagicMobile service that extends MagicBand features, such as park entry, to smart devices.
4 – ‘Hey Disney!’ Adds Magic to Amazon Alexa and Echo in 2022
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!” will begin rolling out in Disney Resort hotel guest rooms across Walt Disney World in 2022. 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 will be able to 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.
For a no obligation, FREE Quote on a Disney vacation package, please contact our travel partner Magical Vacation Planner at 407-442-0227 (407-442-0215 for Spanish). You can also request a FREE quote online by Clicking HERE.