It’s no insult to say Walt Disney World does look a day over 49 – after all, today (Oct. 1) the iconic theme park in Orlando marks 50 years since welcoming its first guests in 1971 and for the next 18 months celebrations will ensue, with every inch of the now expanded destination set to reflect the ‘magical milestone.’
In fitting fashion, WDW will usher in an array of new attractions, nighttime spectaculars, enhanced technological features, dining and merchandise options, and much more to mark the occasion. There’s even a new song.
And with some features having already hit the ground running and others on their way next year, there’s a lot to unpack. So, here’s a definitive but positively partial guide to some of major doings at Disney both now and into the near future during “The World’s Most Magical Celebration.”
First impressions
Shining at the centre of it all is Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom Park, welcoming guests to the celebration with gleaming gold bunting, sparkling golden embellishments, a 50th anniversary crest and other enhancements inspired by the art of Disney legend Mary Blair. Guests will discover new experiences across the resort, where shimmering “EARidescence” appears as if by magic everywhere from theme parks to Disney Resort hotels to transportation to merchandise and more.
Beacons of Magic
During the 50th anniversary celebration, icons at Walt Disney World theme parks transform at night into magnificent “Beacons of Magic,” coming to life with the 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 anniversary event as a defining feature of the park.
‘Harmonious’ (EPCOT)
“Harmonious,” one of the largest nighttime spectaculars ever created for a Disney park, debuts Oct. 1 at EPCOT. This new celebrating Disney music is designed to be 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.
Also at EPCOT:
• Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure invites guests into the film “Ratatouille,” in which guests feel as if they shrink to the size of Chef Remy and scurry through Gusteau’s famous restaurant. The attraction is now open in the World Showcase as part of a newly expanded France pavilion.
• Also debuting Oct. 1 in the expanded France pavilion is a 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.
Disney Enchantment (Magic Kingdom)
Joining “Harmonious” with an Oct. 1 debut is another new nighttime spectacular, “Disney Enchantment” at Magic Kingdom Park. The evening extravaganza features stunning fireworks, powerful music, enhanced lighting and, for the first time, immersive projection effects that extend from Cinderella Castle down Main Street, USA.
Disney KiteTails (Animal Kingdom)
New daytime entertainment is stirring at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park, as “Disney KiteTails” comes alive several times daily beginning Oct. 1 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. The colourful creations dance through the sky to the beat of favourite Disney songs in an uplifting, vibrant experience for the whole family.
‘Disney Fab 50 Character Collection’ (Parks)
New “Disney Fab 50 Character Collection” golden sculptures are spread across the four Walt Disney World theme parks in honour of the 50th anniversary. Fifty characters are featured in total, including Mickey and Minnie Mouse. And beginning in 2022, guests will be able to use the new MagicBand+ to interact with the statues in fun and surprising ways as part of the 50th anniversary celebration.
Coming in 2022
Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser (Hotel)
On March 1, 2022, “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. General bookings for Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser begin Oct. 28.
Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind (Epcot)
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.
MagicBand+ (Parks)
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 colour-changing lights, haptic vibrations and gesture recognition. The wearable will allow guests to engage with favourite 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 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.
‘Hey Disney!’ (Hotels)
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 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 Alexa services, such as weather forecasts, timers, alarms, etc. more colourful with the help of popular characters such as Mickey Mouse, Olaf, C-3PO and others. The device also features an all-new character, the Disney Magical Companion, who will help guests discover more than a thousand park interactions and get information about their vacation, order room amenities, and more.
Of course, the 50th anniversary theme will permeate every aspect of the experience, including new food and beverage items, merchandise, and even music, with the new song “The Magic Is Calling” written expressly for the occasion and destined to join “It’s a Small World” around the parks, at least for the next 18 months.