Disney World Celebrates 50 Years of Magic

“To all who come to this happy place, WELCOME.” -Walt Disney

We LOVE Disney World, we have done three trips with the kids and one before kids came along. I have posts on our top 5 things to do at each park, plus some of the resorts we have stayed at over the years, you can see all of them HERE. This year is very exciting because Disney World celebrates 50 years of magic. I can hardly believe that it’s been 50 years since they first opened the gates of Disney World and I am sure Walt himself must be smiling down on the parks and all of the creative innovation.

I wanted to share some of the exciting news that is headed to the parks this year to celebrate the anniversary. Here are the details that you don’t want to miss…

When does the celebration start? It officially kicked off on October 1st, 2021 and will last for 18 months

What new experiences can I expect at each park?

Epcot– The grand opening of Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure opened October 1st and is already a huge hit. Guests feel as if they shrink to the size of Chef Remy and scurry through Gusteau’s famous restaurant. There is also the expanded French pavilion including a new restaurant; La Creperie de Paris, offering both table and quick service options. The menu includes sweet crepes, savory buckwheat galettes (gluten friendly) and authentic French hard cider.

Don’t forget the new Epcot nighttime spectacular “HARMONIOUS.” This new show brings the globe together at World Showcase lagoon, featuring new interpretations of Disney songs in more than a dozen languages, plus massive LED panels, lighting and moving fountains.

Another new dining experience coming to Epcot is Space 220 Restaurant. It will offer the celestial views of a space station including daytime and nighttime seatings where you will explore planet earth from 220 miles above the planet’s surface. Guests actually board a space elevator for a simulated journey to the Centauri Space Station that leads you to a meal that is out of this world!;)

PLUS, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind will be the parks first “other world” showcase pavilion opening 2022!! The family friendly adventure features a coaster that rotates 360 degrees to focus guests on the action, including the first REVERSE launch on a Disney coaster!

Magic Kingdom– Here you will find another new nighttime show called “Disney Enchantment,” which features fireworks, powerful music, enhanced lighting and immersive projection effects that extend from Cinderella Castle down Main Street USA. Plus, during the day you can see the castle received a beautiful makeover including gold bunting, gold embellishments, a 50th anniversary crest and other enhancements.

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Animal Kingdom– A new daytime entertainment is making it’s debut called “Disney KitTails.” Daily guests can watch wind catchers and kites of all shapes and sizes, some stretching to 30 feet long, along the Discovery River Theater. The kites depict Disney animal friends while dancing through the sky to the beat of your favorite Disney songs.

Hollywood Studios– Perhaps one of the most exciting additions, coming in 2022, is the Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser. On March 1st, 2022 Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser will welcome its first guests in a galaxy far, far away. It will be the FIRST OF ITS KIND vacation as guests become the heroes of their own stories during a two-night adventure where they see, feel and live Star Was. General bookings begin October 28th, 2021.

What other experiences can I expect?

New Interactive MagicBand+ coming in 2022. The next generation MagicBand+ will now come alive once a guest enters the park, including lights, color-changes, haptic vibrations and gesture recognition. The wearable band will allow guests to engage with favorite Disney moments in new ways including; playing like a bounty hunter in Galaxy’s Edge, interacting with the Fab 50 Character Collection through all theme parks and watch the bands light up during the new nighttime shows.

Hey Disney! Adds Magic to Amazon Alexa in 2022! Disney is creating its own custom voice assistant using Alexa technology for supported Amazon Echo devices. This will begin rolling out in Disney Resort hotel guest rooms across Walt Disney World in 2022. Guests will be able to learn more helpful information about their vacation, order room amenities and more with their new “Disney Magical Companion.” This feature will also be available for purchase in your home on your Alexa device, plus a fun new stand you can pre-order now!;)

Golden Disney Fab 50 Character Collection. These golden sculptures are spread across the four theme parks in honor of the 50th anniversary. Fifty characters are featured in total.

Celebratory Food and Drink. New menu items for the celebration offer nods to the resort’s past, while also pushing into the future of culinary delights. Some items rolling out include Cheese Fries with Walt’s Chili (MK), Filet Mignon with Walt’s Hash (HS), Mission to Mars Burger (MK), EARidescent Croissant Doughnut (Epcot), EARidescent Ice Dream Cone (Blizzard Beach water park) and so much more…

Mickey and Friends dressed for the occasion. Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Daisy, Goofy, Plus and Chip & Dale are all dressed in their EARidescent sparkling new looks, custom made for this special occasion. The characters will make appearances at the parks as well as at Disney Resort hotels dressed in their best.

Will there be special merchandise? Of course, this is a no brainer!;) These new items include apparel, accessories, plush, homeware, keepsakes, collectibles and much, much, more!

Are there any changes to the resorts? Yes! The A-frame tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort is being completely refurbished. Plus, the resort’s lobby restaurant is renamed Steakhouse 71, offering a new dining experience. Guest rooms were also reimagined at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, including a fresh new look with details from the movie Moana. And the new porte chochere will impress any guest to enter the resort.

For more information about the 50th anniversary celebration visit DisneyWorld.com/50 and DisneyParksBlog.com, plus follow #DisneyWorld50 on social media platforms. Were you alive when Disney World opened? Have you ever been? Will you plan a trip for the 50th anniversary? All images provided by DISNEY!