This morning I attended a Media-Exclusive Virtual Showcase for The World’s Most Magical Celebration to honor the Walt Disney World Resort’s 50th Anniversary! **All photos courtesy of Disney**
I was so excited to be one of the first to learn about all the new magical attractions, nighttime spectaculars, restaurants, entertainment, EARidescent décor, and much more awaiting guests during this 18-month event starting tomorrow, October 1st! There are a lot of other new things planned for 2022 as well! I haven’t been to Walt Disney World since February 2020, but watching everything made me want to book a flight immediately!
The Walt Disney Resort first opened to the public on October 1, 1971 and in the past 5 decades has brought magic to millions of guests all over the world. And now, Cinderella’s Castle at Magic Kingdom Park, will welcome 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.
Here is a closer look at what other magic you can look forward to celebrating starting tomorrow at the Walt Disney World Resort!
Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure + La Crêperie de Paris
We are big fans of Ratatouille in our home. In fact, it’s my son’s favorite Disney movie. And we can’t wait to ride this attraction at EPCOT as soon as we are back at Walt Disney World. We saw the construction and transformation when we were in Walk Disney World for the Disney Creators Celebration last February. EPCOT’s France Pavilion in the World Showcase has been expanded to include Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure where guests will be whisked into the flavorful world of Disney and Pixar’s Academy Award®-winning film “Ratatouille.” According to Disney, “in this family-friendly attraction, guests feel as if they shrink to the size of Chef Remy and scurry through Gusteau’s famous restaurant.”
Also debuting is a delicious new restaurant called La Crêperie de Paris, offering both table and quick-service options. The menu features sweet crepes, savory buckwheat galettes (naturally gluten friendly so yay for me) and authentic French hard cider. The attraction and restaurant’s grand opening is October 1, 2021.
EPCOT’s Harmonious
EPCOT’s new Nighttime Spectacular called Harmonious Reimagines also debuts on October 1, 2021. Harmonious is one of the largest nighttime spectaculars ever created for a Disney park. According to Disney, “This new show 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 will feature new interpretations of classic Disney songs in more than a dozen languages, performed by a diverse group of 240 artists from around the world.
Magic Kingdom’s Disney Enchantment
The Magic Kingdom’s new nighttime spectacular is called Disney Enchantment and also debuts on October 1. 2021. This extraordinary 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, U.S.A! The video imagery I saw this morning looked phenomenal! 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. I heard the song this morning and it is so good!
Beacons of Magic
The Walt Disney World theme parks transform at night into magnificent Beacons of Magic, coming to life with their own EARidescent glow. The Beacons of Magic will be shown on nightly at select theme parks starting on October 1, 2021.
• 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.
• 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.
Animal Kingdom’s Disney Kitetails
Disney Kitetails is a new daytime entertainment at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park. Beginning October 1, 2021, Kitetails will be located at the Discovery River Theater. According to Disney, “performers will 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.”
Hey Disney!
Disney has created its own custom voice assistant using Alexa technology for supported Amazon Echo devices called “Hey Disney!” This new voice assistant will respond to vocal prompts, bringing Disney characters and stories to life at Walt Disney World Resorts hotel guest rooms across Walt Disney World in 2022. Access will be offered as an optional, complimentary feature during guest stays. “Hey Disney!” can also help with weather forecasts, timers, alarms, etc. yet with more magic because of the help of popular characters such as Mickey Mouse, Olaf, C-3PO and many more. And according to Disney, “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 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.
MagicBand+
We were able to use our first MagicBand when we were at Walt Disney World back in February 2020 and are so excited that the MagicBand+ will be released in 2022! Walt Disney World Resort initially introduced the MagicBand in 2013, so guests could experience the theme parks and resorts more conveniently and hands-free. And now, the next- generation MagicBand+ will come alive at various times with color-changing lights, haptic vibrations, and gesture recognition.
According to Disney, 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.
Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser
Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser will debut on March 1, 2022 and will immerse guests in a galaxy far, far away by going beyond anything Disney has created before. According to Disney, “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, 2021. How exciting and magical does this sound? We are BIG fans of Star Wars, and I saw video examples of how this will look and work, and it looks truly out of this world!
Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind
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. According to Disney, “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!”
Space 220 Restaurant
The new Space 220 restaurant is an expansion of the Mission: SPACE pavilion at EPCOT. This new restaurant will offer daytime and nighttime views of Earth from 220 miles above the planet’s surface. Guests will 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. I cannot wait to dine here one day!
Food and Beverage
During its 50th anniversary celebration, Walt Disney World will debut new menu items for the 50th anniversary celebration. 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
Novelty items developed for the celebration, including popcorn buckets, mugs and sippers, are available beginning Oct. 1, 2021, and continue to roll out across Walt Disney World throughout “The World’s Most Magical Celebration.”
Disney Parks Blog
Please go to Disney Parks Blog tonight at 7:15pm PT/10:15pm ET for a virtual sneak peek at the new nighttime spectacular Disney Enchantment before it debuts tomorrow!
I shared just an overview of what guests can experience at the Walt Disney World Resort to celebrate the 50th anniversary, but there is so much more! Please go to Disney Parks Blog for more!
#DisneyWorld50
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