50th Anniversary Walt Disney World- What To Expect

On Friday 1st October 2021, Walt Disney World are kicking off their 18 month long ’50th anniversary Walt Disney World’ celebration. When you look back, it’s quite incredible to see how far Disney World has come since Magic Kingdom opened its gates on October 1st, 1971. Already, this anniversary is shaping up to be one of the best yet. The parks are back open, and travel is resuming to somewhat normal operations. For us fans in the UK, travel across the Atlantic is currently set to resume in early November. Personally, we can’t wait to get out there for this anniversary and thought we’d quickly remind ourselves of everything we have to look forward to within this celebration.

Walt Disney World are bringing multiple new entertainment offerings to their parks for this anniversary. At Epcot, Harmonious, a new World Showcase lagoon show, is set to debut. Disney Kite Trails, an animal kite show, is going to be shown at Animal Kingdom. Perhaps most exciting of all the new entertainment on offer is Disney Enchantment, the brand new Magic Kingdom firework show. 

Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure is opening at Epcot. This is a trackless, screen based ride that many may be familiar with from Disneyland Paris’s Walt Disney Studios Park. In addition to this, Epcot is opening two brand new restaurants. The first is opening alongside Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure in the France Pavilion and is called La Creperie de Paris. As its name suggests, this restaurant will be serving up a delicious menu of sweet and savoury crepes. Finally, the recently opened Space 220 restaurant has also been added. This restaurant provides guests with the experience of boarding the Centauri Space Station, where they will enjoy panoramic views of the earth from space. For those that have had any past experience with space food, don’t fear! This restaurant is serving a wonderful menu of modern-American cuisine.

Mickey and friends have all received beautiful new costumes to match the decor of this celebration, which will decorate all four parks. Disney have also placed 50 gold character’s around their parks to celebrate their most iconic characters, both new and old. 

Most notable of all for Disney World’s 50th Anniversary is the brand new repaint on Cinderella’s castle. In addition to this, each of the park’s icons will also be getting a Beacons of Magic lighting package, which will make them shine along with the celebrations each night. 

Looking towards 2022 and the continuation of this celebration, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind is set to open at Epcot. MagicBand +, building on the success of the original MagicBand which debuted in 2013, is set to release early next year. MagicBand + will feature a coloured light and haptic vibrations which will interact with different elements within the parks and help enhance your visit to the park.

There are also many special dining offerings planned and tons of unique merchandise set to be on sale. 

With the parks having been closed and attendance lowered, Walt Disney World are really focusing on their 50th anniversary marketing campaign to attract guests. Personally, I’m very excited to see all that will be on offer and can’t wait to get back as soon as possible. 

Let us know what you’re most excited to see at Disney World’s 50th Anniversary!