On Oct. 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. In the five decades since, the vacation destination continued to expand with new stories and characters and adventures to cherish for a lifetime. And now with a major milestone approaching, guests can share in “The World’s Most Magical Celebration” beginning Oct. 1, 2021, in honor of the resort’s 50th anniversary.
Walt Disney World Resort will throw “The World’s Most Magical Celebration” in honor of their 50thanniversary, bringing new experiences to all four theme parks and beyond. This milestone is such a big deal, Disney even coined a new word – “EARidescence” – to describe what Guests will see when they visit. Disney teams are creating all sorts of new decorations that will shimmer and sparkle all day and into the night.
As part of the celebration, Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom Park will add to its royal makeover from last year. The castle will feature golden bunting and a 50th anniversary crest as part of its festive new look.
The castle will add even more magic at night, joined by icons at each of the other three theme parks as they transform into Beacons of Magic, including pixie dust on Cinderella Castle, magical fireflies inhabiting the Tree of Life at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park, and special new touches coming to life on the Hollywood Tower Hotel at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
And at EPCOT, new lights will shine across the reflective panels of Spaceship Earth, connecting to one another and resembling stars in a nighttime sky. This permanent new lighting will continue beyond “The World’s Most Magical Celebration” as a defining feature of the park.
Guests will also want to keep an eye out for Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse, who will have sparkling new looks for the celebration. As hosts of the event, they’ll be dressed for the occasion in custom-made fashions of EARidescent fabric with gold highlights.
We’ll have more to share about the plans for this 18-month long “The World’s Most Magical Celebration” in the future as Disney ramps up to the big day on October 1st!
I hope the castle looks as nice as the picture does. I was open to the idea of them painting the castle after seeing those renderings, but it ended up looking super heavy handed and almost nothing like the art.
Bring back all the shows and the Citizens, reopen all the resorts, reinstate the Magical Express and I’ll be back.
So in other words, Disney is doing nothing for the 50th anniversary of WDW. Pathetic, especially when gauged through the lens of how incredibly well executed in scope and experience delivered to guests Disneyland’s 50th anniversary celebration was.
Depends how you define “nothing.” Speaking for myself, a list that includes a Future World transformation, Tron Lightcycle Run, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, the new nighttime show HarmoniUS, the Play Pavillion, Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure and the Galactic Starcruiser resort doesn’t match my definition of “nothing.” Granted, some of these were affected by pandemic-related delays, but many of them were initially intended to be ready in time for the 50th celebration, and most, if not all, will be open before the celebration comes to an end several months later.
Other than Remy and Harnonious, I wouldn’t hold your breath.
I’m not holding my breath for an October 1st opening, but opening at some point during the 18-month celebration seems doable, no?
It’s not about doable, it’s about when they want to spend the money. It’s not being delayed for COVID, it’s delayed to stop spending.
Wait, so nothing special starts happening until Oct. 1? If your trip is before Oct 1, you miss out on the “special” stuff?
Yeah, that’s how that works.
I’m wondering the same thing. Won’t one think, this whole year should be a 50th thing. We’re going in April and this is the only reason we’re going now because we thought it would still be celebrated as it’s 50th, even with not having the full Disney experience (which is disappointing in itself)!
In the entire history of Walt Disney World, the Tencennial Celebration, the 15th anniversary, 20 Years of Magic, and the 25th anniversary all began on October 1st in 1981, 1986, 1991, and 1996 respectively. This shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone. At most, Disneyland began their anniversaries in May, 2 months before the actual birthday. There was no historical evidence (or new) to believe it would begin early.
I have some reservations for September 2021 , after reading this I might change them for later. But now wonder who else is doing the same ? After this info majority I think… If I keep it for September less crowded. For later apparently more magic ? Or possibly Thron ride open ? …. Decisions-decisions … lol
This site has never told anyone to plan earlier than October 1st, so I’m bewildered who told people the anniversary was sooner lol
Very True. This site has always been on of my go-to’s.
I am doing the same. I have now actually cancelled MAY 2021 (I cannot breath in masks) and I am rebooking for 14 days IN NOVEMBER 2022. More time to save and more than likely can enjoy the stay without a mask. I also don’t like going right at the beginning of a celebration I prefer later (as I did for Disney 25 in the 90s). Even though there are surely events and attractions that they have planned for and will not take place, I believe DISNEY will do their best to make the DISNEY 50 celebration more magical than an average stay. I think it’s worth the change of date. ENJOY!
And it lasted a year because I was there in May 1997 & the 25th Anniversary (Birthday cake) castle was still there.
There wasn’t Covid either No Mandatory masks etc
Exactly. That’s how it’s done. These anniversary celebrations have starting and ending dates. People who want to experience it may want to change their dates. Simple as that.
Starting from Oct 1st, you know we still are classified to be in a pandemic. Reservations only to come to parks , one park per day no hopping and restriction on hours…
No thanks. Disney has taken away all of the things we love most. It’s just not worth the money now, at all. We used to go twice a year, but we’re not going back until everything is back to pre-pandemic Disney. If that never happens, then oh well.