Walt Disney World Celebrates 50 Years With 'The World's Most Magical Celebration'

Walt Disney World Resort first opened in Florida on Oct. 1, 1971, extending Disney’s unique brand of magic from coast to coast. To celebrate its 50th anniversary, “The Most Magical Place on Earth” is hosting an 18-month-long, resort-wide party dubbed “The World’s Most Magical Celebration.”

“Fifty years ago, we opened the gates to Magic Kingdom, and throughout five decades, the magic has continued to grow,” said Josh D’Amaro, chairman of Disney Parks, Experiences and Products. “We’re celebrating … with new experiences to connect you to stories and characters you love, to each other as you share magical moments and to the magic in ways you’ve never dreamed of.”

Fifty years ago, we opened the gates to Magic Kingdom, and throughout five decades, the magic has continued to grow.

The milestone honors Disney World’s past but also looks to the future with new experiences, attractions, entertainment and plenty of magical “Earidescence.”

Introducing: Beacons of Magic and Earidescence

Throughout the 18-month celebration, the resort’s icons — Animal Kingdom’s Tree of Life, Hollywood Studios’ Hollywood Tower Hotel, Magic Kingdom’s Cinderella Castle and Epcot’s Spaceship Earth — transform into “Beacons of Magic” (light projections) that will inspire guests to celebrate the Magic of Nature, the Magic of Imagination, the Magic of Fantasy and the Magic of Possibilities.

“'Earidescent' (a shimmery glow) magic touches [are in] every corner of the resort during our 50th anniversary,” said David Stewart, production manager for Disney Parks Live Entertainment. "At night, all that magic and wonder flows into our icons, transforming them into magnificent Beacons of Magic, calling everybody to join the celebration."

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New Attractions Worldwide

The highly anticipated U.S. version of Disneyland Paris’ Remy's Ratatouille Adventure opened Oct. 1 in Epcot's France Pavilion to take fans of the Disney-Pixar feature "Ratatouille" (and aspiring chefs) on a wild ride through a Parisian kitchen. 

“World Showcase will always be a celebration of real countries, and now it’s also a celebration of [the] stories those countries inspired,” said Imagineer Tom Fitzgerald. “’Ratatouille’ is a Valentine to France … so bringing [Remy's Ratatouille Adventure] to France Pavilion was a natural fit.”

The 4D adventure moves riders in trackless rat-shape vehicles through immersive animated scenes enhanced by effects such as aromas and temperature changes and — notes travel advisor Steve Griswold of Pixie Vacations in Atlanta — no height restriction, which makes it a perfect option for family clients.

Another new ride coming to Epcot in 2022 is Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, the first-ever storytelling "omnicoaster" that rotates riders 360 degrees as it rockets through the “Other World Showcase Pavilion” of the planet Xandar.

Imagineer Alex Wright explained that the omnicoaster ride system brings theatrical capabilities, from classic omnimover attractions — and the ability to orient guests toward certain scenes — to a high-speed thrill attraction but riders should have no fear. Imagineer Wyatt Winter describes Cosmic Rewind as a mid-level Disney coaster. In other words, “it’s more thrilling than Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, but it’s not Rock 'n' Roller Coaster,” he said.

In addition to the Guardians of the Galaxy attraction, Epcot will also introduce Play Pavilion, where clients can interact with Disney characters (digitally and physically), and the Journey of Water experience, featuring Moana, that invites guests to engage with magical, living water.

Next spring, clients will also be able to board the first-of-its-kind Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser for an immersive two-night adventure in a galaxy far, far away.

"Galactic Starcruiser is unlike anything we’ve done before,” said Imagineer Scott Trowbridge. “It’s part luxury cruise, part interactive game, part live-action role play and part immersive theater.”

Galactic Starcruiser is unlike anything we’ve done before. It’s part luxury cruise, part interactive game, part live-action role play and part immersive theater.

New Shows, Nighttime Spectaculars and Park Entertainment

After debuting on Oct. 1, the all-new, high-flying “KiteTails” daytime show at Animal Kingdom is already a guest favorite, literally taking the stories of “The Lion King” and “The Jungle Book” to new heights with larger-than-life 3D kites, whimsical windcatchers and world-beat music.

Two new nighttime spectaculars also debuted on Oct. 1: “Harmonious” at Epcot, and “Disney Enchantment” at Magic Kingdom, which for the first time, extends state-of-the-art projection effects from Cinderella Castle all the way down Main Street U.S.A.

“'Enchantment’ takes guests on a journey alongside Disney heroes — both longtime favorites and our absolute newest — in search of the magic that makes our dreams come true,” said Mark Renfrow, show director for Disney Parks Live Entertainment.

At Epcot’s World Showcase Lagoon, the giant floating screens, choreographed fountains, lights, pyrotechnics and lasers of “Harmonious” present music and visuals from favorite films, including “Moana,” “Aladdin,” “Coco,” “The Lion King” and “Mulan” performed in 13 languages.

"Our films take place in various parts of the world, and now we hear beloved Disney songs through artists from those countries," said Shelby Jiggetts-Tivony, vice president of creative for Disney Parks Live Entertainment. "It's a wonderful opportunity to not just celebrate the music, stories and characters, but honor the cultures that inspired those films."

While there’s certainly plenty of new experiences at Walt Disney World, there’s also 50 years of history. For clients looking for a walk down memory lane, Melissa Valiquette, vice president of Magic Kingdom Park, recommends revisiting the 13 opening day attractions — and while she’s reluctant to pick a favorite, she describes Carousel of Progress as “having Walt's thumbprint on it,” making it particularly special and nostalgic.

After the challenges we’ve all had, our clients are ready to be in a happy place where they can be with people they love and forget about the difficulties — and what better way than being surrounded by a magical celebration?

“After the challenges we’ve all had, our clients are ready to be in a happy place where they can be with people they love and forget about the difficulties — and what better way than being surrounded by a magical celebration?” said Beci Mahnken of MEI-Travel in Issaquah, Wash. “With so much to see and do, some are even booking more than one trip.”

The World's Most Magical Celebration continues through Apr. 1, 2023.

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