One of Disney World's Park Icons Is Getting a PERMANENT New Look!

Okay, we’ve already heard a TON about Disney World’s 50th anniversary today.

©Disney

We now know “The World’s Most Magical Celebration” will start on October 1st, 2021 and last for 18 months! We’ve seen how the parks will transform into “Beacons of Light,” and we’ve taken a peek at Mickey and Minnie’s new custom costumes. But with all this exciting news, maybe you missed a small detail: one of the 50th anniversary additions will become PERMANENT.

Let’s backtrack. We mentioned the “Beacons of Light” — those are mini-transformations coming to each of the 4 parks’ icons! Cinderella Castle, Spaceship Earth, the Tower of Terror, and the Tree of Life will all rock shimmery (excuse us, EARidescent) new looks.

©Disney

But one of those mini-transformations is sticking around: the (literal) glow-up coming to Spaceship Earth! There will be new lights shining across the icon’s reflective panels, which will connect to form a starry night sky. And while this makeover will debut with “The World’s Most Magical Celebration,” it’ll stay long after the 18-month party is over.

©Disney

According to Imagineer Zach Riddley, the new custom lighting features for Spaceship Earth will “literally emerge from her unique architecture.” Those lights will shine across the silver exterior panels and “connect,” which will make them look like stars glittering all over Spaceship Earth.

Disney announced a while back that Spaceship Earth would be getting programmable exterior lighting to “perfectly encapsulate the park transformation.” Is this what they meant? Riddley assures guests that Spaceship Earth’s classic look is sticking around but will be “accentuated through new colors and intensity.”

Spaceship Earth

The lighting will extend into the new main entrance fountain and World Celebration area. EPCOT is undergoing some pretty major reimagining. We get why Spaceship Earth would get some changes, too! We’ll keep you posted as we learn more about the 50th anniversary, so stay tuned to DFB!

Here’s What We Know About Disney World’s 50th Anniversary!

Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe!

Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun!

Order Your Copy of the 2021 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today!

With more than 750 pages, the 2021 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We've done the research for you, so you'll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family's needs!

With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis (and how to get FREE dining); and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you'll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet.

Click here to order your copy of the 2021 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2021 to save 25% off the cover price today!