Guests were first welcomed to The Most Magical Place on Earth with the opening of Magic Kingdom on October 1, 1971. And Walt Disney World Resort is celebrating its 50th Anniversary in a HUGE WAY. The event officially kicked off on October 1, 2021, and will continue for a full 18 MONTHS!

We are so excited to share what Disney is calling “The World’s Most Magical Celebration” with you right here on the DFB!

It’s a truly unforgettable time to visit The Most Magical Place on Earth!

Disney World was re-dedicated ahead of the October 1st celebration.

And we’re glad you’re joining us along the way — from Day One throughout the entire 18 month celebration!

All-New Shows, Attractions, and Restaurants

Disney Enchantment — A New Nighttime Spectacular

Let’s start things off with a bang... The World’s Most Magical Celebration features a BRAND-NEW nighttime spectacular in Magic Kingdom called Disney Enchantment!

This new fireworks show showcases memorable music, enhanced lighting, and immersive projection effects that extend down Main Street, U.S.A. You can CLICK HERE to see pictures AND videos of this beautiful and stunning production!

Learn everything there is to know about Disney Enchantment here!

Harmonious at EPCOT — A New Nighttime Spectacular

Harmonious is EPCOT’s own brand new nighttime spectacular!

Harmonious is just one element joining several others that make up the historical transformation of the park. Disney has shared that Harmonious delivers one of the largest spectaculars ever created for a Disney park! Take a look at photos AND videos of Harmonious HERE!

Click HERE to see Harmonious in action!

Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure at EPCOT — A New Attraction

In EPCOT, Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure officially opened in the France pavilion on October 1, 2021!

We were fortunate to attend a preview of Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure on September 1, 2021, and then an additional ride through at a special event on September 3rd. We are so excited to share this fun adventure with you!

YOU can RIDE WITH US on Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure HERE!

La Crêperie de Paris at EPCOT — A New Restaurant

Also new to the pavilion is a brand new Table Service restaurant, La Crêperie de Paris!

It is joined by a new Quick Service window, Crêpes À Emporter. 

Both of these new eateries also officially opened on October 1, 2021. We have been able to dine at each during recent previews, and you can find our review of La Crêperie de Paris here. 

Click HERE for our review of La Crêperie de Paris!

Disney KiteTails at Disney’s Animal Kingdom — A New Daytime Show

Disney KiteTails is a new Animal Kingdom daytime show at the Discovery River Amphitheater!

The show features performers flying windcatchers and kites with elaborate three-dimensional kites depicting Simba, Zazu, Baloo, and King Louie over the water. (Some of the pieces are 30 feet long!) And the whole show takes place to the beat of iconic Disney songs!

You can see the beautiful — and ENORMOUS — kites in action in videos (and LOTS of pictures) HERE!

Learn more about Disney KiteTails HERE!

Steakhouse 71 at Disney’s Contemporary Resort — A New Restaurant

Steakhouse 71 — and the accompanying Steakhouse 71 Lounge — both opened on the BIG DAY of October 1st, too! You’ll find them in Disney’s Contemporary Resort. 

The “71” is, of course, a nod to the opening year of Walt Disney World. What better way to celebrate? 

Click HERE to find our FULL review of lunch at Steakhouse 71!

“EARidescence” — Transforming the Park’s Icons

Disney previously shared that the Disney teams created “all sorts of new decorations that will shimmer and sparkle all day and into the night.” And they’ve even come up with a new word — “EARidescence” to describe the way the parks will glow for the celebration!

Magic Kingdom’s iconic Cinderella Castle has been further enhanced with gold bunting, banners, and a gorgeous 50th Anniversary crest.

You’ll see even MORE decorations on the pillars that extend from the Castle!

They feature concept art from the animated feature Cinderella.

The icons at all four parks transform into “Beacons of Magic” at night! The evening transformation of Cinderella Castle is truly breathtaking.

Click HERE to see more pictures of Cinderella Castle’s NEW nighttime look for the Anniversary!

Guests admiring Animal Kingdom’s Tree of Life will see it come alive with bright hues rotating between red, blue, green, purple, and more!

Click HERE to watch the Tree of Life’s evening transformation!

And the Hollywood Tower Hotel at Disney’s Hollywood Studios is brightening up the night, as well!

Click HERE to see photos and VIDEO of the Hollywood Tower Hotel as a Beacon of Magic!

EPCOT’s Spaceship Earth, in particular, will remain transformed even beyond the official Anniversary Celebration, with permanent new lighting that SHINES across the icon’s signature reflective panels, “connecting to one another and resembling stars in a nighttime sky.” 

The stunning transformation is known as “Points of Light.” The colors around Spaceship Earth transition from shades of purple to pink and red.

Keep in mind that these colors can shift on any given night at any given time — you’ll never know what colors Spaceship Earth will be showing off when you’re there!

See EPCOT’S Spaceship Earth transformed by “Points of Light” HERE!

Disney Characters

Mickey’s Celebration Cavalcade

Your Hosts with the Most — Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse — are all dressed up for the big occasion with NEW costumes unique to the celebration!

After all, in the words of Walt Disney, “I only hope that we never lose sight of one thing — that it was all started by a mouse…” 

They are, in fact, joined by the WHOLE GANG…

…as Donald Duck, Daisy Duck, Goofy, Pluto, and Chip ‘n’ Dale have all received NEW custom-made EARidescent makeovers, which you can see in Mickey’s Celebration Cavalcade!

There’s nothing better than celebrating with these fantastic friends!

See more photos and a VIDEO of Mickey’s Celebration Cavalcade here!

Happy Anniversary, pals!

Disney Fab 50 Golden Sculptures

50 classic Disney pals are being honored with special golden character sculptures around all 4 parks!

The spectacular group being referred to as the Disney Fab 50 includes — of course! — Mickey and Minnie Mouse on display near Cinderella Castle in Magic Kingdom!

They’re joined by faithful friends like Goofy and Pluto!

Keep your eyes peeled for characters all around the Castle in Magic Kingdom (and even beyond — into Fantasyland and Adventureland!), including a somewhat-hidden Tinker Bell!

Click HERE to see even more Magic Kingdom character statues!

In Animal Kingdom, we’ve spotted a few fabulous friends, too, including this lovely tribute to Bambi and Thumper!

Of course, we’ve also seen pals from The Lion King and more, and you can see them here.

Click HERE to see the Animal Kingdom Character Statues!

EPCOT is in on the golden fun, as well…

…with FIGMENT leading the way, among other statues!

Click HERE to see the statues that have arrived in EPCOT!

And Hollywood Studios is where you’ll find characters from a galaxy far, far away.

You’ll also notice golden friends from Toy Story, The Incredibles, and more.

See a Photo Tour of the character statues in Disney’s Hollywood Studios HERE!

From Pinocchio to Baby Groot to Flounder and Sebastian, and SO many more…

…you won’t want to miss ANY of these gorgeous golden displays! There are a total of 30 statues representing 50 characters.

Want to see ALL the Fab 50 Character Statues? We’re showing you everywhere to find them all HERE!

We’ve even got a FREE DFB Printable to help you locate the statues when you’re in the parks!

P.S. Disney has even shared that there will be surprising ways we’ll be able to interact with the sculptures as part of the celebration with NEW interactive MagicBands coming in 2022!

Disney World Resort Hotels

Character Caravans

Disney pals are making SURPRISE celebration stops at Disney Resort hotels, too! Keep an eye out for the Character Caravan…

…because if you see it, that means a few special friends are dropping by to say “Happy Anniversary!”

P.S. Take a gander at Goofy’s golden shoes! Looking great, Goofy!

Click HERE for photos and a video of Disney Pals arriving at a Disney World Resort!

Resort Hotel Anniversary Touches

Additional Anniversary touches at the resort include an update to the Must-Do Disney television show which plays in Resort guest rooms. It’s great to tune in to see everything going on around Disney World and set the tone for a magical day!

Room keys (known as Key to the World cards) have received an Anniversary makeover, too!

Extra Resort Anniversary Fun

We’ve even spotted a fun 50th Anniversary-themed Scavenger Hunt at a few Resorts!

Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort and Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort are where we’ve done a little exploring AND learning about classic Magic Kingdom attractions!

Disney World Cast Member Tributes

Even Cast Member name tags are shining a little brighter!

Disney Live Entertainment graphic designer Brett Owens helped with the design, saying their team “really wanted to create a special way to say, ‘Thank you!’ to the cast, as well as give them something to have as a reminder they were here for this special time in our history.”

See more Cast Member name tags here!

Past, present, and future cast members are also honored with a plaque in the hub in front of Cinderella Castle tucked between the golden character statues of Mickey and Minnie.

It thanks cast members for “making Walt Disney’s dream a reality.” 

“The Magic Is Calling” — The 50th Anniversary Anthem

An original anthem has been created for Disney World’s 50th anniversary! Disney shared that “The Magic Is Calling” was created by platinum-selling songwriter and music producer Alana Da Fonseca, award-winning composer Emily Bear, and singing phenom Journi. The three came together together to make a song that is, “all at once nostalgic, inspirational, and contemporary.”

“The Magic Is Calling” connects all four parks by playing when each theme park icon transforms into a Beacon of Magic at night, using different arrangements of the song. It is also included in special live entertainment moments across Walt Disney World, including Mickey’s Celebration Cavalcade every day in Magic Kingdom. You can hear a bit in the video below provided by Disney (or by streaming the song on major music platforms🙂 ).

Custom arrangements are even being performed by groups such as Magic Kingdom’s Main Street Philharmonic and Dapper Dans, Animal Kingdom’s Discovery Island Drummers, and EPCOT’S Voices of Liberty!

Special 50th Anniversary Events

The beloved California Grill at Disney’s Contemporary Resort is presenting a 50th Anniversary Celebration Menu!

The restaurant is offering a limited-time 3-course prix-fixe menu of dishes inspired by past favorites as well as brand new creations, and you can learn more here.

See our FULL REVIEW of the 50th Anniversary Celebration at California Grill here!

50th Anniversary Entertainment Enhancements

The beloved Electrical Water Pageant has been a Disney World Resort tradition sailing Bay Lake and the Seven Seas Lagoon since 1971.

And this water parade has added new sparkling scenes for the 50th anniversary!

The new celebratory scenes also feature a version of the 50th anniversary anthem song “The Magic is Calling.”

Click HERE to learn more about where you can view this Disney World tradition with NEW Anniversary scenes!

Signs, Banners, and Additional Anniversary Touches

Walt Disney World Main Entrance Gates

Guests are now welcomed to The Most Magical Place on Earth as they pass under the newly refurbished main Walt Disney World Entrance Gates!

The new gates have received their own 50th Anniversary medallions.

It’s a very fitting welcome as we prepare for The World’s Most Magical Celebration!

See how you’ll be welcomed into Walt Disney World here!

You can certainly see that celebratory signs and banners have popped up everywhere!

In September 2021, a brand new 50th Anniversary sign arrived at the entrance to Magic Kingdom to set an even more stunning scene!

And, of course, what’s a celebration without a CAKE??? Magic Kingdom’s entrance has one of those, too!

The new touches even extend down Main Street, U.S.A., where you’ll spot the classic clock with its new golden makeover.

Pretty, isn’t it? 🙂

If you’ve ever visited Magic Kingdom in the fall, you may be familiar with the happy sight of Mickey Pumpkins on the lamp posts lining Main Street. However, for this special occasion…

…the pumpkins magically transformed into Cinderella’s Pumpkin Coach for the Anniversary!

Even the POPCORN BOXES around Disney World have gotten dressed up for the party!

And DITTO goes for the Refillable Popcorn Buckets!

I personally can’t think of a better way to celebrate 😉 !

Disney Transportation

Disney World Transportation has gotten in on the festivities, too!

You may spot Anniversary designs on the Disney World buses…

…select Disney Skyliner gondolas (which you can bring home)…

…and Monorail Gold!

Some of the Disney buses have also been sporting some special 50th Anniversary messages.

P.S. The Monorails even rock new Party Lights at night!

So be sure to LOOK EVERYWHERE for 50th Anniversary fun!

Click HERE to see the 50th Anniversary-themed Skyliner Gondola!

It’s All In the Disney World Anniversary Details

Everywhere you look, you’ll spot tribute to this magical milestone — too many, in fact, for us to include all of them here… .

So we’re providing some links below so you can see a few more of our favorite Anniversary touches around the Resort!

• Park Maps have featured some EARidescence of their own!
• Annual Passholders can get special 50th Anniversary cards.
• Colorful 50th Anniversary cups will hold your sips throughout the celebration.
• Have YOU noticed this incredibly subtle tribute to the 50th Anniversary hidden in this popular Disney World attraction?
• Check out special Disney PhotoPass opportunities and Magic Shots here and here!

50th Anniversary Eats and Treats

Disney chefs and mixologists have “cooked up” 150+ (!!!) specialty treats in honor the 50th Anniversary!

Disney has shared that “Disney chefs and mixologists have created more than 150 sips and bites full of color, whimsy, and a touch of EARidescent shimmer.” 

Even better… MORE treats will become available throughout the 18-month long party!!

Disney has also shared that the inspirations for these once-in-a-lifetime items include recipes for Walt Disney’s personal favorite dishes, Walt Disney World Resort rides from both the past and the present, Disney Characters, and “nostalgic dishes from 1971.” And even some ol’ classics have gotten dressed up for the celebration.

And we’ve grabbed a TON OF TREATS to review for you.

Click HERE to find all of our 50th Anniversary FOOD REVIEWS!!

Oh! And we’ve ranked ALL of the 50th Anniversary Treats in Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom, EPCOT, AND Magic Kingdom so you don’t miss out on the BEST 50th Anniversary Snacks!!

Click HERE to find our FIVE MUST-TRY 50th Anniversary Snacks!

50th Anniversary Merchandise

As you might imagine, there is a TON of commemorative merchandise for the 50th Anniversary!

A Limited-Time Pre-Celebration collection first hit the shelves in August.

See the FIRST 50th Anniversary merchandise that arrived in Disney World HERE!

The Celebration Collection

The Celebration Collection features items showcasing Mickey and Minnie (and pals!) in hues of blue, gold, and that special EARidescence on everything from hats and apparel (including Crocs!) to backpacks and blankets to mugs and MUCH more merchandise — you can see it all HERE!

Oh, BOY! We’ve already spotted 100 pieces of 50th Anniversary merchandise, and you can see it ALL here!

The Disney Castle Collection

The Disney Castle Collection showcases pieces inspired by Cinderella Castle.

The Vault Collection

The Vault Collection is seriously perfect for vintage Disney fans with retro-themed designs.

In fact, the Marketplace Co-Op at Disney Springs has received a special overlay inspired by the Vault Collection that, as Disney says, will “take you back to 1971 the moment you walk through the doors!”

This museum-like display invites shoppers to learn about original Walt Disney World Resort attractions and hotels.

Guests are able to pose at photo opportunities with vintage props including the ride vehicle pictured above from Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride. 

Click HERE to see the complete line of vintage-inspired Vault Collection items!

At Magic Kingdom, Main Street Cinema has received its own retro-inspired overlay to showcase the Vault Collection, too!

You can also find items from the collection at EPCOT’s Port of Entry.

And the fun retro finds just keep coming…

…so we hope you’ll follow along as we keep discovering What’s New!!

Click HERE to check out more about this unique shopping experience for the Vault Collection!

The EARidescent Collection

The EARidescent Collection is full of shimmering accessories like these sparkling Minnie Mouse Ears.

But there’s more in store… and you can see it HERE!

See this shining, shimmering, splendid collection here!

The Luxe Logo Collection

The Luxe Logo Collection features upscale clothing items and accessories (like a $1,000 Mickey Ear Hat, for example!).

And that’s just a glimpse!

See ALL of the 50th Anniversary merchandise you can get online RIGHT NOW!

50th Anniversary Minnie Mouse Ears

We’re pretty sure it’s a rule that you can’t celebrate the Anniversary with a Mickey Ear Hat or pair of Minnie Ears. 😉 We’ve spotted several new pairs of Minnie Ears celebrating the 50th Anniversary. We found the first batch at the Emporium gift shop in Magic Kingdom! A new pair of Loungefly Ears is part of the Celebration Collection.

These sparking bright blue EARidescent Ears are also part of the Celebration Collection.

The third set of Ears belongs to the Disney Castle Collection. They’re absolutely stunning, AND they light up!

Click HERE to take a closer look at ALL THREE pairs of 50th Anniversary Minnie Ears!

Even more ears have now arrived for the 50th Anniversary including the $1,000 ears…

…these sparkly ears, which are priced at $750…

…and more!

There are quite a few different ears to pick from!

P.S. If you’d really like to get all dressed up for the occasion, take a look at the EXCLUSIVE  50th Anniversary Tiara!

The tiara, which we spotted at Crystal Arts on Magic Kingdom’s Main Street, U.S.A., is formed with a Mickey ear silhouette, and you can also spot Cinderella Castle and the 50th anniversary logo. When we first saw it, it was available for pre-order with shipping anticipated for mid-November. Check to see what availability for this item looks like during your visit.

More Merchandise

Even beyond the official Anniversary collections above, there is SO much merchandise hitting the scene for the celebration that we’re sharing a few more links below so you don’t miss a thing!

• See the 50th Anniversary Starbucks x Disney Tumblers HERE and HERE, Starbucks Tumblers for each individual park here, and Starbucks x Disney park pins and tote bags HERE! And those “Been There” Mugs? Yep, there are 50th versions of those, too! And they JUST KEEP COMING…
• You can get a 50th Anniversary Reusable Bag to carry your celebration souvenirs.
• 50th Anniversary jewelry includes charms by Pandora, pieces by Alex & Ani, BaubleBar, and more.
• Happy Campers at Disney’s Fort Wilderness will appreciate this special collection celebrating its history as one of Disney World’s original Resorts. And fans of Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort should check out THIS line, too!
• We love this throwback MagicBand!
• And, of course, there are oodles of collectible 50th Anniversary Disney pins!
• 50th Anniversary Wishables have hit the scene!
• Did YOU have a cup like this when you were a kid??? Or maybe you want THIS ONE these days instead?
• Here you go, Dooney & Bourke fans! (Here, too!) And here’s a collection for you, Kate Spade fans!
• Would you pay $500 for the Disney 50th Anniversary Souvenir Box?
• This 50th Anniversary Candle can make your HOME smell like a Disney Resort!
• Oh, BOY!! We love the Mickey and Minnie Vintage-inspired PLUSH! And, of course, Cinderella has her own collectible tribute for the celebration.
• 50th Anniversary Spirit Jerseys? Oh, yeah…they’re available. And they keep on coming!
• The Loungefly Disney World 50th Anniversary Mickey Mouse Mini Backpack is GOLD. And by that, we mean it’s made with ACTUAL GOLD.
• You know the traditional Mickey Watch? How about a special one for the 50th?

Click here to see ALL of the 50th Anniversary merchandise you can get online!

Special 50th Anniversary Events

The beloved California Grill at Disney’s Contemporary Resort is presenting a 50th Anniversary Celebration Menu!

The restaurant is offering a limited-time 3-course prix-fixe menu of dishes inspired by past favorites as well as brand new creations, and you can learn more here.

Find our full REVIEW of the 50th Anniversary Celebration at California Grill here!

50th Anniversary VIP Tour

A NEW, limited-time VIP Tour — the 50th Anniversary VIP Tour — highlights the rich history pf the Disney World parks and Resorts!

Bookings are available now for the 50th Anniversary Tours, which began on October 26th. Guests must be above the age of 12 to participate, and groups are limited to a maximum of six. If you’re interested in booking, call (407) 560-4033.

Click HERE to see the inclusions for the 50th Anniversary VIP Tour!

Still to Come!

Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind

In the SUMMER of 2022 (an exact date has not yet been shared), the all-new Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind coaster will open in EPCOT’s World Discovery!

Get ready to visit the Wonders of Xandar pavilion and ROCK THE GALAXY on this family-friendly omnicoaster!

MagicBand+

MagicBand+ will also make its debut in 2022.

One of the many unique features of these new interactive MagicBands will be the ability to interact with the 50th Anniversary Golden Character Statues in the parks!

Amazon’s Alexa in Disney World Hotel Rooms

A new service called “Hey, Disney!” was recently announced for Amazon’s Alexa, and soon this new feature will be a complimentary option at Disney World Resort hotels!

“Hey, Disney!” will begin to roll out in 2022 as part of the 50th Anniversary celebrations.

MORE 50th Anniversary TREATS

Disney has promised that even MORE specialty snacks will arrive throughout the celebration!

So, stay tuned HERE, my friends… .

YOUR 50th Anniversary Disney World VACATION!

DFB Anniversary Trip Packing Suggestions

Wondering what to BRING if you’re planning to head to the BIG celebration?

We’ve put together a list of things we think will be VERY helpful if you’re hitting the parks on October 1st!

Click here to see 10 Things You Need to Bring for Disney World’s 50th Anniversary!

The 50 BEST Ways to CELEBRATE!

We’ve compiled a list of the FIFTY BEST WAYS to celebrate Disney World’s 50th Anniversary!

From riding opening day attractions to fun photo-ops to eating Mickey-shaped snacks and MUCH more, we’ve got TONS of GREAT ideas to make YOUR celebration of the Anniversary extra special!

Click HERE to see the FIFTY BEST WAYS to celebrate Disney World’s 50th Anniversary!

50 Pieces of Advice for the 50th Anniversary Celebration

A vacation to Disney World for the 50th Anniversary will be a trip like no other, even if you’ve been the Resort multiple times!

We’ve compiled 50 pieces of great advice for YOUR 50th Anniversary vacation HERE!

Click HERE for FIFTY pieces of advice for your 50th Anniversary VACATION!

More Anniversary Fun

October 1, 1971

Want to travel back in time to October 1, 1971 — Walt Disney World’s Opening Day? Take a moment to make a list of the attractions, restaurants, hotels, and other forms of entertainment that YOU think were available for guests to enjoy on October 1st, 1971…

…and then see the FULL LIST  to test your knowledge HERE!

Click HERE to see EVERYTHING that opened at Magic Kingdom on October 1, 1971! And click HERE to read all about Disney World in 1971 versus NOW!

Disney Magic Makers Contest and Additional Trip Sweepstakes

Disney is also celebrating with the Disney Magic Makers contest: 50 Disney Magic Makers will win a trip to Walt Disney World Resort to celebrate its 50th Anniversary and a one-year subscription to Disney+! Magic Makers are inspiring folks and heroes who “prove magic is real and certainly felt.”

You can head to DisneyMagicMakers.com to learn more.

Click here to find out more about Disney Magic Makers!

Opening of a 25th Anniversary Time Capsule

Okay, Disney history fans…THIS is totally cool. Twenty-five years ago, Cast Members at Disney’s Contemporary Resort packed a Time Capsule to be opened during the 50th Anniversary Celebration.

On October 25th, a group of special Cast Members were invited to help Disney World dig up the time capsule and see what was inside. And thanks to this video, YOU can see what was inside, too!

Click HERE to explore the findings from Disney World’s 25th Anniversary!

The 50th Anniversary Celebration BEYOND Disney World

How to Celebrate Disney World’s 50th Anniversary at Home

If you’re not heading to the parks for the occasion, that doesn’t mean that you have to miss out on the celebration!

We’ve got all sorts of ideas for ways you can celebrate Disney World’s 50th Anniversary at home!

Click here for ways you can join in the 50th Anniversary fun at home!

ABC 50th Anniversary Special

“The Most Magical Story on Earth: 50 Years of Walt Disney World” premiered on ABC on October 1st. The two-hour special, hosted by Whoopi Goldberg, featured a variety of guests including celebrities, athletes, Disney Imagineers, and Disney executives.

It told the history of the Walt Disney World Resort, and also highlighted memorable pop culture moments, including the memorable “I’m Going to Disney World!” campaign. Viewers also learned the history of Disney’s partnership with Make-A-Wish, celebrating more than 40 years of making dreams come true. You can stream the 50th Anniversary special right now on Disney+.

New Disney World Books

Take a peek at FIVE new books about Disney World available in honor of the 50th anniversary. Along with the combination of information and features about everything available in the parks and beyond, the latest reads will have a bit of an EARidescent touch to them in honor of the event!

Click here to learn about A Portrait of Walt Disney World: 50 Years of The Most Magical Place on Earth, Delicious Disney: Walt Disney World, Art of Coloring: Walt Disney World: 100 Images to Inspire Creativity from The Most Magical Place on Earth, Birnbaum’s 2022 Walt Disney World, and Birnbaum’s 2022 Walt Disney World for Kids.

Click here to take a detailed look at the 50th Anniversary Books!

And in celebration of Disney World turning 50, the Orlando Sentinel has also published a new book: Disney World at 50: The Stories of How Walt’s Kingdom Became Magic in Orlando.

(The Orlando Sentinel is a well-known newspaper in the Disney World area and has the historical claim to fame of being the paper that broke the news that Walt Disney was buying up land in central Florida in the mid-1960s.)

Orlando International Airport

Disney World Cast Members have teamed up with the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority (GOAA) to transform the arrival experience at Orlando International Airport (MCO) as part of the 50th Anniversary!

Exciting new touches include a wide-spanning art installation in the terminal train stations featuring Disney characters, projected EARidescent light patterns, and an immersive photo opportunity with a re-creation of a Disney ride vehicle. It was also announced that a new Magic of Disney store is set to be completed in the South Terminal Complex in 2022.

See more photos of the 50th Anniversary transformation at Orlando International Airport HERE!

Disney World at 50 History Harvest

The Orange County Regional History Center in downtown Orlando is working on a Disney World at 50 Collecting Project.

The History Center is collecting digital donations including pictures, audio and video recordings, and oral histories. Submissions might be included in the Center’s permanent collection, and you can find out more here!

Disney World Giving Back

Disney has committed to giving away $3 Million in donations to local Orlando charities and organizations as a thank you to the local community as part of the celebration!

The charities include the Give Kids the World Village (an organization that helps critically ill children visit Disney World), the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Florida, the Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida, the Heart of Florida United Way, the Hope Partnership, and ELEVATE Orlando.

More Beyond-the-Parks Anniversary Fun

• A 50th Anniversary License Plate option is available for Florida Residents! All of the revenue collected from the sale of this specialty 50th Anniversary license plate is being donated to the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Central and Northern Florida.
• A brand new virtual offering is now available from the Disney Institute. The new online program is called 50 Years of Magical Learnings from Walt Disney World Resort. Disney shares that it is the “most comprehensive online-learning experience Disney Institute has ever created” and it was designed with Disney’s most “curious and passionate” fans in mind.

We hope you visit this page often as we continue to cover the exciting 50th Anniversary of Walt Disney World Resort!

Walt Disney World 50th Anniversary Details and Info

• See Photos & Reviews of All of Disney World’s 50th Anniversary Eats and Treats

• Check Out All of the 50th Anniversary Merchandise You Can Get Online

• Get a Look at Some of the 50th Anniversary Merchandise You Can Get in the Parks

• Click Here to See the 50 Best Ways to Celebrate Disney World’s 50th Anniversary

• Check Out Our 50 Pieces of Advice for Disney World’s 50th Anniversary

• Click Here to See the Best Ways to Celebrate Disney World’s 50th Anniversary from Home

• See the New 50th Anniversary Nighttime Looks for All 4 of Disney World’s Park Icons

• Check Out Our 50th Anniversary Cupcake Crawl

• Click Here to See Our Rankings of the 50th Anniversary Treats in Magic Kingdom

• See Our Rankings of the 50th Anniversary Treats in EPCOT

• Check Out Our Rankings of the 50th Anniversary Treats in Hollywood Studios

• See Our Rankings of the 50th Anniversary Treats in Animal Kingdom

Click HERE for Your Guide to Disney World’s 50th Anniversary Celebration

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