Your Guide to Walt Disney World's 50th Anniversary Celebration!

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 will celebrate its 50th Anniversary in 2021. The event will officially kick off on October 1, 2021, and will last for a full 18 MONTHS!

Partners Statue in Magic Kingdom

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

©Disney

“EARidescence” — Transforming the Park’s Icons

Disney shares that “Our Disney teams are creating 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

For instance, Magic Kingdom’s Cinderella Castle will be further enhanced from its recent makeover with gold bunting and a 50th Anniversary crest.

Cinderella Castle Concept Art ©Disney

In fact, the icons at all four parks will ALL be transformed into “Beacons of Magic” at night!

©Disney

Guests admiring Animal Kingdom’s Tree of Life will enjoy the sight of enchanted fireflies surrounding it in the evenings.

©Disney

And the Hollywood Tower Hotel at Disney’s Hollywood Studios will receive “special new touches” to brighten up the night, as well!

©Disney

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

©Disney

Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse

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

©Disney

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…”

©Disney

While we await further details such as any special events, merchandise, snacks, and more that are bound to be part of the big occasion, we’re sharing information here that you can use right now in case you’re planning to celebrate Walt Disney World’s 50th Anniversary with a trip to the Resort in 2021!

Making Your 50th Anniversary Plans

2021 and 2022 Walt Disney World Vacation Packages

In October 2020, Walt Disney World Vacation Packages were released for dates through the end of 2021. And as of February 2021, Vacation Packages (meaning a Disney World resort hotel and tickets), tickets-only, or room-only bookings are also available for 2022. Trips may currently be booked through an arrival date of June 30th, 2022, or 499 days out. Note that tickets (not rooms or vacation packages) can be purchased through the end of 2022 at this time.

Vacation Fun at the Mickey Shorts Theater

So if you plan to visit for the Big Day — or beyond! — you can start making plans right now!

Disney World Park Pass Reservations

As part of new safety measures established for the reopening of Walt Disney World in 2020, Disney implemented a new system whereby guests are required to have a Disney Park Pass Reservation to visit one of the four theme parks.

Walt Disney World website screenshot

Though we’re not certain how long Disney World will be using this system, you can secure your reservation now (with the purchase of a valid ticket) in case they are, as dates are currently open for reservations through January 14, 2023. (Please note that Park Pass availability can and does fluctuate, so it’s worth checking for availability with some frequency to see if park passes have been replenished for any date, including the official 50th Anniversary on October 1, 2021.)

EPCOT’s Spaceship Earth

And, as a reminder, the option to Park Hop (visit more than one park in a day) made its return on January 1, 2021, and you can click here to learn more about the reintroduction of this feature in case you would like to have this option for your upcoming vacation.

Learn more about the Disney World Park Pass Reservation system here!

New Attractions, Restaurants, and Experiences in 2021

The Walt Disney World closure in response to the global health crisis in 2020 resulted in construction delays for many upcoming attractions and projects around the Resort. Though updated timelines have not been announced for all of the projects, Disney has shared that select new attractions are on track for a 2021 opening!

Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure — Opening in 2021

In EPCOT, Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure will open in the France pavilion in 2021!

Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure

Also coming to the pavilion will be a brand new restaurant which will combine both table service and counter service dining. Look for La Crêperie de Paris to open in 2021 as well!

Additional Projects and Updated Timelines

Currently under construction in Magic Kingdom’s Tomorrowland, TRON Lightcycle Run was originally slated to open in 2021 in time for the 50th Anniversary celebration.

TRON: Lightcycle Power Run is Coming to Disney World

Reportedly, however, the project has met with delays, and we will continually update our TRON Lightcycle Run page with the latest information.

Learn more about TRON Lightcyle Run here!

Guests at the Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser will “board a starship alive with characters and stories that unfold all around them.”

The experience, originally scheduled to open in 2021, will be unlike any other Disney destination anywhere. This all-new Resort experience will offer a two-night itinerary, meaning that guests will arrive and depart together (similar to a cruise). The Halcyon will be your starcruiser base for this completely immersive adventure!

We are currently keeping a close eye on the potential for adjusted timelines for this unique project, and will be keeping you posted here on the Disney Food Blog!

Take a closer look at the Galactic Starcruiser here!

What’s New NOW

The Resort has already been busy making preparations for the celebration with refurbishments and refreshments to classic landmarks around Walt Disney World.

Cinderella Castle Makeover

Speaking of landmarks… is there any landmark in all of Walt Disney World that is more iconic than Magic Kingdom’s Cinderella Castle?

Cinderella Castle

Well, the Castle has already received a pretty major makeover ahead of the 50th Anniversary. Guests will see a new pink hue and bright blue and gold accents decorating the Castle as they stroll down Main Street, U.S.A.!

Magic Kingdom Entrance

The classic Magic Kingdom entrance sign has also received a refreshed iridescent rose gold finish on the WELCOME banner and and other finishing touches.

Magic Kingdom Entrance

Walt Disney World Main Entrance Gates

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

Walt Disney World Gateway

We hope you visit this page often as details are announced for the exciting 50th Anniversary of Walt Disney World Resort!

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