Walt Disney World Resort in Florida will start an 18-month celebration of the attraction’s 50th anniversary on October 1, with new attractions and shows.
Called ‘The World’s Most Magical Celebration’, the theme park complex will feature golden décor on Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom Park, the new Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure attraction, and fresh night-time spectaculars and entertainment.
Based on the film Ratatouille, Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure is part of a newly expanded France pavilion, with guests exploring Gusteau’s famous restaurant as if they were the size of Remy.
A new restaurant, La Crêperie de Paris, also opens on October 1, as part of the revamp of Epcot.
Also at Epcot from October 1 will be a new night-time show called Harmonious, celebrating the songs of Disney, along with pyrotechnics, choreographed moving fountains, lighting and massive LED panels.
Another new night-time show will be Disney Enchantment at Magic Kingdom Park, featuring fireworks, music and immersive projection effects that extend from Cinderella Castle down Main Street, U.S.A.
New daytime entertainment from October 1 includes Disney KiteTails at the Discovery River Theatre, with performers flying kites of different shapes and sizes.
Fifty “Disney Fab 50 Character Collection” golden sculptures will be seen across the four Walt Disney World theme parks, including BB-8 and R2-D2 from Star Wars at Disney’s Hollywood Studios; Simba, Timon and Pumba from The Lion King at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park; and Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse at Magic Kingdom Park.
Menus will continue the golden anniversary motif with new themed dishes and novelty souvenir items will be available to buy.
A new acrobatic show called Drawn to Life – presented by Cirque du Soleil and Disney –makes its premiere on November 18.
All guest rooms in the A-frame tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort are being completely refurbished, following a recent revamp of rooms at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort.
A new song has been written for the anniversary, The Magic Is Calling, which will be heard in a variety of ways during the 18-month celebration.
Eight famous characters – Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Daisy Duck, Goofy, Pluto and Chip ‘n’ Dale – will be known as the “EARidescent 8” as they will wear sparkling new outfits for the anniversary.
Picture of Mickey and Minnie by Matt Stroshane