Disney is already getting ready to WDW's 50th Anniversary. Here is a list of some of the changes/improvements they are planning to WDW's attractions.
"A rumor for the 50th Anniversary of Walt Disney World, Disney is looking to add 50 "Magical Enhancements" for the 50th Anniversary. The 50th Anniversary of Walt Disney World is October 1, 2021 and enhancements could include the following:
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad - Finale explosion that was recently added to Disneyland and Disneyland Paris
Walt Disney World Railroad - Small scenes added to the track.
Carousel of Progress - New finale scene and general freshening of the attraction
"it's a small world" - Addition of the Disney characters, similar to what was done in Disneyland and Hong Kong Disneyland.
Tower of Terror - New effects in the drop shafts.
Expedition Everest - A repair for the Yeti as well as the potential for other enhancements.
Other attractions that may see attention include Peter Pan's Flight, The Haunted MAnsion, Spaceship Earth, The American Adventure, The Seas with Nemo and Friends and more.
It is unknown if all projects will be completed during the anniversary year or leading up to the anniversary year." Courtesy of WDWThemeParks
Since the last post on this thread, we have advanced two years closer to Walt Disney World 50th Anniversary. With just under two years to go until the official 50th Anniversary, October 1, 2021, I found some information worth posting.
Previously, the resort anniversary celebrations had occurred in just Magic Kingdom. But for this celebration and for the first time ever, the 50th anniversary in 2021 will have celebrations in all four parks! In doing so, all parks will be offering something special, from a new fireworks spectacular at the Magic Kingdom with added projection mapping throughout Main Street to a new daytime lagoon show at Epcot and even a new version of Rivers of Light over at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
Disney has also released the logo and name for Walt Disney World 50th Anniversary. As you can see in the picture below, the logo shows Cinderella Castle displayed in rainbow and iridescent colors with and art deco style "50" in the middle. The title for the 50th Anniversary will be “The World’s Most Magical Celebration”.
It was announced in October 2020 that Disney would be offering the first-ever specialty Walt Disney World license plate in honor of the 50th Anniversary. As an update, according to data from the Florida Department of Motor Vehicles, the Walt Disney World license plate is roughly halfway to the required pre-sale goal to get the license plate made.
Since the October 2020 announcement, there have been nearly 1,500 pre-sale vouchers sold – half of the required 3,000 pre-sales needed to get the plate made. The license plate is only available for Florida-registered car owners, and a pre-sale voucher can only be purchased in-person at local Department of Motor Vehicle offices. Walt Disney World has not released an image of the design.
Prior: Offsite most every other years from 1972 - 2000
Most recent: Offsite 2001 & 2003 / ASM 2006 / Offsite 2009 / Poly 2011 / POR 2013 / CR 2014 / GF 2015 / DS Hotel 2017 / BC 2017 / POR 2018
Last month, Good Morning America shared a sneak peek at the Walt Disney World 50th Anniversary celebration. Here is the video Disney shared as a teaser.
Disney Parks Blog announced some more information about the 50th Anniversary. Here is what they are saying...
"Beginning Oct. 1, Walt Disney World Resort will throw “The World’s Most Magical Celebration” in honor of our 50th anniversary, bringing new experiences to our four theme parks and beyond. This milestone is such a big deal, we’ve even coined a new word – “EARidescence” – to describe what you’ll see when you visit. Our Disney teams are creating all sorts of new decorations that will shimmer and sparkle all day and into the night.
As part of the celebration, Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom Park will add to its royal makeover from last year. As you can see in this new artist rendering, the castle will feature golden bunting and a 50th anniversary crest as part of its festive new look.
The castle will add even more magic at night, joined by icons at each of the other three theme parks as they transform into Beacons of Magic. In the video above, you can get a feel for what they’ll look like, with pixie dust on Cinderella Castle, magical fireflies inhabiting the Tree of Life at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park, and special new touches coming to life on the Hollywood Tower Hotel at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
And at EPCOT, new lights will shine across the reflective panels of Spaceship Earth, connecting to one another and resembling stars in a nighttime sky. This permanent new lighting will continue beyond “The World’s Most Magical Celebration” as a defining feature of the park." ourtesy of Disney Parks Blog)
The former President of Walt Disney World George Kalogridis has just been named to a new position – Global Ambassador for Walt Disney World’s 50th Anniversary Celebration. Kalogridis will take on the new role in addition to his current role as President of Segment Development and Enrichment for Disney Parks, Experiences and Products.
In September of 1971, at age 17, George began his Disney Parks career as a busboy at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, helping to open Walt Disney World. Kalogridis previously held various titles at other Disney theme parks such as President of Disneyland Resort, COO of Disneyland Paris, Senior VP of Resort Operations at Disneyland Resort, VP of EPCOT, and more.
Kalogridis is no stranger to anniversary celebrations, most recently overseeing the 45th Anniversary of Walt Disney World back in 2016.
Last month, Good Morning America shared a sneak peek at the Walt Disney World 50th Anniversary celebration. Here is the video Disney shared as a teaser.
We were pleasantly surprised that our October trip puts us at Disney during their opening of the 50th Anniversary Celebration. Lol, yes....I know....it’s going to be “crowded”. But, we are only in the parks 3 days this year (we are leaving EPCOT out to give us some down time at the resort. When we picked our dates, we honestly joked about how cool it would be to be there for the grand celebration! And look at us now!
Last month, Good Morning America shared a sneak peek at the Walt Disney World 50th Anniversary celebration. Here is the video Disney shared as a teaser.
We were pleasantly surprised that our October trip puts us at Disney during their opening of the 50th Anniversary Celebration. Lol, yes....I know....it’s going to be “crowded”. But, we are only in the parks 3 days this year (we are leaving EPCOT out to give us some down time at the resort. When we picked our dates, we honestly joked about how cool it would be to be there for the grand celebration! And look at us now!
Glad to hear you got park reservations for those days. I hear they sold out for Magic Kingdom back in January. I hope you have a great time and let us know how things were when you get back from your trip.
Safe travels!!
Prior: Offsite most every other years from 1972 - 2000
Most recent: Offsite 2001 & 2003 / ASM 2006 / Offsite 2009 / Poly 2011 / POR 2013 / CR 2014 / GF 2015 / DS Hotel 2017 / BC 2017 / POR 2018
Disney finally released the design of the 50th Anniversary license plate.
The new plate features the “EARidescent” 50th anniversary castle logo on a majestic royal blue background. Inspired by the color scheme of Cinderella Castle, this magical plate is currently available for presale and will also help make even more dreams true, with 100 percent of the proceeds benefiting Make-A-Wish of Central and Northern Florida and their work granting wishes for children with life-threatening medical conditions.
Interested drivers can purchase a presale voucher* now for $25 plus applicable state administration fees exclusively through their local County Tax Collector’s Office, license plate agencies (DMVs) across the State of Florida, or online through the Orange County Tax Collector’s Office at www.octaxcol.com/specialty-license-plate-vouchers/.
Disney has a longstanding relationship with Make-A-Wish, dating back to 1980, and since then, more than 140,000 Disney-inspired wishes have been granted, including thousands taking place at Walt Disney World Resort. This license plate is a unique opportunity to commemorate 50 years of Central Florida magic.
We were pleasantly surprised that our October trip puts us at Disney during their opening of the 50th Anniversary Celebration. Lol, yes....I know....it’s going to be “crowded”. But, we are only in the parks 3 days this year (we are leaving EPCOT out to give us some down time at the resort. When we picked our dates, we honestly joked about how cool it would be to be there for the grand celebration! And look at us now!
Glad to hear you got park reservations for those days. I hear they sold out for Magic Kingdom back in January. I hope you have a great time and let us know how things were when you get back from your trip.
Safe travels!!
That is great Missybee, sure hope you and your family have a fantastic time. We thought by this coming fall, things would be closer to normal and would give us the chance to be back. Then we realized it would be the 50th anniversary on top of all that is still going on. Now our plans have changed to next year, kind of like old times, when raising a family and unfortunately work came first and going to WDW had to be postponed to a future date. Please keep us posted as to your experience and fun. Like the rest of you, we can only wish to be there and enjoying life once again.
A couple months ago, Disney announced the Walt Disney World Cast Members will be receiving a new name tag celebrating the 50th Anniversary. The 50th Anniversary will be a 18-month celebration that begins October 1st.
Here is Disney's announcement:
Cast members have been the heart of the Walt Disney World Resort for nearly 50 years. We hear time and time again that it’s cast who are the magic – the icing on the cake of the memories guests make here at The Most Magical Place on Earth.
As we embark on the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Walt Disney World Resort, it’s only fitting that our cast members have a starring role. That’s why I’m excited to share that later this year, as part of The World’s Most Magical Celebration, Walt Disney World cast members will get to add a new nametag to their wardrobes.
Whether in costume or professionally dressed, nametags are an essential part of every cast member’s look and are worn over the heart with pride. The nametag will feature “EARidescence,” similar to the shimmering Beacons of Magic you heard about earlier this year. The resort’s 50th anniversary castle logo is in the spotlight above each cast member’s name, along with gold accents and a touch of pixie dust (of course!).