HAPPY 50TH ANNIVERSARY, WALT DISNEY WORLD! The entertainment icon celebrates a major milestone beginning October 2021. BY BROOKE FEHR
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f you immediately think of world-class attractions when you hear “Orlando,” you’re not alone. And while Florida tourism certainly predates Walt Disney World, it’s hard to overestimate the impact that the mammoth resort has had on Central Florida. In 2021, we celebrate 50 years of Walt Disney World, an anniversary that the company is marking in a myriad of ways, spanning 18 months. Here, we share some of the fete’s details, from new daytime and nighttime shows, to new openings and perks for resort guests. Look for plenty of delightful surprises (and yes, more than a sprinkling of pixie dust) to continue rolling out for the foreseeable future.
NIGHTTIME: LOOK TO THE SKIES AND BEACONS OF MAGIC
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Nighttime spectaculars have long been a hallmark of a Disney theme park visit. In October, Disney launched two long-awaited 30
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new shows. At Magic Kingdom, guests can gather for “Disney Enchantment,” which replaced “Wishes.” The new show aims to inspire audiences to believe in the power of magic, and will combine music, lighting, fireworks, and projection. For the first time, Disney will extend the projection effects down Main Street for an unparalleled, immersive experience. At EPCOT, guests are finally getting to experience Harmonious, a new show that was originally expected to debut in 2020. The performance, one of the largest Disney has ever produced, pays homage to the power of song to tell stories and unite humankind, and incorporates pyrotechnics and fountains, in addition to lighting and media. The music from the show brings together 240 artists from around the world performing familiar Disney tunes in more than a dozen languages. In addition to the new nighttime shows, all four parks have debuted visual enhancements to their central icons. Magic Kingdom’s Cinderella Castle receives a healthy dose of pixie
