Walt Disney World 50th Anniversary week in review - Sep 25 to Oct 1

Oct 03, 2021 in "Walt Disney World Resort 50th Anniversary Celebration - The World’s Most Magical Celebration"

Posted: Sunday October 3, 2021 1:22pm ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

With lots of events and celebrations planned for Walt Disney World's 50th Anniversary, it's easy to forget everything that has happened this week.  Here is our roundup of events from September 25 to October 1.

Spaceship Earth

Spaceship Earth has a new lighting system creating an entirely new look for the park's icon after dark.

More about Spaceship Earth's new nighttime illumination for the 50th Anniversary Celebration

Food and drink for Walt Disney World's 50th Anniversary Celebration

Walt Disney's chefs create more than 150 unique items for 'The World Most's Magical Celebration'

See our guide on the special food available during Walt Disney World's 50th Anniversary Celebration

EPCOT's new nighttime spectacular Harmonious

Harmonious has made its debut at EPCOT, the first of two new Walt Disney World nighttime spectaculars.

See the Full POV video of EPCOT's new nighttime spectacular Harmonious

Electrical Water Pageant

Walt Disney World's Electrical Water Pageant will be updated with a new scene to celebrate Walt Disney World's 50th anniversary.



More about the Electrical Water Pageant to celebrate Walt Disney World's 50th anniversary

Orlando International Airport

A new art installation puts guests into "The World's Most magical Celebration" as soon as they arrive in Central Florida at Orlando International Airport.

More about the art installation at Orlando International Airport marking "The World's Most magical Celebration"

Philip Lawrence and Kayla Alvarez perform 'You are the Magic'

The song 'You are the Magic' will feature in the Magic Kingdom's nighttime spectacular 'Disney Enchantment'. 

More about 'You are the Magic' performed by Philip Lawrence and Kayla Alvarez to celebrate Walt Disney World's 50th anniversary

Southwest Airlines

The Boeing 737-700 features 50th anniversary logos of both Southwest Airlines and Walt Disney World Resort.

More about Southwest Airlines featuring 50th anniversary logos of Southwest Airlines and Walt Disney World Resort

ABC production of 'The Most Magical Story on Earth: 50 Years of Walt Disney World'

ABC shares preview of 'The Most Magical Story on Earth: 50 Years of Walt Disney World' including sneak peek at 'Beacons of Magic' and Harmonious

'The Most Magical Story on Earth: 50 Years of Walt Disney World' airs Friday, Oct. 1 at 8/7c on ABC, stream on Hulu starting Oct. 2, or watch on Disney+ starting Oct. 8.

Main Street Cinema - The Art of Disney

The Main Street Cinema at Magic Kingdom is now home to a new store themed to the Vault Collection 50th anniversary merchandise.

More about the new 50th anniversary Walt Disney World Vault Collection at Main Street Cinema in Magic Kingdom

EPCOT's Harmonious

World Showcase lagoon is displaying a new video sequence today as part of Walt Disney World's 50th anniversary.

More about the Harmonious daytime video sequence as part of Walt Disney World's 50th anniversary 

Walt Disney World Monorail

The monorails have a new lighting effect throughout the 18 month celebration of the 50th anniversary.

More on the Walt Disney World monorail lighting effects for Walt Disney World's 50th anniversary

Cinderella Castle 'Beacon of Magic'

Magic Kingdom celebrates its 50th anniversary with special projections on Cinderella Castle.

More about Walt Disney World's 50th anniversary Beacons of Magic at Cinderella Castle

The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror

'Beacon of Magic' special projections take place each night at Disney's Hollywood Studios at The Hollywood Tower Hotel.

Watch a video of Disney's Hollywood Studios Beacon of Magic at The Hollywood Tower Hotel

Magical Celebration begins at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom

October 1 - Walt Disney World's 50th anniversary is here, and guests are packed into a sold-out Magic Kingdom to celebrate.

More about Magical Celebrations at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom

50th Anniversary Mickey's Celebration Cavalcade at Magic Kingdom

The World's Most Magical Celebration has an all new cavalcade. The mini-parade features two floats with Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Pluto, Chip & Dale, Goofy, Daisy and Donald - all dressed in their celebration outfits.

More about 50th Anniversary Mickey's Celebration Cavalcade at Magic Kingdom

Magic Kingdom's Casey's Corner

Randy Morris returns to Casey's Corner, Main Street U.S.A. and takes to the piano.

More about the pianist at Casey's Corner, Main Street U.S.A., Magic Kingdom

Magic Kingdom's main entrance tunnels

The entrance to Main Street U.S.A. has been updated to display vintage artwork from the early years of the Magic Kingdom.

More on the vintage artwork collection at Magic Kingdom

Walt Disney World Resort re-dedication

Disney CEO Bob Chapek and Executive Chairman Bob Iger re-dedicate Walt Disney World Resort at the Cinderella Castle stage and were joined by Disney Legend Christina Aguilera who performed 'Reflections' .

More from the re-dedication of Walt Disney World Resort at the Cinderella Castle stage


Discuss on the Forums

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CreathirDec 10, 2023

I thought they were a fun addition to the parks. Personally I’d have made the replacement medallions the same bronze/gold color, but that’s just me.

nickysDec 10, 2023

Why? When I go back, whether that’s in a year, 2 years or further out, I’d love to be able to use my MB+ to activate them again. They were fun last year, why not let guests who didn’t get to see them at the time have a chance? You’re free to ignore them if you’re not interested.

Vegas Disney FanDec 10, 2023

The Tinkerbell one looks fantastic, the rest don’t match and look horrible. I wonder why they chose to use silver on bronze statues?

MagicHappens1971Dec 10, 2023

Gotta sell those MagicBand+ somehow

BrianDec 09, 2023

I just wish they'd take them out at this point. The hidden ones, like Tinkerbell and Abu are fun, but the ones out in the open seem out of place. I gave it a pass (to avoid my personal scorn) during the anniversary celebration, but that's far in the rear view mirror at this point.

DisoneDec 09, 2023

Agree! Took the post right off my fingertips.

drizgirlDec 09, 2023

Some of those are fine. Some of them are just perplexing.

DCBakerDec 09, 2023

The 50th medallions on a number of golden statues at Magic Kingdom that didn't have them removed yet have been recently covered or replaced. 758241

BrianNov 18, 2023

This special was produced by Fox 35, the Orlando Fox affiliate, for the 50th anniversary, and was recently posted to YouTube. I wanted to share since it has an inside look at the costuming 'vault' where costumes from past and present (and even in some cases, future) are stored, how the land for WDW was acquired and an interview with the daughter of one of the landowners, and an interview with three opening day cast members.

LittleBufordOct 01, 2023

I loved it! Watched it three times during my trip this summer.

ToTBellHopOct 01, 2023

Way to end your celebration with class and optimism toward the future.

Sir_CliffSep 30, 2023

Definitely had the same impression. I'm kind of curious to understand what made Dream and Shine Brighter hit just the right spot. I'm normally not a big fan of the castle shows featuring the characters, but this one just felt like pure joy. I suppose a lot of credit needs to go to the performers, who were fantastic.

Disney AnalystSep 30, 2023

The 50th could never.

NotCalledBobSep 30, 2023

I'd take Natacha for next Chair of DPEP over Ken or Jeff.