Disney’s theme parks in Florida and France are celebrating throughout 2022. Walt Disney World Resort’s 50th anniversary kicked off in October 2021, and the 30th anniversary of Disneyland Paris started in March 2022.
From immersive decor and fabulous F&B to Marvel-themed coasters and lands, the resorts are marking the occasions with a host of new entertainment and attractions.
Disney World’s 50th anniversary
Dubbed ‘the world’s most magical celebration’, Walt Disney World’s 50th anniversary is an 18-month celebration through March 2023. Attractions such as Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind and new shows including ‘Harmonious’ have already arrived at the resort, which first opened to guests on 1 October 1971.
‘Beacons of Magic’ mark Disney’s anniversary
For the 50th anniversary, Spaceship Earth at Epcot, Magic Kingdom’s Cinderella Castle, the Tree of Life at Disney’s Animal Kingdom and the Hollywood Tower Hotel at Disney’s Hollywood Studios have become ‘Beacons of Magic’.
These ‘Beacons of Magic’ transform at night, with pixie dust on the Cinderella Castle and magical fireflies covering the Tree of Life. The Hollywood Tower Hotel evokes the golden age, and Spaceship Earth’s reflective panels shine with lights resembling stars. This will become a permanent feature at Epcot.
Imagineering’s Walt Disney World site portfolio executive, Zach Riddley, opened up about “the dazzling, permanent new programmable lighting system” on Instagram.
“Spaceship Earth is a unique structure recognized around the world,” he said. “To honor this idea, our Imagineers have created custom lighting features that literally emerge from her unique architecture.
“These features will shine across Spaceship Earth’s silver panels and ‘connect’ with one another, resembling shimmering stars in a nighttime sky.”
Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind
Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, part of the historic transformation of Epcot, opened in May 2022 as part of Disney World’s 50th anniversary. Epcot’s first-ever coaster is the longest fully enclosed roller coaster in any Disney theme park. It’s also one of the longest enclosed coasters in the world at more than 200,000 square feet.
Cosmic Rewind boasts the first reverse launch for a Disney coaster. “We had the idea for a backwards portion of the attraction from the beginning, but talked about doing it in different ways,” said Wyatt Winter, senior show producer.
Riders join Star-Lord, Gamora, Drax, Rocket, and Groot on a mission to stop the ride’s antagonist Eson. Disney describes Eson as ‘huge, powerful and ancient’.
“We knew we needed to create a fun, exciting ride system that matched the scale, excitement, and fun of the Guardians films,” Winter added.
“We also wanted to create something new and unique that only Disney could do,” he said. “Combining an all-new coaster with media, special effects, and music at a scale never before done was a fun and exciting goal for our team.”
Harmonious for Disney World’s anniversary
Kicking off Disney World’s 50th, ‘Harmonious‘ opened on Epcot’s World Showcase Lagoon on 1 October. This is one of the largest shows ever created for a Disney park. It replaces ‘Illuminations: Reflections of Earth’, which ran between 1999 and 2019.
“The overall premise is really how music brings people together. How Disney music brings the world together,” Jeremy Chase, live entertainment producer for Disney parks, told blooloop.
The nighttime spectacular includes a Middle-Eastern interpretation of Aladdin. These are also scenes inspired by Mulan, Moana, Brave, The Hunchback of Notre Dame and The Jungle Book.
“It’s a wonderful opportunity to not just celebrate the music, the stories, the characters but to actually honor and celebrate the cultures that inspired us most,” said Shelby Jiggetts-Tivony, vice president of creative at Disney Live Entertainment.
“Harmonious is an amazing story. It captures the music and the energy of our characters in a way never before imagined,” said Mark Huffman, show director at Disney Live Entertainment.
Enchantment and KiteTails
Also launched as part of the resort’s anniversary were the Disney KiteTails performance at Animal Kingdom and the Disney Enchantment fireworks show at Magic Kingdom. Disney KiteTails features larger-than-life kites that depict Disney animals such as Simba, Baloo and King Louie. It takes place in DinoLand U.S.A.
Found in Main Street, U.S.A. at Magic Kingdom, Disney Enchantment is a new nighttime spectacular. This brings the Cinderella Castle to life through magical effects, fireworks, and classic and reimagined Disney songs. Guests are joined by Disney characters like Raya, Moana and Joe Gardner from Soul.
Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure
Remy was one of the first guests to arrive at the party on 1 October when Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure made its debut at Epcot. The new family-friendly ride shrinks visitors to the size of Chef Remy on an exciting chase through Gusteau’s restaurant.
The attraction, another element in Epcot’s transformation project, is the centrepiece of the park’s France Pavilion expansion. This pavilion has more than doubled in size.
Walt Disney Imagineering‘s Joe Vitale, who served as the project’s production designer, helped to “ensure our Imagineering team delivered on the creative vision for this new mini-land, while overseeing design, production and installation”.
“Guests of all ages will enjoy exploring this corner of Paris and discovering details throughout. Like Chef Remy in his toque atop the fountain, or the illuminated Gusteau’s sign in the distance,” Vitale said.
“Take notice of the manhole cover near the fountain, as you may discover an homage to the scene in the film where Remy is first brought to Paris through the sewers.”
Also new in this expanded section of the pavilion is a restaurant called La CrĂªperie de Paris. Here, visitors can enjoy sweet crepes and savoury buckwheat galettes.
Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser
Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser, an immersive two-night hotel experience, opened at Disney World on 1 March. The stellar space features a cruise-style itinerary with guests becoming the heroes of their own Star Wars adventures.
The Halcyon Starcruiser is the setting. The ship is famed for its perfect service, comfortable cabins, exciting entertainment and delicious F&B. Halcyon passengers can alter their own storyline as they interact with characters, crew and other guests. State-of-the-art technology and captivating storytelling are combined to offer an innovative experience.
“Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser is a completely new type of experience,” said Ann Morrow Johnson, executive producer and creative director at Walt Disney Imagineering (WDI).
“Each person has a reason to be on board that ship,” added Wendy Anderson, executive creative director at Disney Live Entertainment. “Each person has a role to play in the larger fabric of the universe and the larger fabric of the galaxy.”
“There could be a galactic superstar who entertains you on the first night but then also tasks you with helping to smuggle something,” said Sara Thacher, senior R&D Imagineer. “You never know what you’re going to wind up around every corner with.”
Galactic Starcruiser activities include lightsaber training and an outing to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. The ship’s Sublight Lounge is a stylish space serving cosmic cocktails. Meanwhile, the Crown of Corellia Dining Room offers a live Twi’lek performance.
Fab 50 and F&B for Disney’s anniversary
Across all four theme parks at Disney World, 50 golden characters can be seen, from Minnie and Mickey Mouse to Goofy and Pluto. Guests will also find characters from Beauty and the Beast, Dumbo, Alice in Wonderland, The Little Mermaid, Toy Story, Star Wars and Guardians of the Galaxy.
New food and drink for ‘the world’s most magical celebration’ is inspired by classic theme park rides and the resort’s past. Nods to Walt Disney’s favourite meals and personal recipes also feature in the F&B offerings.
Magic Kingdom, the original theme park at Disney World, is serving up birthday treats such as ‘Walt’s Chili-Cheese Dog’ and ‘Walt’s Chili-Cheese Fries’. Dessert options include the ‘Firehouse Donuts’ and ‘Mickey Mouse Dome Cake’. The ‘Happy Haunts Milkshake’ is inspired by the Haunted Mansion, while ‘The Toad Burger’ is based on Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride.
Epcot’s food and beverage offerings include the ‘EARidescent Croissant Doughnut’. Over at Animal Kingdom, new menu items include the ‘EARidescent Firefly mocktail’ and the ’50th Celebration Ice Cream Sandwich’. Highlights at Disney’s Hollywood Studios are the ‘Shimmer Over the Moon’ cocktail and ‘Glimmer and Shimmer Blondie’ dessert.
Cirque du Soleil’s Drawn to Life
The launch of Cirque du Soleil’s 50th production, Drawn to Life, coincided with Walt Disney World’s 50th anniversary. The family-friendly show is an original creative collaboration between Cirque du Soleil, Walt Disney Animation Studios and Walt Disney Imagineering.
Written and directed by Michel Laprise, Drawn to Life brings Disney stories and characters to life through innovative design, acrobatic performances, incredible choreography, musical scores and new animation.
“It was an honor to have the opportunity to interpret the spectacular works from Disney’s catalogue of animation into a live show and we couldn’t be more proud of this production,” said Diane Quinn, chief creative officer of Cirque du Soleil.
The new show at Disney Springs comes after extensive trips by Cirque du Soleil’s team to Disney’s theme parks, Walt Disney Animation Studios, Walt Disney Animation Research Library, Walt Disney Archives, and the Walt Disney Family Museum in San Francisco.
“This show has been in the works for years and to finally share it with the world is a dream come true,” said Daniel Lamarre, president and CEO of Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group. “This collaboration has been unlike anything we’ve done before.”
Disney’s EARidescent anniversary
Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Daisy Duck, Goofy, Pluto and Chip ‘n’ Dale can be seen across the parks in sparkling new ‘EARidescent’ looks. These have been specially made for the occasion. Cast members are also wearing EARidescent name tags designed for the 50th anniversary.
Disneyland Paris’ 30th anniversary
Simultaneously, Disneyland Paris is marking its 30th anniversary with new experiences, shows and festivities. These will be taking place across both its Disneyland and Walt Disney Studios parks.
Disneyland Paris opened to the public on 12 April 1992. It took years of planning and development to take the Disney attraction to Europe. The resort has enjoyed more than 375 million visits since its opening.
Avengers Campus
The new Avengers Campus is opening as part of Disneyland Paris’ 30th anniversary on 20 July. It offers new action-packed attractions, live-action stunts, heroic encounters and themed F&B. Avengers Campus is the most ambitious expansion of Walt Disney Studios since its opening in 2002.
The land made its debut at Disneyland in California in 2021. Created by Tony Stark to find, enlist and train the next generation of superheroes, the latest Avengers Campus will offer two rides – Avengers Assemble: Flight Force and Spider-Man W.E.B. Adventure.
Exclusive to Disneyland Paris, Avengers Assemble: Flight Force takes guests into space with Iron Man and Captain Marvel. Spider-Man W.E.B. Adventure lets guests sling webs from their wrists like Spider-Man, thanks to innovative technology.
Visitors will see several favourite characters. This includes Spider-Man, Iron Man, Captain Marvel, Black Panther, Black Widow, Thor, Loki, and Ant Man and The Wasp as they walk around the land. Okoye and the Dora Milaje from Wakanda will also be there. Plus, guests can take part in an interactive dance-off with Guardians of the Galaxy’s Star Lord and Gamora.
Avengers Campus will, of course, be serving up themed food and drinks. Dishes on offer at Pym Kitchen include huge pretzel sandwiches and giant blue donuts, Caesar salad with giant croutons, and extra-long green beans. Mini red donuts and small cheesecakes will also be available.
Dream… and Shine Brighter
‘Dream… and Shine Brighter’ is a new daytime show created for Disneyland Paris’ birthday party. The vibrant extravaganza features more than 30 dancers and Disney characters, as well as new floats and two new songs. It is performed in front of the Sleeping Beauty Castle,
Visitors can see Mickey, Minnie, Donald and Daisy in their new iridescent costumes, made exclusively for the anniversary. Other characters featured include the Genie from Aladdin, Rapunzel from Tangled, and Jessie and Woody from Toy Story.
Disney D-Light
Another new offering for the 30th anniversary is the ‘Disney D-Light’ nighttime experience. This takes place before the Disney Illuminations show.
Disney D-Light uses illuminated water jets, video projections and lighting effects, as well as mist and lasers. It culminates in a drone display above the Sleeping Beauty Castle. Here, the drones form a sparking ‘30’ figure in the sky.
Gardens of Wonder
Disneyland Paris also has a new ‘Gardens of Wonder’ attraction. This contains 10 themed gardens with 30 kinetic Disney and Pixar sculptures that come to life.
Local craft businesses After and Plastic Studios produced these sculptures. The installation was put together by a team of engineers, technicians, painters and 3D modellers.
Disney’s 30th anniversary F&B
Disneyland Paris’ chefs have developed and tested various new dishes for the anniversary. Some of these recipes are on offer at Walt’s – An American Restaurant. This reopened on 12 April – exactly 30 years after Disneyland Paris first welcomed visitors.
Located on Main Street, U.S.A, the restaurant has six themed dining rooms that honour the six lands of Disneyland. The new menu includes corn chowder and chilli con carne with Isigny cream. This is a nod to Walt’s ‘D’Isigny’ ancestors in Normandy.
Minnie Mouse in Stella McCartney
For the 30th anniversary of Disneyland Paris, Minnie Mouse hired British designer Stella McCartney to create her first pantsuit.
“I am delighted to be working with the one, the only, the iconic Minnie Mouse,” McCartney said. “I have designed a custom outfit for her in celebration of the 30th anniversary of Disneyland Paris.”
Images: Disney
