Walt Disney World 50th Anniversary Celebration

By
Sue Lobo
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1586

It is a magical day! October 1st marks 50 years since the Magic Kingdom welcomed it’s first guests through the gates. Walt Disney World is throwing a party to celebrate this anniversary filled with once in a surprises, lifetime experiences and Disney magic. It is being called the world’s most magical celebration! It will run for the next 18 months so you have plenty of time to get to the Walt Disney world Resort. There is magic happening at all four Disney Theme parks (Disney’s Magic Kingdom, the Animal Kingdom theme park, the Hollywood Studios park and Epcot). There are new rides, attractions, entertainment, and food offerings at all four of the parks and the celebration extends beyond the theme parks at the Disney Resort Hotels and Disney Springs.

Disney Enchantment all new nighttime spectacular show with fireworks, dynamic lighting captivating music, and projection effects from castle all the way down Main Street, U.S.A. at the Magic Kingdom park. Filled with moments from Classic movies and new Disney movies and Tinkerbell takes flight at the end of the show. It is one show you want to see so start planning your Florida Vacation Package!

Big Changes at Epcot

Epcot has some big changes since its opening in 1982! It will change to 4 thematic neighborhoods that unites the park – World Celebration, World Discovery, World Nature and World Showcase. A New ride debuts in the France pavilion, Rehmy’s Ratatoiille Adventure for more family friendly fun. Celebrates Rehmy’s love of food as you travel thought the restaurant with him and cook all from a small mouse’s perspective. There is also a brand new restaurant debuting, La Creperie de Paris sweet and savory crepes. Wonders of Zandar pavilion at the Guardians of the Galaxy cosmic rewind will also be a new ride at Epcot in 2022.

Epcot’s new Nighttime Spectacular

Harmonious, new show at Epcot it is one of the largest nighttime spectaculars ever created for a Disney theme park. Takes place at world showcase lagoon floating set pieces, custom LED panels projecting images, choreographed moving fountains, lasers and of course fireworks. Captures different cultures, traditions though its musics 3 act Gather all international languages heard, Celebrate trip around the world pavilion where you will enjoy 360-degree view of colorful images and effects comprised of Disney-story favorites, such as Moana, Aladdin, Coco, Brave, The Lion King, Mulan, and more.

New Show at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Disney “KiteTales” at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Discovery River theater. Immerses you in color several times throughout the dar with world music water craft in the lagoon with an arial show of choreographed kites and windcatchers with characters from the Jungle Book and Lion King.

New Technology and Enhancements at Disney

Magic bands were introduced in 2013 now there is an additional option Magic band plus. They have new cool designs for the 50th Anniversary Celebration with all the features of current band but new with capabilities that will unlock new interactive experiences. Magic Band plus will be able to recognize when you move your arm and feature special lighting and vibration in realtime. You can interactive with the new golden sculptures that part of the Disney Fab 50 character collection at the Walt Disney World Resort. Experience nighttime spectaculars in a new more immersive way. And be like a real bounty hunter in the new Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge.

Starting next year in the Disney hotels Hey Disney will be available. What is this? Hey Disney is voice assistant on an amazon echo device during your stay. It answers questions about the Disney parks, tell you the weather, set alarms, guide you with information about the parks. Hey Disney voice assistant can help make your vacation easier ask it when is the next bus, what time the park opens, get more blankets or pillows. Hey Disney will be available along with Alexa as an optional service to your Disney Vacation Package.

Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser live your own experience on a 2 night adventure. Travel in a launch pod up to a starcruiser where you will have onboard activities, eat in style at the Crown of Corellia Dining Room. Passengers will find themselves in the middle of the action making choices that will ultimately determine how your story will go with exciting activities and missions.

For those of you who can’t get enough Disney Merch – here is the link to see the 50th anniversary merchandise collections.

Disney Cruise Line 2022 will introduce an immersive family dining experience called Avengers: Quantum Encounter,” on the Disney Wish cruise ship. Guests will play an interactive role in an action-packed mission during dinner. Diners will follow Ant-Man and The Wasp as they embark on their first public speaking engagement on behalf of the Avengers. Anxious to impress, they are hosting a special presentation of the most powerful Super Hero technologies, such as Captain America’s shield, Iron Man’s arc reactor and Ant-Man’s Pym Particles, giving guests an up-close look at holographic models, field reports and iconic scenes from Marvel movies displayed on the screens surrounding the room.

Using Disney Cruise Line Future Cruise Credits

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Planning a Family Reunion or Group Cruise?

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Sue Lobo
Sue Lobo
https://www.atlastravelweb.com
Sue Lobo is a four-time Condé Nast Traveler Top Travel Specialist (2023, 2024, 2025 & 2026) and Senior Travel Advisor at Atlas Travel Center, one of the most decorated travel agencies in the United States. With more than 35 years of experience in the travel industry, Sue has planned, booked, and personally accompanied trips for thousands of clients — from first-time cruisers to seasoned luxury travelers who have circled the globe multiple times. Sue's areas of deep expertise include ocean and river cruising, European tours, group travel coordination, luxury travel, honeymoon planning, and family vacation design. She is a CLIA-certified cruise specialist and works within an agency that holds IATA and ARC accreditation and maintains an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. Over her career, Sue has been involved in more than 30,000 bookings and has personally coordinated over 200 travel groups — from faith-based group cruises and HBCU alumni trips to women's retreats, family reunions, and corporate incentive travel. What sets Sue apart is not just the credentials — it is the firsthand experience behind them. Sue has personally traveled to more than 20 countries across three continents, including Cuba, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, and throughout Europe. She has sailed on dozens of cruise ships across nearly every major line, walked the river cruise routes she recommends, and eaten at the restaurants she suggests to clients. Her recommendations come from personal experience, not brochures. In addition to advising clients, Sue writes extensively about travel for The Traveler's Atlas blog — covering everything from cruise line comparisons and overtourism trends to destination guides and practical travel tips. Her writing is grounded in the same expertise she brings to every client conversation: honest, specific, and built on decades of real-world travel experience. Sue is based in the United States and available to help travelers plan cruises, European tours, group trips, river cruises, honeymoons, family vacations, and more. To work with Sue, contact Atlas Travel Center at atlastravelweb.com.

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