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18 Exciting Things We Know for Disney World’s 50th Anniversary

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New and exciting adventures are underway for the 50th Anniversary of Walt Disney World on October 1, 2021: here’s 18 things that we know so far.

Disney World 50th Anniversary: Everything We Know [Source: Disney Parks Blog]
Disney World 50th Anniversary: Everything We Know [Source: Disney Parks Blog]

Let’s take a look at what we know and what we don’t know at this point…

What’s New for the 50th Anniversary

Evidently, Disney World has been working on a plethora of updates for the anniversary.

Here are 18 of those new attractions and entertainment options in alphabetical order.

Note: Some of these new adventures are open already, while some are still under construction.

1. Cherry Tree Lane

Cherry Tree Lane Concept Art [Source: Disney Parks Blog]
Cherry Tree Lane Concept Art [Source: Disney Parks Blog]

A Mary Poppins attraction at the United Kingdom pavilion in Epcot.

2. Cirque du Soleil’s “Drawn to Life”

Drawn to Life Poster [Source: Drawn to Life Show's Facebook Account]
Drawn to Life Poster [Source: Drawn to Life Show’s Facebook Account]

This new Disney Springs experience combines Walt Disney Animation, Walt Disney Imagineering, and Cirque du Soleil.

3. Dreamers Point

Dreamers Point at Disney World Concept Art [Source: Disney Parks Blog]
Dreamers Point at Disney World Concept Art [Source: Disney Parks Blog]

A three-story festival center with a 360 view of the park located in the renamed World Celebration area.

4. DuckTales World Showcase Adventure

DuckTales World Showcase Adventure [Source: Disney Parks Blog]
DuckTales World Showcase Adventure [Source: Disney Parks Blog]

In this adventure, players try to solve a mystery–seeking out treasure and discovering villains.

5. Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind

Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind Ride Vehicles [Source: Disney Parks Blog]
Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind Ride Vehicles [Source: Disney Parks Blog]

Located in the World Discovery section of Epcot, this roller coaster ride will start in a “Galaxarium” that will reveal the beginnings of the galaxy. 

6. HarmonioUS Epcot Nighttime Show

Harmonious Concept Art [Source: Disney Parks Blog]
Harmonious Concept Art [Source: Disney Parks Blog]

Set to replace the Epcot Forever, this extravaganza will include familiar Disney music, fountains, lasers, and pyrotechnics.

7. Journey of Water

The Journey of Water Concept Art [Source: Blog Mickey]
Journey of Water Concept Art [Source: Blog Mickey]

Inspired by Moana, this attraction will guests to explore and interact with water in a jungle environment.

8. Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway

Official Poster of Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway at Disney World [Source: Disney World]
Official Poster of Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway at Disney World [Source: Disney World]

Containing the most hidden Mickeys, this railway is the first and only ride that features Mickey and Minnie.

Also, the railway lives in in Disney’s Hollywood Studios, taking the area formerly occupied by The Great Movie Ride.

9. Mickey Shorts Theater

Mickey Shorts Theater [Source: Mickey Blog]
Mickey Shorts Theater [Source: Mickey Blog]

Located at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, this theater shows a series of Mickey’s short films.

10. New Epcot Shows

New Epcot Shows [Source: Newsbreak]
New Epcot Shows [Source: Newsbreak]

These are Beauty and the Beast Sing-Along, Awesome Planet, Canada Far and Wide, and Wondrous China.

11. PLAY! Pavilion

PLAY! Pavilion at Disney World Concept Art [Source: Disney Parks Blog]
PLAY! Pavilion at Disney World Concept Art [Source: Disney Parks Blog]

This attraction is designed to allow guests to interact with some Disney characters digitally.

12. Reflections: A Disney Lakeside Lodge

Lakeside Lodge at Disney World Concept Art [Source: Disney Parks Blog]
Lakeside Lodge at Disney World Concept Art [Source: Disney Parks Blog]

This nature-themed resort will be located between Fort Wilderness and Wilderness lodge. 

13. Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure

This 4D, kitchen-themed ride will make guests feel like they’ve shrunk down to the size of Remy.

14. Roundup Rodeo BBQ Restaurant

Roundup Restaurant at Epcot Concept Art [Source: Disney Parks Blog]
Roundup Restaurant at Epcot Concept Art [Source: Disney Parks Blog]

This will be the first table service in Toy Story Land.

15. Space 220 Restaurant

Space 220 Restaurant Concept Art at Disney World [Source: Disney Parks Blog]
Space 220 Restaurant Concept Art at Disney World [Source: Disney Parks Blog]

Featuring a 250-foot wide digital screen, this will make diners feel like they’re high above the earth.

This restaurant can be found in Epcot’s Future World near Mission Space.

16. Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser Hotel

Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser Atrium Concept Art [Source: Disney World]
Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser Atrium Concept Art [Source: Disney World]

The new Star Wars hotel will offer guests a two-night intergalactic experience they’ve never had before.

17. Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge

This project, which took three years to complete, offers two rides: Millenium Falcon: Smugglers Run and Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance.

Take a look at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge Guide Map here.

18. Tron Lightcycle Run

Tron Attraction at Disney World Official Poster [Source: Disney Parks Blog]
Tron Attraction at Disney World Official Poster [Source: Disney Parks Blog]

Lastly, a high-speed roller coaster at Magic Kingdom Park, situated next to Space Mountain.

Fun fact: It will be the fastest roller coaster at Disney World, with a speed of 60 mph.

The Length of Disney World’s 50th Anniversary Celebration

Fans expect the anniversary to run for several months, kicking off in early 2021 and building up to the big day.

However, the global pandemic put the projects to a pause. When Walt Disney World decided to close, the company also ceased construction activities as well. 

This is what Orlando Weekly reported:

“According to industry insider Jim Hill, who has been crucial in the reporting on the film-related delays for the Guardians attraction, the 50th Anniversary was to launch in early 2021 but has now been delayed to October 1, the actual date of the 50th Anniversary. This allows for the projects currently delayed to be finished and gives more time for the pandemic to subside.”

Orlando Weekly

In short, construction delays have significantly affected Disney World’s timeline for its 50thanniversary celebration.

Moreover, Epcot’s Future World is still under construction. 

According to reports, Disney planned Epcot to be the celebration center for the 50th anniversary.

This means the construction within the center of Future World, which will soon be World Celebration, would need to be completed.

World Celebration at Disney World Concept Art [Source: Disney Parks Blog]
World Celebration at Disney World Concept Art [Source: Disney Parks Blog]

Final Thoughts About the 50th Anniversary

Disney has yet to confirm the details about the anniversary, but since the Walt Disney World is planning to reopen on July 11th, we should soon learn more about it.

It’s also been rumored that Disney aims to make the celebration global, so it makes sense if they are also considering the guests’ ability to travel to Walt Disney World from around the world.

On the positive side, we know that the anniversary celebration will still happen.

On the negative side, it may be different from what we’re used to.

For now, the opening of Disney’s parks allows us to stay positive amidst uncertainty.

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Neal Tucker is one of the world’s most engaging Disney influencers, with thousands of views and responses across his blog, podcast, and social media profiles every month.

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