’50’ Medallion Removed From Cinderella Castle Clock at Magic Kingdom

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Magic Kingdom

The first 50th anniversary decorations are being removed as the large “50” medallion has been taken off the Cinderella Castle clock.

While the 50th anniversary celebrations ended on March 31, the medallion likely needed to stay for the final performance of Disney Enchantment, which took place last night. The medallion was featured in several aspects of the show, including lighting and projections.

At this time, the bunting and spire ribbons remain, but Disney has confirmed that removal will take place over an extended period of time.

WDW MK Cinderella Castle no medallion 1 1

All 50th Anniversary decor is expected to be removed across the four parks of the Walt Disney World Resort as the 18-month celebration comes to a close. Disney has announced that the celebratory embellishments will be removed in phases.

Cinderella Castle’s transformation into a “Beacon of Magic” brought new life to the Magic Kingdom icon through “Disney Enchantment,” a new fireworks spectacular replacing “Happily Ever After” at Magic Kingdom, which debuted as part of the celebration. Nearly a year after its debut, “Disney Enchantment” added a new sequence to celebrate Walt Disney and his brother Roy, following lackluster feedback from guests.

At least for now, the most recent “EARidescent” repainting of the castle is expected to remain when the bunting and turret jewels are removed from Cinderella Castle. Many of the 50th anniversary decorations have already been removed from Main Street, U.S.A., as “The World’s Most Magical Celebration” comes to a close. We saw the first decorations removed at the beginning of March.

Disney Gives Official End Date to 50th Anniversary Celebration

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Magic Kingdom

On October 1, 2021, Walt Disney World Resort kicked off its massive 50th Anniversary celebration. To honor 50 years of Walt Disney World magic, Imagineers created two new nighttime spectaculars — Disney Enchantment at the Magic Kingdom and Harmonious at EPCOT. They also built 50 beautiful statues — called the Fab 50 — that they placed throughout the Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom, and EPCOT. Each statue interacts with Disney’s new MagicBand+, and the bands even interact with the nighttime shows.

In addition to the fun statues and the nighttime fireworks shows, Disney also created gorgeous decorations, as well as a ton of delicious new food and drink offerings. There were more than a hundred new food offerings throughout the theme parks. The months celebrating Walt Disney World’s 50th Anniversary is truly a great time to make your way down to the Most Magical Place on Earth.

From the beginning, Disney said that the 50th Anniversary would run from October 2021 until March 2023. However, they never gave an official end date to the epic party. Until now. Walt Disney World Resort has officially updated its website, and we now know that the 50th Anniversary will end on March 31, 2023.

Walt Disney World 50th

If you haven’t made your way down to the World’s Most Magical Celebration, now is a perfect time. Here is some more information on the magical celebration from Disney Parks Blog:

This milestone is such a big deal, we’ve even coined a new word – “EARidescence” – to describe what you’ll see when you visit. Our Disney teams are creating all sorts of new decorations that will shimmer and sparkle all day and into the night.

As part of the celebration, Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom Park will add to its royal makeover from last year. As you can see in this new artist rendering, the castle will feature golden bunting and a 50th anniversary crest as part of its festive new look.

The castle will add even more magic at night, joined by icons at each of the other three theme parks as they transform into Beacons of Magic. In the video above, you can get a feel for what they’ll look like, with pixie dust on Cinderella Castle, magical fireflies inhabiting the Tree of Life at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park, and special new touches coming to life on the Hollywood Tower Hotel at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. 

And at EPCOT, new lights will shine across the reflective panels of Spaceship Earth, connecting to one another and resembling stars in a nighttime sky. This permanent new lighting will continue beyond “The World’s Most Magical Celebration” as a defining feature of the park.

You’ll also want to keep an eye out for Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse, who will have sparkling new looks for the celebration. As hosts of the event, they’ll be dressed for the occasion in custom-made fashions of EARidescent fabric with gold highlights.

Child with parents and balloon in front of Castle

You can read more about Walt Disney World Resort’s 50th Anniversary celebration, and even book your own magical Disney Parks vacation by clicking here.

 

New 50th Anniversary Merchandise Coming to Disney World

Posted on by Mathew Corn Animal Kingdom, Disney Parks, Disney Resorts, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, Magic Kingdom, Uncategorized

This spring will see three new product lines unveiled as part of the Walt Disney World Resort 50th Anniversary celebration. The new lines will invite guests to commemorate their visit by taking a piece of the magic home. Blending new and nostalgia, the merchandise range will put a fun spin on the latest fashion trends and includes pieces inspired by retro designs and artwork from the 1971 grand opening of Walt Disney World Resort.

50th Anniversary celebration merchandise is available throughout the Walt Disney World Resort including Disney Springs. Select items will be carried at Walt Disney World Resort Hotels, Disneyland Resort and on shopDisney.com.

 Here’s a first look at the collections:

EARidescent Shimmer Collection
The EARidescent Shimmer Collection draws inspiration from the iconic gold and blue turrets of Cinderella Castle in Magic Kingdom Park, reflecting the festive décor seen across Walt Disney World Resort as a part of the 50th anniversary celebration.

  • EARidescent Shimmer Collection Minnie Mouse Headband glistens with bedazzled gold-toned sequins, the perfect accessory for any 50th anniversary celebration-themed outfit.
  • EARidescent Shimmer Loungefly Backpack blends a classic royal color scheme with modern design through a unique swirl pattern that marbles blue and gold hues together.
  • EARidescent Shimmer Collection Spirit Jersey, debuting later in spring, is a premium pullover Spirit Jersey featuring a ribbed crew neck, cuffed sleeves and gleaming EARidescent embellishments.

Disney Vault Balloon Collection
Longtime visitors of The Most Magical Place on Earth may recall the colorful balloon-patterned shopping bags used to package souvenirs purchased at Walt Disney World Resort in 1971. The DisneyVault Balloon Collection pays homage to the vintage Mickey Mouse balloon iconography from decades past.

  • Disney Vault Balloon Collection Spirit Jersey features a bright, whimsical print and heritage Walt Disney World Resort logos.
  • Disney Vault Balloon Collection Bucket Hat, with a transparent green panel and vintage Walt Disney World logo along the brim, is a fashion-forward item combining current style trends and 1970s flair.
  • Disney Vault Balloon Collection Loungefly Backpack offers a bold geometric design across the exterior pocket, which makes a statement with its electric blue straps and classic balloon print.

New to the Celebration Collection
The Celebration Collection, which launched last fall at the start of the 50th anniversary celebration at Walt Disney World Resort, will expand to include brand new commemorative merchandise for the whole family.

  • Celebration Collection Backpack ­decorated with stylized renderings of Walt Disney World Resort landmarks including Cinderella Castle, Hollywood Tower of Terror, Spaceship Earth and the Tree of Life.
  • Dooney and Bourke Purses and Wallet will be available on two bag styles or a wallet, showcasing favorite characters and iconic Disney Parks locations.
  • 50th Anniversary Character Plush Toys offerings expand with the debut of Donald Duck, Daisy Duck and Goofy, all sporting 50th Anniversary celebration fashions.

Disney Vault Orange Bird Collection debuting later this spring!
The Disney Vault Orange Bird Collection pays tribute to Orange Bird, a favorite Disney character who has come to symbolize Florida and its legacy in the citrus industry. Orange Bird’s spunky personality shines through a range of groovy new products, inspired by the retro flower-power styles that rose in popularity during the early 1970s. The collection will debut later this spring.

  • Disney Vault Orange Bird Crossbody adds a touch of cuteness to any look as a three-dimensional replica of Orange Bird.
  • Disney Vault Orange Bird Camp Shirt features a notched collar and muted color palette reminiscent of the 1970s, complemented by a cheerful motif of Orange Bird and various florals.
  • Disney Vault Orange Bird Denim Jacket brings vintage trends to the 21st century with a funky bubble font, stylized Orange Bird artwork and decorative patches.

Disney World Reveals New 50th Food Offerings!

Posted on by Mathew Corn Animal Kingdom, Disney Dining, Disney Parks, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, Magic Kingdom

When Disney kicked off its 50th Anniversary celebration on October 1, there was tons of food and merchandise for Guests to buy and eat as a way to celebrate. The magical food offerings have gone over incredibly well, for the most part, with many Guests finding the enjoyable options limitless. When the initial foodie guide to the 50th Anniversary was released, Disney promised that more food would be coming out as the months went on — spanning the entire anniversary.

Disney has released limited-time offerings since October — like the Grumpy cranberry soft serve — and now, they are slowly revealing more treats that are coming our way in the following weeks! Disney revealed 3 new offerings on their Instagram, but it looks like a total of 9 will be coming to the Parks and has given Guests two voting options before they reveal the next winner.

50th Mickey Head Cinnamon Roll

The first new food Disney has announced comes in honor of one of their ultimate sweet treats — the cinnamon roll. The 50th Anniversary cinnamon roll looks like one larger cinnamon roll and two smaller ones joined together to make a Mickey head in honor of the mouse who started it all. In the center of the cinnamon roll will be a chocolate coin with the 50th emblem. Knowing how incredible Disney’s other cinnamon rolls are, this one is sure to be delicious as well. The new Mickey cinnamon roll will debut at the Main Street Bakery on January 10.

Slue Foot Sue Fish Sandwich

After Disney shared that the Mickey cinnamon roll would be coming to the Main Street Bakery, they asked Guests if they wanted something sweet or something savory. Guests voted and picked savory over sweet 55% to 45%, so Disney has announced that the Slue Foot Sue Fish Sandwich would also be released on January 10. The fish sandwich will only be available at the Golden Oak Outpost in Frontierland. The fish sandwich looks like a beautiful piece of fried fish topped with a cabbage slaw — filling and refreshing.

Always Tea Time Slush

When Disney revealed the Slue Foot Sue Fish Sandwich, they asked Guests to choose from a feather or a picture of a cat, but they did not say what those images meant. People voted for the cat, and now we know that the cat represented Cheshire Café, where Disney will be serving Always Tea Time Slush beginning January 10. The slush is a gorgeous orange color with a light green — possibly matcha — mixed on top. The tea slushed is topped with whipped cream and a white chocolate 10/6 piece — representing everyone’s favorite mad hatter.

Next up, Disney is asking fans to vote between a picture of a slice of cake or an orange — which means that there could possibly be a new Dole Whip flavor coming to Sunshine Terrace, home of the famous Orange Bird. The alternative may be a new dessert offering coming to a place like the Main Street Confectionery. We will have to wait and see what the voters choose!