A Magical Birthday Approaches In Orlando

By Georgina Cruz

Disney World turns 50 in Orlando on Oct. 1 –and faithful to its tagline of “the most magical place on earth” magic overflows there and will continue to do so during an 18-month celebration of its golden anniversary.

The celebration, dubbed “The World’s Most Magical Celebration,” includes “Beacons of Magic” in Disney’s four parks: Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. In the Magic Kingdom, for example, the iconic Cinderella Castle takes on an “EARiridescent” glow akin to what Disney calls the “dust and magic of fairies.” In the other three parks the “Beacons of Magic” are the Tree of Life (Animal Kingdom), Spaceship Earth (Epcot) and Hollywood Tower Hotel (Disney’s Hollywood Studios).

Other 50th anniversary novelties, recently announced, include “Fab 50” golden character statues of Mickey Mouse and others found in gardens and green spaces in all four parks. Another very exciting new attraction is Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure in an expanded section in the rear of the France Pavilion in Epcot where a new French table-service and quick meals restaurant, La Creperie de Paris, also debuts. Inspired in the popular Disney animated movie, “Ratatouille,” Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure is like the Disneyland Paris attraction called “La Aventure Totalmente Toqueé de Remy.” The new attraction at Epcot gives visitors the impression of having been reduced to the size of a rat as they journey in mouse-like vehicles around the kitchen of Chef Gusteau. The journey has 4D effects so participants experience the views, sounds and aromas of the kitchen as they are chased around and they try to escape. It is a trackless ride so each time one rides it can be different.

A Magical Birthday Approaches In Orlando

Another big attraction in Epcot to celebrate the 50^th year of Disney World is the nighttime spectacle “Harmonious.” The new show has five floating platforms in Epcot’s World Showcase Lagoon. These floating sets have special panels with LED lights; mobile choreographed fountains, lights, lasers and fireworks. The floating platforms also hold up a six story structure with 25-foot-high LED screens that have 54-foot-long mobile arms. Spectacular!

Also a new show, this one in the Magic Kingdom, is Disney Enchantment, with the latest in Fireworks displays, music, upgraded lighting and special projection immersive effects that extend to the buildings of Main Street U.S.A. for the first time ever. This new show takes visitors “on a journey filled with adventure, wonder and empowerment,” as Disney put it, and inspires all to believe in magic.

Not to be outdone, Animal Kingdom Park has debuted Disney KiteTails, a daytime show presented in the Discovery River Amphitheater. The new spectacle presents performers flying kites with the images of popular Disney characters including Simba, Zazu, Baloo and King Louie from animated movies such as “The Lion King” and “The Jungle Book” over the waters of the Discovery River. Some of the kites are 30 feet long!

A particularly exciting debut will be Cirque du Soleil’s “Drawn To Life” show in Disney Springs that opens on Nov. 18. With a cast of 64 artists, it is an acrobatic journey through Disney animation that brings to life such beloved characters as Baloo and Cinderella. Info: www.cirquedusoleil.com/drawntolife.

At lunch and dinner time, there are two new restaurants to satisfy an appetite: the already mentioned La Creperie de Paris, serving French specialties in the French Pavilion at Epcot, and also at Epcot, Space 220, is themed to outer space and serves modern American cuisine next to the park’s Mission: Space attraction.

Other novelties for the golden anniversary of Disney World include the refurbishment of two of the property’s original hotels: Disney’s Polynesian Village and Disney’s Contemporary Resort. At the Polynesian Village public areas and rooms have been refreshed and themed to the hit animated feature “Moana,” and the Contemporary has been themed to the popular “The Incredibles” movies.

And Disney World also has a new hotel, the Swan Reserve at the Walt Disney World Swan & Dolphin, a Marriott resort. The Swan Reserve is a luxury 14-story tower from where guests can walk to two Disney parks: Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and it offers free transportation by boat to those two parks and by bus to other Disney World parks and attractions. Guests of the Swan Reserve also have just steps away six swimming pools, three health clubs, and multiple activities at the Swan & Dolphin, and attractions including Disney’s Fantasia Mini Golf and Disney’s Boardwalk, a dining, shopping and entertainment district. Info: Disney Hotels – Official site for Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin (swandolphin.com).

For more information on Walt Disney World, visit www.disneyworld.com.

–Georgina Cruz is a travel writer based in Vero Beach.