big anniversary already underway. From Magic Kingdom Park to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, it’s time to revel in some of the best-loved stories ever told, live out the dreams of kids big and small, and make memories your family will cherish forever.
Planning ahead will put you right at the heart of the magic. The once in a lifetime celebration will feature one-off experiences and Disney memories made only for guests visiting during the festivities, with plenty of surprises in store. The fun lasts for 18 months, making 2022 one of the most exciting years ever to visit Walt Disney World Resort. Here are ten things we just can’t wait to do in 2022.
ifty years ago, Walt Disney World Resort in Florida opened its gates. And from this October, Disney is calling everyone to
The World’s Most Magical Celebration, with preparations for the
F
Wish upon a star and get ready for your dreams to come true at The World’s
Most Magical Celebration across Florida’s Disney Theme Parks
Book by August 3, 2021,
at disneypackages.co.uk
or call 0800 169 0730
It’s Walt Disney World Resort’s 50th Anniversary – and you’re invited
It’s a very special occasion for Mickey and friends as they mark 50 years of Walt Disney World Resort with an epic celebration. Starting this year on October 1 – the same date that Magic Kingdom Park opened in 1971 – guests are invited to join The World’s Most Magical Celebration. This event like no other isn’t just a chance to relive five decades of fun – it’s an inspirational event to kick off the next generation of magic where the best is yet to come.
Things are looking up as the sky above Walt Disney World Resort dazzles with the new Beacons of Magic illuminations at the four Disney Theme Parks. For this exclusive period only, an EARidescent glow will illuminate the Theme Park icons. In Magic Kingdom Park, Cinderella Castle illuminates with a dazzling glow that sparkles with pixie dust. At Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park, the Tree of Life will be illuminated by enchanted fireflies, while at Disney’s Hollywood Studios the iconic Hollywood Tower Hotel evokes the glimmer and shimmer of the golden age of imagination and adventure. However, it’s at Epcot where guests will really be sent into the stratosphere, as lights shine from within Spaceship Earth’s reflective panels and stardust emerges to symbolise beacons of possibility and optimism.
Step into celebratory scenes as the beloved Parks are decorated like never before, and witness the adornment of Cinderella Castle, draped with special embellishments and elegant colours, and highlighted with a magnificent 50th Anniversary crest.
As the hosts of the party, Mickey and Minnie can’t wait to show off their new, custom-made outfits, featuring beautifully embroidered impressions of Cinderella Castle backed by fireworks, as well as brocade in multi-toned, EARidescent fabric with pops of gold.
A historic fashion moment indeed.
1. Celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Walt Disney World Resort
Mary Novakovich
‘REMY’S RATATOUILLE ADVENTURE
SOUNDS BRILLIANTLY BONKERS
– AND WE CAN’T WAIT!’
PROMOTED CONTENT
BEAUTY AND THE BEACH
Think you’ve seen just about everything? From this October, Walt Disney World Resort is set to be more amazing than ever
Main carousel:
Zlatni Rat beach,
Aleksandar Gospic,
Varazdin Castle, River
Krka, Photography:
Ivo Biocina
A lot is happening at Epcot during this special time. As well as dazzling with spectacular Beacons of Magic illuminations, Epcot will also present a brand new nighttime show across the World Showcase Lagoon. HarmonioUS is shaping up to be Disney’s most incredible evening spectacle yet. The nightly event will celebrate the music of Disney with renditions of your favourite Disney songs, reinterpreted
by artists from around the globe.
2. Watch HarmonioUS come to life
Whether it’s your first time or your 50th, get ready for beloved favourites at Magic Kingdom Park, where timeless fairytale classics
will come to life in all their 50th Anniversary glory. For bigger kids it’s a place of pure nostalgia, as childhood memories come flooding back on rides such as “it’s a small world”, while little ones get to discover these joys anew.
Guests can get their sea legs as they set sail on a swashbuckling voyage on Pirates of the Caribbean, returning to a long-forgotten time where pirates and privateers ruled the seas. Beware, mateys: dead men tell no tales! On the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, you’ll race through a diamond mine on a swaying family coaster with hairpin turns and an incredible view at the summit. Or fly high and swoop low on Dumbo the Flying Elephant, based on the 1941 masterpiece Dumbo, where the elephant’s faithful friend Timothy Q. Mouse helps keep you aloft with his “magic” feather.
3. Rediscover classic favourites at Magic Kingdom Park
Disney’s 14-Day Ultimate Ticket for the price of a 7-Day – including Memory Maker worth $199!
Book by August 3, 2021 for select arrivals in 2022 to enjoy a magical package when staying in selected Disney Resort hotels. The package includes:
ENJOY A MAGICAL 2022 PACKAGE FOR THE WORLD’S MOST MAGICAL CELEBRATION
Excitement is buzzing at Epcot’s French Pavilion as the brand new Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure will be opening on October 1, 2021, to mark the beginning of Walt Disney World Resort’s 50th Anniversary. This 4D experience – based on the Disney and Pixar film Ratatouille – will be a trackless ride, meaning cars spin and travel freely throughout the attraction. This allows guests to become fully immersed in the story, which in this case is a frantic chase around a Parisian kitchen from a rat-sized perspective. It sounds brilliantly bonkers – and we can’t wait.
4. Take a wild ride on Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure
Where it all began: hard
as it is to believe, last year Mickey and Minnie got
their own ride for the
very first time
Well, it all started with the mouse after all! This new attraction opened in 2020 and is the first ride at any Disney Park to star Mickey Mouse himself. Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway is a fun, family ride in Disney’s Hollywood Studios that whizzes through the crazy cartoon world, encountering some unexpected twists, turns and surprises along the way. Guests ride alongside loveable hound Goofy on this animated adventure, and the whole thing is such a whirlwind you’ll need to go straight back and ride again just to work out what actually happened.
5. Ride Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway – their first ever themed attraction
Live your very own Star Wars story in a whole new land where a galaxy far, far away unfolds all around you. Welcome to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Around corners and through back alleys, you can encounter strange creatures and alien languages, come face to face with roaming Star Wars heroes like Chewbacca, build your own droid and custom lightsaber, and sample curious concoctions in the local cantina. There are two out-of-this-world attractions that invite fans to become galactic travellers. However, beware of the First Order. A battle ensues and guests have to join forces and work together during Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance – which, as you will discover, is less themed ride and more of an interactive, immersive experience lasting a whopping 17 minutes. For a less intense but equally fun attraction, grab the controls of Han Solo’s starship and take to the skies on Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run for a rather extraordinary journey through the galaxy.
6. Explore Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge
Feel the Force: explore
the planet Batuu at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge
Discover a beautiful land that celebrates the magic of nature, where adventurers of all ages are sure to find an expedition they love. In Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park, you’ll find Pandora: The World of Avatar, based on James Cameron’s 2009 box-office smash hit and home of the Na’vi, the blue humanoids who act as guardians of this lush jungle moon. Among Pandora’s many attractions is the Na’vi River Journey, a mystical river ride through a series of caves and into a bioluminescent rainforest alive with the sights and sounds of exotic plants and creatures on all sides. After that, take to the skies on Avatar Flight of Passage, where you can board your own mountain banshee and embark on a thrilling 3D expedition with breathtaking views of Pandora’s otherwordly landscape. This is a place where you’ll have to pinch yourself just to make sure you’re not dreaming.
7. Visit Pandora: The World of Avatar
At Disney Springs, you can shop till you drop, enjoy world-class
cuisine and soak up a spectacular array of live entertainment. The mix is so eclectic, you won’t know where the time went. From jewellery
to clothing and even build-your-own cuddly dinosaurs, there’s an incredible choice of souvenirs to remind you of your trip – not to mention the 50th Anniversary merchandise that will be on offer to mark this special occasion. Speaking of which, many of the fantastic restaurants at Disney Springs will be creating exclusive 50th Anniversary dishes, so The World’s Most Magical Celebration will also be its tastiest. And with cinemas, bowling, music and much more to choose from on the entertainment side, your toughest task at Disney Springs will be deciding what to do next.
8. Explore, dine and shop at Disney Springs
Land of the Na’vi: enter Pandora, an Avatar-inspired world in Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park
To fully immerse yourself in the magic, complete your trip with a stay at a Disney Resort hotel, where you’ll find the same legendary detail, service and storytelling for which Disney Parks are renowned. Staying at a Disney Resort hotel keeps you right in the right in the heart of the action – close to the Theme Parks, Water Parks and shopping at Disney Springs. You’ll be immersed in fantastical settings both real and imagined, with amenities and experiences including themed pools with slides, poolside activities and unique recreation opportunities. Plus, expect surprise appearances from your favourite Disney characters – you never know when or where they might turn up. Getting around is easy: complimentary bus, boat and monorail services are available to take guests to popular destinations throughout Walt Disney World Resort. The most recent addition is the Disney Skyliner, letting guests glide across the sky while travelling between selected Disney Resort hotels, Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Epcot.
9. Stay in the heart of the magic at Disney Resort hotels
Walt Disney World Resort’s 50th Anniversary is more than just a wonderful event – it’s a chance to make memories with your loved ones that will last a lifetime. And there really is something for everyone at this family spectacular as guests are treated to experiences only offered during the 18-month celebration – even
your selfies will be limited edition against one-off backdrops and decorations. To elevate your trip even more, take advantage of Disney’s Ultimate Ticket, which gets you access to all four Disney Theme Parks and Disney Water Parks* and includes Memory Maker,
a digital photo package worth $199, so even when you get home,
you can revisit those magical moments again and again.
It’s about time we had something to celebrate. There is so much to look forward to at Walt Disney World Resort, Florida – it’s time to reserve your ticket to the magic.
10. Make once in a lifetime Disney memories
‘TRY TO SPOT YOUR FAVOURITE DISNEY CHARACTERS – YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN THEY MIGHT SURPRISE YOU’
Up to $950 Disney Dining Credit per room to spend at 250+ dining locations
$200 Disney Spending Money – boost your holiday budget with a free Disney Gift Card per booking, loaded with $200 Disney Spending Money
Accurate at the time of publication. Book a 50th Anniversary Package by 3rd August 2021 (inclusive) including Disney’s 14-Day Ultimate Ticket and a stay in one of the participating Walt Disney World Resort Hotels for a minimum of 5 consecutive nights and maximum of 14 consecutive nights for selected arrivals from 01/01 to 02/04 2022 (inclusive), 24/04 to 24/09 2022 (inclusive), 13/11 to 17/11 2022 (inclusive) and 09/12 to 18/12 2022 (inclusive) and receive: Disney’s 14-Day Ultimate Ticket for the price of 7 (including Memory Maker); up to $950 Disney Dining Credit per room on a two week stay; and a US$200 Disney Spending Money Gift Card per booking. Guests will be able to book a 50th Anniversary Package excluding the US$200 Disney Spending Money for the above mentioned arrival dates between 04/08 and 02/11 2021. Receive Disney Dining Credit of US$36 per room for each night of a confirmed eligible stay in one of the Tier 1 Participating Disney Resorts; US$61 for each night of a confirmed eligible stay in one of the Tier 2 Participating Disney Resorts; US$68 per room for each night of a confirmed eligible stay in one of the Tier 3 Participating Resorts as defined in full T&Cs. Exclusions and Conditions apply – www.disneypackages.co.uk.
Subject to availability. Entry to the Walt Disney World Theme Parks is subject to advance registration. Enhanced health and safety measures are in place to promote cleanliness, physical distancing and reduced contact. Some parks, experiences, shows or events may be unavailable or modified depending on relevant health and safety requirements or other reasons including but not limited to adverse weather or refurbishment. Important details to know before you visit: www.disneyworld.co.uk/experience-updates
Beacons of Magic available nightly at select theme parks. See DisneyWorld.com/50 for details.
*Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park remains closed at this time. Tickets will include admission to Disney's Blizzard Beach or Disney's Typhoon Lagoon Water Park, whichever is open. Currently reservation is not required to visit a water park, but reservation requirements may change. Water parks are subject to rehabilitation, seasonal, capacity and weather closures.
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