New Announcements of Magical Entertainment & More for Walt Disney World’s 50th–But is That

Big announcements came out today all tied to Walt Disney World’s 50th Golden Celebration. Beyond announcing an opening date for HarmoniUS, Disney has announced a new nighttime show for the Magic Kingdom, as well as a new daytime show to Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Additionally, new entertainment and offerings will complement the entire Walt Disney World celebration. And then there’s new books being offered for this event. But what is missing in action? What significant offerings are not yet outlined for Disney’s 50th, and will it feel like the Walt Disney World we have all come to love without those shows and experiences?

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Disney Enchantment

A new nighttime spectacular, “Disney Enchantment,” will debut Oct. 1, 2021, at the Magic Kingdom. Created to launch with the “World’s Most Magical Celebration” the show will take guests on a journey filled with adventure, wonder and empowerment, inspiring guests to believe in magic. “Disney Enchantment” will feature music, enhanced lighting, stunning fireworks and, for the first time, immersive projection effects that extend from Cinderella Castle down Main Street, U.S.A.

This suggests that the show is replacing “Happily Ever After”.

HarmoniUS

Disney has announced that “Harmonious” will debut Oct. 1, 2021. As one of the largest nighttime spectaculars ever created for a Disney park, the show will celebrate how the music of Disney inspires people the world over, carrying them away harmoniously on a stream of familiar Disney tunes reinterpreted by a diverse group of artists from around the globe. “Harmonious” will feature massive floating set pieces, custom-built LED panels, choreographed moving fountains, lights, pyrotechnics, lasers and more.

On that same day Ratatouille will open as well.

Disney Kite Tails

Also premiering on October 1st is a new daytime entertainment show at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Titled, “Disney KiteTails,” this show will take place several times daily at the Discovery River Amphitheater beginning Oct. 1. Performers will fly windcatchers and kites of all shapes and sizes, while out on the water elaborate three-dimensional kites – some stretching to 30 feet long – will depict Disney animal friends, including Simba, Zazu, Baloo and King Louie. These colorful creations will dance through the sky to the beat of favorite Disney songs in an uplifting, vibrant experience for the whole family.

Mickey’s Celebration Cavalcade

Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse will be your hosts for “The World’s Most Magical Celebration,” and they’ll be decked out in sparkling new EARidescent fashions for the 50^th anniversary. Donald Duck and Daisy Duck, Goofy and Pluto, and Chip ‘n’ Dale will be sporting their own custom-made EARidescent looks as well beginning Oct. 1. You’ll get a chance to see them when they travel through Magic Kingdom Park several times daily in a new cavalcade.

Disney Fab 50

Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse along with 48 other characters will be part of the “Disney Fab 50,” a new collection of golden sculptures debuting Oct. 1, 2021, across all four Walt Disney World theme parks as part of “The World’s Most Magical Celebration” honoring the 50th anniversary of Walt Disney World Resort.

Other Beacons of Magic

“The World’s Most Magical Celebration” will also see the following:

• Grand opening of Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure at EPCOT
• Icons at each of the four parks transforming into Beacons of Magic at night. Disney notes that Beacons of Magic will be available nightly at select theme parks.
• EARidescent décor all across the resort, plus much more.
• Walt Disney World cast members – who will be wearing new EARidescent nametags designed especially for this occasion.

Disney Magic Makers

Starting today through October 1 2021, any U.S. resident over 18 can nominate a person who inspires them for the Disney Magic Makers contest by visiting www.disneymagicmakers.com and sharing the positive impact they have made. Fifty nominees whose inspirational acts of kindness, compassion, and creativity best exemplify the values of a #DisneyMagicMaker will win a trip to Walt Disney World Resort to join “The World’s Most Magical Celebration” for the 50th anniversary and a one-year subscription to Disney+ if eligible. People can further celebrate their hometown heroes with a public post using #DisneyMagicMakers on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter or TikTok.

Commemorative Books

Disney has also announced several books:

Delicious Disney lineup includes beautiful photos and behind-the-scenes anecdotes told by authors Marcy Carriker Smothers and Pam Brandon. This cookbook-meets-coffee-table-book enchants with more than sixty recipes ranging from appetizers to desserts, main courses and libations. Disney foodie fans will love this collection of stories and recipes that goes all the way back to opening day in 1971, to current favorites from around the resort. This book will be exclusively available at Walt Disney World Resort and shopDisney beginning September 28^th.

You’re never too old to experience the joy of coloring, right? Well, for the creative spirit, this brand new adult coloring book is ideal for taking pencil to paper and adding your own brand of color and style. Get your colored pencils ready! This book will be exclusively available at Walt Disney World Resort and shopDisney beginning September 28^th.

Walt Disney World will always be growing and evolving, just as Walt intended it. To keep up to date, you can trust Birnbaum as your 2021-2022 guide for insider tips on how to see and do it all! Get the scoop on what’s new for the 50^th Anniversary, including insider updates on new attractions, resorts, and more. Available wherever books are sold beginning September 21^st.

Kids think they are the experts on all things Disney… and they might just be right! In this book, real kids give honest advice for the most awesome Walt Disney World Resort vacation possible, including insider tips for young readers, must-do attraction and dining recommendations, and a hunt for dozens of Hidden Mickeys throughout the theme parks! Available wherever books are sold beginning September 21^st.

Missing in Action

• Fantasmic!
• Nighttime Shows at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
• Festival of Fantasy Parade
• Return of all Stage Shows Including:
  • Mickey’s Royal Friendship Faire or 50th Anniversary Castle Show
  • Spirit of Aloha
  • Hoop de Doo
• Epcot World Celebration

The Wayfinder Society: A Patreon Site for Disney Fans

We are offering a new program where you have the opportunity to enjoy exclusive offerings from Disney at Play and Disney at Work. Join us as we introduce our new Patreon program, the Wayfinder Society, intended to give you new insights to all things Disney, whether its work or play. I am truly excited to share this new opportunity with you and look forward to creating new experiences that you will enjoy whether at home or at the Disney parks. There are a variety of options for joining, depending on your interests:

When you join, you will be given access to unique, interactive apps that explores the parks in new ways, offering stories, photos, videos and more. 

Here are some of the interactive apps we share with members of our society: 

• Pandora: World of Avatar: This is an expansive and detailed look at every aspect of this land. You can’t find any source that has covered this entire land with its attractions, retail and dining more in depth.
• Pirates of the Caribbean Across the Globe: We not only compare this attraction in parks world-wide, but we deep dive into what makes each unique. Currently we’ve covered Tokyo Disneyland and Magic Kingdom. More to come!
• Coming Soon! S.E.A. Assembled! The Society of Adventurers and Explorers are coming to the Wayfinder Society. We’ll document their whereabouts and showcase their imprint on Disney attractions world-wide.
• Disney at Work Interactive Tour: Disneyland. For our upper tiers, we have an interactive business tour of Disneyland to include more than fifty attractions spread throughout the park. These are best-in-business ideas you can apply to your own organization.
• Coming Soon! Disney at Work Interactive Tour: Walt Disney World 50th Anniversary. Looking at the heritage of Most Magical Place in the World, we draw best practices from over the years that you can again, apply to your organization. 

As you see, we have so much to share. And when you donate, a portion of your contribution goes to Embrace Celebration, dedicated to helping Disney Cast Members and others in this area who are unemployed during this pandemic. To learn more, visit our site to discover our offerings and various tiers. Join us!

Become a Patron!