“May Walt Disney World bring joy and inspiration and new knowledge to all who come to this happy place.”
Fifty years ago, Walt Disney World opened its gates to the public, and it was dedicated with these words not by Walt Disney himself, but by his brother, Roy Disney. Although “The Florida Project,” as it was nicknamed in its infancy, was Walt’s beloved brainchild, he didn’t live long enough to see it open.
But nearly sixty years after his death, not only is Walt Disney World still kicking, it is celebrating fifty years of making dreams come true. The “World’s Most Magical Celebration” began on October 1, and will last eighteen months. From new attractions and entertainment to food and merchandising, Walt Disney World is pulling out all the stops for its biggest birthday yet.
The celebration began on the evening of Sept. 30, with a rededication of the park and the debut of the Magic Kingdom’s new nighttime spectacular, “Enchantment,” all live-streamed on YouTube for any fan to view.
Rededicating the park were CEO Bob Chapek and former CEO and current Executive Chairman Bob Iger. “One thing will forever remain the same, and that is the sheer joy and sense of wonder the people feel when they come here. That is what makes this place truly special,” Iger said during the livestream.
The theme of this celebration is “Earidescence,” a clever play on the word iridescence. Mickey Mouse and his friends have received new costumes in shimmering shades of blue and gold. The icons of the four parks will come alive with lights in the evening, and in Magic Kingdom, Cinderella Castle itself received a remodel to reflect this theme.
Another way Walt Disney World is celebrating is by celebrating its own home, Orlando, Florida. On Good Morning America, Chapek announced the Disney’s intent to donate 3 million dollars to the community. “We just thought that a really nice way to commemorate the fiftieth would be to recognize people who are doing things, particularly for families and for kids in the local community,” Chapek said.
What the Disney Company has made very clear throughout its various promotions for this celebration is how essential their Cast Members are. Videos have been posted on the Disney Parks YouTube channel showing off new cast member uniforms and celebrating the stories of various employees, including some who have worked at Walt Disney World since its opening in 1971.
“The secret is our cast. Our cast are the element that make those magical memories last a lifetime,” Chapek said on Good Morning America.
The first day of celebrations wrapped up with a television event, “The Most Magical Story on Earth: 50 Years of Walt Disney World” on ABC, hosted by Whoopi Golderberg and featuring performances by Christina Aguilera and Halle Bailey, along with many other celebrity appearances.
