Overnight, Disney Imagineers installed the much-anticipated golden 50th crest to Cinderella Castle as part of the park’s 50th anniversary celebration.
This celebratory event, called “The World’s Most Magical Celebration”, will feature new experiences at the resort’s four theme parks and beyond, where shimmering “EARidescent” décor will appear as if by magic. Shining at the center of it all will be Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom Park, which will add to its royal makeover from 2020 with new gold bunting, sparkling golden embellishments and other new enhancements, including a 50th anniversary crest warmly welcoming guests to the join the festivities.
The Walt Disney World Resort opened its gates nearly fifty years ago, and beginning October 1, 2021 the resort will begin celebrating it’s 50th anniversary with an 18-month long celebration.
New facial recognition technology is now being tested at Magic Kingdom theme park in Disney World.
“At Walt Disney World Resort, we’re always looking for innovative and convenient ways to improve our Guests’ experience – especially as we navigate the impact of COVID-19,” Disney said on its website. “With the future in mind and the shift in focus to more touchless experiences, we’re conducting a limited 30-day test using facial recognition technology.”
The new technology captures an image of a guest’s face and converts it into a unique number, which is then associated with the form of admission being used for park entry. Disney said on its website that the test is completely optional, and limited, as guests with reservations make their way through the turnstiles at the park. Disney put out a series of steps on its website alerting guests of the test and what to expect. Take a look below:
Step 1: Enter the Facial Recognition Technology Test Lane
When you’re ready to enter the park, simply enter the lane designated for the test program.
Step 2: Remove Accessories, But Keep Your Face Covering in Place
Please take off any hats, visors or sunglasses before you approach the facial recognition test zone. Your face covering must remain on at all times.
Step 3: Face the Camera
Once in the facial recognition test zone, stand facing the camera and then position your valid park admission or MagicBand close to the scanner to activate the technology. The technology will capture an image, which will be converted into a unique number that will be associated with your valid ticket media.
Disney is encouraging guests that use the technology, and return back to the theme park, to use it again upon re-entry.
Officials said the process helps them see how the technology is progressing and works during the guest experience.
Officials said during the testing they have implemented technical, administrative, and physical security measures that are designed to protect guest information from unauthorized access, disclosure, use and modification. Officials stressed that the security, integrity, and confidentiality of guest information is extremely important. Disney said all information and photos taken during testing will be discarded after 30 days when the test is over.
Children under the age of 18 can participate but only with parental consent. The testing is happening now through April 23.
Preparations for Walt Disney World’s 50th anniversary celebration are underway and the first bit of celebratory decorations have begun to appear on Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom!
The park’s iconic centerpiece received its first piece of decor ahead of “The World’s Most Magical Celebration,” which is planned to begin on October 1.
Walt Disney Imagineering developed new colors, gold detailing and vibrant hues for this makeover, drawing inspiration from Disney Legend Mary Blair’s vision of the classic film, “Cinderella.”
The overall Cinderella Castle makeover will continue in the coming months, as the turrets and towers receive shimmering pearls, jewels and ribbons in royal blues and iridescent golds. At night, this royal landmark will be a vision to behold, as it becomes one of the shining Beacons of Magic, shimmering with EARidescence.
As part of Disney World’s 50th anniversary celebration, Cinderella’s Castle will feature golden bunting and a 50th anniversary crest as part of its festive new look.
“The entire castle will shimmer with pearls and jewels, and the turrets and towers will be wrapped in iridescent gold and royal blue ribbons,” said George Adams, Walt Disney Imagineering. “Above the castle gate, a 50th-anniversary crest will warmly welcome guests to join the festivities.”
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 below:
When night falls, the castle and the landmarks of the other three parks will transform into “Beacons of Magic,” adding a shimmering optical element to each, like “pixie dust on Cinderella Castle” and “magical fireflies inhabiting the Tree of Life.”
Beginning Oct. 1, Walt Disney World Resort will throw “The World’s Most Magical Celebration” in honor of our 50th anniversary of the Resort.
Want to start your holiday adventure off at Magic Kingdom Park with a quick and delicious breakfast? The new breakfast lineup is delicious and will give enough energy to make it to you first Churro or Mickey Ice Cream Bar!
From Egg & Bacon Croissant Breakfast Sandwich to Tots & Sausage Gravy, Magic Kingdom has what you need. And on the sweet side, the Cheshire Cat Tails are a delicious chocolate pastry twists decorated with pink and purple striped icing that are perfect anytime of day.
Beginning Dec. 20 through Jan. 2, the breakfast items below will be available from park opening through 11 a.m., except for the Cheshire Cat Tails, which will be sold all day:
Magic Kingdom Park is decked out in full festive regalia, and their chefs have been busy cooking (and baking!) up delicious treats just for the holidays! Let us know in the comments what your looking forward to most!
Here’s a list, with locations, to help you plan your next delicious trip.
Twice Upon a Cupcake – A confetti Christmas tree tops a vanilla cupcake with a red velvet hidden Mickey (Available at Main Street Bakery Nov. 6 – Dec. 30)
Let it Snow Taco – Sugar cookie “taco shell” filled with salted caramel and spiced chocolate mousse (Available at Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Cafe Nov. 6 – Dec. 30)
An Orange Bird Christmas– Orange–scented white chocolate mousse filled with orange curd (Available at Sunshine Tree Terrace Nov. 6 – Dec. 30)
Chip and Dale Christmas Churros – Gingerbread churros topped with apple pie filling and chocolate chips (Available at Westward Ho Nov. 6 – Dec. 30)
Pistachio Chai Tea Float – Pistachio soft–serve, spiced chai tea, and a red velvet cake pop ornament (Available at Aloha Isle Nov. 6 – Dec. 30)
I tried An Orange Bird Christmas. It was sitting on top of a little sponge cake, and tasted very citrusy. It wasn’t too sweet and I really liked it!
If you’re in need of some holiday cheer, look no further, because the Holiday Magic is alive at Disney’s Magic Kingdom this year! Decorations have been hung by the castle with care and you can now find Holiday character meet & greets, cavalcade and more.
This year the fun isn’t just at an after hours Christmas Party; the holiday entertainment happens all day long. It all starts on Main Street, with the Dapper Dans barbershop quartet delivering festive harmonies, while the Main Street Philharmonic marches along with life sized toy soldiers.
There are several locations throughout the park where characters appear to “Surprise and Delight” guests. You can interact with them and take socially distanced selfies as you can see below:
Rabbit and Piglet in their Holiday scarves at The Crystal Palace
Rabbit, Piglet, and Eeyore like to hang out on the porch of The Crystal Palace.
As you’re strolling through Frontierland you might catch some characters from the Country Bear Jamboree wearing peppermint striped scarves. They love to post for the camera!
To the left of the Country Bear Jamboree is a walkway connecting Frontierland to Adventureland. This is Chip and Dale’s favorite spot to goof around.
Santa Stitch can be found making mischief on the Tomorrowland stage. While he’s taking a break for some milk and cookies you might be able to see Buzz Lightyear!
The Muppets have returned to Liberty Square. They don’t have a holiday show, but they will interact with you and take socially distanced selfies if you ask them.
The last character is also the most rare! Jiminy Cricket can be found hanging out on the balcony above Pinocchio Haus in Fantasyland. He looks so Dapper in his Holiday outfit.
I found that these character interactions still aren’t well known, and the characters don’t arrive any any set schedule. Therefore, there aren’t really lines to see them and you can get some great photos and interactions!
There are also four Character Cavalcades that make their way from Splash Mountain in Frontierland to the Fire Station on Main St. Mickey’s Holiday Cavalcade is a holiday celebration with Mickey Mouse and his friends.
Goofy’s Scrumptious Cavalcade features Goofy cooking up some holiday fun from his gingerbread house and bake shop floats, joined by dancing gingerbread men. A Royal Christmas Processional heralds the arrival of Disney princesses on a crystal castle float. Santa’s Cavalcade has all the reindeer pulling his sleigh and some silly elves dancing along behind him with presents they forgot to pack. These mini parades only run until dusk, so make sure you get to the park early if you want to see them all.
When night falls at Magic Kingdom, projection effects transform Cinderella Castle with a kaleidoscope of designs. There are four designs including a whimsical Christmas sweater and a regal overlay of red, green and gold ornamentation. The iconic castle provides the perfect colorful background for guests seeking a magical holiday portrait.
I don’t know about you, but I am so happy the Holidays have arrived at Magic Kingdom! All of the decorations are out, I saw so many festive outfits on guests, and all the entertainment makes this such a festive time.
For the first time, guests of all ages can wear their Halloween costumes to Magic Kingdom during regular operating hours.
Disney World has previously banned adults and guests over 13 from wearing costumes during regular operating hours, except during Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party.
Adults usually aren’t allowed to wear costumes to the Disney World theme parks during regular operating hours, but since Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party events were canceled this year due to the coronavirus pandemic, Disney decided on a change in policy.
Magic Kingdom is still transforming into an autumnal wonderland, complete with adorable seasonal treats, Halloween-themed character cavalcades, and plenty of Mickey jack-o-lanterns and fall foliage from Sept. 15 to Oct. 31.
There will still be rules to the costumes: No full-face masks or outfits that “reach or drag on the ground” such as “full-length Princess dresses,” according to the Disney website.
No one older than 14 can wear a full-faced costume. Also all guests must still wear a face covering during their visit.
Whenever candlelights flicker where the air is deathly still, you’ll find Haunted Mansion merchandise and now Disney has released a new pair of Crocs inspired by the classic attraction!
Like other Disney Crocs, these have hidden Mickey holes all over them and they are completely covered with the iconic Haunted Mansion wallpaper.
Take a closer look at the ghoulish new Crocs below:
Universal Studios’ Islands of Adventure has held the #1 ranking among the “best theme parks in the world,” in Tripadvisor’s annual Travelers’ Choice Awards for the past five years, but this year Magic Kingdom at Disney World has won the top spot.
To determine the rankings, Tripadvisor said it pulled together “all the reviews, ratings and saves that travelers share from across the globe.”
Islands of Adventure slid to the third spot for 2020. Rounding out the top five were Puy du Frous of France at No. 2, Disney’s Animal Kingdom at No. 4 and Universal’s Studios Florida at No. 5.
“Every year, we pull together all the reviews, ratings, and saves that travelers share from across the globe — and use that info to spotlight the very best,” the Tripadvisor website says. Tripadvisor’s site features user-generated content, comparison guides and reservations for travel experiences, including hotels.
Other Florida theme parks to make the list include Disney’s Hollywood Studios at No. 12 and Fun Spot’s Kissimmee park at No. 23. As far as water parks go, Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon ranked sixth in the world, while Disney’s Blizzard Beach ranked 19th.
