Celebrating Walt Disney World’s 50th Anniversary

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Oct. 1, 1971, was a memorable day in the history of theme parks and Orlando tourism as Walt Disney World opened its gates for the very first time. 50 years later, Walt Disney World (WDW) sprawls across nearly 42 square miles and welcomes 50 million visitors annually to the Most Magical Place on Earth. 

To commemorate this milestone, the popular tourist destination launched an 18th month-long celebration on Oct. 1, 2021, called The World’s Most Magical Celebration. According to Disney, this exhibition of Disney magic encourages visitors to “Celebrate the Small Stuff, the Big Stuff and Even the In-Between Stuff.” 

“Obviously, WDW has become one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world in its short 50-year history,” said Martin Lewison, an associate professor of business management at Farmingdale State College on Long Island, New York, in an email interview with CNN.

Much has changed in Walt Disney World throughout its 50-year history including park openings, attraction updates and closures, and recently, even sensitivity changes. But the company has come a long way since a Florida landowner allegedly refused to work with Walt Disney and his “carnival people.”  

Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. Photo: Rachel Comande

The World’s Most Magical Celebration 

This celebration should also help Disney recover from the pandemic as the 50th anniversary increases the demand of people wanting to return to the resort, rescheduling or booking trips for the first time. “There’s been big demand,” said Jeffrey Merola, the owner of Mouse Vacation Planning, in an interview with The New York Times. “But I have definitely had some people reschedule for 2022. They want to wait to see what happens with the coronavirus, and several of Disney’s bigger anniversary offerings don’t come online until then anyway.”

Some of those “bigger anniversary offerings” that Disney plans to open in the coming months include:

  • a newer version of MagicBand+, Disney’s wearable technology that will allow users to unlock interactive experiences

Throughout the celebration, resort guests will also have an opportunity to buy exclusive merchandise and try more than 150 new food offerings throughout all of Walt Disney World’s theme parks and their shopping district, Disney Springs. 

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