From Disney Parks-
For 100 years, The Walt Disney Company has created unforgettable stories and lifelong memories for generations of families. Some of my favorite memories are tied to visits to Walt Disney World, seeing Disney stories brought to life and getting the chance to experience them in magical ways.
The entire Walt Disney World cast is excited to join in the celebration of Disney100, and you’re invited to be part of the fun! I’m thrilled to share that you can now experience magical, limited-time offerings sprinkled throughout the resort. Here are six great ways to commemorate this momentous milestone, with many more to come.
Say Hi to Mickey and Minnie in Their Platinum Best
As previously shared, EPCOT will be the center of the Disney100 celebration later this year at Walt Disney World. Recently opened attractions like the exhilarating family thrill coaster Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind and the captivating 4D Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure bring even more family fun to the park where the impossible becomes possible. Even more is in store as the park’s multi-year transformation culminates later this year during the Disney100 celebration.
Have you been looking forward to seeing Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse in their new dazzling platinum outfits? I know I have! You’ll be able to hug and take photos with the duo in their platinum outfits at EPCOT later this year. What a way to celebrate this major milestone and the legacy that their beloved stories represent for our Company. We’ll have more details on when and where you can meet them soon.
Admire Special Spaceship Earth Lighting
I’m excited to announce that the night sky will light up with a dazzling spectacle of colors and lights as Spaceship Earth honors Disney100 with a special display later in 2023. Here’s your first look at what’s sure to be a memorable moment during the celebration.
Our friends at Walt Disney Imagineering have been dreaming up new ways to honor this important milestone by turning to their own cherished memories and favorite Disney stories as they create this one-of-a-kind display.
“The Show Lighting Team at Walt Disney Imagineering has been amazed at our guests’ reaction to the nightly shows on Spaceship Earth,” said Jason Read, show lighting designer principal for Walt Disney Imagineering. “We’ve helped celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Walt Disney World, EPCOT’s 40th and the park’s signature festivals. Now, we’re excited to have Spaceship Earth ring in the biggest celebration yet, the 100th Anniversary of the Walt Disney Company.”
“We’re also inspired by many things from the history of the company, its characters, theme parks and shows – even the Disney100 opening logo that plays before our feature films during this anniversary,” Read continued. “You may see homages to everything from the ‘Wonderful World of Disney’ television show opening to Mickey balloons that we sell on Main Street, U.S.A.”
Take a Selfie in Front of a Disney100 Backdrop
Whenever I make my way to Walt Disney World, I get a rush of adrenaline thinking about the magic that awaits me. So, you can only imagine my excitement when I saw the Disney100 sign at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park right in front of the entrance. If you’re like me, you won’t want to miss this opportunity to snap a few photos as a way to remember your visit during this very special celebration. This photo op is perfect for the entire family and is a great way to start your day. If you’re not going to Disney’s Animal Kingdom, don’t worry. You’ll be able to snap photos with Disney100 backdrops at all four theme parks plus Disney Springs.
Keep an Eye Out for Surprise Character Visits at Disney Resort Hotels
If you’ve ever had the joy of staying in one of our enchanting Disney Resort hotels, you may have seen the magic of various Disney characters stopping by for an impromptu photo opportunity. As the Disney100 celebration ramps up at Walt Disney World, you may run into some of your favorite Disney characters in their platinum best as they pop up at various Disney Resort hotels. You never know when or where they’ll show up next!
Celebrate With New Food and Drinks
The celebration doesn’t stop with character greetings and fun photo ops; you’ll also be able to indulge in some Disney100 treats across the resort. Beginning May 1, guests can enjoy the Disney100 Petite Cake for a limited time at Amorette’s Patisserie in Disney Springs. This mouthwatering dessert has layers of vanilla chiffon, berry mousse and berry compote, all topped with a celebratory Disney100 Medallion macaron.
The Disney Culinary team has been dreaming up all kinds of delicious dishes to commemorate the milestone, and this is just the beginning. I was lucky enough to learn about the inspiration behind this yummy dessert from Chef Amanda.
“The culinary team has the wonderful opportunity to use food for storytelling,” Chef Amanda said. “We get to make special themed treats that bring guests into the story, letting them feel immersed in a tangible and very delicious way.”
“The inspiration of this cake pulls from the rich purple and platinum colors used for the Disney100 celebration,” Chef Amanda shared. “The drapery on the sides of the cake represents the traditional bunting that adorns Main Street, U.S.A. for special occasions. And of course, Mickey Mouse is proudly represented on the front of the cake because as we all know: ‘It all started with a mouse.’”
Find Your Perfect Disney100 Memento
You may have spotted and already started to collect some of the amazing Disney100 merchandise that’s popping up at Walt Disney World. To help you prepare for what’s to come, a little fairy told me about the new Disney100 Cinderella Premium Bucket that will be exclusive to Magic Kingdom. This dazzling souvenir is intricately designed, great for the entire family, and my favorite souvenir thus far. Stay tuned for more details on when this beauty will make its debut. For now, you’ll be able to enjoy drinks and popcorn in the new Disney100 refillable cups available now at the Disney Resort hotels and popcorn buckets at all four theme parks and Disney Springs.
You can also check out the wide variety of limited-release merchandise, available across the Walt Disney World Resort. Cherish nostalgic memories with the new 40s-themed Disney100 Decades Collection featuring Disney classics such as “Fantasia,” “The Three Caballeros,” “Pinocchio” and “Dumbo.” While you’re at it, marvel at all the magic with the Disney100 Platinum Celebration Collection — perfect if you’re looking for even more ways to shine! Or maybe the Disney100 Unified Character Collection is more your style with beloved characters from throughout the history of Disney, including Snow White, Elsa and Simba. My favorite Disney100 pieces so far are the Unified Characters Backpack and the Three Caballeros Ear Headband, but there is even more merchandise debuting soon.
As you can see, the celebration is just getting started at Walt Disney World, and there’s much more to come!
Michele also contributes theme park news for Fox 35 Orlando 11pm news and on the radio on WDBO.
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