Walt Disney World fans are being treated to some long-awaited news regarding Disney’s 100th Anniversary celebration! EPCOT will play host to some new offerings this fall! Disney100 kicked off at the Disneyland Resort early this year, boasting a treasure trove of new offerings. Now it’s Walt Disney World’s turn to shift focus from Walt Disney World’s 50th to the Disney Company’s 100th.
Disney100 Celebration at Disneyland
We shared the highlights in our article on Disneyland’s 68th birthday last week, but here’s a refresher in case you missed it!
Disneyland offers quite a bit of major entertainment and treats, and throws in some attractions which made their debut during the celebration as well…
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- Wondrous Journeys fireworks at Disneyland
- “World of Color – ONE” water spectacular at Disney California Adventure
- Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway – a new family dark ride in ToonTown
- The return of the “Magic Happens” Parade at Disneyland
- Mickey’s Toontown (Reimagined) at the very back of Disneyland
- Disney100 Decor, including our favorite new element, water fountains in the castle moat
- The Disney Gallery Presents: Disney 100 Years of Wonder
- MagicBand+ Interactions at shows and some decorative elements in the parks and Downtown Disney
- New Eats, Treats, Merch, and Souvenirs
So, how are things being celebrated at Walt Disney World…
Disney100 at Walt Disney World Resort
After the festivities debuted at Disneyland, Disney100 touches started popping up around Walt Disney World Resort, albeit rather slowly. Although the celebration has a presence in all four Parks (Magic Kingdom Park, EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park), the offerings have been minimal. Guests can currently spot Disney100 in the form of photo ops, decor, treats, and merchandise.
That being said, there have been no major additions like the ones seen at Disneyland. This makes sense being that Walt Disney World just wrapped up its 50th Anniversary. Moreover, Disneyland is the birthplace of Disney theme parks, making Anaheim an ideal venue to spotlight Disney’s 100th Anniversary.
Monthly Themes in Honor of Disney100
Currently, Walt Disney World Resort is celebrating Disney100 by highlighting franchise themes, monthly. Here’s the calendar of events.
• April: Disney’s conservation efforts and the 25th Anniversary of Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park will be the focus.
• May: All things from a galaxy far, far away will be featured with an emphasis on Star Wars.
• June: The delightful Pixar Characters will take fun to infinity and beyond.
• July: Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse and friends will provide “swell fun” for all.
• August: The Disney Princesses and beloved Frozen Characters take the throne.
• September: Super Hero adventures take flight!
Disney100 Experiences Heading To EPCOT This Fall
Up until this point, we knew that celebratory experiences would be heading to EPCOT later in the year. Fans got a glimpse of what was coming in the spring. Today, Disney gave us an update, with more details and a date! Let’s take a look at what fans can expect come autumn.
Disney100 Backdrop With New Platinum Mickey Mouse Statue
Mark your calendars for September 22, 2023, when the festivities will commence! Thus far, the Disney100 signage has been very simple in orientation, with a platinum “100”. Guests can snap a pic in front of these statues at all four Parks. In September, a Mickey Mouse sculpture will add magic to the World Celebration, reminding us that “it was all started by a mouse”. Snap a memorable pic with EPCOT’s iconic landmark, Spaceship Earth, as the backdrop.
100 Disney Characters Mural in World Celebration
It’s a game of Where’s Waldo” along the pathway to World Showcase, with 100 Disney characters dispersed across an epic scene. Search through EPCOT’s neighborhoods to find your favorite within the mural. New Disney100 decor will also spring up around World Celebration, in the form of banners and celebratory swag.
Disney100 Meet and Greet With Mickey and Minnie
Fans of Disney meet and greets will be delighted to learn that come September, you can snag a photo with Mickey and Minnie dressed in their Disney100 outfits! Head to the Imagination! Pavilion for a memorable photo.
Transformation of Spaceship Earth
This fall, fans will be treated to something special at Spaceship Earth. EPCOT’s iconic landmark will be all aglow with a Disney100 theme, nightly. The transformation includes unique colors and lights along with a Disney100 version of “When You Wish Upon a Star.”
Limited-Time Food and Beverage Offerings During Disney100
The EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival occurs from July 27 to November 18, 2023. Here, Guests can enjoy limited-time menu offerings at a variety of locations within EPCOT. Following the Food & Wine Festival is the EPCOT International Festival of Holidays, which takes place from November 24 through December 30, 2023. During this event, Guests will find a variety of festive holiday kitchens featuring delicious, seasonal recipes from all over the world!
Purple Metallic Mickey Balloon Premium Popcorn Bucket
Popcorn bucket alert! Keep an eye out for the Purple Metallic Mickey Balloon Premium Popcorn Bucket exclusively available at EPCOT during the Disney100 celebration. Disneyland fans have already been treated to this special souvenir and soon, Disney World park goers will have their shot!
Disney100 festivities will continue from September 22 through December 31, 2023 at Walt Disney World Resort. Don’t miss this epic celebration of a century of Disney magic on both the East and West Coasts!
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Your Turn!
Let’s hear from you folks. Are you surprised to see new Disney100 offerings pop up at EPCOT so late in the celebration? Let us know what stands out to you and if you’ll be making a point to visit EPCOT to see any of the new offerings.