The 100th anniversary of the Walt Disney Company is underway and we are now learning new details on how Walt Disney World will celebrate this occasion! Here’s the details below!
For 100 years, The Walt Disney Company has created unforgettable stories and lifelong memories for generations of families. Some of our 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 everyone is invited to be part of the fun! We are thrilled to share that everyone 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.
Has everyone been looking forward to seeing Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse in their new dazzling platinum outfits? We know we have! guests will 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 guests can meet them soon.
Admire Special Spaceship Earth Lighting
We are 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 a 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 we make our way to Walt Disney World, we get a rush of adrenaline thinking about the magic that awaits us. guests won’t want to miss this opportunity to snap a few photos as a way to remember their visit during this very special celebration. This photo-op is perfect for the entire family and is a great way to start the day. If guests are not going to Disney’s Animal Kingdom, don’t worry. They’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 guests have ever had the joy of staying in one of our enchanting Disney Resort hotels, they may have witnessed the magic of various Disney characters stopping by for an impromptu photo opportunity. As the Disney100 celebration ramps up at Walt Disney World, guests may run into some of their favorite Disney characters in their platinum best as they pop up at various Disney Resort hotels. They 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; guests will 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. We were 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 the Perfect Disney100 Memento
Guests may have spotted and already started to collect some of the amazing Disney100 merchandise that’s popping up at Walt Disney World. To help them prepare for what’s to come, a little fairy told us 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 our favorite souvenir thus far. Stay tuned for more details on when this beauty will make its debut. For now, guests will 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.
As everyone can see, the celebration is just getting started at Walt Disney World, and there’s much more to come! Stay tuned for more exciting news as we continue to celebrate Disney100 here!
