ORLANDO -- Admission to Walt Disney World was available with a book that included ride tickets. There were the A-ticket rides and the E-ticket attractions.
The 50th anniversary celebrations at Disney World began on October 1. Some enhancements are simple -- custom nametags, costumes, and an anniversary cocktail -- but others are spectacular.
Let's take a moment to remember the joy that celebrations such as this can evoke and rate these new experiences as if they were tickets.
Epcot and Magic Kingdom have new fireworks shows for the evening that can be used as candles on an anniversary cake for the next 18-months.
Epcot's "Harmonious", a water-based show that takes place on Epcot’s World Showcase section's central lagoon, is themed around new interpretations by a multicultural choir made up of 240 performers from all over the globe.
The new light and fireworks show for Walt Disney World's 50th Anniversary celebrations includes the Main Street area from the Magic Kingdom. Photo credit: Tom Stieghorst
The 20-minute fireworks display includes colored water jets shooting from eight moving mechanical arms. They are surrounded by four giant LED panels, and a five-story water curtain.
The Magic Kingdom show brings back the magic of Cinderella's Castle. It has been given a facelift for its 50th anniversary. For the first time projections will light up Main Street leading to the castle. This gives visitors who throng its streets their own magic to enjoy. Both experiences are available as E-tickets.
The Spaceship Earth attraction at EPCOT received a new lighting scheme to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Walt Disney World. Photo credit: Tom Stieghorst
The new pink, gold and blue livery for Cinderella's Castle is a fresh look. It is one the four main attractions at each park that has been upgraded for the 50th. C-ticket.
I was unable to see the night fireflies at Animal Kingdom’s Tree of Life or the Hollywood Tower Hotel illuminations at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The new Spaceship Earth light scheme at Epcot is amazing. Disney plans to keep it even after the 18-month anniversary observation. E-ticket.
Many planned improvements to parks will be incorporated into the 50th celebration. The Epcot France pavilion addition is the most important. As an approach to the Remy's Ratatouille Adventure ride at Epcot, Disney created a new street block. This was originally built in Disneyland Paris in 2014. The new La Creperie de Paris restaurant offers both sit-down and takeout service. D-ticket
The new Space 220 restaurant, also at Epcot opened on Sept. 27. The premise of the restaurant is to take an elevator 220 miles into space in order to enjoy an extraordinary meal.
Seth Rose, a Disney spokesperson, stated that "There's a lot happening with space tourism and we think this might be what space tourism may look like in future." C-ticket.
Bambi and Thumper were two of the Disney characters that bronze sculptures depicted as part of anniversary celebrations. Photo credit: Tom Stieghorst
You'll see the 50th anniversary iridescent colour scheme all over the park, including in the lighting and merchandise.
Visitors can also try the EARidescent Croissant Doughnuts in Epcot and the EARidescent Ice Dream Cone in the Blizzard beach waterpark. You can find all A-tickets here.
EARidescent crepes are not allowed. Quel dommage.
Look out for 50 bronze statues in the parks of classic and modern Disney characters, such as Bambi, with a butterfly attached to his tail, Animal Kingdom. B-ticket.
