Disney World Announces 50th Anniversary Nighttime Spectaculars

Theme Parks

Disney World’s 18-month-long 50th anniversary celebration is shaping up to be quite a spectacle. The company has gone all out for this one. Cinderella Castle was completely redecorated. Mickey, Minnie, and the rest of the gang are getting new costumes. All four park icons (Spaceship Earth, the Tree of Life, Cinderella’s Castle, and The Hollywood Tower of Terror) are going to be transformed into Beacons of Magic with iridescent projections. There will be themed merchandise and themed food; a new ride is opening in EPCOT; a new kite show is coming to Animal Kingdom; if you’re a Florida resident, you can get a custom license plate with proceeds going to Make-A-Wish; and two new nighttime shows are making their debut.

Disney Parks announced on Tuesday that “Disney Enchantment” will start showing nightly beginning October 1st and running through the entire 18-month duration of the 50th anniversary celebration. “Harmonious” will debut at EPCOT on October 1st as well and run permanently.

“Disney Enchantment” will be over at Magic Kingdom park and will be the first fireworks show at Disney World to have immersive projection effects that will extend from the castle all the way down Main Street. This one is going to tug at the heartstrings, as it’ll “inspire you to believe in magic.”

“Harmonious” is replacing “Illuminations” for good. It’s been hard not to miss the giant black barges being built in the middle of Showcase Lagoon (many Disneygoers have been complaining about them; they really ruin the view across the lake), and we will finally get to see what all the fuss is about. The show is described as “a grand, powerful tribute to the stories and songs that unite us, embracing new technical magic that incorporates pyrotechnics, choreographed moving fountains, lighting and media in new ways.”

Like mentioned, both shows will be making their debuts on October 1st, so if you’re at the parks, be sure to check them out!