This week at Walt Disney World, there is a LOT of refurbishment news, the 50th anniversary transformation of Cinderella Caste is completed, plus more golden characters are confirmed to be appearing soon around the theme parks!
Outside Walt Disney World, SeaWorld Orlando announces new details about its Howl-O-Scream event and Universal Orlando Resort’s newest attraction hits an epic milestone!
1. 50th anniversary crest installed at Cinderella Castle
Though the Magic Kingdom’s iconic Cinderella Castle has been slowly transforming over the past few months into its new 50th anniversary look, the change was finally completed this week with the installation of the 50th anniversary crest ahead of the official start of this milestone celebration on October 1.
2. Hall of Presidents reopening next month
For the past few months, the Hall of Presidents attraction at the Magic Kingdom has been closed while Imagineers work to add President Joe Biden to the stage as the 46th President of the United States. And now it looks like their work is almost complete, as Disney has confirmed that this classic Liberty Square attraction will reopen next month in advance of the resort’s 50th anniversary. You can read more details about this reopening here.
3. Return dates set for select shows at Magic Kingdom, EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Walt Disney World entertainment has been a little lacking since the theme parks reopened in 2020, but the good news is that Disney has finally announced reopening dates next month for some of its most-beloved shows, including the following:
- August 1: Wonderful World of Animation nighttime spectacular at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
- August 8: Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor at Magic Kingdom
- August 15: Beauty and the Beast – Live on Stage at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
- August 21:Turtle Talk with Crush at EPCOT
4 More “Fab 50” statues unveiled
Disney has shared a some additional details about the “Fab 50” sculptures that will be placed at Walt Disney World for the 50th anniversary celebrations, confirming that the following statues will be placed in the following places:
- Cogsworth and Lumiere – Magic Kingdom
- Goofy – Magic Kingdom
- Timon and Pumbaa – Disney’s Animal Kingdom
- Figment – EPCOT
5. Two nighttime spectaculars ending permanently in September
Disney has confirmed that the Magic Kingdom’s current nighttime spectacular, Happily Ever After, which replaced Wishes back in 2017, will have its final performance on September 29, 2021 before the park debuts its new nighttime show Disney Enchantment on October 1, 2021 as part of the resort’s 50th anniversary celebrations.
In addition it has also been confirmed that EPCOT Forever will have its final performance on September 28 2021 before being replaced by Harmonious on October 1, 2021 as well.
6. Partners statue getting a refresh
The iconic Partners statue in the center of the Magic Kingdom will be getting a quick refurbishment over the next few weeks as oxidation buildup from patinated bronze will be removed. The multi-phase endeavor involves stripping the sculpture to its bare metal before cleaning, reapplying a patina, and coating the entire figure in protective polymer and wax. You can read more about this refurbishment here.
7. SeaWorld Orlando announces new Howl-O-Scream haunted houses and experiences
SeaWorld Orlando announced Beneath the Ice this week, which is a new haunted house that involves a lost research facility above the Arctic Circle. It will feature frozen tombs and unspeakable horrors. Alongside this spooky attraction will be the Frozen Terror scare zone, which will be themed to an Arctic wasteland filed with icy, subhuman walkers. Finally, SeaWorld announced the new Monster Stomp show, which will feature Jack the Ripper taking to the stage in a way you’ve never seen before in a modern rock and rhythm spectacular.
8.Universal announces Jurassic World VelociCoaster reaches 1 million riders
This week Universal Orlando Resort announced that the blockbuster Jurassic World VelociCoaster has now thrilled 1 million riders, a massive milestone for this attraction which only just opened officially last month.
