Walt Disney World has wrapped its 50th anniversary after 18 months! The occasion brought lots of new experiences, snacks, and events to the parks.
50th Anniversary Banner in EPCOT
The 50th anniversary celebration officially ended on March 31st, 2023. But there’s one very popular 50th addition that will stick around now that the banners have come down and the merch is disappearing from the shelves, and many Disney fans will be relieved to hear it!
At the start of the 50th anniversary celebration, Disney debuted new “Beacons of Magic” shows. These are mini-transformations that happen nightly at each of the 4 parks’ icons! Cinderella Castle, Spaceship Earth, the Tower of Terror, and the Tree of Life all rock shimmery (excuse us, EARidescent) looks.
Tower of Terror
Our favorite of those looks has to be Spaceship Earth in EPCOT. While all of the icons got colorful projections, Spaceship Earth got an entire makeover with custom lighting features that look like stars glowing all over the attraction. There were lights installed between the reflective panels, which change color and blink during the Beacons of Magic show.
Spaceship Earth
When this transformation was announced, Disney Imagineer Zach Riddley confirmed that the new look would be permanent, not just for the 50th. We’re so glad that our favorite Beacon of Magic is sticking around!
Spaceship Earth
Spaceship Earth’s nighttime look has been updated a few times, usually to reflect whichever festival is being held in the park at the time. Most recently, we watched the new Encanto-themed show that arrived for the EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival.
Spaceship Earth at Night
If you consider yourself to be a MEGA fan of this transformation, you should check out the Spaceship Earth figure made by the Arribas Brothers, which was created using over 150,000 crystals and took 681 hours to build. Only 40 of these pieces are being created. This souvenir is for EPCOT fans with cash to burn — just one of the figures costs $99,000 😳. If you want to see one, head to Kunstarbeit in Kristall in EPCOT’s Germany pavilion.
Beacon of Magic Spaceship Earth Crystal Statue
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Click here to see which iconic treats will DISAPPEAR when the 50th anniversary ends.
Walt Disney World 50th Anniversary Details and Info
See Photos & Reviews of All of Disney World’s 50th Anniversary Eats and Treats
Check Out the 50th Anniversary Merchandise Released Online
Get a Look at Some of the 50th Anniversary Merchandise Released in the Parks
Click HERE for Your Guide to Disney World’s 50th Anniversary Celebration
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What other 50th anniversary additions are you hoping will stick around? Let us know in the comments.
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Now, just leave the castle the way it is – so beautiful!!!
I have lived with “The Ball” since its inception, even have an interior drawing of the stairwells inside from the old training days, and while the new look is interesting, it is a little distracting and overwhelming when near by. I still like the majestic beauty and uniqueness of the original silver look. Kind of like a long lost obelisk from another world like a UFO. I liked the creativity of the 2000 Millennium look too