This year, the multinational Disney celebrates with pomp its foundation, 100 years ago.
The festivities will be launched on January 27 at Disneyland, California, which will be the heart of the festivities. Walt Disney World (WDW), in Orlando, is not to be outdone, as the celebrations surrounding its 50e anniversary continue until March 31.
The four theme parks with distinct identities in central Florida still faithfully carry Walt Disney’s vision, even though he died in September 1966, long before the first rides emerged from the swamps. His influence is still very present.
Tribute to the visionary
PHOTO PROVIDED BY ALYSSA EGIZIANO
The statue of Walt Disney holding Mickey Mouse by the hand sits in the heart of Magic Kingdom, in front of Cinderella Castle.
The respect for Walt Disney is particularly evident at Magic Kingdom, the first theme park to open at WDW on 1er October 1971. The statue of Walt Disney, who holds his legendary creation Mickey Mouse by the hand, in front of the famous castle of Cinderella, is eloquent. The name of the visionary is also painted on two of the windows overlooking the main street, Main Street USA. He is the only one to whom this double honor is reserved. Her brother Roy, who valiantly saw WDW see the light of day, also has a statue in her honor, along with Minnie. But his name is only painted on a window. It was he who insisted that the project launched by his younger brother bear the name.
A carefully planned park
PHOTO DANIELLE BONNEAU, THE PRESS
Magic Kingdom has been carefully planned to preserve its magic. A network of corridors has been laid out under Cinderella’s castle, which appears taller than it actually is, thanks to various optical illusions.
-
PHOTO DANIELLE BONNEAU, THE PRESS
This door near the carousel devoted to the adventures of Winnie the Pooh, in Fantasyland, blends into the decor and hardly attracts attention…
-
PHOTO DANIELLE BONNEAU, THE PRESS
…but it gives access to the corridor system, called Utilidor, laid out under Magic Kingdom. Winnie the Pooh, Tigger and company emerge fresh and ready when they go to meet the children. And they quickly disappear once their shift is over. This underground universe is fascinating and can be discovered during guided tours.
1/2
Encouraged by the popularity of Disneyland in the western United States, Walt Disney began to dream of a much larger amusement park at the other end of the country. While drawing inspiration from what contributed to the success of the first park, located in Anaheim, he sought to offer an improved version. Seeing a half-disguised mascot walking around Disneyland holding his head in his hands, Walt Disney had the idea of setting up a system of corridors (called Utilidor) under Magic Kingdom, in order to preserve the magic of the place. The various characters thus go to their destination out of sight. A clever system makes it possible to discreetly pick up waste. A parallel universe thus hides under Cinderella’s castle and the surrounding area.
multiple passions
PHOTO DANIELLE BONNEAU, THE PRESS
Magic Kingdom is full of fantasy and still has a special place for characters from Disney classics, like Snow White. The Seven Dwarfs Mine Train ride is one of the most popular in the amusement park.
PHOTO DANIELLE BONNEAU, THE PRESS
This replica of Grauman’s Chinese Theater, one of Hollywood’s most famous cinemas, is visible in the distance as soon as you enter Disney’s Hollywood Studios. It recalls the mythical place where the premiere of the film took place Mary Poppinsin 1964. The Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway was inaugurated there on March 4, 2020.
WDW’s four parks celebrate in their own way various facets of Walt Disney, who innovated as much in the field of animation as in film and television. Magic Kingdom, as its name suggests, is full of fantasy and still holds a special place for characters from classic Disney characters, like Cinderella and Snow White. Disney’s Hollywood Studios, imbued with the charm of the Golden Age of Hollywood, recalls the cinematic beginnings of the creator as well as his many successes. Epcot (Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow), which was to be a model city of the future, does not fit the original concept. However, this park celebrates advances in science and encourages the discovery of diverse cultures around the world. As for Animal Kingdom, the most spacious of the four parks, it pays homage to Walt Disney’s passion for animals. His series of short documentaries True-Life Adventureslaunched in 1948 and crowned by eight Oscars, was the first to highlight the beauty of nature.
In constant evolution
PHOTO PROVIDED BY ALYSSA EGIZIANO
At one of two entrances to Epcot Park, Spaceship Earth shines spectacularly as part of the 50e WDW birthday.
PHOTO PROVIDED BY ALYSSA EGIZIANO
Animal Kingdom reflects Walt Disney’s passion for animals and his desire to educate while entertaining. The track devoted to the discovery of gorillas (Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail) allows you to admire the members of a family very closely, through a window. Other gorillas, visible at the bend of the path, go about their business in a luxuriant tropical forest such as one finds in the heart of Africa.
Walt Disney once pointed out that “Disneyland would never be finished. It will continue to grow as long as there is imagination left in the world”. This philosophy also applies to WDW, which is constantly evolving. In addition to Magic Kingdom and the two hotels opened in 1971, the amusement parks Epcot (in 1982), Disney-MGM Studios (in 1989, which later became Disney’s Hollywood Studios), Animal Kingdom (in 1998), as well as 20 resorts, two water parks and the Disney Springs entertainment center. Epcot, which celebrated its 40e anniversary last October, is undergoing a major makeover, which began in 2019. Spaceship Earth, the huge sphere standing at one of the park’s two entrances, shines spectacularly as part of the 50e WDW birthday.
The lure of novelty
PHOTO PROVIDED BY ALYSSA EGIZIANO
In the huge area devoted to different countries of the world, World Showcase, at Epcot, a new section has been added behind the pavilion of France to accommodate the fun ride Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, inspired by the animated film Ratatouille, from Pixar. It has been very popular since its inauguration on 1er October 2021.
PHOTO DANIELLE BONNEAU, THE PRESS
Work is well underway in anticipation of the April 4 opening of the Tron Lightcycle/Run ride at Magic Kingdom.
In keeping with Walt Disney’s vision, parks regularly reinvent themselves with the addition of rides that infuse them with new energy. The painstaking crafting of Pandora, recreating the spectacular world ofAvatar, expanded the appeal of Animal Kingdom since May 2017. Disney’s Hollywood Studios is taking advantage of the expansion to bring in 2019’s Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and 2018’s Toy Story Land. Recently added Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind and Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, both at Epcot, are all the rage. Eagerly awaited, Tron Lightcycle/Run will go live on April 4 at Magic Kingdom.