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https://www.orlandoweekly.com/Blogs/archives/2019/08/12/next-weeks-d23-expo-will-reveal-big-plans-for-walt-disney-worlds-50th-anniversary
Next week's D23 Expo will reveal big plans for Walt Disney World's 50th anniversary
Posted By Ken Storey on Mon, Aug 12, 2019 at 7:13 pm
  One of the most anticipated announcements at next week’s D23 Expo will be the upcoming 50th Anniversary celebration for Walt Disney World. 

The yet-to-be-announced, resort-wide event is expected to be one of the biggest events the history of Walt Disney World. Industry insider Jim Hill says the company is expecting to sell out every single hotel room throughout the entire resort for the entirety of 2021. 

According to various insiders, most notably user WDW1974 on the WDWMagic forums, Disney is planning to honor the 50th Anniversary by marketing a list of 50 enhancements across the resort. Some of those will be brand new offerings, like the Skyliner and the two new Epcot attractions, but many of the other ‘enhancements’ will be smaller things added to existing attractions. 

Hollywood Studios is rumored to be seeing new effects in the Tower of Terror drop shaft, updated dining experiences, and, of course, the new Mickey Mouse dark ride. Epcot will see some of its offerings included in the golden anniversary marketing, but many of its biggest projects aren’t designed to be a part of the anniversary celebration and instead will open in the mid-2020s. It’s rumored that Spaceship Earth may be closed for a significant rehab throughout all of 2021. 

Animal Kingdom will likely see a new nighttime show, but no significant additions are expected within the next 18 months to two years leading up to the anniversary. 

Much of the focus of the celebration will be the Magic Kingdom and the Seven Seas Lagoon resorts that opened in 1971. 
  Image via Disney The TRON coaster now under construction will likely be heavily used in marketing for the anniversary. TRON, Epcot’s two new attractions, and DHS’s three new attractions are by far the largest ‘enhancements’ ahead of the 50th, but many smaller improvements are expected as well. At the Magic Kingdom, nearly every single iconic attraction will see some type of enhancement. 

Big Thunder Mountain is believed to receive the projection mapping in the tunnel scene that Disneyland’s version received a few years ago along with a few other small improvements. 

Over in Fantasyland, ‘it’s a small world’ will see the addition of the Mary Blair style Disney character dolls that both the Disneyland and Hong Kong Disneyland versions received in recent years. These characters are added to the existing scenes with the overall attraction seeing no significant change. 

Across the pathway, Peter Pan’s Flight will also see small enhancements similar to those that the Disneyland version saw ahead of that park’s 60th Anniversary. The Disneyland updates included adding stereophonic sound, an improved nursery scene, a new London scene, Tinker Bell pixie dust projection mapping, and Neverland overview enhancements.  Image via Disney Concept art for Mickey and Minnie's Runaway Railway The Walt Disney World Railroad may see some new scenes. The addition of the TRON building will also drastically alter the ambiance of the train ride through the Tomorrowland area. 

Tomorrowland will see the most significant improvements with the new TRON coaster, a rumored TRON update to the Tomorrowland Speedway, enhanced scenes possibly added to the PeopleMover, and perhaps a new attraction in the space formerly used for Stich’s Great Escape. The Carousel of Progress will likely see a new final scene, new more lifelike animatronics, and a new queue video. 

A nighttime parade, a new fireworks show, and new floats added to the daytime parade are also all expected, though in recent months the chances of a nighttime parade seem to be less likely as the once retired Main Street Electrical Parade was pulled into service at Disneyland to help draw the locals back to the park. With it now being out of retirement, Disney may opt to use it in Orlando instead of investing in a brand new nighttime parade. 

The Electrical Water Pageant, which hasn’t been touched since the mid-1970s, is thought to be receiving an overhaul that will be timed with the new pathway currently being built between the Grand Floridian and the Magic Kingdom. This pathway will temporarily block access to the Electrical Water Pageant’s storage facility with Disney using this inconvenience as an opportunity to overhaul the parade adding new floats themed to Moana and The Little Mermaid. 

Like all anniversary events at Disney, the WDW 50th is expected to last longer than just 12 months. It’s thought that it will begin in early 2021 and continue until the end of September 2022. Of course, a massive celebration is expected to take place on the actual anniversary on October 1, 2021. 
After the expected confirmation of the anniversary celebration at next weekend’s D23 Expo in Anaheim, Disney will be begin rolling out the updates over the next 18 months. 

I just remembered another tip. They distribute alternative treats for guests with allergies in the Guest Services building outside the Hall of Presidents. They have some high quality fruit snacks and Go Go Squeeze packets and other treats you might see in a place like Whole Foods that are high quality. If anyone in your party has any food sensitivities, make sure to pop in there. 
TCD

We left Thursday morning for a quick kidless trip to the gulf coast. Since we didn't plan this too far in advance I had to settle for whatever CG that had an opening. We ended up in Live Oak Landing in Freeport. This was a pretty nice little campground. The rate was $71 plus taxes and fees. All together 3 nights cost us $230. The sites there are extremely nice with concrete pads and patio area. It is also a very calm and quiet CG. There were a lot of families with their fishing boats since there is a boat ramp on site. The pool is a little small, but it was never crowded.
Friday morning we drove 7 miles to Grayton Beach SP for some beach time. I like going to the state parks because it is generally not too crowded, and they will stop letting people in when the lot fills up. It was a nice day in the mid 80's and a constant breeze. I am not a beach guy, but my wife loves it. So I just sat under the canopy and relaxed. We left there after about 5 hours and headed into Destin to eat at The Back Porch. It did not disappoint. The blackened mahi there is always good. Traffic through Destin was terrible. I think everybody in the south made a last summer trip that weekend.
On Sat we got on the road at 9am and made our way to Ponce de Leon SP. This is a nice little park with an awesome fresh water spring. They have plenty of picnic tables and shade if you get there early. We arrived about 930 and the lot was about half full. When we left at noon cars were lined up waiting for a car to leave. There were a ton of families (probably mainly locals) cooking, kids playing, and swimming. This place had a very laid back friendly vibe. We really enjoyed it, and we will go back.
We left the springs, stopped by the camper to refill our cooler, and then headed back to Grayton that afternoon. I was afraid Grayton would be full at 2pm on a Sat and it was. We decided to drive on down 30A through Seaside to Deer Lake SP. Deer Lake doesn't have facilities so it doesn't seem to get as crowded. We got set up there and stayed on the beach for another 4 hrs or so. The sand there seemed even softer than Grayton. We stayed until our stomachs started to protest.
While on the beach I scanned google maps looking for a place to eat and noticed that the Old Florida Fish House was close by. We stopped in there and had some drinks and food at the tables on the porch bar. It was very very good. The $15 mahi tacos were the best I have had in a long time. They also have a nice outdoor area with tables, games, and seating. This is another place that we will definitely visit again.
We were spent after a long day. On Sunday we packed up and made the 5 hr drive back home. I backed the camper into the shop and plugged it up to keep the fridge cold. We are headed to Townsend TN on Friday. This will be our last trip for a while. My wife is having a back fusion soon. So our camping will be put on hold.
 
Here are the links if anyone is interested
https://liveoaklandingrvresort.com/
https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/ponce-de-leon-springs-state-park
http://oldfloridafishhouse.com/
 

If you just want to fill a water bottle, use the water fountain in the comfort station laundry room - the water is chilled and filtered. 
TCD

I guess this is a photo of the craft?
That's a no for me, dog.
TCD
 

Same. 
It's interesting that they haven't announced bringing it back to Disneyland. 
We ought to know what's happening after next month's D23 Expo. 
TCD

I’d like to see Paint the Night come to Florida for the 50th. 

This is what is inside those doors:

This is what's on the other side of that wall:

photo credit to Todd/Discamper
TCD
 
 

In the "definitely NOT a rumor" department, if you want to get another chance to the Main Street Electrical Parade, pack your bags and get yourself a plane ticket - it's coming back to Disneyland this summer...
https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2019/06/summer-shines-even-brighter-at-disneyland-resort-with-return-of-main-street-electrical-parade/?CMP=SOC-DPFY19Q3wo0627190703190018C&fbclid=IwAR0U4ZQKxHp7Pa1wpgJreaIyqn_sd5alzNuhcfJQ_HpLkrd-e5YbVNTo0Wc

Buy tickets to a dessert party. 
TCD

That, and the other thing making me sad is the loss of isolation.  At it's outset, the Fort was planned to isolate guests in a wilderness environment, free from the hectic nature of life including motor vehicles (other than those checking in and checking out).  Remember, back in the day most folks didn't even drive their vehicles every day during their stay...they used Disney trams, boats and  buses.  There wasn't as much golf cart traffic either.  It was a peaceful oasis.  And even now, although there's more vehicle traffic in the resort than there used to be, for the most part when you are at the Settlement there are no vehicles other than golf carts.  Non-guests visiting the resort still need to park out at the overflow lot.  There remains a sense that you are removed from the larger world.  But once this place opens, there will be a constant flow of cars in and out of those parking lots.  Just going to the horse barn, which has always been one of my favorite early morning things, you'll be crossing the main roadway into the resort used by cars and Disney buses.  Imagine a horse barn next to the parking lot at any of the existing Disney resorts.  Not very peaceful.  That's what we will be left with.  The sounds and smells of vehicular traffic in what has been to this point an isolated refuge.  That makes me sad.  

Looks like a boat dock in the top right corner of C-104.

 
Also, I knew they were planning bungalows but I don't think I appreciated the fact that when sitting on the side porch at TE you'll be looking right into them.  What a cluster this plan is.  I gave them the benefit of the doubt that they'd do the right thing by Fort Wilderness and create a beautiful, complimentary resort.  But this doesn't look good.  It truly is taking over the settlement.  

I'm sure Disney could pave over the entire campground and open a KOA style campground in another location on property and there would be a lot of folks perfectly fine with that. 
I feel sorry for those who missed the Fort in its glory days and think what they're doing is fine. 
It's not  
TCD

I'm sure Disney could pave over the entire campground and open a KOA style campground in another location on property and there would be a lot of folks perfectly fine with that. 
I feel sorry for those who missed the Fort in its glory days and think what they're doing is fine. 
It's not  
TCD

I'm sure Disney could pave over the entire campground and open a KOA style campground in another location on property and there would be a lot of folks perfectly fine with that. 
I feel sorry for those who missed the Fort in its glory days and think what they're doing is fine. 
It's not  
TCD

I'm sure Disney could pave over the entire campground and open a KOA style campground in another location on property and there would be a lot of folks perfectly fine with that. 
I feel sorry for those who missed the Fort in its glory days and think what they're doing is fine. 
It's not  
TCD

Walt's first D.L. Map courtesy Reader's Digest and YAHOO.
https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/walt-disney-apos-first-ever-175435477.html

Welcome to the forum. It’s a shame however your first post is on a post from last year and it is speaking negatively of a fellow member who plenty of us have used and have had positive experiences with. 

Jason wasn’t any help to me, I got up with him about 6 months before and he told me no problems he could get more days for me. I sent him a text two months before my trip and he didn’t even know who I was. About a month before the trip I called Disney checking on something else, I told the agent that I was looking for more days at the Fort the agent got me one more day. I couldn’t get it because I had a agent. Jason never did find me any extra days. 

If you're a beer or wine drinker, you're allowed a six pack of beer or a bottle of wine per adult. Your beer will taste better than the $8 beers they sell on the ship. 
TCD

I think we're getting a new beach to the east of the marina. Real old timers will remember this was the swimming area back when guests swam in Bay Lake. 
I saw this big area encircled by a silt fence in that area when I was at the Fort last week:

This boat was parked next to the area:

The view from here isn't awful:


So, chop down some more cypress trees, pulverize them into mulch for more golf cart parking spaces and us filthy crybaby campers have our fireworks viewing. And we'll be out of sight and downwind from the rich folks. Which is how it must be. 
TCD

That plus all of the construction flags and stakes in the field next to Pioneer Hall and even further to the east. 
Some genius made the decision that this real estate was too valuable to leave it as an amenity for lowly campers. 
This is a big FU to the Fort and its loyal guests. 
TCD

What in The actual Fort
 
They can Fort straight off with this $/!+