On October 1st, 1971, Roy O. Disney stood within the entrance of the Magic Kingdom theme park and said “May Walt Disney World bring joy and inspiration and new knowledge to all who come to this happy place … a Magic Kingdom where the young at heart of all ages can laugh and play and learn together.”

Today marks 50 years since Walt Disney World opened, named in honour of Walt Disney who fist envisioned the expanded resort back in 1965 and while he didn’t live to see the park open and expand, expand it did. The resort now consists of 4 theme parks - Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom, 31 hotels, 4 PGA tour level golf courses, 4 mini golf courses, 2 shopping and dinning districts, along with a fleet of buses, monorails and assorted boats (of assorted sizes).

Today is just the start, Epcot will welcome guests with an all new attraction to the park, Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, which has been open at Disneyland Resort Paris for a number of years, but they will also debut Harmonious, an all new night-time spectacular, that brings the globe together at World Showcase Lagoon in a celebration of Disney music that inspires people worldwide. It is a grand, powerful tribute to the unifying power of story and song, embracing new technical magic that incorporates pyrotechnics, choreographed moving fountains, lighting, massive LED panels and media in new ways. “Harmonious” features new interpretations of classic Disney songs in more than a dozen languages, performed by a diverse group of 240 artists from around the world, including Luis Fonsi, Joy, Danny Gokey, and the Ndlovu Youth Choir; in fact you can watch that below.

It isn’t just Epcot that is getting a new fireworks show, Magic Kingdom park is also debuting a new show called Disney Enchantment, created to launch with “The World’s Most Magical Celebration,” this evening extravaganza takes guests on a journey filled with adventure, wonder and empowerment. Inspiring everyone to believe in magic, “Disney Enchantment” features stunning fireworks, powerful music, enhanced lighting and, for the first time, immersive projection effects that extend from Cinderella Castle down Main Street, U.S.A. The show’s stirring soundtrack is anchored by an emotional original song, “You Are the Magic,” written and performed by multiple GRAMMY® winner Philip Lawrence, whose musical career began as a Disney cast member performing in Walt Disney World shows.

In fact when not being showered in lights and fireworks, Cinderella’s Castle will show off its 50th anniversary paint job, which is a lot nicer than when it looked like a cake.

But it isn’t just the castle that looks all shiny and new, all four park icons have been spruced up, so that means the Tree of Life at Animal Kingdom, Tower of Terror at Hollywood Studios and Spaceship Earth at Epcot. The enhancements though, will be seen best at night, like Spaceship Earth below.

Of course new rides, shows and some lights are one thing, but a good party requires food and if you know anything about Walt Disney World, it is that they love their food. In fact they love food so much that they are adding more than 150 new items to the menus, here are a few of them:

• Cheese Fries with Walt’s Chili at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park

• Glimmer and Shimmer Pineapple Mousse at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

• Mission to Mars burger at Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Café in Magic Kingdom Park

• EARidescent Croissant Doughnut at EPCOT

• EARidescent Ice Dream Cone at Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park

• Chicken Dinner Cupcake Trio at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground

• Magical Beacon Cocktail, found at many table-service restaurants, lounges and pool bars at Walt Disney World

But there is even more to enjoy, how about sitting in a restaurant that circles the planet, 220 miles above it, you can with Space 220, or perhaps you want to embrace the artist within you, then the new Cirque du Soleil, Drawn to Life (not connected with the game series) will let your imagination soar.

As this party is set to go for 18 months, more things will be coming, like Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser, an all new hotel experience, or perhaps you want more rides, well Guardians of the Galaxy Mission Rewind will be an option for you.

Once travel opens up again, I know I will be heading over to enjoy the celebration, if you are thinking of the same, be sure to check out the official site, to get the best information around, including prices for your stay.