MAGICAL UPDATES: Walt Disney World celebrates 50 years

Walt Disney World Resort is set to celebrate 50 historic years of making dreams come true on Oct. 1.

The resort officially opened in 1971 and has been making magical memories for guests since then.

[TRENDING: Become a News 6 Insider (it’s free!)]

Walt Disney World is planning a magical 18-month celebration that includes new nighttime firework shows, attractions, EARidescent looks, merchandise and foods.

Follow News 6 producer and In the Loop writer Landon McReynolds alongside reporters Nadeen Yanes, Ezzy Castro and Troy Campbell for details of the celebration.

10:02 p.m.

The new technology projections are used in the newest Disney World show.

9:25 p.m.

An hour before the Enchantment Fireworks show, Main Street was packed with guests.

5:55 p.m.

4:00 p.m.

Disney alerted theme park guests that the Park Hopper option for Magic Kingdom is currently unavailable as officials work to “carefully” manage attendance, an alert on its app said.

3:50 p.m.

Take a look at Magic Kingdom’s new cavalcade.

3:15 p.m.

2:20 p.m.

1:08 p.m.

Wait times for rides at Magic Kingdom are not bad, according to News 6′s Landon McReynolds.

10:14 a.m.

9:52 a.m.

9:00 a.m.

Ezzy Castro reports live from Main Street USA at Magic Kingdom as crowds fill the theme park to take part in the 50th celebration.

8:42 a.m.

News 6′s Ezzy Castro is joined by Walt Disney World ambassadors to discuss the 50th anniversary.

7:34 a.m.

News 6′s Ezzy Castro is at Magic Kingdom previewing what’s to come as Walt Disney World ushers in the 50th anniversary.

11:09 p.m.

Disney Enchantment premiered at Magic Kingdom on Thursday.

11:02 p.m.

Producer Landon McReynolds and Reporter Nadeen Yanes give their thoughts after the show, Disney Enchantment

10:09 p.m.

The big premiere of Disney Enchantment is just minutes away here at Magic Kingdom.

7:23 p.m.

7:19 p.m.

Nadeen Yanes reported on the new additions to Magic Kingdom.

6:44 p.m.

6:17 p.m.

Did you miss Nadeen Yanes‘ 6:00 p.m. live report? Stick around — Troy Campbell will have a live report on the new show ‘Disney Enchantment‘ ahead at 7:00 p.m.

5:55 p.m.

Looking for any 50th merchandise during your next visit? We have a look at some of the collections.

5:47 p.m.

Curious about any of the new food and drinks coming to Walt Disney World for the 50th anniversary? News 6′s Ezzy Castro interviews a chef from the Magic Kingdom.

Coming up ahead at 5:00

News 6′s Nadeen Yanes is taking a look at the new Disney Genie service, MagicBand+ and other new experiences at Walt Disney World. We also hear she may have a special guest joining her at Magic Kingdom.

4:09 p.m.

2:43 p.m.

2:36 p.m.

Looking to run the Walt Disney World Marathon soon? Check out the all new medals for this years race.

1:31 p.m.

Here are the options for MagicBand+ that will be available next year.

1:03 p.m.

Speaking with Roger Butterley one of the creators of the all-new show, Disney Enchantment coming to Magic Kingdom.

12:40 p.m.

Heard about Disney Genie? News 6 is getting details on the all new service launching soon at Walt Disney World Resort.

Coming up soon

We’re getting a look at some of the new technology coming to Walt Disney World including the all-new MagicMobile+.

12:24 p.m.

12 p.m.

Nadeen Yanes is back with all new details coming out of Disney this morning including the all-new MagicBand+ and the opening date for Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser.

10 a.m.

The opening date for Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser was announced during the virtual event. Here’s what the interactive hotel experience holds.

9:56 a.m.

Disney introduces MagicBand+ for 2022, which will have additional features compared to the 2013 MagicBand.

9:18 a.m.

Disney is holding a virtual event discussing the celebration. Follow along as News 6′s Landon McReynolds tweets updates.

7:15 a.m.

News 6 reporter meets Minnie Mouse!

7 a.m.

Let’s get it started!

6 a.m. Thursday

News 6 reporter Ezzy Castro begins today’s coverage on The Morning News, discussing the history of Disney World and the celebrations taking place this week.

Stick with News 6 as we head to Magic Kingdom on Thursday.

10:13 p.m.

Guests packed EPCOT to watch the premiere of Harmonious. The show lit up the sky over the lagoon and the crowd was excited to see the event that has been years in the making.

Harmonious features projection screens, lasers, water features and fireworks. The theme of Harmonious is bringing together all of the cultures of the World Showcase at EPCOT to be united as one. The show lasted about 20 minutes.

EPCOT’s future world will be transforming into three new neighborhoods: Celebration, World Nature and World Discovery.

There is also a new “beacon of magic,” which features lights projected on Space Ship Earth.

Clint Clark, the audio designer of Harmonious said music and fireworks come together in the show to create a magical moment.

“For me personally its that score, its the music, your favorite Disney songs in a different way, it’s a twist that you won’t believe, it’s one of those that you’ll be singing along, but then we’ll click into that cultural dialect, that language, and bring it to life in a way that hasn’t been heard,” Clark said.

8:43 p.m.

Crowds are now gathered for the new show ‘Harmonious’ at EPCOT which debuts in minutes.

7:24

7:21

6:36

That’s a wrap for Nadeen Yanes. Troy Campbell is taking over. Look for his first live report ahead at 7 as we inch closer to the premiere of EPCOT’s new nighttime show, “Harmonious.”

Coming up at 6:07 p.m.

Nadeen Yanes is taking us through all today’s major news at EPCOT. She also has a special guest joining her live at 6 p.m.

Coming up at 5:00 p.m.

News 6′s Nadeen Yanes will go live from EPCOT. She will have more from her interview from one of the creators of the new show “Harmonious” which debuts tonight at EPCOT.

4:21 p.m.

4:00 p.m.

News 6 is checking out the all-new ‘Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind‘ attraction coming to EPCOT. No cameras are allowed inside.

3:20 p.m.

News 6’s Nadeen Yanes interviews one of the creators of “Harmonious” premiering tonight at EPCOT.

2:24 p.m.

News 6 is getting a look at some of the merchandise for Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure. All of it will be available when the ride officially opens on Oct, 1.

1:25 p.m.

News 6 reporter Nadeen Yanes speaks with Disney Imagineering about the new ride, Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure. Check out the interview below.

12:35 p.m.

Disney cast member Raevon Redding gives us a preview of the new #Harmonius fireworks show.

12:15 p.m.

Nadeen Yanes joins News 6 at Noon to showcase what’s happening at Disney World. Check out the video below.

11:35 a.m.

News 6′s Nadeen Yanes speaking with Remy about his all new ride, Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure. Look for a live interview ahead at noon.

11:25 a.m.: EPCOT’s “Harmonious” premieres too tonight and the barges are lit up.

10:10 a.m. : News 6 has arrived here at EPCOT for a full day of coverage.