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The Disneyland Report > Disney News > Walt Disney World kicks off 'Happiest Celebration on Earth' May 5 with new rides, attractions

Disney News

Walt Disney World kicks off 'Happiest Celebration on Earth' May 5 with new rides, attractions

Imported experiences from Disney parks around world part of Disneyland's 50th anniversary

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- From Tokyo and Paris, from California and Hong Kong, Walt Disney World Resort has imported a collection of incredible new attractions and shows to commemorate 50 years of Disney parks during the "Happiest Celebration on Earth."

In fact, it's the biggest four-park premiere of blockbuster attractions and shows in Walt Disney World history.

“During this golden anniversary celebration, Walt Disney World is giving guests a chance to sample entertainment and attractions from all of our Disney destinations around the world,” said Walt Disney World President Al Weiss.

• At Magic Kingdom , guests will enjoy "Cinderellabration," an enchanting musical spectacular direct from Tokyo Disneyland. Performed beneath the glittering spires of Cinderella Castle -- adorned for the anniversary with a swirling overlay of golden decorations -- the live stage show enacts the coronation of Cinderella. This royal event is attended by a coterie of Disney's most-beloved princesses.

• At Epcot , guests will take flight aboard Soarin', an exhilarating hang-gliding journey over the magnificent landscapes of California. Appropriately enough, this incredible aerial tour of the Golden State comes to Epcot from Disney's California Adventure in Anaheim.

• Also at Epcot , guests can get a sneak peek at the next 50 years of Disney parks when they visit the Hong Kong Disneyland Preview Center located in the China pavilion. Guests pass among showcases filled with plans and photos, costumes and models, maps and artwork of Disney's 11th theme park, opening Sept. 12, 2005.

• At Disney-MGM Studios , the "Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show" spotlights the high-octane best of the movie industry's stunt masters. Inspired by the blockbuster show from Disneyland Resort Paris, this action extravaganza sends cars, motorcycles and watercraft careening and jumping across an enormous Mediterranean village set.

• At Disney's Animal Kingdom , Lucky the Dinosaur moves from the R&D labs of Walt Disney Imagineering to the streets of DinoLand U.S.A. This first-ever free-roaming Audio-Animatronics creation is so startlingly lifelike it was named one of the year's top inventions by Time magazine. Lucky will meet and greet guests during a limited run that helps launch the "Happiest Celebration on Earth" at Walt Disney World Resort.

• Later in the celebration, Walt Disney World Resort will present a new adventure of its own with the opening of the towering Expedition Everest thrill ride in the Asia area of Disney's Animal Kingdom. The legend of the yeti comes to life in a dramatic high-speed train adventure that combines coaster-style thrills with the excitement of a close encounter with the abominable snowman among the icy peaks of the world's highest mountain.

Walt Disney World guests will find all these new experiences -- and more -- as the Florida Vacation Kingdom joins the first-ever global Disney event, the "Happiest Celebration on Earth." This 18-month jubilee salutes the 50 years of magic at Disney parks and resorts that began with the opening of California's Disneyland in 1955.

The "Happiest Celebration on Earth" caps an incredible array of blockbuster attractions and shows that have been added to Walt Disney World Resort during the past two years, including Mission: SPACE at Epcot and "Mickey's PhilharMagic," Stitch's Great Escape! and the "Wishes" fireworks spectacular at Magic Kingdom.

These new experiences showcase the many ways Disney parks entertain guests, Weiss noted, "from classic 'E-ticket' thrills to spectacular live shows to great new adventures with beloved characters."

"During the 'Happiest Celebration on Earth,' our guests here in Florida will find new entertainment, creating new reasons to visit each of our Florida parks,” Weiss added.

Source: Walt Disney World Resort Press Release

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