LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla., Sept. 19 -- The Walt Disney World 100 Years of Magic celebration is too good to end -- so it won't. The party that kicked off Oct. 1, 2001, has been extended to Feb. 28, 2003, with the biggest lineup of sparkling new live entertainment ever throughout the four Walt Disney World theme parks. There also are special events and new attractions galore.
The 100 Years of Magic celebration marks the 100th anniversary of Walt Disney's birth on Dec. 5, 1901.
"100 Years of Magic has been such a hit with guests, we are thrilled to extend the celebration, allowing even more guests to experience it," said Walt Disney World President Al Weiss.
Paying homage to the extraordinary show-business contributions of Walt Disney, 100 Years of Magic is centered at Disney-MGM Studios. Anchoring the park is The Sorcerer's Hat, a 122-foot-tall icon celebrating Disney magic and entertainment wizardry, and "Walt Disney: One Man's Dream," an attraction showcasing memorabilia from the Walt Disney Archives that never before have been available to the public.
Major live entertainment spectacles involving hundreds of performers are featured at all four Walt Disney World parks:
- Disney-MGM Studios guests are treated to "Disney Stars and Motor Cars" -- a daily parade of outrageously customized cars loaded with favorite characters. Also, young guests enjoy a brand new live show featuring their favorite TV friends from "Playhouse Disney."
- Larger-than-life snow globes capture the magic and charm of Disney characters from a child's point of view in "Share a Dream Come True," a specially created Magic Kingdom parade. There's also "Cinderella's Surprise Celebration," a forecourt stage show that brings guests up close and personal with Disney characters like never before.
- Disney's Animal Kingdom is alive with color and pageantry during presentations of "Mickey's Jammin' Jungle" -- the first true Disney parade created for the newest Walt Disney World theme park.
- New characters called Dream Seekers and a colorful float called the Dream Catcher are part of the makeover that transforms the hugely popular Epcot procession "Tapestry of Nations" into "Tapestry of Dreams."
All four theme parks feature the fascinating stories behind the Disney magic at computerized kiosks. Guests can play their way through a treasure trove of information that shows the heritage behind the family-entertainment fun of today's Disney parks.
Even special merchandise created for the 100 Years of Magic celebration carries on the Disney legacy of innovation. Disney's Magical Moments pins, available for purchase by guests, offers up a mini-light show -- like magic -- at surprise moments, interacting with live entertainment, attractions and interactive kiosks.
The celebration also features other new theme park attractions and shows, uniquely themed resorts and shopping experiences, including:
- TriceraTop Spin and Primeval Whirl in Disney's Animal Kingdom.
- "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire -- Play It!" in Disney-MGM Studios.
- The Magic Carpets of Aladdin in the Magic Kingdom.
- Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge, and new Disney Vacation Club villas at Disney's Beach Club Resort and Disney's Wilderness Lodge.
- New Downtown Disney shopping adventures at Once Upon a Toy.
Guest information about Walt Disney World Resort and the 100 Years of Magic celebration is available by visiting http://www.disneyworld.com or calling 407/824-4321.
