Walt Disney World President Joe Schott will mark the resort’s 55th anniversary on Thursday, October 1, with “brief remarks” at 8:50 a.m. at Cinderella Castle in Magic Kingdom. Walt Disney World opened on October 1, 1971, making Thursday the official anniversary date.
What Disney Announced
Disney’s announcement opens with “To all who come to this happy place, welcome!” It then sets the schedule for the morning: “For those planning to attend, the morning will kick off with President of Walt Disney World, Joe Schott, sharing some brief remarks at 8:50 am at Cinderella’s Castle in Magic Kingdom Park.”
The announcement does not describe a ceremony, show or other programming around the remarks, and Disney has not said how long Schott will speak.
Opening-Day Cast Members Model The 55th Collection
On September 28, the Disney Parks Blog introduced the 55th Anniversary Merchandise Collection with two opening-day cast members, Frank and Earliene, modeling the pieces.
Frank is an Entertainment Readiness Manager with Disney Live Entertainment and was one of the cast members who welcomed the first guests through the gates on opening day. “It is very hard to believe I’ve been here since opening day – it’s true that time does fly,” he told the blog. His anniversary plan: “To celebrate, I am going to go to work every day and have a good time.”
Earliene is a merchandise hostess at Disney’s Contemporary Resort. “At the time, I had no idea that I would remain at Disney this long,” she said of opening day. “To celebrate 55 years, I’m going to continue doing what I do best, making sure my guests are completely satisfied and enjoying their vacation with us!”
The collection includes a tumbler, mug, Mickey Mouse plush, hat, hoodie and zip-up. It is available now at Emporium and Creations Shop at Walt Disney World, while supplies last, with select items coming soon to DisneyStore.com. At EPCOT’s Creations Shop, prices run from a $3.99 postcard to $69.99 hoodies.
D23 Event Follows On October 4
D23 will mark the milestone three days after the anniversary. D23 Spotlight Series: 55 Magical Years of Storytelling takes place Sunday, October 4 at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, with a session featuring Disney Legend Joe Rohde and a Walt Disney Archives presentation on the Carousel of Progress. The event is sold out.
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