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New attractions, makeovers and more: 10 things to know as Disney World hits 5-0

Fifty years after a most memorable mouse set up house in Florida, and amid endless innovation and renovation, one thing remains constant at the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom: a steady stream of new ideas and experiences, and the coming 18 months of anniversary celebrations are are no exception.

Whether you're a diehard Disney fan of decades or are a newbie to the House of the Mouse, here's just a sampling of things to know as Walt Disney World's 50th anniversary festivities kick into high gear with new attractions, nighttime spectaculars and things to see around the parks.

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Meet Disney Genie

A visit (especially a first one) to a WDW park can get beyond busy, but the new Disney Genie planning tool looks like it's going to help ease guests through the day. Lots of details are available online at disneyworld.disney.go.com, but here are some basics: Genie's free and available on the My Disney Experience app. It will allow guests to join virtual queues, see wait times, order food and make dinner reservations, but the free service won't give guests access to shorter lines like the free FastPasses used to do. There'll be paid speedier passage option: Disney Genie+ and Lightning Lanes. The app will also create custom itineraries. And if it's all confusing at first, there's a virtual assistant waiting.

Remy's Ratatouille Adventure

Starting Oct. 1, that lovable rodent Chef Remy will take Epcot guests on Remy's Ratatouille Adventure, a 4D ride experience described as "a daring culinary caper that will captivate all your senses as you zip, dash and scurry through the bustling kitchen, dining room and walls of Gusteau’s famous Paris restaurant." But at least for the time being, you'll have to join a virtual (limited and subject to availability) queue — via the My Disney Experience app — to join the rascally rodent, and there won't be a standby queue. As with "Rise of the Resistance" at Disney's Hollywood Studios, guests can check for available boarding groups at 7 a.m. ET and again at 1 p.m. ET.

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A new crest honoring the 50th anniversary of Walt Disney World Resort adorns Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom Park in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. The crest completes the castle’s royal, EARidescent makeover, joining gold bunting, sparkling embellishments and other new enhancements leading up to “The World’s Most Magical Celebration” beginning Oct. 1, 2021. (Kent Phillips, photographer)

Cinderella Castle makeover

Just in time to celebrate an 18-month party at "The Most Magical Place on Earth," a royal makeover at Cinderella Castle was planned and revealed. The new décor includes more vibrant colors, gold detailing and sparkly embellishments all around the castle and its towers. The inspiration, Walt Disney Imagineering said, came from Disney legend Mary Blair’s vision of the classic 1950 film “Cinderella.” A celebratory golden crest bearing that big 5-0 was added to the castle's face in July 2021. And at night, the 189-foot-high castle is "a vision to behold, as it becomes one of the shining Beacons of Magic, shimmering with EARidescence," according to the Disney Parks blog.

President Joe Biden is joining the Hall of Presidents in Liberty Square at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom.
President Joe Biden is joining the Hall of Presidents in Liberty Square at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom.

Biden joins the POTUS lineup

After closing in January 2021, just before a new president was sworn in, the Hall of Presidents in Magic Kingdom's Liberty Square reopened in August 2021. An animatronic President Joe Biden is now up front and center in the salute to American history, joining his animatronic predecessors and delivering the presidential oath of office recorded at the White House by the 46th POTUS. A pair of signature aviators and peach blossoms, representing his home state of Delaware, are on the table beside him. P.S. In case you're puzzling over Biden being just the 45th addition to the POTUS parade, that's because Grover Cleveland served two non-consecutive terms. Plus, if you haven't been to the show in years, a new film was added four years ago. It's awe-inspiring.

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As part of the makeover of the front section of Epcot, the park now features a new entrance fountain.
As part of the makeover of the front section of Epcot, the park now features a new entrance fountain.

Epcot's soaring entrance

The sleek, stylish new entrance at Epcot is colorful enough in the daytime. Three soaring acrylic pylons feature the park's logo, surrounding a "reimagined" and color-changing fountain complemented by abundant greenery. But in those "golden" moments as the sun sets and darkness move in, the colors really start to pop. Watch for photo ops with the moon, Spaceship Earth and the fountain perfectly aligned.

The 'Fab 50' statues

They'll stand out, even in a crowd. Golden sculptures of the "Disney Fab 50," including Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse and other treasured characters, will be installed throughout Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom. Sure to be part of the shiny lineup: R2D2, Goofy, Timon, Pumbaa, Lumiere, Cogsworth, Daisy Duck, Donald Duck, Edna Mode, Winnie the Pooh, Piglet, Joe Gardner from "Soul," Woody and Bo Peep.

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New nighttime spectaculars

Both Epcot and Magic Kingdom have brand new fireworks shows for Disney World's 50th anniversary. "Harmonious" is centered around Epcot's World Showcase Lagoon. Disney describes it as "a beautifully crafted medley of classic Disney music and visuals reinterpreted by a culturally diverse group of 240 artists from all around the world." The parks blog says Magic Kingdom's new "Disney Enchantment" features "captivating Disney music, enhanced lighting, stunning fireworks and – for the first time – immersive projection effects that extend from Cinderella Castle down Main Street, U.S.A."

'Kite Tails' tell a tale

There are no fireworks at Animal Kingdom for obvious reasons. But color abounds at the park, and "Kite Tails," a bright dance of kites and windcatchers to fave Disney tunes, will zip through the air over Discovery River Amphitheater starting Oct. 1. The 3D creations will include favorite characters such as Simba, Zazu, King Louie, Baloo and more.

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Princess Tiana will lead guests on a bayou adventure in the new "The Princess and the Frog" makeover of Splash Mountain at Walt Disney World and Disneyland.
Princess Tiana will lead guests on a bayou adventure in the new "The Princess and the Frog" makeover of Splash Mountain at Walt Disney World and Disneyland.

Coming: The Princess and the Frog

Back in summer 2020, it was announced that Splash Mountain would be re-themed as a ride celebrating "The Princess and the Frog." The ride's debut — and its official name — are yet to be announced, and Splash Mountain is still open. Imagineers have confirmed that the new ride will conclude with "the ultimate Mardi Gras party," thrown by Princess Tiana. Charita Carter of Walt Disney Imagineering puts it this way: "Tiana actually invites us, as the guest, to go on an adventure with her in the bayou, and the fun thing about it is we, as the guests, we are active participants in this adventure."

A whole lotta merry goin' on

The holidays have always been jolly at Walt Disney World, but during "The World’s Most Magical Celebration," expect a true holi-daze. Festive trappings and parties will descend across all WDW parks. For details on each park's offerings, size up the schedules at disneyworld.disney.go.com.

At Magic Kingdom, the new Disney Very Merriest After Hours party starts at 9 p.m. on select nights with four hours of snow, character encounters, treats, shorter lines for rides, Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime fireworks and more. Separate Very Merriest tickets are required and are much pricier than past parties: $169 to $229 for select nights in November and December; $249 for Dec.19 and 21. Annual passholders and Disney Vacation Club members can get $10 off on select dates in November.

Contributing: Eve Chen, USA TODAY

This article originally appeared on Florida Today: What’s new at Disney World as 50th anniversary kicks off in Orlando?