It’s time for an event that has been five decades in the making! Beginning today, Walt Disney World Resort will host “The World’s Most Magical Celebration” in honor of the 50th Anniversary. What better way to be a part of this milestone than competing right in the heart of the celebration at the beautiful ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. It promises to be a spectacular, once-in-a-lifetime 18-month-long extravaganza unlike anything ever seen before, immersed in sparkling EARidescence, full of new experiences at the theme parks and beyond.

As you and your team get ready to join us for one of our exciting youth sporting events at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, you’ll want to make sure to plan for all the amazing Walt Disney World Resort offerings as part of the anniversary celebration. We’ve rounded up a few highlights to celebrate your team’s accomplishments during your upcoming “sport”cation.


Following your team’s event, commemorate their accomplishments together with some extra special photo spots. Start with a magical stop at one of the ‘Disney Fab 50’ character sculptures found throughout the theme parks*. From Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse to Pixar characters and more, these 50 characters represent the stories that have moved us to dream bigger, follow our passions and believe in the power of magic – just like our youth athletes! While at Magic Kingdom Park, you won’t want to miss the royal makeover of Cinderella Castle, now with a festive new look featuring golden bunting and a 50th anniversary crest.


What sports competition is complete without sampling the infamous sweets and treats of Walt Disney World Resort? Throughout the anniversary celebration, Disney chefs and mixologists have created more than 150 sips and bites full of color, whimsy, and a touch of “EARidescent” shimmer! Walt’s personal recipes, Walt Disney World Resort attractions (past and present), beloved Disney Characters, and nostalgic dishes from 1971 were inspirations for the tasty offerings created for this anniversary celebration. For a look at the limited-time sips and bites, head over the Foodie Guide on the Disney Parks Blog.


Teams can look to continue the magical festivities into the evening hours with a variety of new entertainment offerings coming to all four theme parks.

  • A new nighttime spectacular debuting October 1, “Disney Enchantment” at Magic Kingdom Park features an evening extravaganza that features music, enhanced lighting, stunning fireworks and for the first time, immersive projection effects that extend from Cinderella down Main Street, U.S.A.
  • Joining “Disney Enchantment” on October 1 will be “Harmonious” at EPCOT, one of the largest nighttime spectaculars ever created for a Disney park. It’s a grand, powerful tribute to the stories and songs that unite us, embracing new technical magic that incorporates pyrotechnics, choreographed moving fountains, lighting and media in new ways.
  • The theme park icons will add even more magic at night as they transform into Beacons of Magic. From pixie dust on Cinderella Castle, magical fireflies inhabiting the Tree of Life at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park, special new touches coming to life on the Hollywood Tower Hotel at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and new lights shining across the reflective panels of Spaceship Earth at EPCOT, all will connect to one another resembling stars in the nighttime sky.

How will you celebrate your team’s accomplishments throughout “The World’s Most Magical Celebration?”  Share with us in social using the hashtag #ESPNatDisney and #DisneyWorld50 and follow ESPN Wide World of Sports on Facebook and Twitter.

To learn more about our upcoming events at ESPN Wide World of Sports, please visit here.

*Theme Park reservation required