Block Party Bash
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Across the esplanade, Disney’s California Adventure park will also join in the celebration. Gone is the two-park fireworks spectacles, that was simply too costly and instead, the park has been able to ramp up production on an all-new parade that was not due to debut until 2006. Eureka! makes way for the new Block Party Bash (in more way than one, as the old floats are being rebuilt and reused in the Resort’s new parade offerings). These "spontaneous" street parties will see guests surrounded by Disney/PIXAR characters from all six features (an Incredibles float is likely to be included) and stars from more recent Disney features such as Lilo & Stitch. The concept is similar to that of Tokyo Disneyland’s D-POP Magic, and will showcase music from the past fifty years, including rock ‘n’ roll, surf tunes and ‘70s disco. The party was due to see one float being stationed in each DCA land, but that was shelved in favour of a continuing procession throughout the performance corridor, to ensure that all guests can catch the entire celebration.

Apart from Space Mountain, expect sneak previews in early April 2005 and the grand debut on May 5 2005.

Some of the additions coming to Walt Disney World - Soarin' Lucky the Dinosaur, Cinderellabration, Lights! Motors! Action! and Expedition: Everest
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Walt Disney World Resort
Much of WDW’s news had been announced to the global media at the launch of Mission:SPACE back in October 2003. However, there was a shock or two.

Tokyo Disneyland’s successful low-season nighttime show, Cinderellabration will be making its way to the Castle Forecourt Stage beginning next summer. The spectacle chronicles the coronation of Cinderella. The show is likely to mean another hiatus for SpectroMagic, as the Magic Kingdom is unlikely to be able to accommodate both, especially if Cinderellabration will be shown more than once each night. TDL fanatics are likely to gripe about the scaled-down version heading for Florida, but the park simply does not have a hub big enough to welcome the giant, ornate arches and expansive seating area that TDL can boast. However, the majority of elements will remain, with an elaborate procession along the parade corridor culminating in the stage show. Anne Hamburger was genuinely excited to unveil plans to bring this Tokyo event to the sweltering humid summer season in Florida.

In addition, the resort will unveil a brand-new Hong Kong Disneyland Preview Center at EPCOT, possibly as early as Christmas 2004. The location has not yet been established, but is likely to be an addition to Innoventions or China in World Showcase. The exhibit will feature intricate scale models and extensive images from the WDI library.

An Expedition: Everest model
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As already mentioned, much of the remaining news had already been released. Expedition: Everest could debut as early as Christmas 2005, as the high-speed coaster is ahead of schedule and is already tempting guests across the new Dinoland USA bridge. No further information was released concerning the rumoured full-service restaurant in the Himalayas. Disney’s Animal Kingdom will also become the permanent home for WDI’s latest wonder toy, Lucky the Dinosaur, a free-ranging audio-animatronic character that will interact with guests. Lucky will be in exactly the same form as he was for his short-lived premiere at Disney’s California Adventure park.

The giant hangar structure, looming over the Canadian pavilion at EPCOT has already offended many regular guests, but Soarin’ continues to be ahead of schedule and significantly under budget. The attraction will debut before Easter 2005. However, it appears that there is some confusion over the actual movie footage that will form the basis for the experience. Official WDW press material continues to state that the attraction will be identical to the DCA original. However, imagineers are privately pushing hard for new footage to be shot, so that the ride can be much more broadly marketed as Soarin’ over the entire USA. Watch this space!

Finally, Disney MGM Studios’ new addition for the 50th celebration has an official working title. Lights! Motors! Action! An Extreme Stunt Show is already taking shape on the foundations of Residential Street on the backlot, as Mediterranean-inspired buildings form the backbone of the attraction. The show will encompass elements that have been dropped from the Parisian original, such as jetskis. The cars are likely to be the same Opel (a GM subsidiary) Corsas, due to the need for low centres of gravity and tight turning circles, but there is no word on whether GM will be willing to sponsor the attraction, as they already do at the Walt Disney Studios Park in Paris.