New Ratatouille ride opening date announced as part of Disney World's upcoming 50th anniversary festivities
When guests walk through the turnstiles on Oct. 1, Disney World will officially celebrate its golden 50th anniversary.
Disney World has been prepping for this celebration for quite some time, including with 2020's new paint job for Cinderella Castle, a variety of new attractions that have been under construction, a whole new look for Epcot and more.
But now, we have some new details about when and how the celebration will take place. And this includes a long-awaited announcement regarding the opening date for the new Remy's Ratatouille Adventure attraction in Epcot.
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New Ratatouille attraction will open
There's exciting news for those who have been patiently waiting for the chance to explore the expanded France Pavillion in Epcot and ride Remy's Ratatouille Adventure.
After experiencing some pandemic-related delays, both are now set for a grand opening on Oct. 1 as part of the 50th-anniversary celebration. Knowing that a new attraction is a sure-fire way to draw a crowd, waiting until the latter portion of 2021 likely gives Disney some additional buffer time for capacity restrictions to (hopefully) lessen.
Related: What's new at Disney World in 2021
The celebration will last longer than expected
As expected, Disney World's 50th-anniversary celebration will begin on Oct. 1, but we just learned it will actually last for a full 18 months.
This extended celebration timeframe is presumably due, at least in part, to the pandemic. This will allow folks who aren't yet ready to travel in 2021 additional time to be a part of the festivities. It also allows for additional time to finish and debut some attractions that won't be completed by October 2021 due to pandemic-related delays.
Related: When Disney World may eliminate the mask requirements
The castle will be adorned in gold
Remember that (interesting) candy-covered look that Cinderella Castle got for the 25th anniversary?
Well, this is nothing like that. Luckily, gold is synonymous with a 50th anniversary, and there's little doubt that the castle will look magnificent with gold bunting and a new 50th-anniversary crest.
It's not just the Magic Kingdom and its castle that will get a fresh look, according to the official Disney Parks Blog, magical fireflies will inhabit Animal Kingdom's central Tree of Life, Hollywood Studio's Tower of Terror will get a new overlay and new lights will shine across the reflective panels at Epcot's iconic Spaceship Earth dome.
Related: What to expect at Disney World in 2021
New costumes for characters
Mickey and Minnie are also getting a special new look in a variety of "earidescence" blues, purples and, of course, gold. Hopefully, by the time this celebration rolls around, there will be a way to get more than a distanced selfie with this golden couple.
Park pass reservations already booked for Oct. 1
While we now know the celebration will last for 18 months, if you hope to be inside the Magic Kingdom on the actual 50th-anniversary date on Oct. 1, you have an uphill climb ahead of you.
For months now, advance Park Pass reservations that are required to enter any of the Disney World theme parks have been been fully booked for the Magic Kingdom on Oct. 1. However, the other three Disney World theme parks are still available on Oct. 1 and Magic Kingdom has availability starting the following day. Epcot still has Oct. 1 availability as of this update for the grand opening of Ratatouille.
So, you can still plan a 50th anniversary week trip to Disney World if you wish, but being inside Magic Kingdom on Oct. 1 is going to take some luck picking up cancellations or perhaps some additional availability if or when it is released.
Several Disney World hotels are also not showing availability for that Oct. 1 weekend, but others are bookable.
Currently, this includes the Grand Floridian (walkable to Magic Kingdom), Disney's Riviera Resort, Disney's Caribbean Beach (both of those two are on the Skyliner to Epcot and Hollywood Studios), Disney's Coronado Springs Resort (including the newest Gran Destino Tower) and Disney's Animal Kingdom Kidabi Village. Prices for these start around $300 per night and skyrocket to over $1,000 per night, depending on resort and room type.
Keep in mind that the Disney Magical Express bus to and from the Orlando airport will still run through the end of 2021 but will not be an option for any trips that start in 2022 and beyond.
The on-property Disney Swan, Dolphin and new Swan Reserve (which are not eligible for the Magical Express bus as they are actually Marriott properties) also have availability that Oct. 1 weekend for around $300 or 50,000 to 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night.
If you think you want to go Disney World from Oct. 1 through the end of 2021, when things always get busier around the holidays, making some refundable reservations sooner rather than later isn't a bad plan.
Bottom line
There's still plenty we don't yet know about what Disney is calling "The World's Most Magical Celebration," including the all-important detail of which new shows, rides and attractions will be ready for when the big event kicks off on Oct. 1. Some of that is still likely going to be dictated by capacity and safety restrictions.
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- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
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- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
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- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits.Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.