Disney World 50th Anniversary Art Coming to Orlando Airport

Walt Disney World has announced a new immersive exhibit coming to Orlando International Airport (MCO) ahead of the World’s Most Magical Celebration for the 50th Anniversary–and it’ll include Figment! In this post, we’ll share info about the interactive art installation along with some quotes from those in charge of the project.

Per Disney, a group of Cast Members and the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority (GOAA) is hard at work transforming the arrival experience at Orlando International Airport. As part of this art installation at MCO, Walt Disney World has also announced it is working with GOAA on a new “Magic of Disney” store location opening with the South Terminal Complex in 2022.

Coming just in time for Walt Disney World’s 50th Anniversary celebration this fall, airport passengers will discover many exciting Disney touches, including a wide-spanning art installation in the terminal train stations featuring characters, new effects engaging passengers as they walk through a glistening glow of projected EARidescent light patterns, and an immersive photo opportunity with a re-creation of a Disney ride vehicle to capture special memories as they make their way through the airport.

“Orlando International Airport and Walt Disney World share a commitment to the Central Florida community. We proudly recognize the outstanding accomplishment of our longtime partner as they celebrate this impressive 50th Anniversary milestone,” said Phil Brown, Chief Executive Officer of the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority.

“Collaborating on a commemorative presence at Florida’s busiest airport means we get to be the first moment of celebration for guests flying into Orlando to be part of the spectacular fanfare.”

Arriving passengers heading to Orlando International’s iconic (to me at least) Automated People Mover will spot large golden characters on the APM’s clear tunnels. These represent the Disney Fab 50 statues that will be installed in the four Disney World theme parks. The graphics will run the length of the chutes inside the terminal and be connected by special 50th Anniversary “pixie dust” that include nods to other characters and icons.

On the far side of the tram tunnels will be walls of the same blue shade Walt Disney World is using for the Royal Makeover of Cinderella Castle. The official World’s Most Magical Celebration logo with Cinderella Castle also will be incorporated into a dimensional 3D depth effect.

After leaving the APM, visitors arriving to Orlando International Airport will walk through a “glistening glow” projection and then encounter large 35 feet tall images of the four icons from each of the parks–Cinderella Castle, Spaceship Earth, Tree of Life, and whatever the icon is for Disney’s Hollywood Studios these days (presumably Tower of Terror since it’s the one being transformed with the Beacons of Magic).

That walk-through, character-driven glow will be fully immersive and all-encompassing. Additionally, there will be photo ops such as a glowing version of a teacup from Magic Kingdom’s Mad Tea Party. There will also be Walt Disney World 50th Anniversary artwork on the signs atop the baggage carousel and then again out the door exiting MCO.

In an interview with the Orlando Sentinel, Darlene Papalini, Walt Disney World’s vice president for marketing strategy said that “to many people, when they come into the airport, it’s really where they feel like the magic of a Walt Disney World vacation will begin, so it’s a really perfect kind of compliment…it truly is an art installation; I don’t think that’s too heavy a word to use.”

“As you’re departing, you see this incredible billboard spectacular,” Papalini said. Those outdoor displays will also be along State Road 528 and Interstate 4. When describing the art installation at MCO, Papalini said that “this is going another level.”

Walt Disney World and MCO partnered on something similar in November 2019, with life-size depictions of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. One scene created a dimensional landscape with the iconic Millennium Falcon and other landmarks from the new land. In a wrap of the Automated People Movers, it appeared as if First Order Stormtroopers were waiting to step off the shuttle as the APM arrived in the station.

The Magic of Disney store in the Main Terminal also had a bunch of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge photo ops, featuring droids and more from the new land. The second Magic of Disney store had a 36-foot-long video screen on an exterior wall showing scenes from Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. Combined, those art pieces of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge stretched longer than eight full-size buses.

The exhibit for Walt Disney World’s 50th Anniversary promises to be larger, more immersive, and more ambitious. The art will be installed at MCO prior to October 1, 2021. It’s currently scheduled to remain in place until Spring 2022.

In terms of commentary, this strikes me as good news. I’d stop short of saying that I’m excited for it, but I’m definitely a strong proponent of more interactive lighting and art installations in airports. If that’s what this ends up being, I’ll be a big fan of it.

Back when we lived in Indianapolis, I’d “joke” that my two favorite things about the city were the dinosaurs busting out of the Children’s Museum and the circular lights that danced to your motion while heading to the airport transportation center. Other airports have visual effects like this, and they are universally awesome. Cool and/or interactive lighting is something we should all be able to get behind.

It’s also probably a good move for Walt Disney World to inject more “magic” into the arrival experience at Orlando International Airport. Right now, lines are frequently lengthy for Disney’s Magical Express, and the shuttle service will end entirely in 2022. This immersive art exhibit should help make a better first impression and negate some of that bitterness–at least a little bit.

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Your Thoughts

What do you think about this immersive art installation coming to MCO for Walt Disney World 50th Anniversary? Do you agree or disagree with our assessment? Any questions we can help you answer? Hearing your feedback–even when you disagree with us–is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts below in the comments!