Making Memories: Daytime Delights at the Cinderella Castle Stage

on July 13, 2021

Each week through the Walt Disney World 50th anniversary, we will be taking a look back at various parades, entertainment, and nighttime spectaculars throughout the history of the resort. Walt Disney World has seen so many different things come and go throughout its 50 year history. So, let’s take a look back at what people remember dearly or forgot quickly.

Back to the Magic Kingdom we go! This week we are looking back on the stage shows that have delighted guests at Cinderella Castle. We begin with “Disney Mania” which debuted in 1989 and ran for various periods until 2001. Various Disney characters from Mickey and Minnie Mouse to Zummi Gummi were a part of this show.

Another early show at Magic Kingdom was “Kids of the Kingdom,” which ran for various periods and iterations from 1981 through 2001. This was the longest running show at the Cinderella Castle stage. Disney Mania was one version of this show. Throughout its long run there were several updates or changes made to the show. During the 2020 pandemic, alumni from the show came together to recreate moments.

After these long running shows we moved onto something more themed to the environment called “Cinderella’s Surprise Celebration.” This show debuted in October 2001 and ran until February 2005. Cinderella was the host of this castle stage show and begins with greeting crowd along with of course her Fairy Godmother. Plenty of other Disney pals come out as part of the fun as well.

This show was also part of the 100 Years of Magic celebration in 2001. Gifts were brought to the stage but of course things go amok when the Old Hag shows up with her own gift. Mickey Mouse joins the party as well. Donald of course had to open the suspicious apple shaped gift. Villains then start taking over the castle and this leads to Disney heroes coming to save the day.

Replacing Cinderella’s Surprise Celebration was “Cinderellabration!” This show debuted in March 2005 and ran until September 2006. This show did first debut in Tokyo Disneyland but was adapted and brought to Magic Kingdom. The show is set when Cinderella is having her royal wedding and brings the coronation of Cinderella to life. The Fairy Godmother interacts with the crowd and invited guests such as Snow White, Aurora, Jasmine and more come out to join in the festivities. This was an 18 minute show that ran several times a day.

Replacing Cinderellabration was another long running and fan favorite show in “Dream Along with Mickey.” Dream Along with Mickey debuted in October 2006 and ran until April 2016. This was another show originally created for Tokyo Disneyland but then changed and adapted for Magic Kingdom. Mickey and friends are getting ready for a party and everyone except Donald believes in dreams. The princesses come out to sing about their dreams but Donald still is skeptical. Disney Villains come about but don’t worry the day will be saved.

This 20 minute show also ran several times a day. Plenty of Disney characters made appearances throughout the show and some pyrotechnics were present as well! During this shows run, Disney had updated its character to allow for more animation or articulation and in 2007 was the first stage show to use these characters.

The final and most recent show of this look back is “Mickey’s Royal Friendship Faire.” This castle stage show replaced Dream Along with Mickey in 2016 and has been running since. The show however has not returned since the parks reopened from the pandemic. It is rumored we will see a new castle stage show for the Walt Disney World 50th anniversary in October 2021. This show features Mickey and his friends several times a day in a roughly 20 minute show. Mickey is hosting a friendship celebration and is looking to invite more people. We see friends such as Princess Tiana, Princess Anna, Queen Elsa, and more. The show ends with a big musical moment and some pyrotechnics. It is unknown if this show will return to the Magic Kingdom.

That will do it for this week’s Making Memories! Have you seen any or all of these castle stage shows at the Magic Kingdom? Are there any you wish you had seen? Let us know!

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