12 Things to Do for Disney World's 50th Anniversary WITHOUT a Park Ticket

It’s hard to believe that Disney World’s 50th anniversary is here! And there is so much going on at the parks.

Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Most Magical Place on Earth!

But what if you can’t get to the parks to celebrate? That’s okay! Because we’ve put together some of our best ideas to help you celebrate wherever you are, be it at Disney World or home.

Watch Disney Parks Documentaries on Disney+

One of the easiest and most relaxing ways to celebrate Disney World’s 50th is at home with Disney+. There are several shows you can watch about the creation of Disney World and many of its iconic attractions.

Here are just a few shows you should add to your Disney+ watchlist:

Namaste on My Couch and Watch Disney+’s Relaxing NEW Series “Zenimation’

Dine at California Grill for 50th Dining Experience

If you happen to be at Disney World for the 50th but don’t have plans to go to the parks, you can celebrate the 50th with a special dining experience at California Grill at Disney’s Contemporary Resort.

The menu for the experience will be prix fixe with three courses, where guests can choose an appetizer, entree, and dessert. It costs $89 per adult and $39 per child plus tax and gratuity. Be sure to make reservations in advance.

Prix Fixe 50th Anniversary Menu Revealed for California Grill in Disney World

Virtually Ride Disney World Attractions

If you can’t be in the parks but want to experience Disney World on the 50th anniversary, you can watch some of our attraction videos to virtually ride all your favorites. From Rise of the Resistance to Splash Mountain to Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, we post ride videos regularly here and on our social media accounts.

Be sure to follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter and ride your favorite attractions for free!

17 Rides That Are Even Better Than Their Disney World Counterparts

Take A Fireworks Cruise

You don’t have to be at Magic Kingdom to see the Enchantment Fireworks. Instead, you could make reservations for The Ferrytale Fireworks: A Sparkling Dessert Cruise and watch the fireworks from Seven Seas Lagoon. PLUS you get to eat a lot of yummy desserts.

Desserts on Ferrytale Fireworks: A Sparkling Dessert Cruise

The trip costs $99 for adults and $69 for kids aged 3 to 9 and includes a variety of desserts as well as a selection of both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.

Is the Ferrytale Fireworks Dessert Cruise Worth the Cost in Disney World?

Make Disney Recipes At Home

Looking to recreate some Disney World magic at home? The best way to do that is to recreate some of your favorite Disney dishes. And if you’re looking for recipes, we have a whole database of them!

©DisneyFamily || Make Disney treats at home!

Or maybe you’ll want to grab Disney World’s 50th Anniversary Cookbook. So you might not BE at Disney World, but you’ll be eating like you are.

10 Disney Recipes When You Want to Pretend You’re in the Parks

Buy Disney World Merchandise Online

If you can’t be in the parks for the 50th anniversary, don’t worry about not being able to nab souvenirs. Disney has BIG plans for 50th anniversary merchandise, and we’ve already seen some collections online.

And if you missed out on those, there is a LOT more coming. So you can grab your 50th anniversary souvenirs from the comfort of your couch!

PHOTOS: First Look at the Walt Disney World 50th Anniversary Merchandise!

See Characters in their 50th Anniversary Outfits at Hotels

In case you missed the news, Disney’s most iconic characters are getting a new wardrobe for the 50th anniversary celebration. But you don’t have to go to the parks to see their new outfits — characters will be visiting Disney World hotels in their spiffy new duds!

Mickey and Minnie’s 50th anniversary celebration outfits! ©Disney

So if you can’t get to the parks to see Mickey and Minnie in their “EARidescent” apparel, you can see them at your hotel instead!

Disney World Hotel Guests Will Get Some Special Visitors for the 50th Anniversary

Watch the 50th Anniversary Special on ABC

If you’re stuck at home for the celebration, you can still celebrate the 50th from your couch with the Disney World 50th Anniversary Special that aired on ABC and is now on Disney+.

Mickey and Minnie 50th Anniversary topiary outside of Magic Kingdom

With “The Most Magical Story on Earth: 50 Years of Walt Disney World,” viewers can revisit some of Disney World’s most iconic moments, entertainment, and projects.

Sneak Peek at Disney World’s 50th Anniversary TV Special!

Get the 50th Anniversary License Plate If You Live In Florida

If you’re a Florida resident, you get a special way to celebrate Disney World’s 50th anniversary. All you have to do is visit your DMV and get the specialty Walt Disney World Resort license plate.

Even better? Proceeds from the license plate (which costs $25 plus taxes and fees) go to Make-A-Wish of Central and Northern Florida.

Here’s How to Get Disney World’s NEW 50th Anniversary License Plate!

Follow Us On Social Media

The easiest way to get in on all the 50th anniversary festivities is to follow us on social media. Here’s where to find us:

We’ll be posting all kinds of details, photos, videos, and more from Disney World’s 50th anniversary celebration, so you can keep up with everything going on without being there.

Ranking Disney World’s Anniversary Celebrations Over the Years (And Where the 50th Anniversary Stands So Far)

Watch All The Movies Disney Released in 1971 on Disney+

Another fun way to celebrate from home is to watch every movie released in 1971 (the year Disney World first opened to the public). Here’s the list to get you started: Bedknobs and Broomsticks, The Million Dollar Duck, and The Barefoot Excecutive.

Scandalous John was also released in 1971, but for some reason, it hasn’t made it Disney+ yet. But if you could hunt it down and watch it, your 1971 Disney movie marathon would be complete.

Real Life Spots That Inspired Disney Movies

Get The 50th Anniversary McDonald’s Happy Meals

Finally, another fun way to celebrate the 50th anniversary is with McDonald’s, which has released special 50th Anniversary Happy Meals, which come with a special Disney World 50th anniversary toy!

A total of 50 different character figures will be available and they’ll be decked out with EARidescent 50th anniversary theming.

PHOTOS: Disney World 50th Anniversary Happy Meal Toys Now Available at McDonald’s!

So don’t worry if you don’t have a park ticket for the 50th anniversary — there are plenty of fun ways you can still celebrate, even if you’re stuck at your resort or home.