Photos, Video: Tree of Life as a Beacon of Magic

During Walt Disney World’s 50th anniversary each of the icons at the four Walt Disney World theme parks transforms at night into a Beacon of Magic.

At Disney’s Animal Kingdom, the icon that makes the change is The Tree of Life. A warm light emanates from the Tree of Life as fireflies gather to usher in the magic of nature.

For those who have visited Animal Kingdom in the past and remember Tree of Life Awakenings, featuring short stories of animal spirits brought to life by a magical firefly on the Tree of Life, this is similar. While in the past the projections told an entire story, the Beacon of Magic projection shows shafts of light on the tree and illuminates some of the animal carvings.

Every 15 minutes after dark, an announcement is made explaining the Beacon of Magic.