First look: The new Beacon of Magic at EPCOT

Disney today shared a look at what the Beacons of Magic around Spaceship Earth at EPCOT will look like when it goes live on Oct. 1, the kick-off of Walt Disney World’s 50th-anniversary celebration.

“This first-look image actually gives you a glimpse into the near future when the night will come alive in an entirely new way with this Beacon of Magic. Inspired by past and future, the classic Spaceship Earth color gradients will be rendered richer by our new lighting fixtures, evoking twinkling starlight in an evening sky.

“This is visual poetry and will forever change the way we experience EPCOT,” Disney Imagineer Zach Riddley wrote on his Instagram account.

Each of the icons at all four Disney theme park will transform into what Disney is calling “Beacons of Magic” at night, coming to life in different ways. 

At EPCOT, the new lights will shine across the reflective panels of Spaceship Earth, connecting to one another in a symbol of optimism resembling stars in a nighttime sky. Imagineers created the custom lighting feature. The iconic structure’s permanent new lighting will continue beyond “The World’s Most Magical Celebration” as a defining feature of the park.