Royal treatment of Cinderella's Castle includes pyrotecnic fireworks as Walt Disney World kicks off the 18-month-long anniversary celebrations. -- Photos courtesy of Walt Disney Co.

As the "Happiest Celebration on Earth " was launched with Cinderella's coronation at the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, I could not help but think back to the one Disney movie that absolutely terrified me as a kid. Probably about the same time that Walt was fretting about his big opening day with his cast of characters.

No, it was not Snow White with the wicked witch. Nor Sleeping Beauty with its wicked queen. It was Fantasia with Mickey and the water-happy brooms in The Sorcerer's Apprentice.

As 100 musicians played ominous marching music (the world's first stereophonic sound), student wizard Mickey Mouse battled dozens of demonic wooden brooms as they upended bucket after bucket of water in his master's house. Finally, Sorcerer Yensid (Disney spelled backwards) appears in the midst of the nightmarish sloshing and flooding, and presto, the broom mischief stops. This was definitely magic.

Though it's been a half-century since Disneyland Resort opened amidst the orange groves in California, the magic has not stopped. In fact, as the 50th anniversary party gets into full swing, the Disney wizards seem to be waving more wands and granting more wishes than ever.

Too cash-strapped to take the gang on a Walt Disney World vacation? Ka-ching, the Magic Your Way program now lets a family of four enjoy six nights at a Disney resort and seven days at Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney-MGM Studios or Animal Kingdom for $1,500 US. Can't get to the parks in Tokyo, Paris or California this year? Whoosh, a star attraction from each of the parks is magically transported to the others.

Feel as if you're embarking on an Arctic expedition with strollers, diaper bags and every gadget your child just can't part with as you head south? Zoom. A motor coach will pick you up at the Orlando airport and take you to your Disney resort while your bags are magically transferred to your room. Tired of junk food for the kids? At the new Sunshine Seasons in Epcot's re-opened Land Pavilion, chefs have thrown out the deep fryers and reneged on pizza. Instead, they are tempting youngsters with mashed potatoes and chicken legs or make-your-own sandwiches. Sous Chef Tony Benitez reports that the meals are flying off the counters.

And what about junior who just wants to perfect his cannonballs every afternoon in the resort pool? Now, he can. Each day, the new Extra Magic Hours lets Disney resort guests enter one park an hour earlier or stay three hours later. So when everyone is flagging, you can return to your hotel for afternoon cannonball practice or a nap, and head back to the parks for more when rested. A brilliant idea.

"We've really been listening to parents and kids, and what they were telling us," said Linda Warren, executive vice-president of marketing for Walt Disney World Parks and Resorts. "We wanted people to have an even better time and we talked to guests about their best experiences," she said. "And that's how Magic Your Way was born."

As for the Package Plus Dining plan where you can pay up front for food or the new Magical Gatherings help for groups of eight or more? "People are raving about it," Warren said delightedly. Certainly, new attractions from Paris, Tokyo and Disneyland don't hurt either as the theme parks mark their first global celebrations.

"To think it all started with a mouse," said funny man Art Linkletter as the golden anniversary spectators in Orlando threw their golden mouse ears into the air and a bunch of us trooped off to watch Mickey in his new 3-D PhilharMagic film. Sure enough, as Donald flew about trying to capture Mickey's sorcerer's hat, the brooms made a repeat appearance. This time, however, they upended their buckets onto the audience and sprayed us with water too. Hey, how did that happen? Magic indeed.

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BOTTOM LINE

MAGIC YOUR WAY: Over the next 18 months at all Disney theme parks around the world, the new Magic Your Way program lets families customize their vacations. For instance, a family of four can enjoy a six-night, seven-day Walt Disney World vacation with accommodation at a Disney Value Resort and theme park tickets for just $1,500 US. Families can then add other options for individual pricing such as Park Hopper passes, water park admissions, upgraded Disney resorts such as the compelling Animal Kingdom Lodge, or the new Disney Dining Plan at some 100 restaurants (disneyworld.ca/dining). The No Expiration option lets guests return any unused ticket entitlements.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: For Disney's free Vacation Planning kit, visit disneyworld.ca. To book, call 407-WDW-STAR or contact your travel agent. To reserve character breakfasts, princess teas or gourmet dining, call 407-939-3463.

Turtle talk with Crush. The laid-back sea creature from Finding Nemo is a digital character who kibitzes with the kids in a interactive way. Find this computer graphic in the Living Seas theatre at Epcot.

A young girl gives Minnie Mouse a mighty big kiss at Disney World in Florida.

Fly over California's Yosemite National Park. Soar over forests or get a bird's-eye view of the Golden Gate Bridge in Soarin', a hi-tech attraction at Epcot that uses a 24-metre projection screen dome.

Meet Princess Aurora from Sleeping Beauty at the Perfectly Princess Tea Party at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort.