Last week kicked off what might be Disneyland’s most magical celebration yet — the Resort’s 70th Anniversary! Think: dazzling nighttime shows, nostalgic tributes, exclusive merch drops, and a cavalcade of characters (old and new) bringing joy across the parks. The anniversary festivities are set to run now through summer 2026, so there’s plenty of time to join the magic and — in true Disney fashion — Celebrate Happy!
Table Of Content
- A Celebration to Remember
- World of Color – Happiness!
- Wondrous Journeys (Returns!)
- “Paint the Night” Parade
- “The Celebrate Happy Cavalcade”
- Décor & Park Atmosphere
- Tapestry of Happiness (Projections on “it’s a small world”)
- A Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Adventure for the 70th Celebration
- Anniversary Eats & Merch
- Ticket Deals & New Guided Tour
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- Related
Here’s what stood out, what surprised us, and what we’ll be talking about long after the fireworks fade.
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A Celebration to Remember
Fantasyland kicked off the celebration on Wednesday with an exclusive party for members of the press to experience the magic before it opened to the public. We had the rare opportunity to enjoy classic attractions like Peter Pan’s Flight, Dumbo the Flying Elephant, and Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride — all with zero wait times. Strolling through a nearly empty Fantasyland under twinkling lights felt surreal in the best way — like stepping straight into a storybook.
The night also gave us a taste (literally) of the Celebrate Happy menu offerings. We sampled everything from anniversary churros to vintage-inspired snacks, with Cast Members walking around serving treats straight off trays. It was a delicious and immersive preview of what guests will be lining up for all summer. Not to mention, Snow White strutted through with the seven dwarfs
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World of Color – Happiness!
The highlight of the celebration was definitely World of Color — Happiness!, which was visually stunning and surprisingly personal.
Hosted by Joy from Inside Out, this new nighttime spectacular isn’t just eye candy — it’s an emotion-driven love letter to happiness in all its forms. The show shifts from wild excitement (Turning Red), to peaceful joy (Encanto), to pure fun (The Incredibles), all tied together with a catchy new original song, “Makes Me Wanna Move.”
Pro tip: We loved voting for our favorite Emotion in the Disneyland app. It gives the show a personalized, interactive edge that made us feel part of the storytelling. And yes, someone in our group campaigned hard for Sadness.
Wondrous Journeys (Returns!)
Verdict: Just as goosebump-worthy the second time around
We were thrilled to see this fan-favorite back. With its sweeping medley of songs from Disney’s animation legacy, Wondrous Journeys hits emotionally — especially with those Big Hero 6 and Hercules moments.
The fireworks add impact, but even without them, the projections and music are enough to make your heart swell. A solid reminder of why Disney storytelling resonates generation after generation.
“Paint the Night” Parade
We didn’t expect to be so wowed by a returning parade, but Paint the Night absolutely holds up as a high-energy standout. The LED tech still feels fresh and futuristic, and the float designs — especially Mack from Cars and Belle’s glowing rose — had us reaching for our phones to capture every moment. We loved the nostalgia of seeing Mike and Sulley roll by, and Woody and Buzz taking over Main Street never gets old.
The remix soundtrack? Loud, bold, and impossible not to dance along to. Paint the Night remains one of the top crowd-pleasers of the celebration — and it’s easy to see why.
“The Celebrate Happy Cavalcade”
One of the sweetest surprises from Disneyland’s 70th anniversary celebration has to be the “Celebrate Happy Cavalcade”—a cheerful mini parade that had us smiling from ear to ear. It runs twice a day, and honestly? It’s the perfect dose of Disney joy between big shows and rides.
We were lucky enough to catch the cavalcade on its first day, and it totally caught us off guard—in the best way. It’s got music, dancing, and that magical energy that just makes you stop in your tracks. And yes, rare characters alert!
It kicked off with Duffy and ShellieMay on bikes (we freaked out a little, not gonna lie), followed by Max and Goofy in colorful 70th outfits that made us want our own matching jackets. The float that came next had a seriously dreamy mix of princesses—Merida, Snow White, Pocahontas, and Jasmine—all waving like royalty.
Then came Mickey and friends, dressed in their sparkly 70th best—picture-perfect and ready for the spotlight. We couldn’t help but take a dozen photos.
And just when we thought it was wrapping up, a whole lineup of classic characters showed up on foot—Mary Poppins, Alice, Peter Pan, and more. It felt like a vintage Disneyland moment, the kind we grew up watching in old Disney specials.
The cavalcade runs at 1:30 PM and 2:45 PM—don’t miss it. It’s a quick hit of magic that totally adds to the anniversary vibes. (And if you’re hopping over to DCA, check out “Better Together: A Pixar Pals Celebration!” too—it’s another daytime must.)
📸 It’s also a great photo op if you’re looking to snap characters that don’t often make the rounds.
Décor & Park Atmosphere
Walking into Disneyland right now feels like stepping into a dream where the past and present hold hands. Everywhere you look, there’s rainbow-hued bunting, shiny anniversary medallions, and these subtle little Easter eggs nodding to Disney’s rich history. The Sleeping Beauty Castle? Somehow it’s even more storybook-perfect, especially with that new regal anniversary medallion adding a touch of extra sparkle.
Our favorite surprise: The massive anniversary sculpture right in the Esplanade. We couldn’t resist grabbing a selfie there (okay, maybe several). It’s just that iconic. There are also a few photo opps around both parks that you can’t miss.
Tapestry of Happiness (Projections on “it’s a small world”)
If you don’t wander over to Fantasyland at night, you might totally miss this hidden gem. But trust us — it’s a must-see. The projections turn “it’s a small world” into a moving storybook, bursting with layered textures and bold, joyful colors straight from Mary Blair’s original art style.
It’s playful without being overwhelming — a perfect little nighttime pause that makes you stop and smile.
A Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Adventure for the 70th Celebration
As part of Disneyland’s 70th anniversary celebration, we got to check out the brand-new Disney Jr. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live! — and it’s a total win for families with little ones.
Debuting May 16, 2025, at the Disney Theater in Hollywood Land (Disney California Adventure), this live show brings the world of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse to life, with fresh updates from the upcoming Clubhouse+ reboot.
The story follows Mickey and Minnie prepping for a party — but some friends go missing, leading to a fun musical adventure to find them. The kids in the audience were all-in, clapping, singing, and dancing along the whole way.
It’s colorful, catchy, and full of energy — a great break during your park day and a solid hit with the preschool crowd.
Anniversary Eats & Merch
We basically ate our way through the celebration — from chili served in sourdough bread bowls (shoutout to Walt’s original idea) to the purple churros and that shiny anniversary cake slice topped with shimmering sugar glaze. Each bite was a hit.
On the merch side, Spirit Jerseys and character plushies in their new fits stole the spotlight, but the vintage-style collectibles? They vanished faster than you can say “Mouse ears.” Pro tip: If something catches your eye, grab it now — or risk a serious case of FOMO on your next lap, and there is a limited number of those talking Mickey popcorn buckets!!
Ticket Deals & New Guided Tour
To make the most of Disneyland’s 70th celebration without breaking the bank, the Resort is offering some great limited-time ticket deals. You can grab a 3-Day, 1-Park per day ticket for just $360 — that’s only $120 per day! Want to stretch your visit even longer? The 4-Day, 1-Park per day ticket drops the daily cost to as low as $100, totaling $400.
These special anniversary tickets are available now for visits from May 16 through August 14, 2025. You get flexibility with your visit: choose 3 or 4-day tickets, with the option to upgrade to Park Hopper passes or add Lightning Lane Multi Passes for quicker access to rides. Plus, you can use your tickets on consecutive days or spread them out over the summer — perfect for coming back again and again! For full details, head to Disneyland.com/70TicketOffer. (Just remember, park reservations are required.)
If you want to stay close to the magic, Disneyland Resort hotels are also offering savings. You can save up to 20% on select stays at the Disneyland Hotel, The Villas at Disneyland Hotel, and Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa for visits between May 16 and August 14, 2025. Availability and restrictions apply, so be sure to book early!
Keep an eye on Disneyland.com/offers for the latest ticket and hotel deals throughout the celebration — helping you make the most of your Disneyland 70th anniversary vacation without stretching your budget.
Disneyland’s 70th isn’t just a celebration — it’s a love letter to joy itself. It’s where cutting-edge tech meets heartfelt nostalgia, where every corner of the Resort buzzes with magic and meaning.
