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Disneyland 70th Anniversary Celebration Guide: Dates, Entertainment & What to Know

by | Apr 24, 2026 | Disney California Adventure Park, Disneyland, Disneyland Parks, DLR Food, DLR News

The Disneyland 70th anniversary celebration is going on now! Learn more about what is available and what you can find at the park currently to celebrate the big anniversary.

The Disneyland 70th anniversary celebration is officially underway, and there’s never been a better time to visit Disneyland Resort. This milestone event celebrates seven decades of magic with limited-time entertainment, exclusive experiences, festive décor, and can’t-miss offerings across both parks.

Whether you’re planning a trip or just want to see what’s new, this complete guide to the Disneyland 70th anniversary celebration covers everything you need to know, from entertainment and returning favorites to brand-new experiences created just for the occasion.

Savor the Memories of 70 Years

Want to dive even deeper into Disneyland’s history while celebrating the 70th anniversary? This special issue of DLR Magazine takes you behind the scenes of the magic, from beloved parades past and present to an inside look at how the Disneyland Railroad operates—and even where you can still spot Walt Disney’s legacy in the parks today.

It’s the perfect companion to the Disneyland 70th anniversary celebration, whether you’re planning a visit or reliving your favorite memories from home.

Get the 70th Anniversary Issue

Disneyland 70th Anniversary

Disneyland Resort 70th Celebration Dates

The Disneyland 70th anniversary celebration began on May 16, 2025, and is scheduled to run through August 9, 2026. This extended celebration gives guests plenty of time to experience the limited-time offerings honoring Disneyland’s opening day on July 17, 1955.

The Disneyland 70th anniversary celebration brings the theme “Celebrate Happy” to life throughout the resort. Guests can expect special entertainment, themed food and beverages, collectible merchandise, interactive experiences, and vibrant decorations inspired by the park’s rich history.

From Main Street, U.S.A. to Disney California Adventure, the entire resort is transformed to honor 70 years of Disneyland magic—blending nostalgic touches with new experiences created just for the celebration.

Disneyland 70th Anniversary Entertainment

Entertainment is at the heart of the Disneyland 70th anniversary celebration, featuring a mix of returning fan-favorites and new offerings designed exclusively for this milestone event.

Paint the Night

For returning entertainment, perhaps the most highly anticipated has been the nighttime parade, Paint the Night, which returned to Disneyland Park with colorful, vibrant floats lit up by a million bright LED lights. Guests can spot floats from characters and stories from Pixar and Disney Animation films such as Monsters, Inc., Cars, Toy Story, The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, and more. Additionally, Anna and Elsa from Frozen have their own float in the parade.

Photo by Danny Shuster

Better Together and The Celebrate Happy Cavalcade

Over at Disney California Adventure, the daytime parade Better Together: A Pixar Pals Celebration returned. A new character cavalcade called The Celebrate Happy Cavalcade also debuted. You can spot characters including Goofy and Max in their 70th attire, as well as rarer characters like Duffy and ShellieMay, who are usually only seen overseas!

Photo by Danny Shuster

World of Color Happiness!

For the celebration, World of Color Happiness! is a new nighttime spectacular available at Disney California Adventure. The show draws inspiration from Walt Disney’s words from the opening day park dedication from seven decades ago: “To all who come to this happy place… welcome!” At Disneyland Park, Wondrous Journeys has returned, enhanced with fireworks on select nights.

The spectacular features “happy” through different emotions, hosted by Joy and the other Emotions from Inside Out and Inside Out 2. Emotions will manifest in music and moments from other movies like Turning Red, The Incredibles, A Goofy Movie, Tangled, Encanto, and more.

disneyland 70th anniversary, world of color happiness

Photo by Stephanie Shuster

Ahead of the first World of Color Happiness! showing, guests inside Disney California Adventure can vote on the Disneyland app for one of four different emotions (Sadness, Anger, Disgust, and Envy) to see which is featured in special scenes throughout both days’ shows.

In addition to featuring classic Disney songs, you’ll also be able to hear a cover of “Rainbow Connection” by Boyz II Men, and a new original song, “Makes Me Wanna Movie” by Fitz. The new show is introduced with a message by more then a dozen of The Muppets, featured in a projection.

Tapesty of Happiness

The face of “It’s a Small World” now has lights, music, and projection effects nightly for the new Tapestry of Happiness. The projection show creates an animated mosaic of Disneyland attractions, moments, and memories, all brought to life in a style inspired by Disney artist Mary Blair. It features the original 70th celebration theme song “Celebrate Happy,” sung by the Jonas Brothers.

Photo by Danny Shuster

Decorations and New Costumes

For decorations, you’ll find a 50-foot sculpture inspired by Sleeping Beauty Castle in the esplanade between Disneyland and Disney California Adventure. The sculpture features colorful glass panels and golden charms representing the five original lands. Inside Disneyland, you’ll find a floral Mickey topiary with 70th banners adorning Main Street, U.S.A. (and a medallion on Sleeping Beauty Castle).

At Disney California Adventure, Carthay Circle Restaurant is decked out in 70th colors, with a special projection called A Little Touch of Magic in the evening on the exterior of the restaurant. This two-minute display lights up the restaurant (and transforms it into Sleeping Beauty Castle temporarily) while “Celebrate Happy” by the Jonas Brothers plays.

disneyland 70th anniversary

Photo by Danny Shuster

Plus, Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, and their pals have all come dressed for the party in Town Square at Disneyland, in custom looks designed for the Disneyland 70th anniversary.

New MagicBand+ Interactions

New interactions have debuted with your MagicBand+ during the 70th celebration. There era five fun surprises in Main Street, U.S.A., Adventureland, Tomorrowland, Fantasyland, and Frontierland. At each stop, your MagicBand+ unlocks unique interactions and effects inspired by the opening day attractions. Plus, your MagicBand+ will interact with Paint the Night, Tapestry of Happiness, World of Color Happiness!, and Wondrous Journeys.

Photo by Danny Shuster

The five spots where you can find MagicBand+ interactions are:

  • Main Street, U.S.A.: Tilly’s Booth at Main Street Cinema.
  • Adventureland: Skipper Lockers at Jungle Cruise.
  • Tomorrowland: Autopia.
  • Fantasyland: Fantasyland Window by Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique.
  • Frontierland: Frontierland Booth at Silver Spur Supplies. 

Special PhotoPass Opportunities

Throughout the 70th celebration, a series of all-new Magic Shots, Disney PhotoPass Lenses, and other photo enhancements are available in both parks. This includes a special Mickey and Minnie Magic Shot near the Disneyland park main entrance and Sleeping Beauty Castle.

More Disneyland 70 Experiences

New Dining Experiences

There are three new dining experiences that all debuted on May 16, 2025. The Paint the Night Dining Package at Plaza Inn is a multi-course, all-in-one meal that comes with reserved viewing for the Paint the Night parade. Guests can pick up their meal between 1 PM and 4 PM and sit at any table available at Plaza Inn. The dining package also offers a kids’ meal option.

You can also book a reservation for Donald’s Tales of Adventure Dinner Buffet at Storytellers Cafe. This is exciting as it’s the first time Storytellers Cafe at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel will debut character dining during dinner! The meal will include Donald Duck, Daisy Duck, and friends for barbecue-style food. Mickey’s Tales of Adventure will continue to be available for breakfast and brunch during this time.

disneyland 70th anniversary, Donald's Tales of Adventure Dinner Buffet at Storytellers Cafe

Photo Courtesy of Disney

And at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo Nighttime Gathering returned in April2025. You can enjoy options such as special takeaway items and get a reserved viewing of the nighttime spectacular “Fire of the Rising Moons” when available.

Guests will also be able to book two dining experiences at California Adventure during the Disneyland 70th celebration. The World of Color Happiness! Dessert Party will include a selection of sweets and snacks, a souvenir keepsake box, and preferred seating for the nighttime spectacular. The Better Together Dessert Party will offer guests a dedicated viewing area to watch the daytime parade, Better Together: A Pixar Pals Celebration!, and provide sweets, snacks, and a keepsake box.

Walt Disney – A Magical Life

“Walt Disney – A Magical Life” debuted at the Main Street Opera House theater on July 17, 2025. The new show features a cinematic presentation of Walt Disney’s journey, which culminates in a visit with Walt in his office. This will be the first time ever that Walt has been brought to life as an Audio-Animatronic.

disneyland 70th anniversary, walt disney a magical life

Photo by Heather Adams

Inside the Main Street Opera House, guests will also be able to explore a new gallery experience. Disneyland and the Walt Disney Family Museum have collaborated on the gallery, which includes 30 artifacts from the museum on display along with images and artwork that show how Disneyland progressed from dream to reality. There is also a special gallery dedicated to the story and history of Audio-Animatronic technology, starting with Walt’s first creations through today’s modern innovations.

Over at the Main Street Cinema, guests can also experience So Much That We Share: A Tribute to the Sherman Brothers. A short film, titled The Last Verse, reveals a new verse for “it’s a small world” written by composer Richard M. Sherman.

disneyland 70th anniversary, a magical life walt disney marquee

Photo by Heather Adams

The attraction is currently utilizing a virtual queue. Guests will have the opportunity to join the virtual queue via the Disneyland app once per day, with two daily distribution times at 7 AM and 12 PM PST.

After its initial run, “Walt Disney – A Magical Life” will play in rotation with “Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln.” This will be the first time the Main Street Opera House features a marquee with two titles. As a result, the new marquee will read “Opera House now featuring two dramatic theater presentations!” with A Magical Life above Walt Disney’s name on the left, and to the right, Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln.

The Last Verse

Over at Main Street Cinema, another new offering appeared for Disneyland’s 70th anniversary: The Last Verse. This three-and-a-half minute film celebrates the Sherman brothers’ iconic song, “It’s a Small World.” The film, which was created for the song’s 60th anniversary, has a special secret: a brand-new third verse.

The third verse for “It’s a Small World” is:

“Mother earth unites us in heart and mind

And the love we give makes us humankind

Through our vast wondrous land

When we stand hand in hand

It’s a small world after all.” 

This additional verse was written by Richard M. Sherman as his final Disney contribution. And now, in addition to experiencing the new verse in Main Street Cinema while watching The Last Verse, guests will be able to hear it when riding “it’s a small world” at Disneyland Park beginning on July 17, 2025.

Coco Addition for “it’s a small world”

A new Coco addition has officially joined the Mexico section of “it’s a small world.” Miguel and Dante have both been added to the ride, silhouetted by a marigold bridge, for the 70th anniversary celebration.

coco it's a small world

Photo by Danny Shuster

Updates to Toy Story Midway Mania

Over at Disney California Adventure, Toy Story Midway Mania! has received a few small updates to celebrate the 70th. Look out for nods to the 70th anniversary as you play the carnival-inspired games.

disneyland 70th anniversary, toy story midway mania

Photo by Stephanie Shuster

A Story of Celebration: 70th Anniversary Guided Tour

Fans of Disneyland history can book a new guided tour. A Story of Celebration: 70th Anniversary Guided Tour is a two-hour walking tour exploring the heritage of Disneyland, from opening day attractions to the latest additions. You’ll learn more about Walt Disney’s vision for the park, and how his legacy has only grown through the decades.

Thank you to Disney for hosting us during the Disneyland Resort 70th Celebration Media Event. #Disneyland70

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Posts by Morgan Flaherty

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Morgan Flaherty, Disney World Expert | Morgan has been visiting Disney World for over 30 years, and has become an expert on the resort's theme parks, hotels, and surrounding area. As a Disney expert, Flaherty has been writing about the Disney Parks, history, and films for six years, covering everything from the latest breaking news to trip planning. She is a writer and editor with more than 10 years of experience, and you can find her work at Scary Mommy, Well + Good, The Everymom, and other outlets.
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Authored by Morgan Flaherty

Morgan Flaherty, Disney World Expert | Morgan has been visiting Disney World for over 30 years, and has become an expert on the resort's theme parks, hotels, and surrounding area. As a Disney expert, Flaherty has been writing about the Disney Parks, history, and films for six years, covering everything from the latest breaking news to trip planning. She is a writer and editor with more than 10 years of experience, and you can find her work at Scary Mommy, Well + Good, The Everymom, and other outlets.
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