The Disney100 Celebration is bringing countless new experiences to Disneyland – and we’re sharing everything you need to know in order to watch, try, and ride it all.
Starting January 27, 2023, The Walt Disney Company will celebrate its milestone 100th anniversary, and you’re not going to want to miss a minute! The Disney100 Celebration will kick off and bring an array of new experiences, entertainment, and more throughout the year ahead, all designed to celebrate Disney’s storytellers, creators, and incredible history. And, in true Disney fashion, the Disney100 happenings will be full of magic.
Disneyland Resort is the home base for the Disney100 Celebration, and it’s where you’ll want to head to fully experience the excitement. What, exactly, is in store for this big event? We’ve got your guide to everything that’s coming to Disneyland Resort, from an all-new attraction to brand-new nighttime spectaculars to delicious food and drinks.
Here’s what to expect – and what you won’t want to miss – during the Disney100 Celebration at Disneyland Resort.
The Opening of Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway
Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway will open at Disneyland Park on Jan. 27, 2023, when the Disney100 anniversary celebration comes to life. Photo courtesy of Disney
Disneyland Park has been waiting for some time to get its own version of Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway, but it’s finally here! On January 27, 2023, this fresh new attraction will open in Toontown and welcome Guests for the very first time.
This ride-through attraction will be housed inside the El CapiTOON Theater (which is unique to Disneyland!) and transport Guests into the wacky, unpredictable cartoon world of Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse. You’ll board a train engineered by Goofy and take off on a zany adventure.
When Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway first opens, it’ll utilize a complimentary virtual queue. That means you’ll need to use the Disneyland app to join the queue – there won’t be a standby line available (at least not yet!). Virtual enrollment times will occur twice daily, at 7 AM and 1 PM Pacific time. Individual Lightning Lane will be available for this attraction as well, though it’s subject to availability and does come with a cost.
The Reopening of Mickey’s Toontown
One of the new areas coming to Mickey’s Toontown will be CenTOONial Park. Photo courtesy of Disney
In addition to getting an all-new attraction with Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway, other big changes have happened at Mickey’s Toontown. When Toontown reopens on March 8, 2023, this beloved land will be completely revamped and reimagined.
Step past its gates, and you’ll find more play activities and attractions than ever before! The all-new Mickey’s Toontown at Disneyland will feature grassy play spaces for families, spots to relax and unwind, and refreshed theming throughout the land.
World of Color – ONE Premieres at Disney California Adventure
On Jan. 27, 2023, “World of Color – ONE” will debut at Disney California Adventure Park. Photo courtesy of Disney
An all-new nighttime spectacular will come to the waters of Paradise Bay at Disney California Adventure to celebrate Disney100. This nightly show, called World of Color – ONE, will celebrate the storytelling legacy started by Walt Disney so many years ago.
During this impressive spectacular utilizing projections, music, fire, and water, Guests will discover how a single action – like a drop of water – can create a ripple that becomes a wave of change. It’ll be the very first Disneyland Resort nighttime spectacular to feature characters, music, and moments from Walt Disney Animation Studios, Pixar Animation Studios, Marvel’s Avengers, and Star Wars in a single production!
To access the viewing area for World of Color – ONE, you’ll need to join the virtual queue system available only in the Disneyland app. Distribution for viewing areas will start at 12 PM Pacific time daily. This virtual queue will be available for all Guests who’ve entered Disney California Adventure park or who’ve entered Disneyland Park with a Park Hopper ticket. Keep in mind that while walk-up viewing options are available for each performance, they’re only available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Wondrous Journeys Premieres at Disneyland Park
Wondrous Journeys will premiere as part of the Disney100 Celebration at Disneyland Resort. Photo courtesy of Disney
A new nighttime spectacular is also headed to Main Street, U.S.A. at Disneyland! Wondrous Journeys will light up the night sky over Main Street, U.S.A. as well as Sleeping Beauty Castle, “it’s a small world,” and the Rivers of America, turning these iconic destinations within the theme park into an artist’s canvas.
During each performance of Wondrous Journeys, Guests will watch as lighting effects, customized projections, and more illuminate the 100-year history of Walt Disney Animation Studios storytelling. And on select nights, the spectacular will also include sparkling fireworks. Plus, when you catch this impressive show, you’ll also get the opportunity to hear a brand-new original song, “It’s Wondrous.”
With each performance of Wondrous Journeys, Guests who have a MagicBand+ will watch as the device comes to life. Your MagicBand+ will dance with lights, vibrate, and “perform” in sync with the show! This will also happen if you catch World of Color – ONE at Disney California Adventure.
The Return of the “Magic Happens” Parade
The “Magic Happens” parade will make its highly anticipated return to Disneyland Park in Anaheim, Calif. on Feb. 24, 2023. Photo courtesy of Disney
When the “Magic Happens” Parade first premiered in 2020, it quickly became a must-see daytime spectacular. Unfortunately, its run ended suddenly when Disneyland Resort shut down for over a year – but your chance to see this incredible parade is finally here again!
“Magic Happens” will make its highly anticipated return to Disneyland Park on February 24, 2023. This glittering, music-filled parade will be led by Mickey Mouse and his pals, highlighting key magical moments from Walt Disney Animation Studios and Pixar Animation Studios films. You’ll be able to see grand floats and artistic costumes, and hear the energetic musical score that immediately captivated Guests during its original run.
Find Sparkling, Platinum-Infused Décor and Merchandise Throughout the Resort
Buena Vista Street at Disney California Adventure Park sparkles with platinum banners and Disney100 medallions. Photo courtesy of Disney
It wouldn’t be an anniversary if the Disney100 Celebration didn’t include sparkling, standout decorations sprinkled throughout every area of the Disneyland Resort! If you remember the glittering diamond accents of the resort’s 60th anniversary, you’ll absolutely love what’s planned for this year’s festivities.
Both theme parks, the Downtown Disney District, and the Hotels of the Disneyland Resort will glisten with special platinum-infused decor. From platinum banners and Disney100 medallions and embellishments across the storefronts of Buena Vista Street at Disney California Adventure Park to platinum statues and medallions located throughout Disneyland Park (yes, just like those golden statues at Walt Disney World!), the decor is sure to dazzle.
And of course, Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland will be spectacularly adorned. Two new water fountains are being added in the waters beneath the castle, and platinum banners and bunting will hang from its exterior. A magnificent cabochon and a shining wishing star will top off the effect.
Plus, there’s a cool feature you won’t want to overlook: MagicBand+ will interact with select Disney100 decor! More details about how this will work are still to come.
Oh, and did we mention there will be plenty of Disney100 themed merch to shop? You can check out a small sample of what’s already been released here – but more will hit Disneyland Resort in the weeks and months ahead!
Special Food and Drinks with Disney100 Theming
A look at the Disney100 Minnie Apple and Minnie Cake Pop. Photo courtesy of Disney
If you’re a foodie – or simply someone who loves the ever-changing array of food and beverages available at Disneyland Resort – you’re going to love what’s in store for 2023. The Disney100 Celebration is bringing a whole host of new treats to taste, from decadent desserts to specialty cocktails to novelty extras like tumblers and straw clips.
You’ll be able to find special Disney100 offerings at most restaurants, carts, and snack spots throughout the Disneyland Resort. And don’t forget to check out what’s available at the Downtown Disney District and the hotels – each will have its own menu of limited-time offerings!
A New Exhibit at The Disney Gallery
Just for Disney100, The Disney Gallery on Disneyland’s Main Street, U.S.A. will be home to a brand-new exhibit called Disney 100 Years of Wonder.
Disney 100 Years of Wonder will be inspired by Walt Disney’s original vision for Disneyland as a place where his films could come to life. Step inside, and you’ll have the chance to see beautiful artwork created by original Disney animators for the earliest films, concept artwork created by the first Disney Imagineers to recreate the films’ stories in the park, a model of the multi-plane camera, an animator’s desk, and more. It’s a rare opportunity to step back in time and see how Disney films became beloved attractions at Disneyland Resort.
More Magic is Still to Come
Can’t wait to explore all of these exciting new offerings and experiences? Neither can we! But there’s even more good news: This is only the beginning. Disney is hinting that more special surprises will come for Disney100 in the months ahead. We’ll keep you updated as we learn more throughout the celebration!
And if you don’t yet have a visit to Disneyland Resort planned, you’ve got to experience Disney100 for yourself. Click below to start planning your next trip!
