Disneyland's 70th Anniversary Celebration Kicks Off May 2025: Full Guide to Events and Entertainment

Dec 06, 2024 in "Disneyland Resort"

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Disneyland's 70th Anniversary Celebration

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Posted: Friday December 6, 2024 11:20am ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

Disneyland Resort will mark its 70th anniversary with a celebration spanning from May 16, 2025, through summer 2026. This milestone honors seven decades of Disneyland memories with special entertainment, themed décor, food, and collectibles.

Here's a breakdown of what to expect during the celebration.

Nighttime Spectaculars and Parades

World of Color Happiness!

Disney California Adventure Park will debut a new "World of Color" show inspired by Walt Disney's dedication speech. Themed around happiness, the show will feature Joy and her "Inside Out" companions alongside iconic moments from Disney and Pixar films like Turning Red and Tangled. Expect dynamic fountains, lighting effects, lasers, and flame effects transforming Paradise Bay.

World of Color Happiness!

Paint the Night Parade

Returning to Disneyland Park, this nighttime parade features LED-lit floats showcasing beloved characters from Monsters, Inc., Toy Story, and more. The parade blends vibrant colors, music, and special effects for a visually stunning experience.

Paint the Night

Wondrous Journeys

Back at Disneyland Park, this show will project Disney Animation classics onto Sleeping Beauty Castle, Main Street, U.S.A., and "it's a small world." Enhanced with fireworks on select nights, it celebrates stories like Moana and Encanto.

Wondrous Journeys

Daytime Entertainment

Better Together: A Pixar Pals Celebration!

This daytime parade at Disney California Adventure Park features nearly 30 Pixar characters from films such as Luca and Up, alongside lively music and colorful floats.

Better Together: A Pixar Pals Celebration!

Mickey and Friends Celebrate Happy!

A new cavalcade at Disneyland Park invites guests to join Mickey, Minnie, and their friends for a high-energy procession celebrating seven decades of fun.

Themed Enhancements and Décor

Sleeping Beauty Castle

The castle will feature anniversary décor, including a commemorative medallion.

Sleeping Beauty Castle

Character Costumes

Mickey, Minnie, and friends will wear outfits created for the occasion, available for meet-and-greets in Town Square.

Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse 70th anniversary costumes

Projection Displays

Carthay Circle Restaurant and "it's a small world" will showcase new projection shows designed for the celebration.

Seasonal Adjustments

Both "Wondrous Journeys" and the Pixar Pals parade will temporarily pause for Halloween and holiday events before returning later in the celebration.

Food, Merchandise, and More

Expect themed food and beverage offerings and exclusive collectibles highlighting the 70th anniversary. Further details will be released as the celebration approaches.

Stay tuned for updates as Disneyland continues to roll out plans for this historic occasion.

Discuss on the Forums

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JohnD1 hour ago

What "Special Ticketed Event" is coming to DCA on Sunday, May 18 from 9:00pm - 2:00am? The DLR site doesn't say. Edit: It's Grad Nite. My plans are for DLP 5/16-17 and DCA 5/18. I think there is no point in switching with DLP on 5/18. There is a ticket option for both parks for the Grad Niters. I do have an open rest day built in on 5/19. So I think my options are sticking with DCA on 5/18 or moving my open rest day to 5/18 and doing DCA on 5/19.

JohnD3 hours ago

It's now available.

wityblack6 hours ago

So do we call the era Covpek or Chapid?

JohnD9 hours ago

Anyone know what time (Eastern) the WOC dessert party reservations open? I thought it would be 9am. Nothing yet.

eddie10422 hours ago

Covid and Chapek ruined WDW 50th by and large. Any large budget allocated towards the celebration was substantially cut. We know some refurbs like Big Thunder were most likely suppose to happen until they scrapped it.

Giss Neric1 day ago

Well, there is a day and night difference between 2021 and 2025. While I agree with you about the disappointing part, I'm sure there is a big factor other than budget why the 50th was not up to par.

Touchdown2 days ago

Yes Wonderous Journeys will be shelved, whenever “HaloweennTime” begins (with the exemption of one weekend in Nov, maybe) it will not occur until 2026. WOC should still be running.

SteamboatJoe2 days ago

Thanks. This would only be my second DL trip and I have never gotten to see the park in its "pure" form. Last time I was there, was Pixar Fest in 2018. I am more interested in the 70th Anniversary stuff, but my wife will probably be more amped for Halloween so this seems like a good compromise. Will Halloween Screams likely result in Wondrous Journeys being put on hiatus? I hope WOC still runs. It broke before our last trip.

JohnD2 days ago

I'll be there 5/16-19. Bummer I'm going to miss it.

Nirya2 days ago

I would imagine the 70th decor stays up with some changes, and depending on the timing Wondrous likely gets replaced with Halloween Screams, but PTN should still be running up until Christmas at the very least.

Touchdown2 days ago

For the 60th they coexisted, on Main Street it was 75% anniversary, 25% Halloween (the giant Mickey was there, the pumpkins on the shops and in the hub were out but the bunting, castle, and flower beds were still anniversary. Note they already announced Halloween Screams will play in the fall, PTN’s fate is unknown but assumed to be continuing.

SteamboatJoe2 days ago

I have a bit of a random question that I don't think warranted a new thread. I am considering flying out for a trip in late September and/or early October. That is obviously Halloween season. What should I expect in terms of decor? Will the 70th Anniversary decor be temporarily replaced with Fall/Halloween or will they co-exist to some degree?

jrhwdw2 days ago

Maybe it's too early? This got moved from May 16th to July 17th.

Giss Neric2 days ago

Why is Walt Disney – A Magical Life not getting any hype? Do they want us to lower our expectations cause it's not all that? That's the number one thing I'm excited about more than anything else offered.