A first look at how Disneyland will celebrate its 70th anniversary
Disneyland will start celebrating its 70th anniversary on May 16, 2025, and will run through the summer of 2026 with limited-time entertainment, colorful décor, themed food and beverages, collectible merchandise, and more, Disney has announced.
The fan-favorite “Paint the Night” parade will return to Disneyland Park, featuring stunning color, vibrant floats and more than a million brilliant LED lights. Guests can look forward to the new “World of Color Happiness!” nighttime spectacular at Disney California Adventure Park, which will draw 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!” The beloved nighttime spectacular “Wondrous Journeys” will also dazzle Disneyland Park once again, enhanced with fireworks on select nights. The high-energy parade “Better Together: A Pixar Pals Celebration!” will also return to Disney California Adventure Park.
Here’s what we know so far is happening at the Disneyland 70th anniversary celebration:
“Walt Disney – A Magical Life” at Disneyland Park
You’ll actually be able to see Walt Disney through the magic of Audio-Animatronics technology in “Walt Disney – A Magical Life” starting on May 16, 2025. Walt Disney Imagineering’s first Audio-Animatronics figure of Walt Disney was created for this very special experience. “Walt Disney – A Magical Life” will debut inside the Main Street Opera House, and after its initial run, the attraction will play in rotation with “Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln.”
“World of Color Happiness!” Debuts at Disney California Adventure Park
This all-new “World of Color” show is inspired by Walt Disney’s words from the opening day park dedication from seven decades ago: “To all who come to this happy place… welcome!”
This nighttime spectacular will explore “happy” through a kaleidoscope of emotions, hosted by Joy and the other Emotions from the hit Pixar Animation Studios films, “Inside Out” and “Inside Out 2.” Along the way, the Emotions manifest music and moments from favorite Walt Disney Animation Studios’ and Pixar Animation Studios’ stories, including “Turning Red,” “A Goofy Movie,” “Tangled,” “The Lion King” and so many more.
“Paint the Night” Parade Returns to Disneyland Park
This fan-favorite, dazzling nighttime parade will make its grand return to Disneyland for the 70th celebration, lighting up Main Street, U.S.A., with stunning color and more than a million brilliant LED lights.
Mickey Mouse uses his vivid imagination to harness the power of Tinker Bell’s pixie dust and “Paint the Night” in Disney dreams, bringing to light beloved 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.
The “Paint the Night” parade features innovative floats, vibrant costumes, incredible special effects, unforgettable music and energetic performances.
“Wondrous Journeys” is Back at Disneyland Park
At night, Disneyland will become a magnificent canvas with the return of this beloved nighttime spectacular. “Wondrous Journeys” celebrates the legacy of Walt Disney Animation Studios classics that have inspired Walt Disney’s original magic kingdom. Throughout the show, you embark on a journey filled with artistry, music, storytelling and heart as you experience moments from beloved stories like “Hercules,” “The Princess and the Frog,” “Peter Pan,” “Frozen,” “Big Hero 6,” “Moana,” “Encanto” and more.
The show features state-of-the-art projection effects that transform Main Street, U.S.A., Sleeping Beauty Castle, “it’s a small world” and the Rivers of America. On select nights, the show will be enhanced with fireworks.
“Better Together: A Pixar Pals Celebration!” Parade at Disney California Adventure Park
As part of the fun, “Better Together: A Pixar Pals Celebration!” returns to the streets of California Adventure. This delightful daytime parade is filled with incredible music, dynamic and colorful floats and nearly 30 favorite characters from Pixar Animation Studios films, including “Luca,” “Turning Red,” “Up,” and more.
“Wondrous Journeys” nighttime spectacular and “Better Together: A Pixar Pals Celebration!” parade will temporarily pause to make way for seasonal Halloween and Holidays entertainment offerings, then resume at a later time.
Additional Entertainment and More Magic to Come
Even more details and magical touches will be coming to the resort for the 70th celebration.
Brilliant, colorful décor will adorn the entire resort, including an elegant medallion on Sleeping Beauty Castle.
Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse and their pals will all come dressed for the party in Town Square in Disneyland park, in custom looks designed just for the occasion. Disneyland park will debut a new character cavalcade called “Mickey and Friends Celebrate Happy!” As it winds its way along the parade route, favorite characters will encourage you to dance and clap along in an energetic and contemporary celebration of seven decades of happiness.
