UPDATED August 4, 2025

“To all who come to this happy place: WELCOME. Disneyland is your land.” Those are the words Walt Disney shared to invite guests into Disneyland park when it opened on July 17, 1955, which means that Disneyland Resort is celebrating its 70th anniversary in 2025! Let’s “CELEBRATE HAPPY” — It’s 70 YEARS of The Happiest Place on Earth!

Of course, it wouldn’t be an anniversary without a celebration. And if anyone knows how to celebrate, it is Disney… The Disneyland Resort 70th Celebration is currently running from May 16th, 2025 through summer 2026!

Want to jump straight to a specific 70th Anniversary topic? Click any of the links below… 

• 70th Anniversary Celebration at Disneyland Park
• 70th Anniversary Celebration at Disney California Adventure
• 70th Anniversary Fun Throughout the Resort
• 70th Anniversary Merchandise
• Additional 70th Anniversary Interactive Experiences
  • The Key to Disneyland
  • MagicBand+ Interactions

The celebration sees the return of beloved shows and other limited-time entertainment, colorful decor, special food and beverages, exclusive merchandise, and more. Let’s take a look at some of the special offerings during the celebration!

Disneyland Park

Paint the Night Parade

The Paint the Night Electrical Parade is BACK at Disneyland! This beloved nighttime parade is once again making its way down Main Street, U.S.A.

The parade utilizes millions of lights to create stunning colors as some of your favorite characters parade through Disneyland Park. You will see characters from Monsters, Inc., Cars, Toy Story, and more.

And guests will see Anna and Elsa on the iconic Frozen float!

The parade typically has start times of 8:45 and 10:45 PM, but make sure you’re checking the Disneyland App for the most up-to-date information.

See more of the STUNNING Paint the Night Parade here

You can even treat yourself to a delectable dining experience with a dedicated seating area to watch the parade: The Paint the Night Dining Package at Plaza Inn is available for booking on the Disneyland website and the Disneyland App.

Wondrous Journeys

Wondrous Journeys has also returned* for Disneyland Resort’s 70th Celebration! The nighttime spectacular celebrates the legacy of Walt Disney Animation Studios and takes you on a journey through some of its most iconic stories with beloved characters. From early classics like Snow White and Pinocchio to modern favorites like Encanto and Wish, the show is a love letter to the artists, characters, and stories that built the Disney legacy.

The show utilizes projection effects on Sleeping Beauty Castle, Main Street, U.S.A., the Rivers of America, and “it’s a small world” to bring your favorite stories to life. On select nights, the show also features fireworks!

*Please be aware that Disney shares that: “Wondrous Journeys nighttime spectacular will temporarily pause to make way for seasonal Halloween and Holidays entertainment offerings, then resume at a later time.”

Click HERE to see MORE of Wondrous Journey!

Mickey and Friends Celebrate Happy!

Mickey Mouse and friends are decked out in special outfits for the occasion!

You can see them in Town Square on Main Street, U.S.A., but that’s not all…

They are also part of a NEW character cavalcade in Disneyland park: Mickey and Friends Celebrate Happy!

The cavalcade features tons of your favorite characters, including some that you don’t see very often.

Look for Mickey, Duffy (in his RETURN to Disneyland!), ShellieMay, Max, Disney Princesses, Disney Heroes, and more!

The Celebrate Happy Cavalcade has two showtimes most days — one at 1:30 PM and the other at 2:45 PM. You can confirm the daily times for your visit on the free Disneyland App.

See MORE photos of the Celebrate Happy Cavalcade here!

“it’s a small world” — Tapestry of Happiness

Also in Disneyland Park, “it’s a small world” is hosting a new projection show: Tapestry of Happiness! The facade of the classic attraction transforms into an animated mosaic inspired by the work of Disney artist Mary Blair several times per night.

But that’s not all…

New characters are NOW part of Disneyland’s “it’s a small world” attraction! (Certain scenes in the Disneyland version of the ride feature Disney characters like Cinderella, Alice, Lilo, Stitch, and more!) Now, Miguel and Dante from the Pixar film Coco have joined the “it’s a small world” line-up!

Walt Disney — A Magical Life

Though it is not technically an Anniversary offering (because it is a permanent addition!), something NEW and never-before-seen has come to Main Street, U.S.A. in Disneyland, and it made its debut on July 17th, 2025 — the official 70th Anniversary of the opening day of Disneyland!

For the first time in history, guests can “see Walt Disney through the magic of Audio-Animatronics technology” in a new show presented in the Main Street Opera House: Walt Disney — A Magical Life!

Click HERE to learn everything you need to know about Walt Disney — A Magical Life!

The Main Street Opera House is also hosting an exhibit “featuring the evolution of Walt Disney’s dream of Disneyland.” 

And, you can get a close look at items including Walt’s 1955 Emmy award for the “Walt Disney’s Disneyland” TV show, his Presidential Medal of Freedom awarded by President Johnson in 1964, and the Walt Disney Commemorative Medal presented to Lillian Disney by President Nixon in 1969.

A Tribute to the Sherman Brothers 

Changes have also come to the iconic “it’s a small world” attraction and the Main Street Cinema! Disney shares that: “Inside the famed Main Street Cinema, you’ll get to see the story and impact of the famous songwriting duo, the Sherman brothers.”

The Cinema is now showing the three-and-a-half minute film called “The Last Verse,” a celebration of the legacy of “It’s A Small World,” which was penned by the Sherman brothers. Viewers of the film get to hear a new verse written by composer Richard M. Sherman “in his final Disney contribution.” Lyrics are as follows:

Disney California Adventure

Let’s check out how to CELEBRATE HAPPY in Disney California Adventure!

World of Color Happiness!

A new “World of Color” show has made its debut as part of the Anniversary: World of Color Happiness! The nighttime show is inspired by Walt Disney’s famous words on opening day: “To all who come to this happy place… welcome!” Featuring fountains, unique lighting, colorful lasers, fog, and dramatic flame effects, this show features scenes from many of your favorite Disney and Pixar films, such as Turning Red, The Incredibles, A Goofy Movie, Tangled, Encanto, and more.

During the show, the emotion of happiness is explored, and it is fittingly hosted by none other than Joy and her fellow emotions from Inside Out and Inside Out 2.

Boyz II Men lend their legendary R&B vocals in a rendition of “Rainbow Connection,” and FITZ — from Fitz and the Tantrums — debuts a new original song just for World of Color called “Makes Me Wanna Move.” And, more than a dozen of The Muppets deliver a message ahead of the show!

We have one more fun opportunity to mention: YOU can influence part of it by voting which emotion — Sadness, Anger, Disgust, or Envy — gets a special spotlight in the show that night.

You’ll want to enable push notifications and location services for the Disneyland App to place your vote.

You can even treat yourself to a delectable dining experience with a dedicated seating area to watch the show: The World of Color Happiness! Dessert Party is available for booking on the Disneyland website and the Disneyland App.

World of Color Happiness! is presented twice a night at 9 PM and 10:15 PM and takes place at Paradise Bay right in front of Incredicoaster.

Check out World of Color Happiness! by clicking HERE

Disney Jr. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live!

An all-new show, Disney Jr. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live!, is taking place at the Disney Theater at Disney California Adventure.

This new show features upbeat original songs, plenty of interactive fun for the little ones, and appearances by beloved Disney characters to sing and dance with — like Mickey and Minnie! ( This one is great for little ones; there are some cute character moments that kids will love. Oh, and the music? It’s a BOP!)

Toy Story Midway Mania!

Toy Story Midway Mania! in Pixar Pier has received an Anniversary makeover!

As Disney shares, “Even the toys are celebrating! On Toy Story Midway Mania!”

You can “look for nods to the 70th anniversary as you compete for the highest score on carnival-inspired games.”

See how Toy Story Midway Mania is celebrating 70 Years of HAPPINESS by clicking here!

Special Character Meet and Greet

Also at Disney California Adventure, Rex from Toy Story is making his debut at Pixar Pier for a limited time!

You can meet one of the most lovable toys from the movie in honor of its 30th anniversary. He will be meeting periodically throughout the day, so be sure to check your Disneyland app for specific times.

Carthay Circle Restaurant

The exterior of Carthay Circle Restaurant features music, lights, and projection effects to “celebrate happy.”

And, yep, you’ll hear the new theme song called “Celebrate Happy” in Disney California Adventure, as well!

Disney California Adventure 70th Anniversary Menus 

What’s a party without FOOD?! Let’s check out the 70th Anniversary TREATS for Disney California Adventure!

You can CLICK HERE to see ALL of the 70th Anniversary TREATS for Disney California Adventure!

Check out ALL the food and drinks to choose from for the 70th Anniversary in Disney California Adventure!

70th Anniversary Fun Throughout the Resort

The celebration takes place throughout the parks and extends into the Hotels of Disneyland and Downtown Disney!

First things first ;)… you can CLICK HERE to see ALL of the 70th Anniversary TREATS at the Hotels of Disneyland AND Downtown Disney!

Check out ALL the food and drinks to choose from for the 70th Anniversary in the Hotels of Disneyland AND Downtown Disney!

Disneyland 70th Anniversary Merchandise

It wouldn’t be a Disney celebration without new merch!

There is apparel and accessories, toys, home decor, and more, including Spirit Jerseys and Lug bags, and of course… Minnie Ears!

Featured Collections include the Castle Collection, the Vault Collection, and the Walt Disney Nostalgia Collection.

You can even find items from the Disneyland 70th Anniversary collection available for purchase online.

Take a peek at some of the Disneyland Resort 70th Anniversary Merchandise HERE!

Additional 70th Anniversary Interactive Experiences

The Key to Disneyland

The Key to Disneyland is a special giant key that interacts with 70th-anniversary lock stations.

Once the key is purchased (the price is $59.99), guests are able to “embark on an adventure and activate special features while visiting 70th Anniversary lock stations in each land of Disneyland park. Once all nine lands are “unlocked,” the key will reveal 1 of 9 hidden commemorative keepsake pins inside – talk about magic! The best part? The key saves your progress, allowing you to unlock lands at your leisure over the course of the 70th anniversary celebration — all in one day or spread throughout your visit.”

The locations of the 70th Anniversary Lock Stations are as follows:

• Disneyland Fire Station on Main Street, U.S.A.
• Aladdin’s Lamp inside Adventureland Bazaar in Adventureland
• In New Orleans Square
• Outside of Pooh Corner in Bayou Country
• Across from Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge
• Wilderness Expeditions and Delivery Service Wagon (near the entrance to Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge) in Frontierland
• Across from Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin in Mickey’s Toontown
• Fantasy Faire in Fantasyland
• Near the exit of Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters in Tomorrowland

MagicBand+ Interactions

If you wear a MagicBand+ to Disneyland during the celebration, you might discover it’s a little EXTRA. For example, wander around Disneyland Park and you’ll unlock five NEW interactions in each land with interactions and effects inspired by opening day attractions! And, seriously, this is SO COOL… 

For just ONE example,  at the Main Street Cinema, you can head to Tilly’s Booth to tap your MagicBand+ for a special surprise!

Once you tap your band, you will be issued your very own ticket for “Celebrating 70 Magical Years at Disneyland”!

These NEW Features Just Made Disney MagicBands 10X Better — Check ’em out!

MagicBand+ also interacts with entertainment experiences throughout the celebration, including the Paint the Night parade, Tapestry of Happiness, World of Color Happiness!, and Wondrous Journeys. You’ll get synchronized vibrations and lights on your MagicBand+ during all of these shows.

Don’t have a MagicBand+? A special one will be released just for the 70th Anniversary Celebration.

We are SO EXCITED to be celebrating 70 years of Disneyland with YOU here on the Disney Food Blog!