🎉 Disneyland’s 70th Anniversary Celebration: Everything We Know So Far! 🎉

Brandi Parker
Apr 16, 2025
3 min read

✨ It all started with a mouse… and now we’re partying like it’s 1955! Disneyland’s 70th Anniversary kicks off May 16, 2025, and trust me—this isn’t just another birthday party. It’s a year-long celebration packed with magical new shows, returning fan favorites, and more Disney nostalgia than you can wave a churro at. Let’s break down everything announced so far so you don’t miss a single pixie-dusted detail!

🗓️ Key Dates to Know

Celebration Start: May 16, 2025
Runs Through: Summer 2026
🎆 Major shows & events begin in May, with even more magic dropping for the actual birthday on July 17, 2025

🎭 Entertainment & Shows

🎬 Event	📍 Location	📝 Highlights	🚀 Debut
World of Color – Happiness!	DCA	Hosted by Joy and the Emotions 🎈, music by Disney/Pixar + Boyz II Men + FITZ 🎶	May 16
Paint the Night Parade	Disneyland	Over 1M LEDs, Frozen float returns ❄️	May 16
Wondrous Journeys	Disneyland	Fireworks on select nights 🎇	May 16
Better Together: A Pixar Pals Celebration!	DCA	20+ Pixar characters, vibrant floats 🎡	May 16
Tapestry of Happiness	Disneyland	Mary Blair–inspired projections 🎨	May 16
Celebrate Happy Cavalcade	Disneyland	Rare characters like Duffy & ShellieMay 🧸	May 16
Pixar Pals Playtime Party	Fantasyland Theater	Games, photo ops, Pixar fun 🎯	May 23
Disney Jr. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live!	DCA	Interactive show for little ones 🐭	May 16
Walt Disney – A Magical Life	Main Street Opera House	Walt’s journey + first AA Walt 🤖	July 17
The Last Verse	Main Street Cinema	A new ending for “it’s a small world” 🧭	July 17

🎢 Attractions & Enhancements

“it’s a small world”: Reopens May 9 with Miguel & Dante from Coco, plus a brand-new verse debuting July 17!
Toy Story Midway Mania!: Subtle 70th anniversary nods for eagle-eyed fans
MagicBand+: Exclusive interactive effects in 5 lands + synced show moments
New Guided Tour: “A Story of Celebration” 2-hour heritage walk begins April 24, 2025 🌟

🏰 Decor, Characters & Photo Ops

Sleeping Beauty Castle: Now with a shimmering 70th Medallion
Main Street, U.S.A. & Resort Areas: Bursting with bunting, florals & flair 🌸🎈
Carthay Circle: Evening light projections set to “Celebrate Happy”
New Costumes: Mickey, Minnie & friends dressed to impress 🕺💃
Magic Shots: Limited-time PhotoPass lenses & castle shots 📸

🎶 Music & Celebration Vibes

Theme Song: Celebrate Happy by the Jonas Brothers drops May 13 🎧
Show Soundtracks: Includes “Rainbow Connection” by Boyz II Men and an original jam by FITZ, “Makes Me Wanna Move”

🧸 Character Experiences

Meet Rex (Toy Story): Limited-time at Pixar Pier starting June 1
Celebrate Happy Cavalcade: Features Duffy and ShellieMay! 🐻

🎁 Exclusive Merch & Foodie Fun

Merchandise: Think EAR-resistible ears 👑, 70th MagicBand+, plush, apparel, and collectibles
Foodie Guide: Coming soon! Expect limited-edition treats and themed menus 🍰🍿🥤

💸 Special Offers

Discounted Tickets:
- 3-Day, 1-Park per Day for $360 ($120/day)
- 4-Day, 1-Park per Day for $400 ($100/day)(Valid May 16–Aug 14, 2025)
Hotel Deals: Up to 30% off stays of 4+ nights at Disneyland Resort Hotels

🌈 Other Magical Extras

Seasonal Events Continue: Food & Wine, Star Wars Nite, Halloween, Holidays, and more!
Main Street Gallery: Teaming up with Walt Disney Family Museum—featuring Audio-Animatronic exhibits 🤖
Vote for World of Color Scenes: Use the Disneyland app to pick which Inside Out Emotion gets their moment!

📌 Summary of What’s New vs. Returning

Offering	✨ New or Returning?	🌟 Details
World of Color Happiness!	New	Joy’s all-new nighttime show
Paint the Night	Returning	Glowing parade with Frozen friends
Wondrous Journeys	Returning	Disney Animation love fest 🎆
Tapestry of Happiness	New	Projection magic on “it’s a small world”
Celebrate Happy Cavalcade	New	Rare characters, festive vibes
Pixar Playtime Party	Returning	Interactive Pixar fun
Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live!	New	Disney Jr. kids’ party show
Walt Disney – A Magical Life	New	First-ever Walt animatronic!
The Last Verse	New	Sherman Brothers’ heartstring puller
Attraction Enhancements	New	Coco in “it’s a small world” 🌎
Merch & Food	New	Everything 70th-themed & delicious
Hotel/Ticket Offers	New	Limited-time savings 💰

🧐 What’s Still to Come?

🎉 More foodie details🎉 Additional entertainment reveals🎉 Special seasonal overlays with returning shows after breaks

✨ Final Thoughts

This is Disneyland’s most ambitious celebration yet, and whether you're a nostalgic Mouseketeer or visiting for the first time, the magic is calling. From dazzling shows to one-of-a-kind experiences, this 70th anniversary is the perfect reason to book your trip!