There’s something really special about visiting Walt Disney’s original theme park, Disneyland. Walking down Main Street, U.S.A., and seeing Sleeping Beauty Castle in front of you is a core memory moment. Well, this year, Disneyland is celebrating its 70th anniversary, starting Friday, May 16. Disneyland’s 70th anniversary celebration brings all-new attractions and upgraded favorites to both parks, new iterations of popular nighttime entertainment to Disney California Adventure, plus a ton of returning entertainment to Disneyland.
Besides the incredible shows and parades, you can munch on dozens of new food and beverage offerings, shop till you drop with four new merchandise lines, and see some of your favorite Disney characters in new outfits. If you’re headed to Disneyland during this time to “Celebrate Happy,” as the 70th anniversary catch phrase says, you’ll want to be prepared because there are some things you can’t miss. Keep reading to learn about the best things you can do during Disneyland’s 70th anniversary.
“World of Color Happiness!” At Disney California Adventure
World of Color is one of my favorite nighttime shows at the Disneyland Resort. The soaring water fountains, paired with a rousing score from Disney movies, and projections that showcase some iconic characters, really make for a great show. For Disneyland’s 70 anniversary, a new version of World of Color, called “World of Color Happiness!” takes over Paradise Bay at Disney California Adventure.
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Before the show even starts, you can take part in the show. As you start your day at Disney California Adventure, you can vote in the Disneyland app for one of four emotions from “Inside Out” to see them featured in scenes throughout the show.
I like to watch from near The Little Mermaid ~ Ariel’s Undersea Adventure attraction for the best, but the bridge going towards Lamplight Lounge is also a decent spot. I would suggest finding your viewing locations about 45 minutes prior to showtime. On nights with two showings, try to wait until the second show for fewer crowds.
“Paint the Night” Parade at Disneyland Park
One of Disneyland’s most popular nighttime parades is “Paint the Night.” The dazzling parade features larger-than-life floats, beautiful costumes, and an exciting soundtrack that I can never get out of my head. The parade also has more than a million LED lights, so you can really does light up the night at Disneyland Park.
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Just know that Disneyland’s parade route is short, from near “it’s a small world,” to the front of the park around the flag pole and exiting near the Main Street Opera House. I like to watch closer to the front of the parade route near “it’s a small world.” That way, when the parade is over, I can immediately get to some rides in Fantasyland or Tomorrowland while others are still waiting for the parade to make its way down Main Street, U.S.A.
“Wondrous Journeys” returns for Disneyland’s 70th anniversary celebration at Disneyland Park
“Wondrous Journeys” is easily my favorite nighttime fireworks show at any Disney theme park, and yes, that includes Walt Disney World’s Happily Ever After. The touching projection show (and on select nights with fireworks) debuted for the Disney100 celebration at Disneyland, and since then, I haven’t stopped singing the theme song.
One of the best parts about this show is that it can literally be seen around the park. Projections are used to transform Main Street, U.S.A., Sleeping Beauty Castle, “it’s a small world,” and the Rivers of America. While watching from Sleeping Beauty Castle is the ideal spot, it can also get very crowded. For that reason, I also like to watch from “it’s a small world,” where the projections cover the attraction’s facade, and there’s usually plenty of viewing room. If you only stick around for one nighttime show, make it this one.
“Better Together: A Pixar Pals Celebration!” Parade at Disney California Adventure
Another returning parade, though this time a daytime option at Disney California Adventure, is “Better Together: A Pixar Pals Celebration!” If you’ve not seen the parade before, it’s cute with plenty of Pixar characters from movies like “Turning Red,” “Up,” and “Luca.” During the parade, you may even spot 4*Town belting their hearts out like all beloved boy bands do.
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I like to watch this parade from the front of the park, near Carthay Circle Restaurant, or down Buena Vista Street. This area is easy to get to, and with large sidewalks on both sides of the road, it’s easy to find a spot about 30 minutes before showtime.
“The Celebrate Happy Cavalcade” at Disneyland Park
While I love Mickey Mouse and his pals, I love the chance to see rare characters. That’s exactly what “The Celebrate Happy Cavalcade” at Disneyland Park allows us to do. During this cute mini-parade, you can see Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Goofy, and more. But for me, the real stars are Duffy the Disney Bear and his friend ShellieMay from the Duffy and Friends band of characters. I’m so excited to see ShellieMay. I got the chance to meet at Aulani, a Disney Resort and Spa in Ko Olina, Hawaii. She’s just so cute, and her Disneyland 70th anniversary outfit is so adorable.
Snap pictures with Mickey and his pals in their Disneyland’s 70th anniversary celebration outfits
Speaking of characters, you must meet Mickey and his pals at Disneyland. Throughout the 70th anniversary, Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Clarabelle, Pluto, Chip ’n’ Dale, Donald Duck, and Daisy Duck sport a new outfit themed to the celebration colors. Characters will meet out and about in Town Square at the front of the park.
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There are PhotoPass photographers with each of the characters, but there are also Cast Members on site to take pictures with your camera or phone. I love PhotoPass service at Disneyland because it’s included when you buy the skip-the-line service, Lightning Lane Multi Pass.
Ride “it’s a small world” and Toy Story Midway Mania
Two attractions, one at Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure, got an upgrade as part of the Disneyland 70th anniversary celebration. At Disneyland, “it’s a small world” has a nod to the Pixar film “Coco” with Miguel and Dante joining the Mexico part of the attraction. This is one of my favorite rides, so I loved seeing the new characters join the chorus of children.
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Over at Disney California Adventure, Toy Story Midway Mania will have nods to the 70th anniversary, including targets with glittery 70s on them. Just be sure to have your arm ready, because this ride always makes me feel like I just finished an arm day workout.
Shop new merchandise for Disneyland’s 70th anniversary celebration
It’s not a Disneyland day without checking out the new merchandise. For the launch of Disneyland’s 70th anniversary celebration, there are four new collections at the Disneyland Resort, and more are dropping throughout the celebration.
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The Celebration Collection features the colors of Disneyland’s 70th anniversary, including bubble wands, ear hats, mugs, and Loungefly collaborations. The Castle Collection showcases apparel and accessories with Sleeping Beauty Castle. The Vault Collection is all about vintage style, with nods to the early years of Disneyland. The final line is the Disneyland Resort 70th Anniversary Walt Disney Nostalgia Collection, which has apparel like t-shirts and jackets with iconic quotes from Walt Disney.
Try some Disneyland 70th anniversary celebration exclusive food and drinks
I love trying all the new food and beverage options that come out with any big Disney celebration, and the kickoff of Disneyland’s 70th anniversary celebration is no different. There are 70 new items coming to the park, including food, drinks, and collectible novelty souvenirs. Some menu items even feature throwback dishes that harken back to popular eats of yesteryear.
A few things I loved trying were the Grilled Tahitian Ribs from Bengal Barbecue (at Disneyland Park), which are served with white rice and a tangy pineapple slaw. The 70th Celebration Churro, available at both theme parks, is also a hit for those with a sweet tooth. Churros are rolled in ube sugar and topped with blue raspberry icing and sprinkles. Over at Schmoozies (at Disney California Adventure), the Mickey-shaped Celebration Waffles are a fun take on a classic, filled with strawberry cream filling and topped with sprinkles and powdered sugar.
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One drink I loved was the Karl Strauss Brewing Company 70th Anniversary IPA, which is brewed specifically for Disneyland’s 70th anniversary. It’s a single-hopped American IPA with grapefruit, citrus, and tropical fruit flavors. You can get this from multiple locations around Disney California Adventure, like Lamplight Lounge, Paradise Garden Grill, and Port of San Fransokyo Cervecería.
Jam out to the new “Celebrate Happy” theme song by the Jonas Brothers
All around the Disneyland Resort, you’ll hear the upbeat “Celebrate Happy” theme song, performed by the Jonas Brothers. The Disneyland 70th anniversary celebration song will be integrated into a variety of entertainment offerings. You can also listen to it anytime, wherever you stream music. I promise this song will be stuck in your head for days after you hear it.
