Disneyland has kicked off its 70th anniversary celebrations.
Starting Friday through summer 2026, the Anaheim theme park is celebrating seven decades with festivities across the resort. Decor, food and even the rides have all been sprinkled with the park’s signature brand of magic pixie dust.
In the esplanade between Disneyland and California Adventure, guests will get to see a 50-foot sculpture inspired by Sleeping Beauty Castle with colorful glass panels and golden charms representing the five original lands.
Disneyland Resort/Christian Thompson
Main Street, U.S.A. In the heart of Town Square, has an installation featuring Mickey and Minnie created just for the anniversary, and an elegant medallion adorns Sleeping Beauty Castle.
Disneyland Resort/Christian Thompson
Among the entertainment and rides that have been updated to mark the celebrations are the addition of “Coco’s” Miguel and his trusted sidekick Dante to the classic It’s a Small World Ride.
An extra verse written by the Sherman Brothers for “It’s a Small Wordl” will be incorporated into the ride.
New live shows will be incorporated into the park’s entertainment. Disney Jr.’s “Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live!” will make its debut and will feature character appearances as well as fun original songs.
Disneyland Resort/ Sean Teegarden
Over at California Adventure Park, the festivities will continue with World of Color’s Happiness! The nighttime projection show on water with dancing fountains, music and character projections on Pixar Pier kicks off with Walt Disney’s words, “To all who come to this happy place…welcome!”
“Inside Out’s” Joy, voiced by Amy Poehler, hosts the show and she’s joined by her fellow emotions, including Sadness and Anger. Other characters making an appearance include “Turning Red,” “A Goofy Movie,” “Encanto” and many more favorite Disney stories such as “The Muppets.”
The show will be accompanied by a selection of classic Disney songs and a special rendition of “Rainbow Connection” sung by Boyz II Men.
“The Little Mermaid,” “Turning Red” and “A Goofy Movie” will feature in the projection, alongside “Tangled,” “Encanto,” “Toy Story,” “Aladdin,” “Cinderella,” “Snow White,”
“Lilo and Stitch” and more.
The merchandise on sale includes 70th anniversary ears and much more. The Paint the Night parade features more than a million brilliant LED lights. The nighttime spectacular makes a return, while Wondrous Journeys will feature state-of-the-art projections. On selected nights, the show will be accompanied with fireworks.
New foods created for the 70th anniversary include Celebration Churro with purple ube sugar and Celebration Beignet with an edible candle, as well as nostalgic eats inspired by the past with a modern spin, like the Mickey Hat Cookie. Other additions include a chicken pot pie baked potato, chicken-bacon flop-over, pulled pork and mac and cheese in a bread bowl and a chili cheese corn dog. A 70th Celebration macaroon filled with birthday cake buttercream and confetti cake center, finished with a chocolate birthday hat will be on sale at Alien Pizza Planet.
