We’re just days away from the official launch of Disney100, the Walt Disney Company’s 100th-anniversary celebration.  While the Disney100 celebration will take place across the globe, the heart of the celebration is set to take place at Walt Disney’s original theme park, Disneyland.  Disney has begun installing decorations to commemorate this milestone year across the Disneyland Resort.  Since last week, guests got a first look at some of the decorations now up along the tram route, in the main entry esplanade, and along Buena Vista Street in Disney California Adventure.  As we approach the start of Disney100 at Disneyland, even more decorations are cropping up around the resort. Be sure to check the most recent Disneyland Update for even more coverage! 

UPDATED January 25, 12 PM PST with NEW photos of the decorations and fountains at Sleeping Beauty Castle, banners along Main Street, the new Mickey statue in Town Square, and the Disney100 Monorail wrap! 

UPDATE New Decorations in Disneyland

As of January 25, new decorations have been placed for Disney100 in Disneyland. Upon walking through Main Street, there are banners and bunting that prominently feature platinum and purple with a Disney100 logo. 

Disney100, UPDATED: Disney100 Celebration Decor Arrives at Disneyland!

At Christmas Tree Point in Town Square, there is a new iridescent statue of Mickey Mouse. The quote below has become popularized in its truncated form, but it is actually incorrect. The full (and correct) quote from the first episode of the Disneyland television show on October 27, 1954, is: “I only hope that we never lose sight of one thing— that it was all started with a mouse.”

Disney100, UPDATED: Disney100 Celebration Decor Arrives at Disneyland! Disney100, UPDATED: Disney100 Celebration Decor Arrives at Disneyland!

Additional decorations have been added to Sleeping Beauty Castle, further enhancing the iridescent look. The main swag behind the cabochon has been installed, along with matching fabric swags on the sides of the castle.

Disney100, UPDATED: Disney100 Celebration Decor Arrives at Disneyland!

Along the bridge, new banners have been installed.

Disney100, UPDATED: Disney100 Celebration Decor Arrives at Disneyland!

The fountains in the moat are now operating. It’s such a simple addition but adds a lot of kinetic energy to the area.

Disney100, UPDATED: Disney100 Celebration Decor Arrives at Disneyland!

To round out the recent decoration updates, there is also a new wrap on the Monorail for Disney100. What do you think about the new additions?

Disney100, UPDATED: Disney100 Celebration Decor Arrives at Disneyland!

Tram Route: Disney100 Historical Banners 

Large banners along the tram route commemorate the opening years of milestone movies, attractions, and more… in no particular order.

Disney100, UPDATED: Disney100 Celebration Decor Arrives at Disneyland!

Am I the only one who thinks the characters here have a sort of New Year’s Eve vibe?

Disney100, UPDATED: Disney100 Celebration Decor Arrives at Disneyland!

After your round the corner from the parking garage, the lamppost banners begin. 

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Oops!  Looks like someone got the date wrong on this one — the Matterhorn Bobsleds opened at Disneyland in 1959, not 1955! 

Disney100, UPDATED: Disney100 Celebration Decor Arrives at Disneyland! Disney100, UPDATED: Disney100 Celebration Decor Arrives at Disneyland! Disney100, UPDATED: Disney100 Celebration Decor Arrives at Disneyland!

Smaller banners with more milestones and some with character art are up along the tram loading areas as well. 

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And another incorrect date. Snow White was released in 1937, not ’39:

Disney100, UPDATED: Disney100 Celebration Decor Arrives at Disneyland!

Downtown Disney & Esplanade: Disney100 Decor

On Wednesday, Disney released a concept illustration of a large Disney100 medallion photo op in Downtown Disney.  While it hadn’t been installed yet on Thursday, we expect to see it pop up soon!  The medallion shown below will be located at the west end of Downtown Disney, by the former ESPN Zone. 

Disney100, UPDATED: Disney100 Celebration Decor Arrives at Disneyland!
Concept rendering of Disney100 decorations in Downtown Disney District

Over in the esplanade, Disney100 character banners add some festive flair to the main entrance plaza.

Disney100, UPDATED: Disney100 Celebration Decor Arrives at Disneyland!

These are the same character styles seen on the big banner mural on the tram route. 

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Disney California Adventure: Disney100 Flair

Over at Disney California Adventure, a shiny new platinum medallion greets guests from the top of the park’s Pan Pacific Auditorium-themed entrance. 

Disney100, UPDATED: Disney100 Celebration Decor Arrives at Disneyland!

Disney100, UPDATED: Disney100 Celebration Decor Arrives at Disneyland!

The backside of the medallion as seen as you leave the park.

Disney100, UPDATED: Disney100 Celebration Decor Arrives at Disneyland!

Along Buena Vista Street, new blue-and-platinum bunting and shiny medallions on lampposts commemorate the company’s 100th anniversary.  On Wednesday, Disney released a concept rendering of the decorations along Buena Vista Street and guests could see it in person by Thursday.

Disney100, UPDATED: Disney100 Celebration Decor Arrives at Disneyland!
Concept rendering of Disney100 decorations on Buena Vista Street in Disney California Adventure

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While the decorations certainly get their point across, I can’t help but wonder if there was a way to celebrate the 100th anniversary with a bit more color.  The blue and platinum are pretty similar to Disneyland’s 60th Anniversary color palate, which was just eight years ago. The big medallions that are completely silver can be hard to read from a distance and come off feeling cold and corporate.  Disney is such a colorful company that deals in the warm fuzzies of nostalgia and magic — but some of this stuff unfortunately comes off feeling a bit cold and lifeless.

Disney100, UPDATED: Disney100 Celebration Decor Arrives at Disneyland!

Disneyland: Disney100 About to Arrive

Over in Disneyland, decorations are mostly installed. Shiny pennants and new Disney100 crests now sit atop the main entrance turnstiles. 

Disney100, UPDATED: Disney100 Celebration Decor Arrives at Disneyland!

You can see how a little color or black shading on the all-platinum shields would make them a little easier to read. It’s elegant, but I had to really zoom in just to make this image readable. 

Disney100, UPDATED: Disney100 Celebration Decor Arrives at Disneyland! Disney100, UPDATED: Disney100 Celebration Decor Arrives at Disneyland!

For a video overview of all of the decorations up as of January 18, take a look at our video below: 

 

Sleeping Beauty Castle will also be receiving a special overlay for the occasion.

Disney100, UPDATED: Disney100 Celebration Decor Arrives at Disneyland!
Platinum-infused decor on Sleeping Beauty Castle for Disney100 Celebration. Disney concept art.

While we’re still waiting to see the castle’s decorations installed, we did notice the fountains in the moat, just waiting to be turned on! 

Disney100, UPDATED: Disney100 Celebration Decor Arrives at Disneyland!
The lights make a perfect perch for the ducks. But who knows, perhaps we’ll even see some swans return for the 100th! Yes, give us some swans!

Disney100, UPDATED: Disney100 Celebration Decor Arrives at Disneyland! Disney100, UPDATED: Disney100 Celebration Decor Arrives at Disneyland!

 

UPDATE: Disney100 Decorations on Disneyland’s Castle!

(UPDATED January 20, 1:30 PM PST!)  The first elements of the Disney100 overlay for Sleeping Beauty Castle were unveiled on Friday morning at Disneyland.  Stay tuned to MiceChat for additional photos in our Monday update! 

Disney100, UPDATED: Disney100 Celebration Decor Arrives at Disneyland!

A new shimmering wishing star sits atop the center roofline of the castle.  It’s a nice touch for the anniversary overlay and looks like a good subliminal, synergistic tie-in to the Disney’s upcoming animated film, “WISH,” which features a wishing star similar to this one in its logo. 

Disney100, UPDATED: Disney100 Celebration Decor Arrives at Disneyland!

While all of the decorations aren’t yet installed, two of the three Good Fairies are now in place, along with the new “cabochon” with the Disney100 logo. 

Disney100, UPDATED: Disney100 Celebration Decor Arrives at Disneyland!

The new metallic “cabochon” with the Disney100 logo sits just above the entrance to the Castle.   While this new plaque looks nice, it’s really quite hard to read from far away.  This is a major issue with all of the Disney100 plaques and medallions, as well as the Good Fairies on the Castle — the iridescent metallic paint job washes out detail so it’s quite hard to read them from afar.  I added extra contrast in these photos because otherwise this signage is almost illegible in photos! 

Disney100, UPDATED: Disney100 Celebration Decor Arrives at Disneyland!

Two of the three Good Fairies are now in place as well.  They will hold shimmering bunting that will accentuate the new cabochon. 

Disney100, UPDATED: Disney100 Celebration Decor Arrives at Disneyland! Disney100, UPDATED: Disney100 Celebration Decor Arrives at Disneyland!

Keep an eye here on MiceChat as we continue to bring you the latest info on the Disney100 Celebration at the Disneyland Resort! 

Disney100, UPDATED: Disney100 Celebration Decor Arrives at Disneyland!

 


Discount Disney Theme Park Tickets & Hotels!!!

Are you ready for the Disney100 celebration? New fireworks, new World of Color, new Mickey & Minnie ride, and the return of the Magic Happens Parade. Plus new merchandise and food. We’ve got some discount ticket options for you:

Disney100, UPDATED: Disney100 Celebration Decor Arrives at Disneyland!
The Disney100 celebration is coming up. Time to start planning!

MiceChat brings you the BEST theme park ticket, hotel & package deals! (You’ll find extra nights free, big discounts, and special offers as well).

Check out the latest offer:

If you live in Southern California, there’s a very special ticket offer for you that runs from January 9th through May 25th: 

(MiceChat works with Get Away Today to provide you with the best theme park travel deals and we may make a small commission on any sales made through our links)


How Does Disney100 Look So Far?

That’s our tour of the earliest details. There was no doubt even more were installed overnight. A lot of bunting, banners and flags, with even more to come. Are you a fan of the platinum and blue look, or does it feel cold to you? We’re excited that the fountains have been turned on at the castle. That’s the sort of little touch that adds to the park experience that we’re really looking forward to… but we’re holding out for swans. Let us know your thoughts on all things Disney100 in the comments below. 

For more on Disney100 and what to expect from this celebration as it prepares to kick off, check out the following articles: 

UPDATES! Disneyland’s 100 Years of Wonder Celebration Details

Disney100 Platinum Merchandise Collection Now In The Disney Parks!

UPDATED: Disneyland Resort Project & Rumor Tracker

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Andy Castro
Andy is a Southern California native and a life-long fan of Disney theme parks and animation. From 2007-2016, Andy wrote the weekly Dateline Disneyland photo, news and opinion blog here on MiceChat. Today, Andy continues to produce occasional Dateline Disneyland articles and additional special guest content for MiceChat.