Disneyland’s official 70th anniversary is July 17th. Are you ready? Here’s everything you need to know, including how to experience the new and updated attractions on Disneyland’s birthday.
Disneyland Resort’s 70th anniversary celebration kicked off on May 16, 2025, but it runs through the summer of 2026, with the theme of “Celebrate HappY” to pay homage to Walt Disney’s iconic dedication: “To all who come to this happy place, welcome!”
Here are all the ways you can celebrate happy at Disneyland!
The official 70th celebration theme song “Celebrate Happy” by the Jonas Brothers has been woven into all the new and returning entertainment offerings.
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Many of the big celebratory elements—including the return of Paint the Night to and debut of World of Color Happiness—debut on May 16.
However, some of the most nostalgia-packed additions are arriving on Disneyland’s actual 70th anniversary, July 17, including a brand-new show featuring an Audio-Animatronic Walt Disney, a Sherman Brothers tribute, and an exhibit showcasing never-before-seen artifacts from Walt’s personal collection.
A Nostalgic Trip Through Main Street, U.S.A.
On July 17, 2025, the park will introduce several new experiences that honor its past while celebrating the future.
A Tribute to the Sherman Brothers at the Main Street Cinema
Inside the Main Street Cinema, guests will find a heartfelt tribute to the legendary Sherman Brothers, the songwriting duo behind some of Disney’s most beloved tunes.
A brand-new short film, The Last Verse, celebrates the 60th anniversary of “it’s a small world.” This three-and-a-half-minute film explores the universal themes of connection and hope, as the iconic song is passed from person to person across generations and continents.
The film culminates in the reveal of a new final verse (that some of you may have heard at the D23 Expo in 2024), written by Richard M. Sherman as his last Disney contribution:
This new verse will be added to Disneyland’s “it’s small world” attraction beginning July 17. It will be interesting to hear how they blend the new verse or if the entire song is rerecorded for consistency. The new final verse will also be added to the Small World attraction at Walt Disney World.
For more information about the last verse, check out our article:
It’s Still a Small World: New Last Verse For Beloved Disney Song
🏛️ New Exhibits at the Opera House
The Main Street Opera House will debut a brand-new gallery showcasing the evolution of Disneyland, featuring rare photos, concept art, and never-before-seen artifacts from the park’s early days.
A second exhibit will take guests through the history of Audio-Animatronics, from Walt’s earliest mechanical figures to today’s cutting-edge robotics.
The Walt Disney Family Museum is lending some rare treasures for the display, including:
- Furniture from Walt Disney’s private apartment above the Fire Station—on public display at Disneyland for the first time since they were removed.
- Walt’s humanitarian awards, including his 1955 Emmy, his Presidential Medal of Freedom, and a commemorative medal presented to Lillian Disney by President Nixon.
Walt Disney – A Magical Life (Debuting July 17, 2025)
The biggest addition to the Opera House will be Walt Disney – A Magical Life, a brand-new cinematic experience honoring the life and legacy of Walt Disney.
Through remastered footage and Walt’s own voice recordings, the film will take guests on a journey from Walt’s early days in Marceline, Missouri, to the creation of Disneyland and beyond. An Audio-Animatronic Walt Disney will appear on stage in a set designed to look like his office, a decision that has received mixed reviews even before the attraction’s debut.
After the show, guests will exit into a new post-show preview area, highlighting upcoming Disneyland projects and reinforcing Walt’s famous words: “Disneyland will never be completed. It will continue to grow as long as there is imagination left in the world.”
But not to worry; the Lincoln show will return after the 70th anniversary and rotate with the Walt Disney story via the use of a turntable. Lincoln on one side of the turntable and Walt on the other. Clever.
Virtual Queue
“Walt Disney – A Magical Life” will launch with a complimentary virtual queue available on the Disneyland app. A standby queue will not be available.
- Guests may join the virtual queue via the Disneyland app no more than once per day
- There are two daily distribution times at 7 a.m. and 12 p.m.
Guests must have a park reservation for Disneyland Park with a one-park ticket or Park Hopper ticket to request to join the 7 a.m. virtual queue; guests can request to join the 12 p.m. virtual queue if they are inside Disneyland Park or inside Disney California Adventure with a Park Hopper ticket.
You can find more details about the new attraction here:
Nighttime Spectaculars and Parades for Disneyland’s 70th Anniversary
An all-new version of Disney California Adventure’s World of Color, “World of Color Happiness!,” is hosted by Riley’s cast of emotions from “Inside Out” and “Inside Out 2.” Guests join them to explore the notion of “happy” through the lens of different human emotions as they manifest in colors, music, and familiar character cameos. The original concept for the show sprung from Walt Disney’s dedication speech for Disneyland’s opening day, which began with the familiar words: “To all who come to this happy place … welcome!”
The new nighttime spectacular also features a special rendition of “Rainbow Connection,” performed by R&B group Boyz II Men, and a new original song performed by FITZ (of multi-platinum Fitz and the Tantrums) called “Makes Me Wanna Move.”
But that’s not all! Before the new “World of Color” show begins, more than a dozen Muppets welcome the crowd.
NOTE: Virtual Queue Reservations are strongly recommended.
Watch our LIVE video of World of Color Happiness:
Wondrous Journeys once again lights up the skies above Disneyland Park’s Sleeping Beauty Castle. This nighttime spectacular was introduced for the Disney100 Celebration and is particularly notable for its intricate projections on the castle and Main Street buildings to accompany different scenes. On select nights, fireworks accompany the show.
Watch our LIVE video of Wondrous Journeys:
The much-beloved nighttime parade, Paint the Night, has finally returned to Disneyland Park for Disneyland’s 70th anniversary. Its catchy tune and colorful floats make this an offering we are happy to see again and again. And returning to the parade for the 70th is the “Frozen” float, which was replaced by a float featuring the Incredibles for the parade’s 2018 stint in California Adventure.
Watch our LIVE video of Paint the Night:
Originally introduced during last summer’s Pixar Fest, “Better Together: A Pixar Pals Celebration,” returns with its cast of 30+ Pixar characters.
Watch our LIVE video of Better Together: A Pixar Pals Celebration:
A new daytime cavalcade at Disneyland called “The Celebrate Happy Cavalcade” features appearances from Duffy and ShellieMay (her first U.S. theme park appearance).
Watch our LIVE video of The Celebrate Happy Cavalcade:
In addition, special 70th-anniversary magic has been added to Toy Story Midway Mania and Miguel and Dante from “Coco” have joined Small World’s Mexico scene.
Watch our LIVE video of “it’s a small world”:
New Dining Experiences
Paint the Night Dining Package at Plaza Inn: A multi-course meal and reserved viewing for the “Paint the Night,” nighttime parade. Guests can pick up their meal between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. and sit at any available table at Plaza Inn. The menu features a baby wedge salad, mushroom gravy-glazed meatloaf and pea purée over creamy mashed potatoes, served with herbed crispy carrots and a themed dessert (kids’ meal option available).
Donald’s Tales of Adventure Dinner Buffet at Storytellers Cafe: Donald, Daisy, and friends invite guests to join the fun as they share their stories of discovery around the campfire. The menu features a barbecue-style buffet and desserts like a s’mores bread pudding, all while taking in the sounds of the forest and nighttime creatures.
Note: Mickey’s Tales of Adventure will continue to be available for breakfast and brunch at Storytellers Cafe.
Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo Nighttime Gathering: This dining package returns to Galaxy’s Edge for a limited time with special takeaway items and subsequent viewing of “Fire of the Rising Moons” (when available).
Visit our article for Disneyland’s 70th Anniversary eats, treats & novelties:
Decor & More!
In addition to the shows and spectaculars, Mickey and Minnie (and their pals) have colorful new 70th anniversary costumes.
Disneyland Resort is decorated for the celebration and special projections appear on “it’s a small world” and Carthay Circle at night.
In the esplanade between Disneyland and Disney California Adventure, a 50-foot sculpture inspired by Sleeping Beauty Castle will celebrate the park’s five original lands, represented by colorful glass panels and golden charms.
Downtown Disney also got a makeover for the celebration.
The extensive merchandise collections for the 70th celebration feature the same pink, purple, and royal blue color scheme as the character costumes.
Visit our article for the entire Disneyland’s 70th Anniversary merchandise collections:
TAKE A LOOK: All Disneyland 70th Anniversary Merch Collections Now in Stores! 🎉
Book Your Travel Now
We have all sorts of special offers for tickets and hotels for your upcoming Disneyland travel. Those who visit early in 2025 can take advantage of some of the lowest rates we’ve seen in years. Kids for $50, Adults for as low as $67 (for SoCal residents), and more deals. And, for Disneyland’s 70th, there will be special Disneyland Hotel offers as well. Check out our partners at Get Away Today for all the ticket, hotel, and travel deals!
Find all the latest Disneyland deals HERE
Seasonal Events at the Disneyland Resort in 2025
Some of the anniversary celebration entertainment and decor will pause for Halloween and Christmas but much of the celebration will continue through summer 2026.
Favorite seasonal events are returning during Disneyland’s 70th-anniversary year:
Halloween Time (August 22 – October 31)
The spooky season takes over the Disneyland Resort with themed attraction overlays, seasonal food, and special merchandise.
Oogie Boogie Bash returns to Disney California Adventure for another year of trick-or-treating in the park while being heckled by villains. And for 2025, there are even more party nights than ever before, totaling 31 dates:
- August 17, 19, 21, 24, 26, 28, 31
- September 2, 9, 11, 14, 16, 18, 21, 23, 25, 28, 30
- October 2, 5, 7, 9, 12, 14, 16, 19, 21, 23, 26, 28, 31
A Celebration of Coco: Plaza de la Familia (August 22 – November 2)
This “Coco”-inspired celebration of Día de los Muertos also takes place during a portion of Halloween Time.
Check out our guide for all the Halloween Time happenings:
Disneyland Halloween Time 2025: Oogie Boogie Bash, Broken Spell & Beyond
Holiday Time (November 14, 2025 – January 7, 2026)
The merriest season of them all brings joy to the Disneyland Resort with festive food and merchandise, merry decor, and lively entertainment.
Disney California Adventure Festival of Holidays (November 14, 2025 – January 7, 2026)
Enjoy different cultures’ winter holidays with special food and live entertainment.
You can also keep track of the latest developments in the Downtown Disney District in our ongoing coverage:
Downtown Disney Transformed: Updates on New Restaurants & Shops!
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Let’s Hear from You
Disneyland has a busy schedule for the 70th anniversary, but how do they sound to you? Have you had the chance to see Paint the Night and the new World of Color Happiness!? What about the addition of a Walt Disney animatronic in the Opera House? And we’re misty-eyed already over the Sherman Brothers tribute.
We’d love to hear your thoughts: Which part of the celebration stands out the most to you? Is there anything you were hoping for that didn’t make the cut? And what do you think of the Happiness theme? Share your perspective in the comments below!
