Disneyland Resort Celebrates 70th Anniversary with Special Program

(eap) This past weekend, Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California, kicked off its 70^th anniversary celebrations. The special program, which will run through summer 2026, features unique entertainment formats and interactive offerings designed to let guests experience the “Disneyland magic” in new ways.

© Disney At the heart of the celebration are exclusive shows, parades, and projection experiences. In addition to completely new performances such as “World of Color – Happiness” and returning revamped classics such as the “Paint the Night” parade, “Wondrous Journeys”, and “Better Together: A Pixar Pals Celebration!”, the popular “It’s a Small World” themed ride is being transformed into a dynamic art installation using projection mapping – inspired by the visual style of late Disney artist Mary Blair. Evening atmosphere will be enhanced by the new nighttime show “Celebrate Happy: A Little Bit of Magic Every Night”, which brings the façade of the Carthay Circle restaurant to life through light and projection effects.

Another highlight is the “Celebrate Happy Cavalcade” parade, featuring rarely seen characters such as “Duffy” and “ShellieMay”. To mark the occasion, characters will appear in festive costumes adorned with gold, silver, and vibrant colors. Additionally, select shows will offer special dining packages that include reserved seating.

© Disney Beyond fresh entertainment, the anniversary program includes a variety of interactive elements: The “Toy Story Midway Mania!” gameplay dark ride now includes special anniversary-themed stickers that award bonus points. A new souvenir item – the “Key to Disneyland” – allows guests to unlock hidden collectible pins inside by visiting a total of nine designated stations throughout Disneyland Park. Guests can also use their “MagicBand+” to activate new effects in selected themed areas and attractions.

At the center of the resort, between Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park, guests will find a 15-meter-high sculpture inspired by Sleeping Beauty Castle. The artwork features symbols representing the park’s original five themed lands from 1955 and serves as a popular photo spot. Other components of the anniversary celebration include a new rotation of films in the “Animation Courtyard” (featuring “Encanto”, “Soul”, and “Zootopia”, among others) and a two-hour guided tour that explores the park’s history. ■