Disney has officially kicked off a year-long celebration of Disneyland’s 70th anniversary, and we were invited to preview the festivities planned for Summer 2026. This comprehensive guide will provide you with all the essential information about the entertainment, food and beverages, merchandise, and more that you can expect during your visit.
From the highly anticipated return of Paint the Night to nostalgic retro food items and the innovative Disneyland Key that unlocks surprises throughout the park, there’s a plethora of exciting things to look forward to. Here are the twelve highlights you need to know about Disneyland's 70th anniversary, and we'd love to hear which one excites you the most!
1. Paint the Night Is Back With Elsa, Anna, and Over One Million LED Lights
The return of Paint the Night, a beloved nighttime parade that first debuted during Disneyland’s 60th anniversary, has generated significant excitement leading up to the park’s 70th celebration. After ending its initial run in 2016, the parade is back, dazzling guests with over one million LED lights and featuring the return of Frozen's Anna and Elsa, among other highlights.
2. Disneyland is More Affordable Thanks to Limited-Time 70th Anniversary Ticket and Disneyland Hotel Offers
For those planning a visit to Disneyland during its 70th anniversary, Disney is offering attractive deals to make your trip more budget-friendly. Guests can purchase a multi-day theme park ticket starting at $360 for a special 3-day, 1-park per day ticket, or a 4-day, 1-park per day ticket for as low as $400. These tickets are valid from May 16 to August 14 and don't need to be used on consecutive days.
For those staying on property, guests can save up to 20% on select stays at the Disneyland Hotel from May 16 to August 14. This offer not only makes your trip more affordable but also allows you to experience the hotel's 70th anniversary celebrations, including special decorations, themed in-room festivities, and unique beverages. Staying at a Disneyland Resort also puts you just steps away from Downtown Disney, which is adorned with 70th anniversary medallions and offers plenty of food and shopping experiences.
3. World of Color Happiness! - A New Version of the Disney California Adventure Water Show Featuring Inside Out
World of Color Happiness! is the latest nighttime spectacular at Disney California Adventure and marks the seventh iteration of the World of Color since its debut in 2010. This show celebrates happiness with over one million water fountains and projections, drawing inspiration from Walt Disney’s opening day dedication speech, “To all who come to this happy place… welcome!”
Inside Out’s emotions, including Joy, take center stage in World of Color Happiness!, with guests having the ability to influence the story by voting on the featured emotions via the Disneyland app. The show also includes a new pre-show with The Muppets, who are also celebrating their 70th anniversary. The musical highlights include a special rendition of ‘Rainbow Connection’ by Boyz II Men and a new original song, ‘Makes Me Wanna Move,’ by FITZ.
4. Wondrous Journeys Celebrates Over 60 Walt Disney Animation Studios Films With Fireworks, Projections, and Music
The nighttime spectacular Wondrous Journeys, which first debuted for Disney’s 100th anniversary, returns for Disneyland’s 70th. This show celebrates over 60 films from Walt Disney Animation Studios, illustrating the possibilities, excitement, heartache, and determination involved in pursuing dreams.
While Wondrous Journeys remains largely unchanged, it continues to be a cherished nighttime spectacular enjoyed by fans of all ages. The experience varies slightly depending on your location within Disneyland, with unique moments at Main Street, U.S.A., Sleeping Beauty Castle, Rivers of America, and the façade of it’s a small world.
5. Better Together: A Pixar Pals Celebration! Shines a Spotlight on the Importance of Friendship with Toy Story, Coco, and More
Better Together: A Pixar Pals Celebration! is another returning parade that’s been revived for Disneyland’s 70th anniversary, featuring beloved characters from Pixar films like Toy Story, The Incredibles, Turning Red, Luca, Soul, Coco, Inside Out, Monsters, Inc., and Up. The parade retains its original charm and message from its debut during Pixar Fest 2024.
Susana Tubert, creative director at Disney Live Entertainment, shared that the parade aims to celebrate recent Pixar films where characters feel lesser or don’t belong, emphasizing the importance of friendship and acceptance. “And through these friendships, they're upheld, they're celebrated, and they're accepted. And that's the message that we want this parade to share with our guests - that it's okay to be you, that you can bring your authentic self to Disneyland, and at the end of the day, we're better together,” she explained.
6. Tapestry of Happiness Brings a Special Projection Show to it’s a small world that Celebrates Disneyland’s Past
it’s a small world’s Tapestry of Happiness was the highlight of the Disneyland 70th Anniversary Media Preview. This five-minute show uses projection effects and music to celebrate Disneyland’s history, inspired by Disney Legend Mary Blair, who designed it’s a small world. The show features iconic attractions and experiences like Pirates of the Caribbean, the Main Street Electrical Parade, the Enchanted Tiki Room, and Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, with their respective songs woven into The Jonas Brothers’ ‘Celebrate Happy’ theme song.
Adding to the festivities, Coco's Miguel and Dante have been incorporated into it’s a small world, and a new verse from the late Richard M. Sherman will be added on July 17.
7. The Celebrate Happy Cavalcade at Disneyland Stars Duffy and ShellieMay
The Celebrate Happy Cavalcade, led by Duffy and ShellieMay, was one of the most anticipated events at the 70th Anniversary Media Preview. Originally designed as the “Disney Bear” in 2002 for Disney World’s Disney Springs, Duffy gained immense popularity at Tokyo Disney Resort, where he was given a name, a story, and friends like ShellieMay. Now, Duffy and ShellieMay are set to delight guests stateside in this charming smaller parade alongside other Disney favorites.
8. Disney Jr. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live! Is the Perfect Place to Take Your Kids For Some Dancing and Fun
Disney Jr. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live! offers a delightful experience for younger guests, encouraging them to dance and sing along with Mickey and his friends. The show follows Mickey and Minnie as they search for Goofy, Daisy, and Pluto, taking guests on a fun adventure through differently themed houses, complete with bubbles and fake snow.
With its fun and upbeat music, this show is a perfect way for kids to burn off some energy and escape the heat while enjoying their favorite characters.
9. Disneyland 70th Merch, Led by the Disneyland Key, Is a Celebration of Today and Yesterday
Disneyland’s 70th anniversary brings a wide range of new merchandise that celebrates both the present and the park’s rich history. The standout item is the Disneyland Key, an interactive key that allows guests to “unlock magic” in all nine lands of Disneyland. Each land features a not-so-hidden lock with a keyhole that fits the key, triggering special effects like music and lights, and adding the land’s icon to the key.
After unlocking all the lands, guests can head to the Mickey Topiary Finale lock near the park entrance for the final surprise. Upon inserting the key, bubbles will soar into the sky, and a secret compartment will reveal one of nine commemorative trading pins representing the lands of Disneyland, celebrating the completion of the quest.
Disneyland 70th Anniversary Merch
View 15 Images
You can explore all the 70th Anniversary merchandise offerings in the slideshow above and right here.
10. Disneyland Food and Drinks Offer a Window Back in Time With a Delicious Twist
One of the highlights of visiting a Disney Park during a special event is trying out the new food and drink offerings. For Disneyland’s 70th anniversary, there are over 70 items to savor, blending new delights with dishes inspired by the park’s past. Chef Steven Medina and his team have crafted a menu that offers guests a taste of what it was like on Disneyland’s opening day, including nostalgic items like Banana Split and Apple Pancake Rolls.
Disneyland 70th Anniversary Food and Drinks
View 5 Images
Among the new offerings, the 70th Celebration Churro stands out, featuring an ube sugar coating, marbled blue raspberry drizzle, and sprinkles that reflect the anniversary’s vibrant color scheme. You can explore all the 70th anniversary food offerings in the slideshow above and right here.
11. Toy Story Midway Mania!, Carthay Circle, Downtown Disney, and Much More
Disneyland’s 70th anniversary includes a host of additional experiences, such as a revamped Toy Story Midway Mania! at Disney California Adventure, where guests can score bonus points by hitting 70th anniversary stickers placed by Andy. Celebrate Happy: A Little Bit of Magic Every Night will light up Carthay Circle with projections and a special appearance by Tinker Bell, while Animation Courtyard now features attractions inspired by Encanto, Coco, Soul, The Princess and the Frog, Zootopia, and Moana.
For MagicBand+ users, there are special interaction points throughout the park, including at Jungle Cruise and Frontierland, that print out commemorative tickets celebrating this milestone.
12. Walt Disney - A Magical Life and More Experiences to Come
While the 70th anniversary celebrations begin on May 16, the actual anniversary falls on July 17, which is also the debut date for Walt Disney - A Magical Life. This new experience will feature the first Audio-Animatronic of Walt Disney, inviting guests into his office to learn about his life story.
We had the opportunity to visit Imagineering to learn more about this project, and you can read about how Disney is bringing Walt back to life. This experience will open alongside an Evolution of a Dream exhibit showcasing items from Walt’s past and another celebrating the history of Disney’s cast members.
For more insights, check out our story on how a century of Disney Magic began and our list of the 25 best Disney animated movies of all time.
![Love and Ashes – New Version v24Oct2023 [EngelKuchKuch]](https://img.hpncn.com/uploads/62/1719586547667ecef3ca549.png)
