What’s new for Disneyland’s 70th anniversary (with videos)
Disneyland’s 70th anniversary celebration includes an animatronic Walt, “Coco” characters joining Small World, a new “World of Color” with the Muppets, the Key to Disneyland, and the return of “Paint the Night.”
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Last updated May 16, 2025; original version published Dec. 5, 2024.
Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, Calif. celebrates its 70th anniversary from May 16, 2025 through summer 2026 (specific end date TBA).
The celebration will encompass both the original Disneyland Park (which first opened July 17, 1955) and its younger sibling, Disney California Adventure Park (which opened in 2001).
New experiences for Disneyland’s 70th anniversary
Walt Disney – A Magical Life
One of the highlights of Disneyland’s 70th anniversary campaign is Walt Disney – A Magical Life, a new presentation inside the Main Street Opera House featuring the first Audio-Animatronics figure of Walt. (Note: As announced Feb. 12, Walt Disney – A Magical Life will debut July 17, 2025, a delay from the previously announced May 16 opening date. May 16 remains the kickoff for the 70th anniversary celebration at large.)
‘World of Color Happiness!’
The 70th birthday party introduces “World of Color Happiness!,” a new version of California Adventure’s nighttime water show hosted by Joy and other emotions from the “Inside Out” movies. Disney says, “The show is inspired by Walt Disney’s words from the opening day park dedication from seven decades ago: ‘To all who come to this happy place: Welcome!'”
“World of Color Happiness!” features a new recording of “Rainbow Connection” from “The Muppet Movie” performed by Boyz II Men, as well as an original song called “Makes Me Wanna Move” performed by Fitz.
Additionally, performances of “World of Color Happiness!” are preceded by a pre-show starring the Muppets and hosted by Joe the Legal Weasel (who first debuted in the 2020 streaming series “Muppets Now”). Watch the chaos ensue in our video:
The Key to Disneyland
For $60, guests can purchase the “Key to Disneyland,” a new, interactive souvenir. Guests can track down nine stations throughout Disneyland (one in each land) and use the Key to unlock a special moment. After visiting all nine stations, a finale station in Town Square physically unlocks a collectible pin inside the guest’s Key. (If you don’t get to all nine stations, look in your Key’s instructions to see how to unlock the pin yourself.)
Décor and costumes
As is tradition, Sleeping Beauty Castle dons an anniversary makeover for the celebration and Disney characters wear specially designed costumes.
Special décor for Disneyland’s 70th anniversary will be on display in the Esplanade, Town Square, the Main Street Train Station, and Downtown Disney.
It’s a Small World new characters and lyrics
Miguel and Dante from “Coco” permanently joined It’s a Small World at Disneyland as of May 13, 2025. The California version of the classic ride features Disney characters in the countries represented in their stories.
Disney will also introduce a new verse into It’s a Small World beginning July 17. The lyric was written by the late Richard Sherman, who wrote the original song with his brother, Robert, in the ’60s.
“Mother earth unites us in heart and mind
and the love we give makes us humankind.
Through our vast wondrous land,
when we stand hand in hand,
it’s a small world after all.”
‘The Celebrate Happy Cavalcade’ featuring Duffy
“The Celebrate Happy Cavalcade” will take to the streets of Disneyland with favorite Disney characters, including Duffy the Disney Bear and ShellieMae. This marks the U.S. theme park debut for ShellieMae and the first regular return of Duffy to Disneyland in at least a decade. The characters are extremely popular in the Disney parks in Japan and China.
Watch the full “Celebrate Happy Cavalcade” in our video:
Theme song by Jonas Brothers
Jonas Brothers — Kevin, Joe, and Nick — recorded the theme song for Disneyland’s 70th anniversary, titled “Celebrate Happy.” The song is available on streaming services, and guests will hear it in the park throughout the celebration.
‘Tapestry of Happiness’ projection show
A new projection-only show called “Tapestry of Happiness” will be displayed upon It’s a Small World starting May 16. The presentation will celebrate Disneyland’s seven decades with visuals inspired by Disney artist Mary Blair, the driving force behind the look of It’s a Small World.
Additionally, a brief projection moment at Disney California Adventure called “Celebrate Happy: A Little Bit of Magic Every Night” is presented upon the exterior of the Carthay Circle Theater.
New guided tour
“A Story of Celebration” is a new, two-hour tour highlighting seven decades of Disneyland history. The tour costs $120 per person and includes rides on the Mark Twain Riverboat and Disneyland Railroad, plus reserved seating for the “Paint the Night” parade.
Toy Story Mania enhancements
Riders on Toy Story Mania at Disney California Adventure can earn extra points by hitting newly added targets with the number 70 on them.
Character dinner with Donald and friends
Donald’s Tales of Adventure Dinner Buffet debuts May 16 at Storytellers Café at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa. The buffet menu includes barbecue items plus smores bread pudding. The meal’s featured characters are Donald Duck, Daisy Duck, Goofy, Pluto, and Clarabelle Cow.
(Note: The existing Mickey’s Tales of Adventure breakfast and brunch character meal is still hosted earlier in the day, typically featuring Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Pluto, Chip, and Dale.)
Returning favorites
In addition to new experiences, the Disneyland 70th anniversary celebration includes the return of live entertainment favorites such as the “Paint the Night” parade (which debuted in 2015 and last performed in 2018), the “Wondrous Journeys” fireworks (which ran during the Disney100 celebration in 2023), and the daytime Pixar parade (which initially debuted for Pixar Fest in 2024).
List of everything new and returning, with opening dates
Here’s everything announced so far for Disneyland’s 70th anniversary celebration.
- Disneyland Park
- New
- Miguel and Dante join It’s a SmalL World | May 13
- “The Celebrate Happy Cavalcade” | May 16
- 70th anniversary medallion on Sleeping Beauty Castle
- “Tapestry of Happiness” projections outside of It’s a Small World | May 16
- New lyric verse inside It’s a Small World | July 17
- Walt Disney – A Magical Life | July 17
- Disneyland exhibit in Main Street Opera House lobby | July 17
- Audio-Animatronics exhibit in Main Street Opera House lobby | July 17
- Returning
- “Wondrous Journeys” nighttime spectacular* | May 16
- “Paint the Night” parade | May 16
- New
- Disney California Adventure Park
- New
- “World of Color Happiness!” | May 16
- Projections on Carthay Circle Restaurant | May 16
- Anniversary targets on Toy Story Mania | May 16
- Returning
- “Better Together: A Pixar Pals Celebration!” parade* | May 16
- New
- Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa
- New
- Donald’s Tales of Adventure Dinner Buffet at Storytellers Café | May 16
- New
*Disney says “Wondrous Journeys” and “Better Together” will debut May 16, 2025 and subsequently pause for the Halloween and Christmas seasons, then return again after that.
Additionally, a new coffee-table book — “The Happiest Place on Earth: The Incredible Story of Walt Disney’s Disneyland” by Don Hahn and Christopher Merritt — will be published on July 15, 2025 and is now available for pre-order.
These 70th anniversary festivities are in addition to the seasonal return of Disneyland’s annual events like Lunar New Year and Halloween Time, among others.
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