Disney has officially kicked off its year-long celebration of Disneyland's 70th anniversary, inviting us to preview the exciting festivities planned throughout Summer 2026. This comprehensive guide will cover everything you need to know about the entertainment, food and beverages, merchandise, and more. From the return of beloved parades to new retro-inspired food items and a unique Disneyland Key that unlocks surprises across the park, there's much to look forward to when planning your visit. Below, you'll find the twelve key highlights of Disneyland's 70th anniversary celebration, and we're eager to hear what excites you the most!
Paint the Night Is Back With Elsa, Anna, and Over One Million LED Lights
Disneyland is More Affordable Thanks to Limited-Time 70th Anniversary Ticket and Disneyland Hotel Offers
For those planning a trip to Disneyland during its 70th anniversary, Disney offers several deals to make your visit more budget-friendly. Guests can purchase multi-day theme park tickets, starting at $360 for a special 3-day, 1-park per day ticket, or $400 for a 4-day, 1-park per day ticket. These offers are valid from May 16 to August 14 and do not need to be used on consecutive days.
For those staying at the Disneyland Hotel, there's a chance to save up to 20% on select stays between May 16 and August 14. This offer not only makes your stay more affordable but also lets you experience the hotel's own 70th anniversary celebrations, complete with special decorations, themed in-room festivities, unique beverages, and more.
Staying at a Disneyland Resort also means easy access to Downtown Disney, which is adorned for the occasion with 70th anniversary medallions featuring Disney characters—perfect for photo opportunities. The area continues to offer its full range of food and shopping experiences.
World of Color Happiness! - A New Version of the Disney California Adventure Water Show Featuring Inside Out
The show prominently features Inside Out's emotions, with Joy and others integrated into the logo. Guests can interact and influence the show's narrative by voting on the inclusion of emotions like Sadness, Anger, Disgust, or Envy in various scenes via the Disneyland app.
World of Color Happiness! also introduces a new pre-show featuring The Muppets, celebrating their own 70th anniversary this year. The musical lineup includes a special rendition of 'Rainbow Connection' by Boyz II Men and a new original song 'Makes Me Wanna Move' by FITZ.
For insights into another impressive show, check out our thoughts on 2023’s World of Color - ONE for Disneyland’s 100th anniversary.
Wondrous Journeys Celebrates Over 60 Walt Disney Animation Studios Films With Fireworks, Projections, and Music
While largely unchanged, Wondrous Journeys remains a beloved experience for fans of all ages. The show 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.
For more on Wondrous Journeys, see our Disney 100th Anniversary Guide, and don't miss this heartfelt and emotive spectacle.
Better Together: A Pixar Pals Celebration! Shines a Spotlight on the Importance of Friendship with Toy Story, Coco, and More
This parade remains largely the same as its debut during Pixar Fest 2024, maintaining its fun and meaningful message. According to Susana Tubert, creative director at Disney Live Entertainment, “This parade wants to honor and celebrate the more recent films that Pixar produced where you feel like there are characters who feel lesser than… like they don’t belong. 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.”
Tapestry of Happiness Brings a Special Projection Show to it’s a small world that Celebrates Disneyland’s Past
Inspired by Disney Legend Mary Blair, who designed the timeless it’s a small world, the show highlights numerous iconic Disneyland attractions and shows, including Pirates of the Caribbean, the Main Street Electrical Parade, the Enchanted Tiki Room, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, and more. The songs from these experiences are woven into The Jonas Brothers’ ‘Celebrate Happy’ Disneyland 70th Anniversary theme song, creating a truly special experience.
Additionally, Coco's Miguel and Dante have been added to it’s a small world just in time for the anniversary, and a new verse from the late Richard M. Sherman will be added on July 17.
The Celebrate Happy Cavalcade at Disneyland Stars Duffy and ShellieMay
Now, Duffy and ShellieMay get to shine in the U.S. alongside other Disney favorites in this delightful smaller parade, which is definitely worth watching.
Disney Jr. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live! Is the Perfect Place to Take Your Kids For Some Dancing and Fun
The show features fun, upbeat music, offering a perfect break from the heat and a chance for kids to burn off energy with their beloved characters.
Disneyland 70th Merch, Led by the Disneyland Key, Is a Celebration of Today and Yesterday
You don't have to unlock all the locks in one visit, as the key saves your progress. Once you've unlocked all nine, head to the Mickey Topiary Finale lock near the park entrance to reveal the final surprise: a secret compartment in the key containing one of nine commemorative trading pins representing Disneyland's lands.
Disneyland 70th Anniversary Merch
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You can explore all the 70th Anniversary merch offerings in the slideshow above and right here.
Disneyland Food and Drinks Offer a Window Back in Time With a Delicious Twist
One of the joys of visiting a Disney Park during a festival or major event is sampling the new food and drink offerings. For Disneyland's 70th anniversary, there are over 70 items to try, blending new delights with dishes inspired by the park’s history.
Chef Steven Medina and his team aimed to give guests a taste of what it was like when Disneyland first opened its gates. Examples include a Banana Split and Apple Pancake Rolls, both recreations of items available on opening day.
Disneyland 70th Anniversary Food and Drinks
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Among the new offerings, the 70th Celebration Churro stands out. This twist on the classic park treat reflects the anniversary's colors with an ube sugar coating, marbled blue raspberry drizzle, and sprinkles.
You can discover the 70th anniversary food offerings in the slideshow above and right here!
Toy Story Midway Mania!, Carthay Circle, Downtown Disney, and Much More
Disneyland's 70th anniversary includes a wealth of experiences to explore. A notable addition is the glow-up of Toy Story Midway Mania! at Disney California Adventure, where Andy's 70th anniversary stickers offer bonus points when hit.
Celebrate Happy: A Little Bit of Magic Every Night will illuminate the exterior of Carthay Circle with lights, projections, and a special appearance by Tinker Bell. Animation Courtyard now features elements from Encanto, Coco, Soul, The Princess and the Frog, Zootopia, and Moana.
MagicBand+ wearers can enjoy special interactions at points like Jungle Cruise and Frontierland, which print out commemorative tickets celebrating this milestone.
Walt Disney - A Magical Life and More Experiences to Come
While celebrations begin on May 16, the actual anniversary falls on July 17, coinciding with the debut of Walt Disney - A Magical Life. This marks the first time Walt Disney will be portrayed as an Audio-Animatronic, welcoming guests into his office to share his story.
We recently visited Imagineering to learn more about this project; you can read about how Disney is bringing Walt back to life. This experience will open alongside the Evolution of a Dream exhibit, showcasing items from Walt's past and celebrating the history of Disney's cast members.
For more, explore our story on how a century of Disney Magic began and our list of the 25 best Disney animated movies of all time.
