“Wondrous Journeys” features an original song, “It’s Wondrous,” that pays tribute to 70 years of delight at The Happiest Place on Earth (Richard Harbaugh/Disneyland Resort)

Seven Decades of Happiness

Lighting Legends and Iconic Moments Around the World

BY HEATHER TURK / PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF DISNEYLAND RESORT

“Disneyland will never be completed. It will continue to grow as long as there is imagination left in the world.”

These words, spoken by Walt Disney, continue to ring true almost 70 years after Disneyland opened in Anaheim, California. What Walt Disney hoped would be “a source of joy and inspiration to all the world” has grown over the past seven decades from 18 major attractions on 160 acres to a 500-acre, world-class family resort destination, complete with dozens of attractions for guests to enjoy at two renowned theme parks: Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park.

While Disneyland Park’s 70th anniversary isn’t until July 17, Disneyland Resort’s yearlong anniversary celebration kicks off early on May 16. The Disneyland Resort 70th Celebration invites Disney fans of all ages (including Disney adults!) to experience not only what’s new at the resort, but also special anniversary décor, themed food and beverages, collectible merchandise and limited-time entertainment—including the return of the fan-favorite “Paint the Night” parade.

The dazzling nighttime parade will once again illuminate Main Street, U.S.A., at Disneyland Park with its innovative floats, vibrant costumes, state-of-the-art special effects and high-energy music that includes a special rendition of the song “When Can I See You Again?” by electronic music project Owl City. Guests can watch as Mickey Mouse uses his vivid imagination to harness the power of Tinker Bell’s pixie dust and “Paint the Night” in Disney dreams, bringing to light beloved characters and stories from Pixar Animation Studios films such as “Monsters, Inc.,” “Cars” and “Toy Story,” and Walt Disney Animation Studios films like “The Little Mermaid,” “Beauty and the Beast” and “Frozen.”

Disneyland Park’s nighttime spectacular “Wondrous Journeys” will also make its return, featuring stunning projection effects that turn Sleeping Beauty Castle, the Rivers of America, Main Street, U.S.A., and the façade of “it’s a small world” into a magnificent canvas. Spectators will embark on a journey filled with artistry, music, storytelling and even sparkling fireworks on select nights as they celebrate more than 100 years of Walt Disney Animation Studios classics like “Hercules,” “Moana” and “Peter Pan.”

Additionally, the façade of “it’s a small world” will come to life each night through lights, music and projection effects for “Tapestry of Happiness.” A visual love letter to Disneyland, the all-new projection show not only features an animated mosaic of Disneyland attractions, moments and memories brought to life in a style inspired by the work of legendary Disney artist Mary Blair (“Alice in Wonderland,” “Cinderella”), but also the original 70th anniversary celebration theme song “Celebrate Happy” and nods to recognizable Disneyland tunes from across the decades.

During the day, revelers can enjoy a new character cavalcade at Disneyland Park: “The Celebrate Happy Cavalcade.” Guests will spot characters, including Goofy and his son Max, in their festive 70th anniversary attire, as well as friends not often seen at Disneyland—like Mickey Mouse’s teddy bear, Duffy, and Duffy’s teddy bear friend, ShellieMay.

Even Disney California Adventure Park is celebrating Disneyland Park’s 70th anniversary with an all-new “World of Color” fountains show inspired by Walt Disney’s opening-day dedication: “To all who come to this happy place … welcome!” Hosted by Joy and the other emotions from the Pixar Animation Studios films “Inside Out” and “Inside Out 2,” “World of Color Happiness!” explores the concept of happiness through moments from favorite Pixar films like “Turning Red” and “The Incredibles” and Walt Disney Animation Studios films like “A Goofy Movie,” “Tangled” and “Encanto.”

In addition to featuring classic Disney songs throughout the euphoric show, the nighttime spectacular boasts a rendition of “Rainbow Connection” performed by legendary R&B trio Boyz II Men and an original song, “Makes Me Wanna Move,” by the frontman of Fitz and the Tantrums, FITZ. Before the show begins, guests will even be treated to a zany song-and-dance number by more than a dozen of The Muppets as they share some safety information with the guidance of Joe the Legal Weasel.

Furthermore, Pixar fans can see more than two dozen of their favorite characters from Pixar Animation Studios films like “Luca” and “Soul” at “Better Together: A Pixar Pals Celebration!” The delightful daytime parade will once again take over the streets of Disney California Adventure Park for the Disneyland Resort 70th Celebration.

Beginning on Disneyland’s official anniversary, guests will be able to enjoy several new experiences on Main Street, U.S.A., that honor Disneyland Park’s cherished history and optimism for the future. The most anticipated attraction is “Walt Disney—A Magical Life,” which, through remastered footage and audio recordings, will take audiences on a cinematic journey that leads from Walt Disney’s early endeavors to the bright lights of Los Angeles and beyond.

When the curtain rises inside the Main Street Opera House, audiences will be transported to Walt Disney’s office, where the first-ever Audio-Animatronics figure of Walt Disney will share some heartfelt stories and words of wisdom with guests. The figure marks an advancement in the technology Walt Disney pioneered at the 1964 New York World’s Fair with an Abraham Lincoln Audio-Animatronics figure—which is fitting since the show will play in rotation with Main Street Opera House’s own “Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln” following its premiere.

Before audiences sit down for the show, they can browse through an all-new gallery at the Main Street Opera House that focuses on the evolution of Disneyland. Guests will see images, arts and artifacts on display that show Disneyland before, during and after Walt Disney’s dream became a reality. More than 30 artifacts showcased will come from The Walt Disney Family Museum in San Francisco, including an original rocking chair, lamp and table from Walt Disney’s private apartment above the Fire Station on Main Street that have never been publicly exhibited at Disneyland Park before. Several of Walt Disney’s humanitarian accolades will also be on loan from the museum, including his 1955 Emmy Award for the “Disneyland” TV show and his Presidential Medal of Freedom awarded by President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1964.

Visitors can enjoy a special exhibit at the Main Street Opera House, too, that details how far Audio-Animatronics figures have advanced through the years—something they’ll see for themselves when they watch Walt Disney seemingly come to life during “Walt Disney—A Magical Life.” Once the show ends, audiences can learn more about how Disneyland plans to continue to move forward in the years to come at an informative exit lobby exhibit that focuses on The Happiest Place on Earth’s future projects.

Starting on July 17, guests will also be able to enjoy the heartwarming 3-and-a-half-minute film “The Last Verse” at Main Street Cinema. Celebrating the timeless connection and hope behind the Sherman brothers’ iconic song “It’s a Small World,” the movie unveils a new verse written by legendary composer Richard M. Sherman for the song’s 60th anniversary last year—his final Disney contribution before sadly passing away. Additionally, park guests will be able to hear the all-new verse when it debuts in the “it’s a small world” attraction that same day.

Guests riding “it’s a small world” during the Disneyland Resort 70th Celebration will notice another recent addition: Miguel and his trusted alebrije, Dante, from Pixar Animation Studios’ “Coco” can now be seen as riders sail through Mexico. This change is one of several updates Disneyland Park has welcomed in recent months, including a newly reimagined bride scene toward the end of Haunted Mansion. The popular attraction has actually undergone several changes over the past year, including an expanded outdoor queue that now features gardens by two of the attraction’s classic characters, Master Gracey and Madame Leota, as well as a Mansion Greenhouse. There’s also an all-new retail shop, Madame Leota’s Somewhere Beyond, where guests can find merchandise themed to Haunted Mansion and “Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas.” From Aug. 22, 2025, through Jan. 7, 2026, Jack Skellington and the residents of Halloween Town will once again take over the eerie estate for the seasonal Haunted Mansion Holiday attraction that’s a part of both Halloween Time at the Disneyland Resort and Holidays at the Disneyland Resort. Both events will coincide with the Disneyland Resort 70th Celebration.

Summertime is also a great time to check out the new Tiana’s Bayou Adventure attraction that opened last November just next door to Haunted Mansion in Bayou Country. The thrilling water ride is the perfect way to escape the summer heat, as it crescendos with a 50-foot drop and a swingin’ soiree featuring the new song “Special Spice” performed by Anika Noni Rose (the voice of Princess Tiana). Riders are sure to be singing the catchy tune as they are wringing out their clothes after disembarking!

Although the Disneyland Resort 70th Celebration will continue through summer 2026, Disneyland Park’s “Wondrous Journeys” nighttime spectacular and Disney California Adventure Park’s “Better Together: A Pixar Pals Celebration!” parade will temporarily pause later this year to make way for the parks’ Halloween and holiday entertainment offerings. Be sure to visit the official Disneyland Resort website for up-to-date show times and announcements about the anniversary celebration. Regardless of when guests visit, they are sure to make joyful memories they won’t soon forget—just like Walt Disney wanted 70 years ago.

For a limited time, guests can purchase specially priced 4-day, one park per day Disneyland anniversary tickets for just $100 a day, or 3-day, one park per day tickets for $120 per day. Tickets can be used on nonconsecutive days from May 16 through Aug. 14.

For more information, visit disneyland.com.