Here’s How Disneyland Is Celebrating Its 70th Anniversary

Since Disneyland's 65th-anniversary celebration was sidelined in 2020, the park’s upcoming 70th is going to be an extra big bash, with the return of three fan-favorite entertainment offerings, a nostalgic walk down memory lane on Main Street U.S.A. and a brand-new verse added to one of Disney’s most beloved attraction songs.

The resort-wide celebration kicks off May 16, 2025, but will continue through summer 2026, with several notable experiences debuting on Disneyland’s actual 70th anniversary this July.

Here’s what clients can expect when they join the party.

A Themed Celebration

The theme for Disneyland’s 70th-anniversary celebration is “Celebrate Happy,” inspired by Walt Disney’s famous words from the park’s opening day: “To all who come to this happy place… welcome!” The theme will be presented through a new character cavalcade called “Mickey and Friends Celebrate Happy!” featuring favorite characters (including Duffy and ShellieMay) celebrating “seven decades of happiness” and a new projection show on the facade of “it’s a small world.”

“Disneyland is the place where the magic began in 1955, and there’s 70 years of magical stories to bring to life,” said Sue Pisaturo, president and founder of Small World Vacations. “The ‘Celebrate Happy’ theme is something guests of all ages will want to experience."

California Adventure will also invite guests to “celebrate happy” during a special evening moment filled with music, lights and projection effects on the exterior of Carthay Circle Restaurant.

New and Returning Spectaculars

Immediately after it debuted in January 2023 for Disney’s 100th anniversary, “Wondrous Journeys” was dubbed Disney’s best-ever projection and fireworks show, so it’s no surprise it’s back for the 70th celebration.

Also returning to Disneyland Park — in all its million+ LED-lit glory — is “Paint the Night,” a nighttime parade inspired by the iconic Main Street Electrical Parade, which first debuted for Disneyland’s 60th anniversary but was last seen at California Adventure in 2018.

Across the esplanade, the whimsical “Better Together: A Pixar Pals Celebration!” daytime parade (which debuted last summer for Pixar Fest) will bring the anniversary party to California Adventure’s parade route.

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After dark, an all-new water and projection show called “World of Color Happiness!” will transform Paradise Bay with lighting, colorful lasers, fog and flame effects. The new nighttime spectacular hosted by the Emotions from “Inside Out” and “Inside Out 2”— also inspired by Walt’s opening day speech — will feature music and moments from favorite Disney and Pixar movies as well as a special rendition of “Rainbow Connection,” performed by R&B group Boyz II Men, and a new original song called “Makes Me Wanna Move.”

“Wondrous Journeys” and “Better Together” will pause for seasonal Halloween and Holiday entertainment, so clients should plan their visits accordingly.

Nostalgic Details to See During the Celebration 

On July 17, 2025, Disneyland's official 70th anniversary, several nostalgic experiences will debut on Main Street U.S.A.

A new three-and-a-half-minute film, “The Last Verse,” will premiere in the Main Street Cinema, celebrating the Sherman brothers’ iconic song, “It’s a Small World.” The film also features a new verse written by composer Richard M. Sherman — his final gift to Disney fans before passing away last year.

“As the creators of some of the most cherished music of the past century, the Sherman brothers will be remembered for their profound impact on our global culture,” said Bob Iger, CEO of Disney. “This beautiful short film is our tribute to their immeasurable musical contributions, and to the countless memories they helped create for generations of people around the world.”

This third and final verse will debut in the "It's a Small World" attraction at Disneyland beginning July 17.

Inside the Main Street Opera House, an all-new gallery experience curated by Imagineering and the Walt Disney Archives will trace the history of Disneyland through images, art and artifacts, from the park’s very early stages through today. A second special exhibit looks at the history of Walt Disney Audio-Animatronics technology, beginning with Walt's original inspiration and following the evolution of figures over the years.

These experiences will include more than 30 artifacts from The Walt Disney Family Museum in San Francisco, including an original rocking chair, lamp and table from Walt's private apartment above the Main Street Fire Station; these items have never been publicly exhibited at Disneyland. Also on loan from the museum are Walt's 1955 Emmy for the "Walt Disney's Disneyland" TV show, his Presidential Medal of Freedom awarded by President Johnson in 1964 and the Walt Disney Commemorative Medal presented to Lillian Disney by President Nixon in 1969.

Debuting on July 17, 2025, alongside the new Main Street Opera House exhibits, is “Walt Disney – A Magical Life,” an all-new attraction that tells the story of Walt’s life through remastered footage and audio recordings. When the curtain rises, guests will be transported to Walt's office, where the first-ever Walt Disney Audio-Animatronics figure will share stories and words of wisdom.

“This new show will bring together the past, present and future of Disney storytelling,” said Josh D’Amaro, Disney experiences chairman. “To create our first Walt figure is an idea that’s been whispered in the hallowed halls of Imagineering for years — maybe even decades. We just had to wait for innovation to catch up with our dreams.”

After its initial run, “Walt Disney – A Magical Life” will play in rotation with “Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln.”

“The Disneyland legacy is rich in history and story,” Pisaturo said. “It's the perfect time for guests to create their own legacy by sharing cherished memoires during this milestone anniversary celebration.”