Cheat Sheet to Disneyland's 70th Anniversary Celebration

Disneyland is celebrating a big birthday this year - 70 years! The event just started on May 16, 2025 and will continue through summer 2026. I was just down in Anaheim for the media event that launched the celebration, so I was able to preview all the new offerings.

Related: Complete Guide to Visiting Disneyland in 2025

After more than a decade covering Disney parks, I've found that every time there is a special event, the number of offerings can be pretty overwhelming. Reading long articles about every single detail is a bit like drinking from a firehose. Trying to fit all of it into a single trip, or prioritizing what you want to see most, can seem daunting as well.

So I decided to cover this celebration a little differently - by keeping it short and sweet! Below, I've highlighted the entertainment, attractions, food, decor, and more in the most efficient way possible with just the essentials you need to know.

And I've summed it all up at the end in a single 1 page PDF. Download it to your phone or print it to take to the parks to make sure you prioritize what you are most interested in seeing.

In Disneyland Park

Celebrate Happy Cavalcade

Duffy and ShellieMay lead this short daytime mini-parade twice daily down Main Street U.S.A. set to music by the Jonas Brothers created especially for the celebration.

Paint the Night Parade

This fan favorite illuminated nighttime parade from Disneyland's 60th celebration is back. View it twice nightly on the parade route from it's a small world to Main Street U.S.A and back.

Wondrous Journeys

Nighttime spectacular that originally debuted during Disney 100 celebrating Walt Disney Animation Studios movies. Watch projections on Main Street, U.S.A., Sleeping Beauty Castle, “it’s a small world” and the Rivers of America, with fireworks on select nights. 

Tapestry of Happiness

A short projection show rooted in nostalgia appears on the "it's a small world" facade multiple times nightly.

MagicBand+ Scanners

If you have a Disney MagicBand+, visit 5 tap points in Disneyland park - one in each of the original lands of Disneyland. Some kiosks distribute souvenir cards and others come to life with special effects.

Locations:

• Main Street U.S.A.: Cinema ticket booth
• Tomorrowland: Across from the entrance to Autopia
• Fantasyland: In the tunnel immediately next to the entrance of the castle walk through
• Frontierland: Along the wooden boardwalk just before Golden Horseshoe
• Adventureland: In a small covered nook to the right of the Jungle Cruise entrance

Everything Else

• Get photos in Town Square by the 70th icon or in front of the medallion that adorns the Sleeping Beauty Castle front.
• When you ride "it's a small world," look for Dante and Miguel from Coco in the Americas room - they are a brand new addition!
• See Mickey, Minnie & pals in Town Square dressed in their special 70th costumes.
• One of the new merchandise items for the 70th that is getting a lot of coverage is the Key to Disneyland ($59.99). Use it to unlock 9 interactive stations in Disneyland park to reveal a hidden commemorative trading pin.
• There is new food for the 70th in nearly every restaurant. See the Foodie Guide to plan your picks in advance.
• Dining packages available during the 70th in Disneyland park: Plaza Inn (Paint the Night); Tomorrowland Skyline Terrace (Wondrous Journeys). Plus the usual Cafe Orleans, River Belle Terrace, or Rancho del Zocalo dining pacakges are available for Fantasmic!
• On May 23, 2025, two offerings for younger kids in Disneyland park are returning. In the Fantasyland Theater, the Pixar Pals Playtime Party from Pixar Fest returns. Over on the Tomorrowland Terrace stage, kids can dance with Stitch and friends in Stitch’s Interplanetary Beach Party Blast.
• Coming Later: On July 17, 2025 (the actual 70th birthday), Walt Disney - A Magical Life - an animatronics show featuring Walt himself - will debut in the Opera House.

In Disney California Adventure

Better Together: A Pixar Pals Celebration! Parade

The parade from last year's Pixar Fest returns with fan favorites Mei and 4*Town from Turning Red. The parade route is long so it's easy to catch this without camping out.

World of Color Happiness!

An all-new World of Color show featuring Inside Out emotions, a rendition of Rainbow Connection by Boyz II Men, and a hilarious pre-show with the Muppets that steals the show. Be sure to request a virtual queue spot in the Disneyland app at 12:00pm daily for the best viewing areas and vote for the Inside Out emotion you want featured in the show.

Celebrate Happy: A Little Bit of Magic Every Night

Short projections show set to the Celebrate Happy theme song appears on Carthay Circle multiple times nightly.

Toy Story Midway Mania

The interactive ride has been covered in 70th decor, and new 70 targets in the gameplay are worth more so you can probably beat your personal best score!

Want to ride without a wait? Rope dropping is a good strategy for Toy Story Midway Mania (note: it's not open for early entry) or prioritize it as one of your first 2-3 Lightning Lane Multi Pass selections.

Everything Else

• Get 70th photos in by the 70th icon (near the Walt & Mickey statue) or in front of the medallion that adorns Carthay Circle theater.
• If you have little kids, the brand new Disney Jr. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live! show in the Disney Theater is a must-see.
• There's even more 70th food all over DCA. See the Foodie Guide to plan your picks in advance.
• Dining packages available during the 70th in DCA: Wine Country Trattoria (World of Color Happiness!), World of Color Dessert Party (World of Color Happiness!), or Pixar Pals Dessert Package (“Better Together: A Pixar Pals Celebration!”)
• Phineas & Ferb are also meeting & greeting in Hollywood Land for a limited time with Perry the Platypus.

Outside of the Parks

There is decor galore in Downtown Disney and the three hotels of the Disneyland Resort, plus special food at many Downtown Disney restaurants.

Download the Disneyland70 Cheat Sheet

Download the 1 page PDF guide to the Disneyland 70 Celebration here!

Disclosure: Disney hosted me on my most recent media event visit to preview the 70th Anniversary offerings, providing transportation, accommodations, food, and park access. I visit Disneyland regularly on other occasions entirely at my own expense. All opinions are my own.