Disneyland’s 70th Anniversary in 2025 – What’s on Tap!

A Disneyland birthday is coming, and Disney has started to announce what’s in store for the festivities. The Disneyland Resort 70th Celebration will run from May 16, 2025 through the summer of 2026, and honor seven decades for Walt’s first park, the Happiest Place on Earth. Let’s take a look!

World of Color Happiness

World of Color is the iconic light, flame, and water nighttime show at California Adventure Park, and for the Disneyland 70th we’ll be getting a new version. World of Color Happiness will light up Paradise Bay, exploring the meaning of “happy” through a kaleidoscope of emotions. Look for Joy and the Emotions from the Pixar “Inside Out” films to bring out the meaning of happy with music and moments from other Disney and Pixar films including “Turning Red,” “A Goofy Movie,” “Tangled,” “The Lion King”, and more.

Alongside the lineup of Disney classics, Boyz II Men will offer a rendition of “Rainbow Connection,” and you’ll hear a new original song “Makes Me Wanna Move” by FITZ. And before the performance even gets going, Joe the Legal Weasel will guide more than a dozen Muppets to deliver messages ahead of the show.

Paint the Night Parade

Widely regarded as one of Disney’s best parades, Paint the Night comes back to Disneyland Park for it’s 70th. Mickey Mouse uses his imagination and Tinker Bell’s pixie dust to “Paint the Night” with scenes from Disney and Pixar films such as “Monsters, Inc.,” “Cars,” “Toy Story”, “The Little Mermaid,” “Beauty and the Beast,” and more. Look for vibrant costumes, bright lights, and an energy you won’t soon forget. And, Disney has announced that the “Frozen” float featuring Anna and Elsa will return to the parade for the first time since its initial run!

Wondrous Journeys

Every nighttime parade needs a companion nighttime spectacular, and Wondrous Journeys will light up Main Street U.S.A., Sleeping Beauty Castle, “it’s a small world” and the Rivers of America with state-of-the-art projection effects. These structures will be transformed into a canvas for artistry, music, storytelling, and heart with moments from films like “Hercules,” “The Princess and the Frog,” “Peter Pan,” “Frozen,” “Big Hero 6,” “Moana,” “Encanto” and more. On select nights, the show will include fireworks. When the holidays come around, Wondrous Journeys will take a temporary pause for seasonal entertainment, and then resume at a later time.

“Better Together: A Pixar Pals Celebration!” Parade

The “Better Together: A Pixar Pals Celebration!” Parade will be back as Disney California Adventure’s daytime parade. Look for nearly 30 favorite characters from “Luca,” “Turning Red,” “Up,” and other Pixar favorites, brought to life with dynamic, colorful floats and hoppin’ musical accompaniment. Like Wondrous Journeys, Better Together will take a pause during Halloween and Christmas and return when seasonal entertainment concludes.

Tapestry of Happiness 

its a ride, its an attraction, its a symbol of Disney. And every night during the 70th, the facade of “its a small world” will be graced with lights, music, and projection effects. The Tapestry of Happiness will “create an animated mosaic of Disneyland attractions, moments, and memories brought to life in a unique style inspired by the work of legendary Disney artist Mary Blair.” And, it will be accompanied by the original theme song created especially for the 70th celebration, “Celebrate Happy” – plus riffs and notes from other Disneyland tunes through the years.

Inside the ride, look for an all-new scene featuring Miguel and Dante from Coco. Guests will be able to enjoy this new scene beginning with the attraction’s reopening on April 25, 2025.

The Parks Glow Up for the Anniversary

Look for everything around the resort to be dressed in its celebratory best. Mickey & Minnie will have custom looks designed just for the occasion of a new character cavalcade: “Mickey and Friends Celebrate Happy!”

As it travels the parade route in Disneyland Park, you can clap and dance along with your favorite characters. That includes a few you don’t normally see in the American parks, like Duffy and ShellieMay!

Sleeping Beauty Castle will have a new medallion to commemorate the 70th. And in the esplanade between the two parks, a 50-foot sculpture inspired by the castle will feature glass panels and golden charms representing the five original lands at Disneyland Park.

Stay tuned for more announcements as the next few weeks unfold until the celebration begins!

What are you excited to see at Disney’s 70th Anniversary Celebration? Let us know in the comments!

(Originally published December 5, 2024. Last updated/republished March 6, 2025.)