Disneyland kicks off yearlong 70th anniversary party

Disneyland unwrapped a bunch of birthday presents in celebration of the Anaheim theme park’s 70th anniversary that included a new World of Color water show along with a returning Pixar daytime parade, nighttime electrical parade and fan-favorite fireworks extravaganza.

The 70th anniversary celebration of the original Disney theme park kicks off today, May 16, and will run through summer 2026 at Disneyland and Disney California Adventure.

ALSO SEE: Disneyland’s 70th anniversary celebration — Here’s everything you need to know

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Here’s the entertainment lineup for Disneyland’s big 7-0 birthday bash plus a few new and updated attractions that are part of the party.

World of Color Happiness! inside California Adventure at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, CA, on Tuesday, May 13, 2025. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

The Muppets greeted visitors before the start of World of Color Happiness! inside California Adventure at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, CA, on Tuesday, May 13, 2025. Disneyland is celebrating its 70th anniversary from May 16, 2025 through summer 2026. inside California Adventure at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, CA, on Tuesday, May 13, 2025. The show, hosted by Joy from “Inside Out”, draws inspiration from Walt Disney’s opening day dedication speech at Disneyland in 1955. Disneyland is celebrating its 70th anniversary from May 16, 2025 through summer 2026.(Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

World of Color Happiness! inside California Adventure at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, CA, on Tuesday, May 13, 2025. Disneyland is celebrating its 70th anniversary from May 16, 2025 through summer 2026. inside California Adventure at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, CA, on Tuesday, May 13, 2025. The show, hosted by Joy from “Inside Out”, draws inspiration from Walt Disney’s opening day dedication speech at Disneyland in 1955. Disneyland is celebrating its 70th anniversary from May 16, 2025 through summer 2026.(Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

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World of Color Happiness! inside California Adventure at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, CA, on Tuesday, May 13, 2025. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

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World of Color Happiness

The new “World of Color Happiness” water show hosted by Joy from “Inside Out” draws inspiration from Walt Disney’s opening day dedication speech at Disneyland in 1955.

ALSO SEE: 13 Disneyland anniversary foods that offer nods to park’s past

Sleeping Beauty Castle is light up during “Wondrous Journeys” Nighttime Spectacular at Disneyland in Anaheim, CA, on Wednesday, May 14, 2025. Disneyland is celebrating its 70th anniversary from May 16, 2025 through summer 2026.(Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

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Wondrous Journeys

The returning “Wondrous Journeys” fireworks show features storytelling highlights that focus on “Peter Pan,” “Frozen,” “Princess and the Frog,” “Moana,” “Encanto,” “Big Hero 6” and “Hercules.”

The Paint the Night Parade travels past It’s a Small World at Disneyland in Anaheim, CA, on Wednesday, May 14, 2025. Disneyland is celebrating its 70th anniversary from May 16, 2025 through summer 2026.(Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

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Paint the Night

The returning Paint the Night nighttime electrical parade includes floats dedicated to the “Incredibles,” “Peter Pan,” “Monsters Inc.,” “Cars,” “Little Mermaid,” “Toy Story,” “Frozen” and the Disney princesses.

“Better Together: A Pixar Pals Celebration!” Parade inside California Adventure at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, CA, on Tuesday, May 13, 2025. Disneyland is celebrating its 70th anniversary from May 16, 2025 through summer 2026.
(Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

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Better Together

The returning Better Together parade has roller skaters, bicyclists and dancers accompanying floats dedicated to “Turning Red,” “Soul,” “Luca,” “Up” and “Inside Out.”

ALSO SEE: Disneyland Magic Key passes on sale again and how to get them

Tapestry of Happiness projection show on It’s a Small World ride at Disneyland in Anaheim, CA, on Wednesday, May 14, 2025. Disneyland is celebrating its 70th anniversary from May 16, 2025 through summer 2026.(Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

A new projection show called, “Celebrate Happy: A Little Bit of Magic Every Night” on the Carthay Circle is helps cement the theme “Celebrate Happy” as visitors walk along Buena Vista Street inside California Adventure at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, CA, on Tuesday, May 13, 2025. Disneyland is celebrating its 70th anniversary from May 16, 2025 through summer 2026.(Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

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More Entertainment

And that’s not all. The 70th anniversary entertainment lineup also includes:

Mickey and Friends Celebrate Happy Cavalcade on Main Street U.S.A.
“Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live” in the Disney Junior Theater
Pixar Pals Playtime Party in the Fantasyland Theatre
Stitch’s Interplanetary Beach Party Blast on the Tomorrowland Terrace stage
“Tapestry of Happiness” nighttime projection show on the It’s a Small World facade
“Celebrate Happy” nighttime projection show on the Carthay Circle restaurant exterior

ALSO SEE: Disneyland rolls out 70 menu items for 70th anniversary

Miguel, from Pixar‘s Coco, with his spirit animal Dante, in It’s a Small World inside Disneyland in Anaheim, CA, on Tuesday, May 13, 2025. Disneyland is celebrating its 70th anniversary from May 16, 2025 through summer 2026.
(Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

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Ride Updates

It’s a Small World adds a couple Coco dolls and Toy Story Midway Mania gets a ride overlay with 70th anniversary games.

The biggest new addition will be unveiled on July 17 — the actual date Disneyland opened in 1955.

The new “Walt Disney — A Magical Life” show at the Main Street Opera House will debut on July 17 with the world’s first audio-animatronic figure of Walt Disney.

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Disneyland has a whole lotta ‘Happy’ going on during 70th birthday bash News The Happiest Place on Earth has leaned heavily into “Happy” during Disneyland’s yearlong 70th anniversary party that will see the Anaheim theme park “Celebrate Happy” in five different ways. Related Articles 13 Disneyland anniversary foods that offer nods to park’s past Disneyland turns It’s a Small World into a fun…
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