Celebrate Disneyland's 70th Anniversary: Discounts, Parades, and Specialties Await!

Disney has officially kicked off its year-long celebration of Disneyland’s 70th anniversary, and we were thrilled to be invited to preview the exciting festivities planned throughout Summer 2026. This comprehensive guide is your key to everything you need to know about the entertainment, food and beverages, merchandise, and more. From the return of the beloved Paint the Night parade to nostalgic food items and a unique Disneyland Key that unlocks surprises throughout the park, there's so much to anticipate when planning your visit. Below, discover the twelve highlights of Disneyland's 70th anniversary, and let us know what excites you the most!

1. Paint the Night Is Back With Elsa, Anna, and Over One Million LED Lights

   The return of Paint the Night, the fan-favorite nighttime parade that debuted for Disneyland’s 60th anniversary, is generating immense excitement as part of the park’s 70th anniversary celebrations. After its initial run ended in 2016, it's back with over one million LED lights, the beloved Frozen characters Anna and Elsa, and much more.

2. Disneyland is More Affordable Thanks to Limited-Time 70th Anniversary Ticket and Disneyland Hotel Offers For those planning a visit to Disneyland for its 70th anniversary, Disney is making it more budget-friendly with special offers. Guests can purchase a multi-day theme park ticket starting at just $360 with a special 3-day, 1-park per day ticket, or a 4-day, 1-park per day ticket for as low as $400. These tickets are valid from May 16 to August 14 and don't need to be used on consecutive days.

   If you're considering staying on-site, you can save up to 20% on select stays at the Disneyland Hotel during the same period. This not only makes your stay more affordable but also lets you enjoy the hotel's own 70th anniversary celebrations, including special decorations, themed in-room festivities, unique beverages, and more.

   Staying at a Disneyland Resort also offers easy access to Downtown Disney, which is decked out for the occasion. With 70th anniversary medallions featuring beloved Disney characters placed around the area, it's perfect for memorable photos and adds to the festive atmosphere. The path to Disneyland and Disney California Adventure remains a hub for food and shopping experiences.

3. World of Color Happiness! - A New Version of the Disney California Adventure Water Show Featuring Inside Out

   World of Color Happiness! is the latest nighttime spectacular at Disney California Adventure, marking the seventh iteration of World of Color since its debut in 2010. This show celebrates happiness with over one million water fountains and projections, inspired by Walt Disney’s words from Disneyland’s opening day: “To all who come to this happy place… welcome!”

   Inside Out's emotions take center stage in World of Color Happiness!, with Joy and her fellow emotions featured in the show's logo. Guests can interact with the show by voting on which emotions — Sadness, Anger, Disgust, or Envy — appear in various scenes through the Disneyland app.

   The show also includes a new pre-show featuring The Muppets, who are also celebrating their 70th anniversary this year. The musical highlights include a special rendition of ‘Rainbow Connection’ by Boyz II Men and a new original song, ‘Makes Me Wanna Move,’ by FITZ.

   For a look at another impressive show, check out our thoughts on 2023’s World of Color - ONE for Disneyland’s 100th anniversary.

4. Wondrous Journeys Celebrates Over 60 Walt Disney Animation Studios Films With Fireworks, Projections, and Music

   Disneyland’s nighttime spectacular, Wondrous Journeys, which first debuted for Disney’s 100th anniversary, returns for Disneyland’s 70th. This show honors over 60 films from Walt Disney Animation Studios, illustrating the possibilities, excitement, heartache, and determination involved in pursuing dreams.

   Though largely unchanged, Wondrous Journeys remains a cherished spectacle for fans of all ages. The show offers unique experiences depending on your location within Disneyland, including Main Street, U.S.A., Sleeping Beauty Castle, Rivers of America, and the façade of it’s a small world.

   Discover more about Wondrous Journeys in our Disney 100th Anniversary Guide, a must-see filled with heart, emotion, and truly special moments.

5. Better Together: A Pixar Pals Celebration! Shines a Spotlight on the Importance of Friendship with Toy Story, Coco, and More

   Better Together: A Pixar Pals Celebration! is another beloved parade returning for Disneyland’s 70th, featuring characters from Pixar favorites like Toy Story, The Incredibles, Turning Red, Luca, Soul, Coco, Inside Out, Monsters, Inc., and Up.

   The parade, which debuted during Pixar Fest 2024, retains its fun and uplifting message. Susana Tubert, creative director at Disney Live Entertainment, shared, “This parade wants to honor and celebrate the more recent films that Pixar produced where you feel like there are characters who feel lesser than… like they don’t belong. And through these friendships, they're upheld, they're celebrated, and they're accepted. And that's the message that we want this parade to share with our guests - that it's okay to be you, that you can bring your authentic self to Disneyland, and at the end of the day, we're better together.”

6. Tapestry of Happiness Brings a Special Projection Show to it’s a small world that Celebrates Disneyland’s Past

   it’s a small world’s Tapestry of Happiness was a delightful surprise during the Disneyland 70th Anniversary Media Preview. This five-minute show transforms the façade of it’s a small world with projection effects and music, celebrating Disneyland's history in a beautifully nostalgic way.

   Inspired by Disney Legend Mary Blair, who designed it’s a small world, the show features iconic attractions like Pirates of the Caribbean, the Main Street Electrical Parade, the Enchanted Tiki Room, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, and more. The Jonas Brothers’ ‘Celebrate Happy’ Disneyland 70th Anniversary theme song is woven into the show’s soundtrack, making it even more special.

   Adding to the celebration, Coco's Miguel and Dante have been incorporated into the it’s a small world attraction. Additionally, a new verse from the late Richard M. Sherman will be added to the song on July 17.

7. The Celebrate Happy Cavalcade at Disneyland Stars Duffy and ShellieMay

   We were particularly excited to experience The Celebrate Happy Cavalcade led by Duffy and ShellieMay. Originally designed as the “Disney Bear” in 2002 for Disney World’s Disney Springs, Duffy didn't gain much popularity until Tokyo Disney Resort gave him a name, story, and friends like ShellieMay, making him a beloved figure overseas.

   Now, Duffy and ShellieMay get their moment to shine in the U.S. alongside other Disney favorites in this charming smaller parade, which is definitely worth watching.

8. Disney Jr. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live! Is the Perfect Place to Take Your Kids For Some Dancing and Fun

   Disney Jr. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live! is another delightful addition, aimed at younger guests to get up, dance, and sing with Mickey and his friends. In this adventure, Mickey and Minnie are on a quest to find Goofy, Daisy, and Pluto, who are missing from their party, leading to visits to their themed houses, complete with bubbles and fake snow.

   The upbeat music and interactive elements make it a perfect spot for kids to burn off some energy and enjoy their favorite characters while escaping the summer heat.

9. Disneyland 70th Merch, Led by the Disneyland Key, Is a Celebration of Today and Yesterday

   In true Disney fashion, the 70th anniversary comes with a plethora of new merchandise celebrating both the present and the park's rich history. The star of the show is the Disneyland Key, an interactive key that lets guests "unlock magic" in all nine lands of Disneyland.

   Each land has a not-so-hidden lock with a keyhole that fits the key perfectly. Unlocking these locks triggers special effects like music and lights, and adds the land's icon to your key. You don't need to complete this quest in one visit, as progress is saved. Once all locks are unlocked, head to the Mickey Topiary Finale lock by the park's entrance for the final surprise: a secret compartment in the key that reveals one of nine commemorative trading pins representing Disneyland's lands.

   Disneyland 70th Anniversary Merch

   View 15 ImagesYou can explore all the 70th Anniversary merch offerings in the slideshow above and with the link right here.

10. Disneyland Food and Drinks Offer a Window Back in Time With a Delicious Twist One of the highlights of any Disney celebration is the array of new food and drink offerings. Disneyland’s 70th anniversary features over 70 items, blending new delights with dishes inspired by the park's past. Chef Steven Medina and his team have crafted a menu that offers a glimpse into what it was like on opening day, including a Banana Split and Apple Pancake Rolls that were available on July 17, 1955.

    New offerings include creative spins on classics like the 70th Celebration Churro, which features an ube sugar coating, marbled blue raspberry drizzle, and sprinkles, reflecting the anniversary's vibrant colors.

    Disneyland 70th Anniversary Food and Drinks

    View 5 ImagesExplore the full range of 70th anniversary food offerings in the slideshow above and right here!

11. Toy Story Midway Mania!, Carthay Circle, Downtown Disney, and Much More Disneyland's 70th anniversary is packed with experiences, including a refreshed Toy Story Midway Mania! at Disney California Adventure, now adorned with 70th anniversary stickers that Andy has placed around for bonus points.

    Celebrate Happy: A Little Bit of Magic Every Night will light up the exterior of Carthay Circle with projections and a special visit from Tinker Bell. Animation Courtyard, one of the park's most beloved areas, now features attractions like Encanto, Coco, Soul, The Princess and the Frog, Zootopia, and Moana.

    For those with MagicBand+, special interaction points throughout the park, including Jungle Cruise and Frontierland, will offer unique experiences, such as printing out commemorative tickets.

12. Walt Disney - A Magical Life and More Experiences to Come While the celebrations kick off on May 16, the actual 70th anniversary falls on July 17, which also marks the debut of Walt Disney - A Magical Life. This experience will feature the first-ever Audio-Animatronic of Walt Disney, welcoming guests into his office to share his story.

    We recently visited Imagineering to learn more about this project, which you can read about in our feature on how Disney is bringing Walt back to life. Alongside this, an Evolution of a Dream exhibit will showcase items from Walt's past and celebrate Disney's cast members.

    For more on Disney's legacy, check out our story on how a century of Disney Magic began and our list of the 25 best Disney animated movies of all time.