Each year, Disneyland gears up for its most popular and consistently crowded season: summer! To officially kick off summer, the resort hosts a 24-hour day in both Disneyland and California Adventure, usually around Memorial Day. This celebration gives guests unlimited access to all of the rides and attractions in the park for a full 24-hours!
The Summer Kickoff also has an added bonus: TONS of characters; even Disney’s most rarely-seen villains, heroes, and sidekicks visit the park and interact with one another. Some of these characters appear in special entertainment and exclusive meet and greets, while others roam the park and mingle with guests.
In addition, shops and vendors within the park offer exclusive merchandise during the 24 Hour Summer Kickoff. Some examples include: collector pins, souvenir cups and bowls, and glow-in-the-dark toys and accessories.
Check out this photo of Josh Gad (Olaf) kicking off last year’s opening ceremony:
The 2015 Summer Kickoff event was on Friday, May 22nd. Guests with tickets or annual passes had admission to both Disneyland and California Adventure from 6 AM May 22nd to 6 AM May 23rd. All rides, attractions, and restaurants were open, plus the park hosted special event entertainment and vendors. The kickoff also marked the start of the resort’s 60th anniversary celebration: The Diamond Jubilee.