Disneyland’s 70th Anniversary Celebration

 Source: Disneyland Resort

Disneyland is turning 70 in July, and the celebration is about to begin. From little surprises to completely new shows, the anniversary will be packed with fun and extra magic. Whether you’re a lifelong fan or visiting for the first time, you’ll be sure to find something exciting to experience during the year-long party. Here’s a quick breakdown of what’s new and what to expect during Disneyland’s 70th anniversary celebration!

SPECIAL ATTRACTIONS AND CELEBRATION SHOWS

First, the Disneyland offerings.

• Walt Disney – A Magical Life: This attraction, located in the Main Street Opera House, will feature the first-ever audio-animatronic figure of Walt Disney himself. Walt will appear in his office and directly address guests in the audience. After its initial run for the anniversary, the show will alternate with Great Moments With Mr. Lincoln, which shares the theater space.
• Disney Gallery: Alongside the new show, the Disney Gallery within the Opera House will also host a new exhibition focused on the history of the park and evolution of audio-animatronic technology. The exhibition will include artwork and memorabilia (some never publicly displayed before) from both Walt Disney Imagineering and the Walt Disney Archives.
• Tapestry of Happiness: This new nighttime projection show will illuminate It’s A Small World and feature the anniversary’s official new theme song, “Celebrate Happy”, as performed by the Jonas Brothers. The show will feature animated mosaics of Disneyland attractions and memories throughout the past 70 years.
• It’s Small World’s Final Verse: It’s A Small World will feature a new ending verse in the attraction’s final scene. Written by the late Richard M. Sherman as his “last gift” to Disney before his passing, the verse emphasizes unity and love. Guests will also be able to view a short film on the song’s history and the Sherman Brothers’ legacy at the Main Street Cinema throughout the anniversary celebration.
• Wondrous Journeys: This popular version of the fireworks show will return for the 70th, featuring scenes from classics like Hercules, The Princess and the Frog, Peter Pan, Frozen, Big Hero 6, Moana, and Encanto. The show is set to the original song “It’s Wondrous”, and includes a medley of 17 Disney songs.
• Celebrate Happy Cavalcade: For those unfamiliar with the term “cavalcade” in Disney language, it’s basically a mini parade procession. During the celebration, this cavalcade will feature Mickey, Minnie, and some of their friends, alongside dancers and a burst of color on Main Street every afternoon.

 Source: Disneyland Resort

And next, let’s hop over to see what’s in store for California Adventure.

• Better Together, A Pixar Pals Celebration: California Adventure is finally bringing back a daytime parade! Better Together will feature more than 30 iconic Pixar characters and feature floats celebrating classic animations. The parade will start in Avengers Campus, wind through Hollywood Land and Buena Vista Street, pass the entrances to Cars Land and San Fransokyo Square, and end in Paradise Gardens Park.
• Toy Story Midway Mania: Pixar Pier‘s fan-favorite attraction will get a special update for the 70th anniversary. Throughout the celebration, Midway Mania will feature new 70-themed targets and opportunities to score big points in various games.
• World of Color – Happiness: World of Color will get a special overlay to mark the 70th. Happiness will feature a new original song, “Makes Me Wanna Move” by Fitz of Fitz and the Tantrums. The show celebrates seven decades of Disney magic, and even features a special pre-show message from the Muppets.
• Celebrate Happy at Carthay Circle: We have very little information about this offering as of writing this post. But Disney has teased that Carthay Circle will offer special menu items and “enhanced experiences” as part of the anniversary celebration.

 Source: Disneyland Resort

MERCH AND MAGICAL EXTRAS

Throughout both parks and Downtown Disney, you’ll have the chance to shop, play, and make some memories with some special anniversary offerings. Here are the “magical extras” coming to Disneyland’s 70th anniversary celebration.

• Anniversary ticket offer: From May 16 to August 14, guests can participate in discounted admission offers with special ticket pricing. There are two offers: 4-day, 1-park per day for $400, or 3-day, 1-park per day for $360.
• PhotoPass lenses: You’ll find a bunch of new photo opportunities during the celebration. These include special character meet and greets (including Mickey and Minnie in new 70th anniversary outfits), and celebration lenses/augmented photos through the Disneyland App.
• MagicBand+ special experiences: MagicBand+ users will be able to experience special effects at various locations throughout the resort, and will have added effects synced to shows, including Paint the Night and World of Color. Plus, a special 70th anniversary edition of the MagicBand+ will be available for purchase at numerous stores throughout the resort.
• New merchandise collections: You’ll find a ton of new merchandise over the next year celebrating the 70th anniversary, many of which feature retro-inspired designs of decades past. Spirit jerseys, pins, tumblers, backpacks, ears…if you can dream it, Disney’s probably selling it.
• Key to Disneyland: And finally, the resort will offer an interactive adventure to celebrate turning 70. If you purchase a commemorative key, you can “unlock” surprises at designated “lock stations” in each of Disneyland’s lands. Unlock every lock station, and you’ll receive a (yet to be revealed) special keepsake.

 Source: Disney Parks Blog

For more detailed information about Disneyland’s 70th anniversary celebration, visit the official page here.