Disneyland Celebrates 70 Years with ‘Celebrate Happy’ Theme

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Disneyland celebrates 70 years of magic with festive displays and celebrations.

News Summary

Disneyland is celebrating its 70th anniversary with a festive theme, ‘Celebrate Happy,’ featuring new attractions, beloved parades, exclusive merchandise, and an exciting array of food options. The festivities aim to honor the park’s rich history while introducing innovative experiences for guests, including attractions inspired by popular films and nostalgic menu items. With special shows and collectible merchandise, Disneyland invites visitors to join in the celebration of its legacy and future.

Disneyland Resort, Anaheim – Disneyland is kicking off its 70th anniversary celebration, themed “Celebrate Happy,” which officially commenced in May 2025 and will extend through summer 2026. The celebration is rich with festive decorations, entertainment, food offerings, and exclusive merchandise, designed to honor Disneyland’s illustrious history while simultaneously looking toward an exciting future.

Among the key announcements, new attractions themed around popular films like “Coco” and “Avatar” will be introduced at Disney California Adventure Park. However, it is important to note that these attractions are not scheduled to open until after the 70th anniversary festivities conclude. This period of celebration is not only a commemoration of the park’s storied past but also a showcase of its future direction, with nods to classic elements beloved by generations of visitors.

The 70th anniversary celebration highlights include the much-anticipated return of the Paint the Night parade, previously featured during Disneyland’s 60th anniversary. The event boasts four nighttime shows, including a captivating fireworks display and a new projection show titled Tapestry of Happiness, which will illuminate the facade of the iconic It’s a Small World ride, illustrating the park’s rich history with original animation. Additionally, the “Wondrous Journeys” nighttime spectacular is notable for celebrating Disney Animation’s centennial.

As part of the festivities, Disneyland Resort has also unveiled a new safety spiel video featuring the popular Muppets, which plays a role in the World’s Color Happiness! show. This enhances the ongoing commitment to guest safety and engagement amid the celebratory atmosphere.

Food lovers are in for a treat with the introduction of over 70 new menu items, offering contemporary takes on classic Disneyland flavors. New offerings include the Peach Cobbler Funnel Cake Fries and the Banana Split Churro, which aim to evoke nostalgia while delighting guests’ taste buds. Furthermore, guests can explore enhanced food and merchandise experiences, including special collectible popcorn buckets and unique merchandise collections, such as the Celebration Collection, Castle Collection, Vault Collection, and Walt Disney Nostalgia Collection.

To enhance the interactive experience, Disneyland introduced the Key to Disneyland, allowing guests to unlock surprises at various stations throughout the park. The MagicBand+ also makes its debut, offering guests further interactive opportunities as they explore the park’s offerings. The combination of these elements aims to foster an emotional connection for visitors, especially following the absence of celebrations during the pandemic.

In addition to new attractions and food experiences, the park is revitalizing existing attractions to celebrate the occasion. Enhancements to popular rides like Toy Story Midway Mania! are turning into additional features that resonate with the anniversary theme. Moreover, new character integrations are being added to classic attractions such as It’s a Small World, heightening the connection between Disney’s past and present.

Overall, the Disneyland 70th anniversary celebration presents a multifaceted approach, blending nostalgia with innovation and a commitment to quality entertainment. As the park invites visitors to join in the festivities, its aim to celebrate both the legacy of Disneyland and the excitement of what lies ahead is evident.