Celebrate Disneyland's 70th Anniversary: 12 Reasons to Visit This Summer with Special Offers

Disney has officially kicked off its year-long celebration of Disneyland’s 70th anniversary, inviting us to preview all the exciting festivities planned throughout Summer 2026. This guide is your ultimate resource for 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 the innovative Disneyland Key, there's a plethora of reasons to plan a visit to the park. Below, we've outlined twelve highlights of Disneyland's 70th anniversary celebration. Let us know which one 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, has generated significant excitement leading up to the 70th celebrations. Initially ending its run in 2016, the parade is now back with over one million LED lights and the beloved characters Anna and Elsa from Frozen, among others.

2. Disneyland is More Affordable Thanks to Limited-Time 70th Anniversary Ticket and Disneyland Hotel Offers

Planning a trip to Disneyland for its 70th anniversary? Disney is making it more accessible with special deals. Guests can purchase a multi-day theme park ticket starting at $360 for a 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 do not need to be used on consecutive days.

For those wishing to stay on property, guests can save up to 20% on select stays at the Disneyland Hotel during the same period. This offer not only provides savings but also a chance to experience the hotel's unique 70th anniversary celebrations, including special decorations, themed in-room festivities, and exclusive beverages.

Staying at the Disneyland Resort means you're just steps away from Downtown Disney, which is festively decorated for the occasion. With 70th anniversary medallions featuring favorite Disney characters as perfect photo spots, and the ongoing food and shopping experiences, the path to Disneyland and Disney California Adventure is more enticing than ever.

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 since its debut in 2010. This show celebrates the essence of happiness with over one million water fountains and projections, drawing inspiration from Walt Disney’s opening day dedication speech at Disneyland.

Inside Out's emotions take center stage, with Joy and other characters integrated into the show's logo. Guests can interact and influence the narrative of World of Color Happiness! by voting for characters like Sadness, Anger, Disgust, or Envy to appear in various scenes via the Disneyland app.

The show also features a new pre-show with The Muppets, who are celebrating their 70th anniversary. The musical score includes a special rendition of 'Rainbow Connection' by Boyz II Men and a new original song, 'Makes Me Wanna Move,' by FITZ.

For insights on the 2023 World of Color - ONE for Disneyland’s 100th anniversary, another impactful show, check out our review.

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

Wondrous Journeys, initially launched for Disney’s 100th anniversary, returns for Disneyland’s 70th. This nighttime spectacular showcases over 60 films from Walt Disney Animation Studios, highlighting the journey of dreams with fireworks, projections, and music.

While largely unchanged, Wondrous Journeys remains a beloved show, offering unique experiences across different park locations such as Main Street, U.S.A., Sleeping Beauty Castle, Rivers of America, and the façade of it’s a small world.

For a detailed review, see our Disney 100th Anniversary Guide. This show is a must-see, brimming with heart, emotion, and unforgettable 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 returning parade for Disneyland’s 70th, featuring beloved characters from Pixar films like Toy Story, The Incredibles, Turning Red, Luca, Soul, Coco, Inside Out, Monsters, Inc., and Up.

This parade, similar to its debut during Pixar Fest 2024, continues to be a fun and meaningful experience. 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

The Tapestry of Happiness at it’s a small world was a delightful surprise during the Disneyland 70th Anniversary Media Preview. This five-minute show uses projection effects and music to celebrate Disneyland’s history, honoring the timeless design by Disney Legend Mary Blair.

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, accompanied by The Jonas Brothers’ ‘Celebrate Happy’ theme song for the anniversary.

Additionally, it’s a small world now includes Coco's Miguel and Dante, and a new verse by the late Richard M. Sherman will be added on July 17.

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

We were thrilled to preview The Celebrate Happy Cavalcade, led by Duffy and ShellieMay. Originally designed as the “Disney Bear” in 2002 at Disney World’s Disney Springs, Duffy gained immense popularity at Tokyo Disney Resort with a new name, story, and friends like ShellieMay. Now, they get to shine in this smaller yet captivating parade at Disneyland.

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 a delightful addition for younger guests, encouraging them to dance and sing with Mickey and friends. The show follows Mickey and Minnie as they search for Goofy, Daisy, and Pluto, visiting themed houses filled with fun elements like bubbles and fake snow.

With its upbeat music and engaging storyline, it's an excellent way for kids to burn off energy and escape the heat.

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

Disneyland’s 70th anniversary brings a wide array of new merchandise that celebrates both the present and the past. The highlight is the Disneyland Key, an interactive item that lets guests "unlock magic" in all nine lands of the park.

Each land features a hidden lock and keyhole where the key fits perfectly, triggering special effects like music and lights, and adding the land’s icon to the key. Once all nine lands are unlocked, guests can visit the Mickey Topiary Finale lock near the park entrance to reveal a final surprise: a secret compartment in the key containing one of nine commemorative trading pins, representing the lands of Disneyland.

Disneyland 70th Anniversary Merch

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You 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

Trying new food and drink offerings is a highlight of any Disney Park visit, and the 70th anniversary is no exception. With over 70 items to savor, guests can enjoy both new delights and dishes inspired by Disneyland’s early days.

Chef Steven Medina and his team have crafted a nostalgic menu, including recreations of opening day favorites like the Banana Split and Apple Pancake Rolls. New offerings include the 70th Celebration Churro, featuring an ube sugar coating, marbled blue raspberry drizzle, and sprinkles, reflecting the anniversary colors.

Disneyland 70th Anniversary Food and Drinks

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You can explore the 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 offers numerous experiences. Toy Story Midway Mania! at Disney California Adventure now features 70th anniversary stickers that Andy has added, providing bonus points when hit, adding a fun twist to this popular attraction.

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

For those with MagicBand+, there are special interaction points at attractions like Jungle Cruise and Frontierland, which print out commemorative tickets celebrating this milestone.

12. Walt Disney - A Magical Life and More Experiences to Come

While the celebrations begin on May 16, the actual anniversary falls on July 17, coinciding with the debut of Walt Disney - A Magical Life. This unique experience features Walt Disney as an Audio-Animatronic, welcoming guests into his office to share his story.

Our recent visit to Imagineering provided insights into this project; you can read more about how Disney is bringing Walt back to life. This will open alongside the Evolution of a Dream exhibit, showcasing Walt’s personal items and a tribute to the history of Disney’s cast members.

For more, explore our story on a century of Disney Magic and our list of the 25 best Disney animated movies of all time.