Come celebrate happy, seven decades of happiness at the Happiest Place on Earth. Disneyland opened on July 17, 1955. To commemorate this huge celebration Disney has announced new entertainment, new food offerings, a new Walt Disney animatronic, merchandise and more experiences throughout the resort. I have compiled all of the details here for you in this ultimate guide to help you plan your trip. This celebration is going on now and will last through summer of 2026! You’ll want to make sure you print the free 70th celebration food and entertainment GUIDE found at the end of this article.
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Planning a trip for Disneyland 70th celebration
There are so many ticket and hotel deals available to come visit. First off check out this AMAZING summer ticket deal for the 70th celebration!
- Tickets start at $94/day for 4-Day 1-Park per Day Tickets and less than $120/day for 3-Day
- Tickets must be used for travel May 16 – August 14, 2025 and do NOT have to be used consecutively (you can get that 4-day ticket and go twice!)
- Tickets can be upgraded to include Park Hopping and/or Lightning Lane Multi Pass
- Purchase tickets HERE
Combine ticket deals with hotel savings, Extra Night Free specials like 3rd and 4th nights free on many hotels. Also save 20% on select nights at the Disneyland Resort hotels. Reduced rates, free parking and exclusive breakfast offers at many hotels only when you book here through Get Away Today my travel partner. Or Call 855-GET-AWAY and tell them Magical Tour Guide sent you for the most current deals. Plus combine with promo code DTG10 to save even more.
To help you plan the dates of your trips use our 2025 Crowd Calendar. And as you plan remember that Halloween starts August 22 – October 31st. Then the Holidays begin November 14 – January 7, 2026 and we will have holiday entertainment not 70th celebration entertainment most likely.
Entertainment for Disneyland 70th celebration
Let’s dive into all of the entertainment offerings during the 70th celebration. First and probably the most exciting is the return of the parade, Paint the Night. This nighttime parade has more than a million LED lights. The music, lights, colors, floats, costumes and more make this parade a MUST SEE! The parade is shown twice daily at 8:45 p.m. and 10:45 p.m. Check the Disneyland app on the day you’re there to be sure of the times. I have lots of parade tips including the parade route map, best places to sit and more over on my parade tips post.
There are are two paid parade viewing options available. Book either the Plaza Inn parade dining package or A Story of Celebration: 70th Anniversary Guided Tour. Here are more details about these two options.
A Story of Celebration: 70th Anniversary Guided Tour includes…
- During the new 2 hour walking tour you’ll journey through the past and learn about significant Disneyland moments.
- Experience some original attractions and take a scenic ride aboard the Mark Twain Riverboat and the Disneyland Railroad.
- Enjoy Lightning Lane entry for a select attraction.
- Get access to a reserved viewing area for Paint the Night and popcorn to munch on while watching the parade.
- Receive a special tour keepsake.
- Price – $120 per Person (tax not included) OR Disney VISA Card Member Price $102.00 Get your own Disney VISA card and save!
Tours offered daily. Use the Disneyland app to book this experience. I am going to do this tour in July and will share my experience! I have done the holiday tour and you can read all about it over here.
Parade Dining Package option
Looking for another prime viewing spot of Paint the Night you can book the Plaza Inn dining package. This package comes with a reserved viewing area for Paint the Night. Here are the details…
- Starting May 16 to August 21, 2025
- Dining Time: 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM
- Guests will receive a voucher for the day’s first performance of the Paint the Night
- Package Pricing – Lunch: $55 per adult and $28 per child (ages 3 to 9)
- Reserve a dining time between 1:00 PM and 4:00 PM. Then you’ll receive a voucher to return for the first parade. The viewing area is mainly standing room or ground seating. I have done the dining package before and it’s totally worth it. You can also watch my review of this option on my YouTube channel.
There’s more 70th celebration entertainment to see in Disneyland…
- Celebrate Happy Cavalcade 1:30 pm and 2:45 p.m. (great way to see the characters in their new celebration outfits.)
- Wondrous Journeys with fireworks on select nights at 9:30 p.m. (for all my fireworks tips and recommendations head over here.)
- Tapestry of Happiness projection show on facade of It’s a Small World 9:50pm 10:20 pm 11:30 pm and 11:45 p.m.
Then over in Disney California Adventure there’s more entertainment…
- Better Together: A Pixar Pals Celebration! parade 2:30 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. (for more parade tips including the parade route head over here.)
- NEW – World of Color Happiness 9:00 p.m. and 10:15 p.m. this show also has a dessert party option
- Exterior projection show at Carthay Circle throughout the night
Be sure to print the free FOOD and ENTERTAINMENT guide below to check off all the shows when you visit during the 70th celebration.
Watch 3 shows from the same spot
Find a spot to watch Paint the Night near It’s a Small World. For more details about this prime viewing spot read my parade tips! Mobile order some dinner while you wait for the parade. The parade starts at 8:45 pm. As soon as the parade is over stay right there to watch Wondrous Journeys (with fireworks most nights) at 9:30 pm. You will see projections on the Small World facade. Stay put after fireworks at 9:50 pm and watch the short Tapestry of Happiness projection show on the facade. Catch all 3 shows in a row from this same spot!
More 70th magic on attractions in both parks…
There’s a new addition to the It’s a Small World attraction. Look for Miguel and Dante from Coco as you pass through Mexico. Then starting on July 17th, Disney will be premiering the third and final verse in the “It’s a Small World” attraction at Disneyland. The verse was written years ago by the famous songwriting duo, the Sherman brothers. Learn more on July 17th inside the Main Street Cinema where Disney will share a new heartwarming short called “The Last Verse,” revealing the 3rd verse to a familiar tune!
Also coming to the Opera House on Main Street, U.S.A. on July 17th, an all-new gallery experience featuring the evolution of Walt Disney’s dream of Disneyland. Inside the building you’ll get to enjoy a new Walt Disney himself animatronic using remastered footage and audio recordings in “Walt Disney – A Magical Life.”
Lastly over in Disney California Adventure when you ride Toy Story Midway Mania look for nods to the 70th celebration as you compete in the games.
70th Celebration food and drink
Like any event Disney puts on there’s always specialty food and drinks available all over the parks. This celebration is no different with a complete food guide full of delicious options for everyone. I will be in the parks the first week of June to try some of these offerings. If you’re going during the celebration be sure to print your FOOD and ENTERTAINMENT guide below. This free printable lists where to buy the food/drinks at each dining location as well as the not to miss shows going on during the celebration. Click here to print!
Additional fun ways to celebrate during the 70th anniversary!
Purchase the Key to Disneyland to unlock hidden magic in each land and receive a commemorative trading pin at the end of your journey! Purchase your Key to Disneyland at World of Disney, Emporium, Disney Showcase, The Star Trader, Pioneer Mercantile, Adventureland Bazaar, Pooh Corner, EngineEar Souvenirs or “it’s a small world” Toy Shop.
Now look for 70th Celebration lock stations in each land. Insert your Key to Disneyland to reveal an icon, light effect and music for that land. Unlock all 9 lands then find the Mickey Topiary Finale lock station by the entrance to Disneyland Park where your key will reveal 1 of 9 commemorative trading pins. This activity can be completed at your leisure, during the course of the 70th Celebration. Unlock all the magic in one day—or spread out the fun across multiple park days.
The lock stations are located…
- Disneyland Fire Station on Main Street, U.S.A.
- Aladdin’s Lamp inside Adventureland Bazaar in Adventureland
- Near Haunted Mansion in New Orleans Square
- Outside of Pooh Corner in Bayou Country
- Near the Garrison in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge
- Wilderness Expeditions and Delivery Service Wagon (near the entrance to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge) in Frontierland
- Across from Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin in Mickey’s Toontown
- Fantasy Faire in Fantasyland
- Near the exit of Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters – Tomorrowland
Additional fun with MagicBand+ for the 70th celebration
Enjoy fun surprises inspired by original attractions in Disneyland Park—during the Disneyland Resort 70th Celebration at 5 locations around Disneyland.
- Tilly’s Booth at Main Street Cinema
- Frontierland Booth at Silver Spur Supplies
- Fantasyland Window by Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique
- Skipper Lockers at Jungle Cruise in Adventureland
- Autopia in Tomorrowland – coming soon
At each stop, tap your MagicBand+ to unlock unique interactions and effects inspired by opening-day attractions. A souvenir printout is dispensed at each of the 5 featured locations. Guests with a MagicBand+ can receive one souvenir printout per location, per day.
With MagicBand+, you can also enjoy special interactions and surprises at the following nighttime experiences during the Disneyland Resort 70th Celebration:
- World of Color Happiness!
- Wondrous Journeys
- Paint the Night
Congratulations if you made it to the end of this comprehensive 70th Disneyland birthday celebration guide. There’s so much to experience you’ll want to go back several times. If you have any questions let me know. And if you need further help planning your trip here are some helpful resources on my website and YouTube channel
Rope Drop – What is it? How to do it? Who can do it and more!
Become a Lightning Lane Expert – the ability to skip lines at Disneyland.
Can’t decide where to stay for your trip? Lots of hotel room tours found here.
How to fit in all the rides at Disneyland in one day? At Disney California Adventure.
Pin this post to your Disneyland Pin board and save for your trip!
