Disneyland's 70th Anniversary: 12 Must-See Attractions and Exclusive Offers This Summer

Disney has launched a year-long celebration for Disneyland’s 70th anniversary, inviting guests to experience a range of exciting events planned for Summer 2026. This guide covers all you need to know about the entertainment, dining options, merchandise, and more.

From the dazzling return of Paint the Night to nostalgic food offerings and an exclusive Disneyland Key unlocking park-wide surprises, there’s plenty to anticipate for your visit. Below are twelve highlights of Disneyland's 70th anniversary celebration—let us know what excites you most!

1. Paint the Night Returns with Elsa, Anna, and Over One Million LED Lights

The iconic Paint the Night parade, a fan favorite since its debut during Disneyland’s 60th anniversary, is back, generating excitement for the 70th celebrations. Last seen in 2016, it now features over one million LED lights, with Frozen’s Elsa and Anna making a grand return.

2. Affordable Disneyland Visits with Limited-Time 70th Anniversary Ticket and Hotel Deals

Planning a trip for Disneyland’s 70th anniversary? Disney is offering budget-friendly deals, including a 3-day, 1-park per day ticket starting at $360 and a 4-day option for as low as $400, valid from May 16 to August 14, with flexible usage dates.

Guests staying at the Disneyland Hotel can save up to 20% on select stays during the same period. The hotel joins the celebration with unique decor, themed in-room experiences, exclusive beverages, and more, marking its own 70th anniversary.

Staying on-site also means easy access to Downtown Disney, adorned with 70th anniversary medallions featuring beloved Disney characters—perfect for photos—alongside its vibrant dining and shopping scene.

3. World of Color Happiness! Unveils a New Disney California Adventure Water Spectacular with Inside Out

World of Color Happiness! is the latest nighttime show at Disney California Adventure, marking the seventh iteration of World of Color since 2010. This vibrant spectacle celebrates joy with over one million water fountains and projections, inspired by Walt Disney’s opening day words: “To all who come to this happy place… welcome!”

Inside Out’s emotions take center stage, with Joy and others featured in the show’s logo. Guests can influence the storyline via the Disneyland app, voting to include Sadness, Anger, Disgust, or Envy in select scenes.

The show includes a new Muppets pre-show, celebrating their 70th anniversary, with music highlights like Boyz II Men’s rendition of ‘Rainbow Connection’ and FITZ’s original track ‘Makes Me Wanna Move.’

Explore our review of 2023’s World of Color - ONE for Disneyland’s 100th anniversary, a deeply moving and impressive performance.

4. Wondrous Journeys Honors Over 60 Walt Disney Animation Studios Films with Fireworks and Music

Wondrous Journeys, first introduced for Disney’s 100th anniversary, returns for Disneyland’s 70th, celebrating over 60 Walt Disney Animation Studios films. The show captures the journey of chasing dreams with fireworks, projections, and music.

Remaining largely unchanged, Wondrous Journeys offers unique viewing experiences across Main Street, U.S.A., Sleeping Beauty Castle, Rivers of America, and it’s a small world, delighting fans of all ages.

Read our thoughts on Wondrous Journeys in our Disney 100th Anniversary Guide, a heartfelt show filled with unforgettable moments.

5. Better Together: A Pixar Pals Celebration! Highlights Friendship with Toy Story, Coco, and More

Better Together: A Pixar Pals Celebration! returns for Disneyland’s 70th, showcasing characters from Pixar favorites like Toy Story, The Incredibles, Turning Red, Luca, Soul, Coco, Inside Out, Monsters, Inc., and Up.

Retaining its charm from its Pixar Fest 2024 debut, the parade emphasizes the power of friendship, as explained by Susana Tubert, creative director at Disney Live Entertainment: “This parade celebrates characters who feel like they don’t belong, showing they’re uplifted and accepted through friendships, encouraging guests to be their authentic selves.”

6. Tapestry of Happiness Transforms it’s a small world with a Historic Disneyland Projection Show

The Tapestry of Happiness projection show on it’s a small world was a standout at the Disneyland 70th Anniversary Media Preview. This five-minute spectacle uses projections and music to honor Disneyland’s history, inspired by Disney Legend Mary Blair’s iconic design for the attraction.

Featuring nods to attractions like Pirates of the Caribbean, the Main Street Electrical Parade, the Enchanted Tiki Room, and Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, the show integrates The Jonas Brothers’ ‘Celebrate Happy’ theme song for a magical experience.

Additionally, Coco’s Miguel and Dante join it’s a small world, and a new verse by Richard M. Sherman will debut on July 17.

7. Celebrate Happy Cavalcade Features Duffy and ShellieMay at Disneyland

The Celebrate Happy Cavalcade, led by Duffy and ShellieMay, was a highlight of the 70th Anniversary Media Preview. Originally introduced as the “Disney Bear” in 2002 at Disney World, Duffy gained popularity at Tokyo Disney Resort with a rich backstory and friends like ShellieMay. Now, they star in this charming parade alongside other Disney characters.

8. Disney Jr. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live! Offers Fun for Kids with Dancing and Music

Disney Jr. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live! is a delightful show for young guests, encouraging them to sing and dance with Mickey and friends. In this adventure, Mickey and Minnie search for Goofy, Daisy, and Pluto, visiting their uniquely themed houses with interactive elements like bubbles and fake snow.

The upbeat music and engaging atmosphere make it a perfect spot for kids to burn off energy while enjoying their favorite characters.

9. Disneyland 70th Merch, Featuring the Disneyland Key, Blends Nostalgia and Innovation

Disneyland’s 70th anniversary brings a wave of new merchandise celebrating both the present and the park’s history. The standout is the Disneyland Key, an interactive item that “unlocks magic” across all nine lands, activating special effects like music and lights when inserted into designated keyholes.

After unlocking all lands, guests can visit the Mickey Topiary Finale lock near the park entrance for a final surprise: a secret compartment in the key reveals one of nine commemorative pins representing Disneyland’s lands.

Disneyland 70th Anniversary Merch

Explore all 70th anniversary merchandise in the slideshow above or via this link.

10. Disneyland’s Food and Drinks Blend Retro Flavors with Modern Twists

Dining at Disneyland during the 70th anniversary offers over 70 new and nostalgic food and drink options. Chef Steven Medina’s team has recreated dishes from the park’s opening day, like the Banana Split and Apple Pancake Rolls, alongside innovative treats like the 70th Celebration Churro, featuring ube sugar, blue raspberry drizzle, and sprinkles in anniversary colors.

Disneyland 70th Anniversary Food and Drinks

Discover the full range of 70th anniversary food offerings in the slideshow above or here.

11. Toy Story Midway Mania!, Carthay Circle, Downtown Disney, and More Shine

Disneyland’s 70th anniversary offers a variety of experiences, including a revamped Toy Story Midway Mania! at Disney California Adventure, now featuring 70th anniversary stickers for bonus points. Carthay Circle glows with nightly lights, projections, and a Tinker Bell appearance in Celebrate Happy: A Little Bit of Magic Every Night.

Animation Courtyard now showcases Encanto, Coco, Soul, The Princess and the Frog, Zootopia, and Moana. MagicBand+ users can enjoy interactive 70th anniversary points, including ticket-printing experiences at Jungle Cruise and Frontierland.

12. Walt Disney - A Magical Life and Future Experiences Await

Disneyland’s 70th anniversary kicks off on May 16, with the official milestone on July 17, when Walt Disney - A Magical Life debuts. This experience features Walt Disney as an Audio-Animatronic, welcoming guests into his office to share his story.

Learn more about this project in our feature on Disney’s Imagineering efforts. The experience opens alongside an Evolution of a Dream exhibit showcasing Walt’s legacy and another honoring Disney’s cast members.

Discover how a century of Disney magic began and explore our list of the 25 best Disney animated movies.