Travel

Celebrating Disneyland’s 70th Anniversary: Your Guide to a Magical Journey

August 27, 2025

Disneyland just turned 70, and like Peter Pan, it’s refusing to grow old—that’s part of what makes it so magical. As Walt Disney famously said, “Disneyland will never be completed. It will continue to grow as long as there is imagination left in the world.” Seven decades later, imagination is thriving, with the park dazzling guests in all its pixie-dusted perfection and festive fun. Whether you’re in it for the nostalgia, the churros, spooky Halloween attraction overlays, or to snap a pic with Mickey’s giant jack-o’-lantern, there’s no better time to soak up the magic and mischief at the happiest place on earth.

Check Out the Stunning 70th Anniversary Sculpture

As you approach (or, in my case, skip toward) the esplanade between Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park, you’ll be instantly awed by the new 50-foot installation, crafted by renowned artist Ann O’Brien, in celebration of Disneyland’s 70th anniversary. The sculpture features vibrant colors and intricate designs that encapsulate the essence of the five original lands of Disneyland: Adventureland, Fantasyland, Frontierland, Tomorrowland, and Main Street, U.S.A. It beautifully weaves together elements from each land, symbolizing the rich storytelling and magical experiences that have captivated hearts since the park’s opening, inviting first-time visitors and forever fans to “celebrate happy”. Can’t make it to the park anytime soon? Not to worry, the Disney 70th anniversary celebration runs now through summer of 2026.

Nothing says fun quite like creating an itinerary, am I right? Okay, maybe that’s just me and my fellow planning princesses and organizational enthusiasts out there. Still, before you leap into the park, remember that a little planning goes a long way to help you avoid wearisome waits and even lengthier lines. The sold out Oogie Boogie Bash, is now in full swing at California Adventure on select nights too, so check the calendar for special events and changes to park hours. Disney California Adventure (DCA) closes at 6pm on Oogie Boogie nights, unless you possess the coveted sold out ticket. Take some time to ponder which attractions you most want to experience and create your plan from there. First things first: download the Disneyland app. It’s your trusty sidekick for everything from attraction wait times to mobile food ordering. Plus, you’ll receive real-time updates for shows and character meet-and-greets. And don’t forget to use the park maps so you won’t miss any hidden treasures or special Disney Key stations (more on this later).

Pick Your Outfit & Try Disney Bounding

Now that you’re organized and ready to ride, let’s not forget one crucial element no Disney adult can overlook, your park outfit. After all, whether you’re channeling your inner Disney character, or are just aiming for comfort, the right attire can add some extra magic to your day. So let me be your fairy godmother and provide you with a little outfit inspo. But first things first: footwear. We’re trading our glass slippers for supportive sneakers today, my dears. Sounds obvious, but if you haven’t been to the parks in a while, you may underestimate how much walking you’re going to do. According to online sources, “visitors to Disneyland can expect to walk anywhere from 20,000 to 30,000 steps in a day.” That’s roughly equivalent to walking around 10 to 15 miles! So do yourself a favor, and break in those shiny, new shoes ahead of time. That way you can freely frolic through the park until the clock strikes midnight.

When it comes to the outfit itself, I like to think simple but festive. It should be noted that visitors are not allowed to dress in costume (Unless you’re one of the fortunate souls in possession of tickets to the sold out Oogie Boogie Bash held at Disney California Adventure Park). However, you can still channel your favorite character and get creative with Disney bounding. What’s Disney bounding, you might ask? Disney bounding is a chic and creative way to pay homage to your favorite Disney characters by incorporating elements, colors, and accessories that evoke the essence of a character or theme. Think blue and yellow for Snow White, pink shades for Aurora, purple and green for Tiana, or even classic red and black for Minnie.

Snow White Disney bounding outfit

The cherry on top of any Disney 70th Anniversary Celebration outfit, is of course, a pair of signature character ears. There are some adorable options available on Amazon, plus a plethora of high-quality ears to choose from in the park. You could also incorporate the 70th anniversary colors into your outfit for that extra festive touch: hot pink, gold, turquoise blue, and purple. And why not treat yourself to some special 70th anniversary merchandise, or a uniquely themed pair of ears to commemorate the occasion? If you’re a spooky-season lover like I am, then you’ll be thrilled to see all of the special Halloween merch and ear-y accessories to choose from. Consider Disney bounding as your favorite villain. Black, purple and green for Maleficent. Black, white, and pops of red for Cruella. Top with ears, and maybe a coordinating Loungefly bag to pull it all together. Shout out to all of you who Disney bound and dress for the occasion. Seeing everyone in their festive attire adds to the collective joy to the overall experience.

*Click images to shop

Get the Disney Key & Scavenger Hunt Around the Park

As part of Disneyland’s 70th anniversary season, guests are invited to embark on a key scavenger hunt that promises to unlock an additional layer of adventure. Here’s how it works:

First you’ll need to purchase your Key to Disneyland from one of the shops around the Disneyland Resort. Then throughout the park, you’ll discover intricately designed keys stations located in each of the nine lands. Stick your key in for a fun surprise: bubbles, lights, and most importantly the key will light up, and unlock the corresponding land on your key. Once you visit the key stations and unlock each of the nine lands, find the Mickey topiary finale lock station by the entrance to Disneyland Park (pictured above). It’s over by the tunnel and the newsstand. Place your key in the last lock station (which was so gratifying), and your key will open a secret compartment with a special Disneyland’s 70th Anniversary Pin inside. You’ll be delighted by one of the nine, cool commemorative trading pins. I got the Star Wars pin, which is awesome. Although, I really wanted the Haunted Mansion pin. Anyone want to make a trade?

Some of the lock stations were easy to find, and other’s had us hunting high and low, and needing to check the locations online. The Key to Disneyland will run you $59.99 + tax, which seemed steep to me, but it was actually a very fun and interactive scavenger hunt. It definitely added some extra excitement to the day. Plus, the key is just super cool. In addition to lighting up, interacting, and containing a commemorative pin, it also has a voice recording of Walt Disney, from opening day, July 17, 1955. You can click here for lock station and location information: 🔑

Catch the Shows and Parades

As darkness descends on Disneyland, make your way to the Rivers of America for one of the most magnificent nighttime experiences in the park—Fantasmic! You’ll step right into the mind of Mickey Mouse’s as he conjures scenes from Fantasia, The Lion King, Aladdin, Tangled, Peter Pan, and more, on massive water screens. Lasers, live character performances on boats and barges, and jaw-dropping fireworks that all come together to create an experience that’s nothing short of mesmerizing.

Fantasmic!

For the best viewing, grab a spot early along the Rivers of America, or if you’re feeling fancy and ready to splurge a little, treat yourself to a Fantasmic! Dining Package for reserved seating. Totally worth it if you want an uninterrupted view without trees, poles, or some plus-size papa in your way. There are multiple dining package options, and showtimes can vary, so checkout the app for more details. Whether it’s your first time seeing Fantasmic! or your fiftieth, it’s a one-of-a-kind experience that never fails to inspire the imagination in everyone.

Some of the other shows you may want to add to your itinerary are: Paint the Night Parade, Tapestry of Happiness, Halloween Screams with Projections, and so much more. Seriously, I could write a whole post on the shows alone—there’s so much entertainment to choose from. The best thing to do is check the app and see what’s happening during your time in the park.

Paint the Night Parade

A Magical Life: Walt Disney & Robot Walt

Magical Life: Walt Disney is an inspiring exhibit celebrating the legacy of the man behind the mouse, who changed modern entertainment forever. Through rare artifacts, photographs, original concept art, and interactive displays, visitors can explore his journey, from humble beginnings to revolutionary achievements.

As you enter the exhibit, the first thing you’ll see is the actual bench from Griffith Park, where Walt was sitting, the day he dreamed up the idea for Disneyland. Walt Disney thought to himself, “there should be a place where the parents and the children could go and have fun together.” Some other exhibit highlights include early drawings of the different lands, vintage photographs, early animatronic characters, personal items from Walt’s office, and concept art for Disneyland and EPCOT. Guests are treated to animation reels, and multimedia presentations that showcase Walt’s creativity and perseverance. After the video presentation kicks off, a curtain opens to reveal and amazing animatronic Walt Disney. Robot Walt seems to have been met with a lot of differing opinions, but it is an amazing feat of engineering—the speech, gestures, and facial expressions made me feel like I was watching the visionary man himself. To be honest, the presentation kinda chocked me up. It’s a great telling of his life and the history of Disney’s origin.

A Magical Life: Walt Disney

Ride It’s a Small World

Love it or hate it, Disney’s It’s a Small World attraction is one of the most memorable rides in Disney history. Celebrated for its cheerful message of global harmony, and catchy, I-can’t-get-it-out-of-my-head tune, the attraction was originally created for the 1964–1965 New York World’s Fair, and commissioned by UNICEF. Walt Disney saw the World’s Fair as an opportunity to showcase innovative storytelling and technology while supporting UNICEF’s mission of helping children worldwide. Featuring hundreds of animatronic dolls dressed in traditional costumes and singing the now-iconic Sherman Brothers song, “It’s a Small World,” the ride dazzled audiences at the fair. Its immense success prompted Disney to move the attraction to Disneyland in 1966, where it remains an enduring symbol of hope and interconnectedness—and a thoughtful reminder to be kind and patient with all the other folks in line, no matter how in the way, they might seem.

The Imagineers

Several key Disney Imagineers shaped “It’s a Small World” into a cultural icon. Foremost was Mary Blair, whose whimsical and colorful artistic style defined both the look and feel of the attraction. Her use of bold colors and stylized designs brought a joyful, childlike charm to every scene. Alice Davis, who created the costumes for the animatronic dolls, meticulously researched traditional clothing from around the globe, ensuring authenticity while embracing Blair’s colorful aesthetic. Meanwhile, Rolly Crump (one of my personal favorite imagineers) contributed his creative genius to the design, including its iconic clock tower façade. These visionary artists, collaborated to create an experience that continues to inspire guests around the world with its simple yet powerful message: there’s just one moon, one golden sun, and a small world after all.

Ride Original Opening Day Attractions

While many park attractions have come and gone since the Disneyland Castle first lowered it’s drawbridge on July 17, 1955, several of the opening day rides are still in operation (though many have been updated). Here’s a list of the opening day attractions to ride in celebration and homage of Disney’s 70th birthday.

1. Autopia

2. Disneyland Railroad

3. Jungle Cruise

4. King Arthur Carrousel

5. Mad Tea Party

6. Mark Twain Riverboat

7. Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride

8. Peter Pan’s Flight

9. Snow White’s Enchanted Wish (formerly known as Snow White’s Scary Adventures, was updated and renamed in 2021).

10. Storybook Land Canal Boats: For the hardcore historians out there. It should be noted—this attraction officially debuted a few weeks after opening day (on July 31, 1955), but is still considered part of the park’s opening lineup.

While these attractions have remained since opening day, many have undergone refurbishments or updates to keep them fresh and in line with evolving technology and storytelling techniques. Disney is all about “plussing” things up—a term coined by Walt Disney, which means to make continual improvements to enhance the guest experience.

Have a Happy Halloween Time

Halloween Time at Disneyland Park is an enchanting celebration filled with spooky fun and ghoulish delights to captivate visitors of all ages. From August 22 through October 31, the park transforms into a Halloween wonderland, with vibrant seasonal décor like carved pumpkins lining Main Street, U.S.A. and hauntingly beautiful displays throughout. Beloved attractions take on thrilling new twists, such as the fan-favorite Haunted Mansion Holiday, where Jack Skellington brings a fantastically frightful holiday overlay inspired by The Nightmare Before Christmas. Nighttime brings even more magic with events like Halloween Screams, the spellbinding projection show that lights up the skies with spooky sites, fireworks, and beloved Disney villains. Whether you’re trick-or-treating, discovering limited-time merchandise, enjoying pumpkin-inspired snacks, or simply running amok, Halloween Time at Disneyland Park is the ultimate destination for festive fall fun.

Get Hyped on the History

As Disneyland marks its 70th anniversary, it’s a moment to celebrate not just the magic it continues to create, but the history and vision that made it all possible. From its opening day in 1955 to the iconic park it is today, Disneyland has inspired generations with its timeless charm and ever-growing innovation. Whether you dive into Disney’s fascinating history with shows like Behind the Attraction or Imagineering on Disney+, or simply soak in the stories behind every corner of the park, this milestone is a celebration of dreams coming true. So gather your loved ones, embrace the nostalgia, and let the magic of Disneyland remind you that the happiest place on Earth is still where wonder lives, memories are made, and the future is full of endless possibilities.

As CBS News broadcast journalist Eric Sevareid eloquently stated in his tribute following Walt Disney’s passing on December 15, 1966: “What Disney seemed to know was that while there is very little grown-up in every child, there is a lot of child in every grown-up. To a child, this weary world is brand-new, gift-wrapped. Disney tried to keep it that way for adults… He probably did more to heal, or at least to soothe troubled human spirits, than all of the psychiatrists in the world.” Sevareid’s words resonate just as deeply today, as we celebrate Disney’s remarkable 70-year legacy, a legacy that continues to bring magic, joy, and healing to generations of hearts around the world. It has certainly done so for mine.

*This post contains affiliate links, which means if you shop through them I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support!

Want to read more about Disney history? Click the images to shop books on Amazon.