BOSW had an opportunity to preview The Disneyland Resort’s 70^th celebration, and we’re still on an adrenaline high, floating somewhere above the Happiest Place on Earth stratosphere. We got to experience the colorful, delicious and remarkable themes, foods and events commemorating this unforgettable anniversary celebration, and we can hardly wait to share it with you. 

Let’s put on our Mickey ears and relive some of our favorite moments. Make sure to stay tuned for additional deep dives into the 70^th celebration event, food, merch (and more) go-to guides.

The Disneyland Resort’s 70^th celebration musts:

• Attend at least one parade (see our list below). It’s hard to pick a favorite, but “Paint the Night” parade at Disneyland Park is up there.
• Splurge and dive into a Banana Split Churro, rolled in chocolate sugar with banana sauce and vanilla sauce with a cherry on top.
• Get yourself at least one (or all of) the special addition 70th anniversary plushies — you won’t be able to resist their flashy attire.

70th anniversary atmosphere, decor and more

In true Disney fashion, the empire of imagination knows how to pull out all the stops for this blowout celebration. We’re talking vibrant, shimmery colors (all throughout the parks, resort and Downtown Disney). 

“We wanted this to be the best birthday ever,” says David Caranci, manager of creative development at Walt Disney Imagineering. “The colors, the kind of approach we’re using…blends into the programming.”

We couldn’t agree more. 

Everything from the 70th-anniversary photo-op stations and banners to the merchandise and food all point back to the “celebrate happy,” sparkly, contemporary-with-a-little-70 ’s-throwback theme.

Must-see shows, events and parades

Try not to dance, clap and sing (even if just in your head, like me) at Disney’s line-up of 70th celebration entertainment. 

Here are some of our favorite 70th programming highlights:

• “World of Color Happiness!” at Disney California Adventure Park: A spectacular nighttime show full of color-burst fountains and light projections of favorite Disney AND Muppet characters over Paradise Bay. We loved the cameo appearances from Kermit!
• “Paint the Night” Parade at Disneyland Park: There’s nothing like seeing larger-than-life, Belle, ‘Mater, Tinkerbell, Mei and other beloved characters floating by in twinkling lights. Seriously worth grabbing a curb seat for.
• Better Together: A Pixar Pals Celebration!” parade at Disney California Adventure Park: Put on your dancing shoes for this one. Decked out in that shiny 70th color palette, characters from “Inside Out,” “Turning Red,” “Up” and more go out of their way to wave and interact with crowd members.
• “Tapestry of Happiness” at Disneyland Park: Both visually stunning and sweetly sentimental, this love letter to Walt Disney is a callback to favorite Disney movies and attractions projected onto “It’s a Small World.”
• “Wondrous Journeys” at Disneyland Park: This light show features snippets from classic animated Disney films accompanied by a fireworks display that took our breath away!

Check out our full showcase of 70th entertainment coming soon. 

New eats (can someone please mail me a Mickey macaron?)

No true birthday celebration is complete without at least 70-plus food and drink options … well, at least a Disney party isn’t!

“We have a lot of nostalgic food and beverage options for the Disneyland Resort 70th celebration,” says Elizabeth Ramos, chef and cast member for Disney Parks.  

Many of the classic bites and beverages feature a modern twist, such as:

• W.E.D. Chili Cheese Baked Potato, topped with beef and bean chili, cheese, sour cream, diced onions and cornbread, inspired by Walt Disney’s love of chili.
• Banana Split Churro: Classic churro rolled in chocolate sugar with banana and vanilla sauces, topped with a cherry, adapted from the O.G. Disney churro introduced in the mid-80s.
• Lemon Chiffon Pretzel: Cream cheese-filled pretzel dipped in lemon-flavored icing, topped with crushed vanilla wafers, an ode to one of Walt Disney’s favorite pie flavors.

For an extensive list of 70th celebration food and beverage menu items, stay tuned for our continued coverage. 

Shop until you drop (or run out of souvenir funds)

I may or may not have overextended my shopping budget during this trip. Was it worth it? 110%.

What you can shop for:

• Clothing — 70th-emblemed button-downs, skirts, sweatshirts and even a vintage Mickey shirt with googly eyes are available at stores throughout the parks, resort and Downtown Disney. 
• Plushies — Mickey, Minnie and friends in “celebrate happy” themed outfits? Um, yes please. Do I now own them? Yes, I do!
• Food and beverage take home merch — Have a snack-turned-celebration souvenir like the Disneyland 70th Celebration Popcorn Bucket, Disneyland 70th Celebration Stainless Steel Tumbler, Disneyland 70th Celebration Abominable Snowman Sipper and more.
• Key to Disneyland — This was one of the coolest items we saw! The interactive key, with the 70th Anniversary logo, allows “key holders” to unlock magical experiences throughout Disneyland’s nine themed lands. 

We could go on and on — and we will in our full merchandise coverage — coming soon.

New additions to favorite attractions

Be sure to look out for new arrivals from “Coco,” in It’s a Small World, and 70th anniversary callouts on Toy Story Midway Mania! (I was so busy shooting at things, I almost missed them!). 

Celebrate happy, spend smart

For a limited time (now through Aug. 14, 2025), you can purchase a Disneyland Anniversary Ticket Offer for $100 per day when you purchase a four-day, one-park-per-day ticket (totaling $400).