Disneyland's 70th Anniversary: New Shows, Parades, and Hidden Magic!

Disneyland's 70th Anniversary: A Magical Celebration Disneyland Resort is celebrating its 70th anniversary this July, and festivities kicked off on May 16th. The Los Angeles Times' theme park expert, Todd Martens, recently provided an exclusive preview of the celebrations. The main event is a revamped World of Color show at Disney California Adventure. Martens describes the show as beginning with "a relatively cute pre-show starring the Muppets." The show then transitions to modern animation centered on the characters from Inside Out, focusing on the theme of finding happiness. For those seeking nostalgia, Disneyland offers a five-minute nighttime projection show on It's a Small World. This show, inspired by the artwork of Mary Blair, one of Walt Disney's favorite artists, features projections that play classic Disneyland music and showcase beloved attractions. "The show leans into Disneyland history," Martens explains. In addition to these new shows, the Paint the Night parade has returned, featuring "tens of thousands of LED lights." There have also been updates to Toy Story Midway Mania!, with new animations and 70th-anniversary stickers added to the carnival games. New additions to the It's a Small World ride include characters from Disney-Pixar's Coco, adding to the attraction's charm. Martens says that the park also includes interactive elements that can be unlocked with a MagicBand. The anniversary celebration promises a vibrant mix of new and classic elements, ensuring a memorable experience for visitors.