Celebrate Happy: A Complete Guide to Disneyland’s 70th Anniversary with Carlye Wisel
The Disneyland 70th anniversary celebration isn’t just about nostalgia… it’s about joy, surprises, storytelling, and how we can all “Celebrate Happy.”
If you’re planning to visit, this guide to the Disneyland 70th anniversary celebration will help you make the most of your trip.
In this episode, I’m joined by journalist, theme park expert, and host of Very Amusing, Carlye Wisel, as we explore everything you need to know about this multi-faceted celebration. From returning fan favorites to brand-new nighttime spectaculars, delicious new snacks, surprising character appearances, collectibles, and even the upcoming debut of a Walt Disney Audio-Animatronic, we share what’s happening, what’s new (and what’s not), and why now might be the best time ever to visit Disneyland.
There’s so much to experience during the Disneyland 70th anniversary celebration, from returning favorites to once-in-a-lifetime moments.
🔍 What You’ll Discover in the Disneyland 70th Anniversary Celebration:
🎆 Nighttime Spectaculars at the Disneyland 70th Anniversary Celebration
- Paint the Night returns to Disneyland Park for the first time since 2018 – with beloved floats previously restricted at DCA now back where they belong. The Disneyland 70th anniversary celebration honors the past while bringing brand-new magic to the parks.
- Wondrous Journeys (from Disney100) is back with projections in three locations: Sleeping Beauty Castle, It’s a Small World, and Rivers of America – where the best sound and full show experience can be found.
- Fantasmic! returns to the Rivers of America, rounding out four major nighttime entertainment options in one park.
- World of Color – One: Celebrate Happy Edition is the only brand-new show created exclusively for the 70th, with a heartfelt focus on emotions, storytelling, and music – featuring Inside Out, Muppets, Fitz, and Boyz II Men’s rendition of Rainbow Connection.
🎭 Special Entertainment & Daily Magic
- Tapestry of Happiness – A projection show on It’s a Small World that’s a nostalgic love letter to Disneyland’s past 70 years.
- Celebrate Happy: A Little Bit of Magic Every Night – A short nighttime projection show on Carthay Circle in Disney California Adventure with nods to both parks.
- Better Together: A Pixar Pals Celebration! Parade – A returning daytime celebration in DCA with characters from Up, Luca, and more.
- Celebrate Happy Cavalcade – A mini-parade in Disneyland featuring Mickey, Minnie, and friends in new 70th anniversary costumes… plus the surprise appearance of Duffy and ShellieMay, drawing huge fan reactions.
🧒 Family-Friendly Additions
- New Disney Junior Theater show: “Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live!” – A fresh take that blends fun for kids with emotional nostalgia for parents (featuring Hot Dog Dance and more).
🍽️ Food & Beverage: More Than 70 New Items!
Disneyland has launched over 70 new food and beverage items to commemorate the 70th anniversary, mixing nostalgic flavors and creative new options:
- Seasonal cold brews, nods to Walt-era treats, and elevated snacks
- Be aware: many items are limited-time only and may rotate out by fall or holiday seasons
- Pro tip: Try items earlier in the celebration if you have your eye on something specific
🛍️ Disneyland 70th Anniversary Merchandise Collections
There are multiple themed collections for the 70th, including:
- Celebration Collection – Colorful Loungefly, Dooney & Bourke, toys, apparel
- Castle Collection – Inspired by Sleeping Beauty Castle, with elegant accessories and jewelry
- Vault Collection – Retro designs from 1955 and Walt-era memorabilia
- Countdown Collection – Vibrant pink and purple items tied to the yearlong celebration
⭐️ A surprise hit? The customizable character headbands with attachable plush “Munchlings” wearing 70th costumes. Fans are also using them as bag accessories!
🔑 Gamified & Interactive Experiences
🗝️ Key to Disneyland
- An interactive experience where guests use a themed key to unlock effects in all 9 lands
- Each activation lights up a section of your key, and once completed, a secret door pops open revealing a surprise pin
- Keys are extremely popular – some reports of temporary sellouts
📶 MagicBand+ Park-Wide Activation
- FREE, park-wide, MagicBand+ scavenger hunt across 5 locations in Disneyland
- Tapping your MagicBand+ at each spot dispenses a collectible ticket – 5 total to collect, with designs themed to different eras and ticket types
- Locations include: Main Street Cinema, Jungle Cruise lockers, Silver Spur Supplies, Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, and Autopia
- Each guest receives a unique ticket (depending on band or profile), making this a fun and repeatable family activity
🧍♂️ Coming Soon: Walt Disney, Brought to Life
- Opening July 17, 2025, inside the Main Street Opera House: Walt Disney – A Magical Life
- Featuring the first-ever Walt Disney Audio-Animatronic figure
- Created with extraordinary attention to detail, down to his fingernails, tie design, and facial expressions
- This is expected to be a deeply meaningful tribute, reflecting on Walt’s legacy in the park he created
💡 Final Thoughts
The Celebrate Happy theme may sound simple, but it truly encapsulates the spirit of Disneyland’s 70th. It’s not just about the past – it’s a celebration of now, of being together, of making new memories in a place that still feels like Walt’s original park.
With incredible value (including a special $100/day ticket offer and hotel discounts), a yearlong celebration, and dozens of reasons to visit, this anniversary year is truly one of the best times to go to Disneyland – especially if it’s your first time… or your first time back.
📌 Resources & Links
- 🎧 Listen to more episodes: WDWRadio.com
- 🎟️ Book your Disneyland trip with our friends at Mouse Fan Travel: MouseFanTravel.com (their services are completely free!)
- 🧠 Listen to Carlye’s podcast Very Amusing: CarlyeWisel.com/podcast
- 🎉 Join the community discussion in the Clubhouse: WDWRadio.com/Clubhouse
- 📞 Call in your thoughts and reactions to the show: 407-900-9391
💬 Join the Conversation:
What part of Disneyland’s 70th anniversary are YOU most excited about?
- The return of Paint the Night?
- Seeing Baymax fly in Wondrous Journeys?
- Collecting MagicBand+ tickets?
- Duffy and ShellieMay’s surprise appearance?
Tell me in the comments on WDWRadio.com/Clubhouse or leave a voicemail at 407-900-9391!
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Join me at the Momentum Weekend Workshop in Walt Disney World this Fall, and discover how to turn your passion into your profession – with real strategies, resources, and community support. Book me to speak at your event, conference, or school to bring a little Disney magic and proven lessons in leadership, storytelling, and customer experience!
