What’s New at Disneyland in 2025: Celebrating 70 Years
Can you believe Disneyland is turning 70 this year? Get ready for a magical celebration filled with exciting anniversary festivities, including brand-new nighttime shows and the introduction of the first-ever Walt Disney audio-animatronic!
Here’s all the fun stuff you need to know about what’s new at Disneyland in 2025 as the park celebrates seven decades of magic!
Disneyland Park
As Disneyland turns 70 this year, the park is celebrating in many different ways! So here’s everything that’s arriving at Disneyland Park this year.
Walt Disney – A Magical Life
Walt Disney – A Magical Life is a new show coming to the Main Street Opera House, telling the story of Walt Disney. It features the first-ever Walt Disney audio-animatronic to be used in a Disney park!
The show opens on July 17, and after its initial run, the attraction will rotate with “Great Moments with Mr.Lincoln”, meaning a version of Walt will continue to live on in the park.
Disneyland’s 70th Anniversary Celebrations
Disneyland is celebrating its 70th birthday with an event called “Celebrate Happy.” It will start on May 16 and will last until summer next year.
The celebrations will bring new additions to the park, which you can read about below.
Paint the Night Parade
The Paint the Night parade debuted in 2015 as part of Disneyland’s Diamond Celebration, which marked the park’s 60th anniversary. After a six-year absence, the parade is now returning to celebrate Disneyland’s 70th anniversary!
Inspired by the original Main Street Electrical Parade, Paint the Night features floats decorated with LED lights that illuminate the evening, accompanied by special effects and music from beloved Disney classics.
Watch Sorcerer Mickey conjure glittering visions with a wave of his hand while Tinker Bell paints rainbows resplendent with pinches of pixie dust. See Anna and Elsa from the beloved Disney film Frozen rejoin Paint the Night, as the sparkling Frozen Fractals float returns to the parade for the first time since its initial run. Be on the lookout for other Disney Characters, reminding us of the wonderful stories from some favorite Disney and Pixar movies—such as Monsters, Inc., Cars, Toy Story, The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast and more. – Disney
Wondrous Journeys Nighttime Show
At night, Sleeping Beauty Castle, Main Street, the Rivers of America, and It’s a Small World will be transformed with special effects and projections telling the story of 100 years of Disney Animation Studios.
Embark on a journey filled with artistry, music, storytelling and heart as you experience moments from beloved stories like Hercules, The Princess and the Frog, Peter Pan, Frozen, Big Hero 6, Moana, Encanto and more. State-of-the-art projection transforms the world around you into a magical place. Sparkling fireworks on select nights, lighting effects, projections and more carry you on an adventure full of possibilities—with a theme that demonstrates how both your trials and triumphs contribute to making your dreams come true. – Disney.
Tapestry of Happiness
The facade of It’s a Small World will be transformed into an animated mosaic inspired by Disney artist Mary Blair. Mary contributed to the design of the It’s a Small World attraction, with her character designs being used as concept art.
Seventy years of Disneyland will be celebrated with stunning visuals and effects, along with an original song titled “Celebrate Happy.”
It’s a Small World Welcomes Coco
It’s a Small World is adding two new additions when it reopens in April! Miguel and his dog turned alebrije, Dante will join the Mexico scene.
Miguel will appear with his beloved guitar, standing on a marigold bridge that features a Day of the Dead skull with Dante by his side in his alebrije form.
The Celebrate Happy Cavalcade
Join in with the 70th Anniversary celebrations with a procession led by Mickey Mouse and friends. Duffy, ShellieMay, Max, Disney Princesses and more will join the party as it passes through the park twice a day.
Disney California Adventure Park
Disneyland isn’t the only park with new additions coming this year; California Adventure park also has some new changes!
Disneyland’s 70th Anniversary Celebrations
Disneyland’s 70th Anniversary Celebrations carry over to California Adventure Park with special nighttime shows and parades.
World of Color Happiness! Nightime Show
This nighttime spectacular is held at Paradise Bay and features fountains, lights, and other special effects, including fog and flames, to create a breathtaking show.
The show will be hosted by the emotions from Pixar’s Inside Out, and guests have the opportunity to vote on the Disneyland app for Sadness, Anger, Disgust, or Envy to be featured in special scenes.
The performance will start with a Muppets pre-show with Kermit and his fellow Muppets sharing safety announcements through song.
The sounds of happiness also manifest in this extraordinary event. Delight in the emotions coming to life through musical moments from some of your favorite Disney and Pixar movies—including Turning Red, The Incredibles, A Goofy Movie, Tangled, Encanto and more. With these joyous sights and sounds combining, enjoy happy as never before! – Disney©
Better Together: A Pixar Pals Celebration!
The Better Together: Pixar Pals Parade is back at California Adventure Park! Watch as your favorite Pixar characters pass by on colourful floats with music and dancers, bringing the magic of Pixar to life.
Enjoy a variety of delightful stories: Red Panda Mei and her friends from Turning Red come together and rock out to their favorite boy band, 4*Town. From Soul, Joe Gardner and 22 bring their worlds together to celebrate the sweet things in life while best buddies Luca, Alberto and Giulia from Luca enjoy their time together at the water’s edge in Portorosso. – Disney
Toy Story Midway Mania! Celebrates Disneyland’s 70th Anniversary
Toy Story Mania is receiving a 70th Anniversary update starting May 16 and will last throughout the year-long celebration.
This new update will allow you to aim for “Celebrate Happy” and “70” stickers to earn extra points!
Downtown Disney District
Downtown Disney is also getting some new additions this year as it continues its exciting evolution!
Disney’s Wonderful World of Sweets
This new candy store has lots to offer, including caramel apples, desserts and freshly made Werther’s Original Popcorn! Plus, you can also watch as candies are handmade in the exhibition kitchen!
Parkside Market
This food hall features four food outlets, each offering a range of food and drinks.
Seoul Sister – Korean-style rice bowls with a Californian twist.
GG’s Chicken Shop – Serving chicken sandwiches, chicken strips, and a variety of sides.
Sip & Sonder – A Coffee shop that serves fresh treats and frozen drinks.
Vista Parkside Market – A refreshing selection of cocktails and mocktails.
Porto’s Bakery & Cafe
Downtown Disney is getting a Porto’s bakery! The popular Cuban bakery is set to replace the Earl of Sandwich shop, with construction to begin soon. Unfortunately, there’s no opening date yet, but Porto’s Bakery has recently shared concept art for the bakery on their Instagram.
Porto’s has also announced that this will be their first location to offer sit-down table service and a full bar!
What’s New at Disneyland in 2025
What are you looking forward to most at Disneyland this year? Will you be heading there to celebrate 70 years?
Becca likes to create fun and creative Disney-inspired recipes, from copycat park favorites to unique Disney twists on classic treats! When she’s not coming up with new ideas on bringing the magic home, she’s keeping up with the latest Disney World updates and changes!
