Still happy after all these years
There’s much to celebrate at Disneyland’s 70th birthday bash
Last month, Disneyland kicked off its 70th birthday bash, and I was there as the year-long party got underway. I’ve already shared my takes on the new and returning anniversary experiences offered at the younger sibling park, Disney California Adventure. For this article, let’s focus on what guests can find across the plaza as the original Disneyland park celebrates its platinum jubilee.
The grand dame is decked out for the party, although the embellishments are relatively understated. (No garish pink cake overlay for the castle or 25-story Sorcerer Mickey wand at this gala.) There are tasteful “Celebrate Happy” displays around the park–including a stylish 70 “brooch” mounted above the drawbridge on Sleeping Beauty Castle–as well as throughout the entire Disneyland Resort.
“Decor plays a huge part in celebrations connecting our past,” says David Caranci, manager, creative development at Walt Disney Imagineering. “We don't live in the past, but we honor the past.”
Speaking of honoring the past, the “it’s a small world” facade is the backdrop for Tapestry of Happiness. Developed for the anniversary, the nighttime projection show pays homage to Disneyland with visual odes to park mainstays such as the Main Street Electrical Parade, the railroad, and classic attractions, including the adored Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride. At five minutes, the presentation is on the short side, but it’s packed with colorful scenes that really pop across the building’s wide expanse. Befitting the “it’s a small world” locale, the show’s designers took inspiration from Disney artist Mary Blair, whose modern art style informs the attraction’s distinctive look. There are no pyrotechnics to accompany the media, although there are synchronized lights and a zippy soundtrack that features the event’s “Celebrate Happy” theme song performed by the Jonas Brothers. Archival audio from Walt Disney (the actual man, not the company he founded) punctuate some of the scenes, including his inspirational remark, “We’re just getting started.” By the way, the landmark “it’s a small world” recently welcomed doll facsimiles of Miguel and Dante, from the Pixar film “Coco,” to the attraction’s ensemble.
Another after-dark treat, Paint the Night, returns for the celebration. The parade features floats festooned with some 1.5 million LED lights. Themed to Disney and Pixar films that span many eras, the captivating procession showcases the lighting technology and the creativity and artistry that it inspires. Among the highlights is a massive Mack the Truck from Cars. His trailer sports a matrix of lights arranged in a three-dimensional grid that convey both movement and depth. Filled with wow moments, the final float is especially impressive. It presents an illuminated Mickey and his colorfully lit fab four buddies aboard a vehicle adorned with a trippy, psychedelic Mobius strip. Originally created for the park’s 60th anniversary, it’s great to have Paint the Night rolling down Disneyland’s streets again. It is a worthy, modern-day successor to the Main Street Electrical Parade.
Another returning nighttime presentation, Wondrous Journeys, fills Disneyland with grand-scale spectacle. The kiss-goodnight show, which includes fireworks exploding over Sleeping Beauty Castle melded with projections onto the castle and the buildings that line Main Street, U.S.A. is a tribute to Disney’s legendary animation studios. Originally designed for the Disney100 celebration, which debuted at Disneyland in early 2023, it pays homage to all of the company’s feature films, including “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,” “Bambi,” “Encanto” and “Big Hero 6.” It is a satisfying tour-de-force that stirs emotions forged by our connections to the beloved source material. The projections can also be viewed on the “it’s a small world” facade and at the Rivers of America. The fireworks component is only available on select nights.
During the day, guests can see characters such as Genie, Pinnochio, Merida and some of her Disney princess pals, and others march down Main Street U.S.A. as part of the The Celebrate Happy Cavalcade. The teddy bear duo, Duffy and ShellieMay, lead the procession. Despite their Cape Cod origins, this Massachusetts native is only vaguely aware of the characters, which are especially popular in Disney’s Asian parks. (Although based on the crowd reaction, the stateside fan base for Duffy and ShellieMay is apparently growing.) “Cavalcades,” or mini-parades, debuted during the pandemic as a way for guests to see the characters from a safe distance. They seem to be sticking around, however. As the name implies, the perky procession is over before the party barely gets started.
The 70th celebration is in full swing, but the most anticipated experience–at least for me–won’t be available until July 17, 2025, the actual day of Disneyland’s 70th anniversary. That’s when Walt Disney – A Magical Life will debut at the Main Street Opera House. It will showcase the man who started it all and will feature a visit from Walt via Audio-Animatronics technology. While I understand that the notion of a robotic Walt Disney may be unsettling to some, I’m mighty intrigued by the concept and can’t wait to check it out. Along with the new show, there will be an exhibit about Audio-Animatronics as well as artifacts from Disneyland’s early years in the Opera House’s lobby. Also, a short film will be offered at the Main Street Cinema that will shine a spotlight on Disney’s legendary songwriting duo, the Sherman Brothers.
What Disneyland anniversary feature are you most looking forward to experiencing? Were you able to see Wondrous Journeys or Paint the Night when it first opened?