By: Madison Hackett
April 24, 2025

As a proud EarMarked Gold agency, Wishes Family travel had the opportunity to send two agents to a March 2025 Agent Education Program at Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California. I was one of the two incredibly fortunate agents selected to represent our agency and explore this amazing destination—and it was nothing short of magical. The parks are already animated in anticipation of the upcoming 70th anniversary celebration, a collection of special events and offerings to honor seven decades of happiness. I left California with my heart full, and my notepad packed with tips and updates to share!

✨ 70 Years of Happy: What's Coming May 16, 2025

Starting May 16, the Disneyland Resort 70th Anniversary Celebration will kick off a full year of limited-time magic, running through summer 2026. The theme? Pure joy. You'll see that spirit woven into dazzling entertainment, immersive decor, commemorative merch, and over-the-top themed food and drinks.

Here’s what I’m most excited to tell share with our clients:

✨A BRAND-NEW World of Color Show!

As a complete Disneyland newbie, I was surprised at how emotionally moved I was by ”World of Color – ONE”. The opening moment with Walt Disney and the show’s message that one single action can cascade into a world of difference sent me home ready to tackle ANY challenge in my life. This brand-new version of World of Color, titled “World of Color Happiness!”, builds on this spirit and explores Walt Disney’s opening words at Disneyland’s park dedication:

“To all who come this happy place…welcome!”

The show will debut at California Adventure and will be hosted by Joy and her fellow emotions from Inside Out. this nighttime show will blend water, light, fire, and Disney stories like Turning Red, A Goofy Movie, Tangled, The Lion King, and more—all to explore what “happy” truly means. Boyz II Men will bring their iconic R&B sound to a heartfelt rendition of “Rainbow Connection,” while FITZ, the lead singer of Fitz and the Tantrums, will premiere an original song, “Makes Me Wanna Move,” created exclusively for the show.

Grab a spot for this early because this show will be popular! You could also opt for dining with a reserved view or a Theme Park View over at the newly renovated Pixar Place Hotel to catch glimpses from the comfort of your room.

✨ “Paint the Night” Returns!

Full disclosure: every Disney insider I know (and those I met on this trip!) is MOST excited about this one. Back by popular demand, “Paint the Night” will once again light up Disneyland Park’s Main Street, U.S.A. If you've never seen it, prepare for an explosion of color, LED lights, and Disney animation brought to life—from Cars and Toy Story to The Little Mermaid and Monsters, Inc. Mickey Mouse taps into his vibrant imagination and channels Tinker Bell’s pixie dust to bring Disney dreams to life and light up the night in "Paint the Night."

✨Wondrous Journeys Makes a Brilliant Comeback!

This nighttime spectacular celebrates Disney’s rich animation legacy with projections across multiple park icons—and on select nights, fireworks that will leave you exhilarated. For lovers of Hercules, The Princess and the Frog, Peter Pan, Big Hero 6, Moana, Encanto, or more, this one’s must-see.

✨Looking for daytime celebrations? How about “Better Together: A Pixar Pals Celebration!”

On the streets of California Adventure, this lively daytime parade brings nearly 30 Pixar characters to life with bright floats, joyful music, and high-energy performances. It’s especially perfect for fans of Turning Red, Luca, Up, and more.

A note from the Disneyland Website: “Wondrous Journeys” nighttime spectacular and “Better Together: A Pixar Pals Celebration!” parade will temporarily pause to make way for seasonal Halloween and Holidays entertainment offerings, then resume later.

✨Here are more fun extras to look forward to:

A Story of Celebration: 70th Anniversary Guided Tour: A 2-hour walking tour exploring Disneyland's history, iconic locations, and Walt Disney's vision starting April 24, 2025.
Attraction updates: Miguel and Dante join the choir in “it’s a small world” starting April 25, 2025, and Toy Story Midway Mania! Features subtle nods to the celebration.
Wear your MagicBand+ to unlock special interactions and effects throughout both parks – including during entertainment.
Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, and friends will show off special looks in Town Square in Disneyland park
A new cavalcade called “The Celebrate Happy Cavalcade”, will dance down the Disneyland park parade route daily, inviting you to clap along! Did someone say DUFFY is coming!
Sleeping Beauty Castle will shine with a stunning medallion centerpiece.
“Tapestry of Happiness” at “it’s a small world”: Each night, the facade comes to life with light, music, and projection effects, showcasing an animated mosaic of Disneyland moments inspired by Mary Blair’s art. Featuring the 70th celebration theme song “Celebrate Happy” and classic Disneyland tunes, this visual tribute will evoke nostalgia and remind us of the happiness Disneyland brings to all ages.
Speaking of, there’s even a new theme song “Celebrate Happy” performed by the Jonas Brothers!

✨Commemorative Merchandise Collections

I am the queen of under packing to buy merchandise at the parks, and this celebration is no exception! Guests can expect to shop four main collections: the Celebration Collection, featuring colorful apparel, accessories, and even character-themed bubble wands; the Castle Collection, offering royal-inspired items like jewelry by Rebecca Hook; the Vault Collection, a nostalgic trip through Disneyland's history with retro apparel and vintage park map-inspired designs; and the Walt Disney Nostalgia Collection, celebrating the legacy of Walt Disney with memorabilia reminiscent of his personal desk. Additionally, fans can shop stunning Pandora charms and a Bulova pocket watch for a timeless keepsake. For those seeking interactive fun, the Key to Disneyland unlocks commemorative pins across the park’s nine lands, while the 70th Medallion Collection offers collectible park-themed designs.

✨Special Offers to Celebrate!

For anyone looking to visit this summer, there’s amazing value to be found with brand-new offers just released:

Special Ticket Deal: Guests can visit for as low as $100/day with a 4-day, 1-park per day ticket (or $120/day for 3-day tickets), valid May 16–August 14, 2025.
Hotel Discounts: Save up to 20% on select rooms at Disneyland Resort Hotels (for Sunday – Thursday stays). I love traveling during the week to avoid crowds!
Extra Savings for Disney Visa Cardmembers: Enjoy up to 30% off Premium rooms at Disneyland Resort Hotels.

These deals are a fantastic way to stretch your vacation dollars while still enjoying all the once-in-a-decade magic. They won’t last long, and promotions can sell out, so contact us to lock in those savings!

✨What This Means for Your Disney Vacation Plans

From a travel agent’s perspective, this celebration is a golden opportunity for families, couples, and multi-gen groups to make new memories. I strongly recommend booking early, especially for summer 2025 and beyond.

Whether you’re planning your first visit or your fiftieth, this year-long celebration is the perfect time to go all in. Stay at a Disneyland Resort Hotel (the newly reimagined Pixar Place Hotel is fabulous), take advantage of seasonal events like Halloween Time or Festival of Holidays, and of course, ask me about Lightning Lane Multi Pass and dining tips.

I’ll be sharing more on my socials as the celebration unfolds—so stay tuned! Connect with me at my Linktree here: https://linktr.ee/expedition.with.madison

Need help planning your 70th anniversary trip? I’d love to help you “Celebrate Happy!” Follow that same link to request a complimentary quote!

An Insider’s Guide to the 70th Anniversary at Disneyland Resort!