Why May 16th Is a HUGE Day for Disneyland Resort

The Disneyland EVENT OF THE YEAR is almost upon us!

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Before the Disneyland Resort really digs in with its MASSIVE decade-long expansion, it’s gotta get through a pretty important year! If you plan on visiting “The Happiest Place on Earth” in 2025 or 2026, a year-long event is about to get underway, and we’ve got all the details!

Starting May 16th, 2025, the Disneyland Resort is celebrating its 70th anniversary!

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The celebration is going to be a long one, starting in May and running all the way into the summer of 2026. The festivities will see the return of some beloved shows and other limited-time entertainment, colorful decor, special food and beverages, exclusive merchandise, and more!

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Over at Disneyland Park, we’re incredibly excited to see the return of the “Paint the Night” parade make its way down Main Street, U.S.A.! This nighttime parade will utilize thousands of lights to create stunning colors while featuring characters from fan-favorite franchises like Monsters, Inc., Cars, Toy Story, and more.

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We also get to see the return of “Wondrous Journeys” — a nighttime spectacular that celebrates the legacy of Walt Disney Animation Studios while taking you on a journey through some of its most iconic characters and stories. This show will use projection effects on Sleeping Beauty Castle, Main Street, U.S.A., the Rivers of America, and “it’s a small world” in addition to an incredible fireworks show!

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Be on the lookout for Mickey Mouse and his friends, who will all be donning some special outfits for the celebration!

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They’ll also be part of a new character cavalcade called “Mickey and Friends Celebrate Happy!”

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“it’s a small world” is also getting in on the fun with new characters from Coco: Miguel and Dante! The new scene will debut May 9th, while a new verse to the iconic song played throughout the attraction, written by the late Richard M. Sherman, debuts on July 17th, 2o25.

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Also debuting on July 17th — the OFFICIAL birthday of Disneyland — will be Walt Disney — A Magical Life! The new show will be featured in the Main Street Opera House and will include an exhibit “featuring the evolution of Walt Disney’s dream of Disneyland.”

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The show itself will include the FIRST-EVER Walt Disney animatronic! How exciting! After an undisclosed amount of time, the new show will rotate with Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln.

“Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln”

The Pixar Pals Playtime Party is also returning to the Fantasyland Theatre beginning May 23rd! Dance and play along with the interactive games, activities, and photo locations inspired by fan-favorite Pixar films.

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Stitch’s Interplanetary Beach Party Blast is also coming back on May 23rd and will be filled with his favorite tunes, dance moves, and more surprises at Tomorrowland Terrace.

Stitch at Tomorrowland

Additionally, expect to see decorations like the 50-foot sculpture inspired by Sleeping Beauty Castle, “with colorful glass panels and golden charms representing the five original lands”, as well as multi-colored banners and vibrant flowers along Main Street, U.S.A., and a medallion will be featured on Sleeping Beauty Castle.

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A NEW theme song called “Celebrate Happy” — recorded by the Jonas Brothers — will also play throughout the celebration and can be streamed starting May 13th.

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Over at Disney California Adventure, a new “World of Color” show will be debuting called “World of Color Happiness!” This nighttime show is inspired by Walt Disney’s famous words on opening day: “To all who come to this happy place… welcome!” and will be hosted by Joy and the other emotions from Inside Out and Inside Out 2.

Boyz II Men are providing a rendition of “Rainbow Connection,” and FITZ from Fitz and the Tantrums will debut a new original song just for “World of Color” called “Makes Me Wanna Move.” We’ll also see plenty of appearances from beloved Disney characters during the show as well as several Muppets before the show!

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The “Better Together: A Pixar Pals Celebration!” parade is also returning and will include nearly 30 Pixar characters from some of the most popular Pixar movies.

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An all-new show, “Disney Jr. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live!” will debut at the Disney Theater on May 16th, as well. This new show features upbeat original songs, appearances by beloved Disney characters to sing and dance with, and interactive elements!

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Toy Story Midway Mania! in Pixar Pier is also getting an Anniversary update with “nods to the 70th anniversary as you compete for the highest score on carnival-inspired games.”

Disney California Adventure

You’ll also find meet-and-greets with Rex from Toy Story at Pixar Pier beginning June 1st, and the exterior of Carthay Circle Restaurant will feature music, lights, and projection effects to “celebrate happy” (Celebrate Happy is a new song coming to the park) and the Disneyland Resort’s anniversary.

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The celebration will also bring about TONS of 70th Anniversary TREATS and MERCH, and we’ll be covering ALL OF IT! To learn more about everything this celebration has to offer, check out our guide below!