Reasons to Stay Longer and Experience More at Disneyland

Disneyland in Anaheim, California, is celebrating its 70th anniversary this year, with festivities already underway and continuing through summer 2026. The celebration, called Celebrate Happy, features an extensive lineup of new and returning entertainment, special food and beverage offerings, and unique attractions that encourage longer stays.

Highlights include the return of the Paint the Night parade with refreshed lighting, a 30-foot Frozen-themed float, and a new soundtrack integration. The popular Wondrous Journeys nighttime spectacular also returns, showcasing scenes from over 60 Disney animated films. Additional entertainment includes the Celebrate Happy Cavalcade with fan-favorite characters, the Tapestry of Happiness projection show at It’s a Small World, the Better Together: A Pixar Pals Celebration daytime parade, and the new World of Color – Happiness water and projection show featuring the emotions from Inside Out. Projection shows at landmarks like Carthay Circle Theater add extra magic to the evenings.

A new show titled Walt Disney – A Magical Life will debut at the Opera House, featuring the first-ever Walt Disney audio-animatronic and an accompanying exhibit. A new final verse for It’s a Small World, written by Disney legend Richard M. Sherman, will also be introduced on this date.

Given the number of shows, parades, and nighttime spectaculars, guests are encouraged to plan multi-day visits. The resort’s compact, walkable layout makes it especially convenient for families with young children and older travelers. Limited-time multi-day ticket and hotel packages add value, and even local residents are opting for extended stays to fully enjoy the anniversary offerings.

The 70th anniversary marks just the beginning, as Disneyland is preparing for its DisneylandForward expansion, promising more attractions and experiences in the coming years.