As Disneyland celebrates its 70th anniversary, Disneyland Resort isn’t just honoring the past — it’s actively rewriting what it means to belong in the present. And Disney California Adventure Park joins the festivities by having new offerings. From reimagined parades and culinary innovations to heart-stirring nighttime spectaculars like World of Color – Happiness, guests can expect the celebrations to reflect a deeper, more intentional embrace of inclusivity, nostalgia, and emotional connection.

Seventy years of magic is an incredible accomplishment for any theme park — but for Disneyland, it’s more than just longevity. It’s a testament to the power of storytelling, imagination, and an ever-evolving vision of who gets to be part of the magic.

While Disneyland honors its past, it doesn’t linger in it. The resort continues to look toward the future, building on the foundation laid over the last 70 years. As such, the magic that guests have long known and loved has expanded into something more inclusive and reflective of the world we live in — a place where people of all backgrounds can find stories, characters, and experiences that feel personal.

The festivities kick off May 16, ushering in a season of nostalgia, flavor, musical surprises, and some long-awaited returns. During a special media preview, creatives shared how the 70th Anniversary offerings — from the reimagined nighttime shows to character experiences — were shaped by both legacy and change. “We honor our district culture and tradition as we look to the future. So we’re constantly looking at the traditional way we do decor,” Manager of Creative Development for Walt Disney Imagineering David Caranci said. “We really are always looking backwards as we move forwards.”

The philosophy of looking backwards as we move forward when applied to celebrating Disneyland’s 70th anniversary is evident in many of the live-entertainment offerings the resort has to offer. “We have listened to the fans, and we are bringing back those classics that not only our guests but our cast members truly love,” Executive Producer, Disney Live Entertainment Jennifer McGill said.

And that doesn’t just mean at Disneyland itself, it also extends to Disney California Adventure Park.

Better Together: A Pixar Pals Celebration! returns to the park streets. Guests can expect to see Luca and Alberto from the charming, summertime coming-of-age film Luca, Mei-Mei and the rest of the 4-Town crew from Turning Red, as well as Carl, Russell, and Dug from Up, among many other beloved Pixar characters. So while Better Together: A Pixar Pals Celebration! might sound like a cute title, but for those who grew up clinging to characters that looked nothing like them, seeing Mei-Mei and her 4*Town crew, or Luca and Alberto on floats, it’s a canclave of floats that allows cultural specificity to shine through and for some to finally feel seen.

Over at Midway Mania, guests can enjoy Toy Story Midway Mania. Once they start playing, they will spot celebratory surprises woven into the ride’s fast-paced gameplay. Updated sound effects, special 70th anniversary scoring opportunities and notes that “Celebrate Happy,” can be found scattered throughout the attraction. So be sure to aim and shoot with accuracy.

The night becomes even more magical with the new Celebrate Happy – A Little Touch of Magic. The light projection show is a new scalable offering that guests can just happen upon if they are at the right place at the right time. Set against the walls of the Carthay Circle Theater facade, Celebrate Happy – A Little Touch of Magic sees Tinkerbelle uses her magic to turn the facade into a starry night canvas that is lit up with fireworks, stars, and other nostalgia. The best part of this is, it’s only a two-minute show and there are opportunities for multiple viewings.

But for those who want emotional moments that can be large scale need to see the new World of Color – Happiness. Inspired by Walt Disney’s original 1955 park dedication, the reimagined nighttime spectacular marks the seventh full-length World of Color show since its debut in 2010. To come up with something fresh while also celebrating the past, the imagineers needed to figure out what is happiness, and how does one create, experience, and what does the word mean to everyone.

So the imagineers looked to Pixar and the Muppets to help answer that question.

While Kermit, Gonzo, Miss Piggy, and the rest of the Muppet gang won’t be joining the World of Color show directly, they’re still playing an essential role in the festivities. The Muppets are taking the stage in a lighthearted and fun-filled segment that showcases their signature humor and charm as they help guests with rules and safety information. Sam the Eagle will be there to discourage guests from jumping into the bay, Joe the Legal Weasel will be on hand to ensure everyone knows the fine print, reminding guests (in his best legal jargon) that Disney isn’t liable for any, well, “unforeseen consequences” from all the Muppet hijinks, and, of course, Miss Piggy will try to upstage everyone with her demands for better water effects.

After that safety segment from the Muppets, World of Color – Happiness opens with a quiet and nostalgic number that evokes a sense of wonder and heartfelt emotion. Walt is overheard welcoming guests with his iconic: “To all who come to this happy place: welcome.” A kaleidoscope of colors projected onto mist introduces Joy and the rest of the emotions who serve as our guides to this story about finding the answer to the question of: what is happiness.

It’s a soft and warm opening that infuses Michael Giacchino’s “Bundle of Joy” from Inside Out Peter Pan’s “You Can Fly” and The Lion King‘s “Hakuna Matata” with clips of Winnie the Pooh, Snow White, The Lion King, and the optmistic Dory, while including Ariel’s “Part of Your World” as the “I want” song and clips of Moana sailing and Lilo, Stitch, and Nani surfing. At this point, the nostalgia hits hard in ways that just want to make you cry tears of joy.

And once guests overhear Walt say the word “joy,” Joy from Inside Out pops in with her sunny energy to wake the crowd up, much to the annoyance of Anger and Disgust. The musical bit becomes colorful as the lights, sounds, and water effects match with the faster drum beats.

While the show continues to utilize clips and footage from Disney Animation and Pixar’s greatest hits, World of Color – Happiness still manages to amaze with its emotional resonance and stunning visual storytelling. With even more stories now added to the Disney Vault, the show finds fresh ways to spotlight characters like Asha and Star from the underappreciated Wish, and Luisa Madrigal belting “Surface Pressure” from the cultural juggernaut Encanto. And everyone will be in a dancing mood when Powerline’s I 2 I (Eye to Eye) starts playing. Enhanced animation effects for Hercules, Tangled, The Incredibles breathe new life into these scenes, making familiar moments feel unexpectedly new.

In addition to the nighttime spectacular’s dazzling visuals, the creative team has found exciting new ways to make the show a sonic experience as well with new renditions of “Surface Pressure,” performed by Flor de Toloach, an all-female mariachi band based in New York City to a everyone’s favorite Nobody Like You from 4town. There will also be a the soulful rendition of “Rainbow Connection” by Boyz II Men and a brand-new anthem, “Makes Me Wanna Move,” from FITZ — frontman of the multi-platinum band Fitz and the Tantrums.

With a refreshed lineup of entertainment, more intentional representation, and creative risks that feel emotionally authentic, the resort continues to evolve beyond nostalgia. Because when you see Joy dancing in a fountain of light, or hear “Rainbow Connection” reimagined by Boyz II Men, it’s a reminder that happiness isn’t just about remembering the past — it’s about recognizing yourself in the present. And for so many of us who grew up loving Disney from the outside, that kind of welcome finally feels like it includes us, too.