Disneyland is about to turn 70 — and it’s not just a celebration of the past, but a reimagining of what it means to be the “Happiest Place on Earth” in a world that’s ever-evolving. As the park prepares to commemorate its milestone anniversary, it’s no longer just about rides and parades. This year, Disneyland’s anniversary goes deeper, reflecting a commitment to speaking to underrepresented community, culture, and the joy of being seen in stories.

The festivities kick off with The Celebrate Happy Cavalcade. The parade is a vibrant, high-energy afternoon procession led by Mickey Mouse and joined by characters who represent both legacy and change. New additions like Duffy and ShellieMay have made their way to sunny California, where they join beloved favorites like Goofy, Max, and a regal lineup of princesses including Merida, Jasmine, Pocahontas, Belle, and Cinderella. The cavalcade wraps with a joyful finale featuring Mickey and Chip ‘n’ Dale, bringing classic Disney energy and plenty of heart to the celebration.

As the sun sets, guests will have a variety of nighttime spectaculars to choose from, each blending innovation with nostalgia. Among the standout experiences is Tapestry of Happiness – Fond Memories of the Past, a stunning projection show that transforms the iconic it’s a small world façade into a living mosaic inspired by the art of Mary Blair. With a runtime of five and a half minutes, this dazzling display uses the new Jonas Brothers song Celebrate Happy to take guests on an emotional journey through Disney’s greatest films, both past and present.

But what sets this show apart is its unique approach to storytelling. Rather than simply syncing a montage of film clips to music, Tapestry of Happiness infuses the simple, yet enchanting style of Mary Blair’s art into scenes from beloved stories like Encanto, Coco, and beyond. The familiar silhouettes and vibrant color palette of it’s a small world lend a playful, universal energy to characters we’ve grown to love, reminding guests that Disney’s magic is for everyone.

Other unforgettable images in Tapestry of Happiness include quintessential fixtures of Disneyland Park, like the Dapper Dans spreading their harmonious cheer through Main Street, U.S.A., and balloons drifting into the sky — a powerful symbol of transitions. The projections of Sleeping Beauty Castle in Fantasyland, and other familiar nighttime landmarks, including the magic of fireworks and the nostalgic glow of the classic Main Street Electrical Parade shines across the facade. The entire experience is brought to life through a Mary Blair-inspired lens, where the artistry interprets Disney’s parades with bright, colorful creativity.

Musically, the show sings with iconic Disney tunes, such as Mama Odie’s joyful “Dig a Little Deeper” from The Princess and the Frog, the swashbuckling “A Pirate’s Life For Me” from Pirates of the Caribbean, and the ever-optimistic “There’s a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow” by the Sherman Brothers. In true Mary Blair fashion, these familiar sounds are given a fresh, playful reinterpretation, capturing the timeless spirit of the park through a brilliantly modern twist.

These images are so beautiful to look at, and the playfulness of the art dancing or flying as Peter Pan and Co did across the screen fits perfectly with the Small World Facade.

But just as the mood intensifies with the sudden arrival of Kylo Ren and his squad of Stormtroopers — bathed in a striking palette of crimson reds, deep purples, and smoky grays. The show shifts back to the classics with an array of colors from Alice in Wonderland. Green gardens along with white and red cards pop up as the Queen of Hearts shouting “Off with their heads.” Then the Hitchhiking Ghosts take over, turning a garden party into something a bit more playfully haunting.

The atmosphere warms with a gentle strum of guitar and sparkles as the facade turns back into images of the Skyway, the Peoplemover, and even the Motorboat Cruise reminds guests where it all started. Using Disneyland imagery, the nighttime spectacular then reaches its crescendo paying tribute to it’s a small world, fitting considering since the projection show is set against the facade of the same name. And finally, it caps off with the Jonas Brothers’ “Celebrate Happy.”

Disneyland also brings high-energy excitement to the night with the return of the fan-favorite Paint the Night parade. This after-dark spectacle pulses with over a million LED lights, flooding the streets with brilliant colors and electrifying energy. It’s a visual feast that celebrates not only Disneyland’s legacy but also its ability to innovate and bring beloved characters to life in dazzling new ways.

Floats include the fan-favorite return of Anna and Elsa on their Frozen-inspired float, making its long-awaited return since its initial debut. Alongside them, beloved characters like Mike and Sulley from Monsters, Inc. will once again take center stage as they bring their doors that open to other bedrooms revealing what kind of hijinks the other monsters get into. The Toy Story float continues to bring the iconic gang of Woody and Buzz riding on Slinky the Dog, while Jessie takes to the street to dance with fellow performers.

The Disney Princesses glide through the streets, showcasing the timeless magic of the royal heroines. And Mack from Cars makes his return, racing down the parade route, adding a dash of high-speed excitement to the event. Each of these floats brings an unforgettable dose of Disney magic, keeping the celebration alive and vibrant.

The celebrations cap off with Wondrous Journeys, a dazzling fireworks spectacular that lights up the evening sky, while painting Disney’s legacy with projections of beloved characters and moments from across the eras from the Gold and Silver ages to the Renaissance and Revival ages on the iconic façade of Sleeping Beauty Castle.

Wondrous Journeys opens with a heartfelt voiceover, inviting audiences to believe in the impossible, to wish upon stars and take bold steps into the unknown. It reminds us that even the smallest idea can spark the biggest changes. That message becomes literal as the stone walls of Sleeping Beauty Castle transform into an animator’s sketchbook. The scratch of pencil on paper echoes through the air as Mickey Mouse begins to take shape, symbolizing the very beginning of Disney animation. Then, as Devan Garcia’s “It’s Wondrous” begins to play, the show celebrates how one spark of imagination grew into a legacy of magic that continues to inspire generations.

Even when there aren’t fireworks, the projections turn the Sleeping Beauty Castle façade into a breathtaking canvas that’s alive with reimagined moments from the Disney animation movie vault.

As the castle turns into a dreamlike blue, “When You Wish Upon A Star” plays and just like magic, the Blue Fairy flies across the left side of the castle and right before she disappears, three fireworks bloom to make the shape of Mickey Mouse. It’s a moment that feels less like choreography and more like destiny.

Hercules asking guests if they’ve had a dream, Belle belting out about wanting adventure, Quasimodo wondering what’s out there, and Moana’s “How Far I’ll Go” draws on themes of longing, wonder, and self-discovery.

Projections of Moana sprinting across the shores of Motunui are mapped seamlessly across the castle facade, her journey illuminated by perfectly timed fireworks that make an emotional punctuation. It’s a symbiotic moment where these characters find the answers they’ve been looking for, and the animation, music, and pyrotechnics don’t just coexist, they elevate one another.

And then comes one of the show’s most grounded, yet deeply inspiring beats where guests hear Tiana’s father gently reminding her daughter that she has to put in some hard work of her own in order to make her wish come true. And those soft blue textures are lit up with explosive fireworks and the uplifting gospel I Want song of “Almost There.” As the song plays out, characters who embody the idea of happy dance across the screen. That energy is matched with fireworks that are timed perfectly to our favorite moments from our favorite films.

An inspirational orchestral version of Frozen’s “For the First Time in Forever” as moments of Luisa looking strong while Mirabel holds on to a donkey from Encanto, Tarzan and Jane floating, and Hiro and Baymax flying leaves guests in awe.

Then as the lights turn down, the projections turn the Sleeping Beauty Castle facade into the San Fransokyo bridge where not only does Fall Out Boy’s “Immortals” play but Baymax lights up for his very first test flight — quite literally. More action-packed scenes and training montages from Aladdin and Mulan, along with the Rescuers Down Under and Hercules join this incredible sequence that gets the heart racing.

There’s a quiet stillness that falls over the show as the fireworks pause for a moment to emphasize the struggles of certain characters when they are at a crossroads on their journey. From Moana feeling like she can’t continue her quest, Judy Hopps coming to grips with the weight of disillusionment, Mirabel not feeling she is good enough, and Mulan feeling she has dishonored her family brings tears.

Of course, that is all uplifted when Moana’s Grandma Tala drops some wisdom and Enantco’s Dos Oruguitas starts playing. Suddenly, that cold feeling from before is warmed, as are the colors on the castle. As the music builds, the castle magically turns into the Madrigal Casita complete with all of the etchings of each member of the Madrigal family.

As Wondrous Journeys comes to a close, the night sky bursts into a kaleidoscope of color and light. Fireworks bloom faster now, layered in golden arcs and shimmering trails, each one timed to the beat of a swelling orchestra that feels less like music and more like memory.

Disneyland Park’s live entertainment is a recognition that joy, legacy, and belonging aren’t one-size-fits-all. When one sees Mirabel dance across the castle, or hears Tiana sing about being “Almost There,” or watches Hiro preparing Baymax for his first test flight, it’s more than just spectacle, it shows the impact these movies had on guests. So not only do their stories resonate with all, underrepresented communities can finally see and hear themselves in a nighttime spectacular such as Wondrous Journeys.

These stories often resonate with everyone, but there are cultural specificities that speak to an underrepresented community. Whether it’s in the rhythms of the music, the languages spoken without translation, or the words that reflect generational wisdom, seeing these characters affirm that their stories matter.

While the celebrations aren’t spread across every corner of the park, it’s still a momentous occasion that deserves recognition. The park’s legacy, much like that of the studio behind it, has evolved into something more reflective of the world we live in today. Characters of color now have their stories told, not as additions or token gestures, but as central figures in the magic. And with that inclusion comes the assurance that underrepresented communities belong in a legacy that has always been rich with wonder, color, and possibility.

Disneyland’s 70th anniversary officially begins on May 16, 2025, and will last through summer 2026.