Disneyland is gearing up for an epic celebration as it approaches its 70th anniversary in 2025. The milestone event is set to rival the grand yearlong festivities of its 50th and 60th anniversaries, which featured new parades, spectacular fireworks shows, and dazzling nighttime displays, along with themed decorations, food, and merchandise.
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To kick off the preparations, Disneyland cast members will celebrate with a “Road to the 70th” backstage party on July 17, marking the Anaheim theme park’s 69th birthday. The event will feature photo opportunities, Porto’s Bakery treats, puzzle contests, tours of Walt Disney’s fire station apartment, and various other activities.
Disneyland Forever Fireworks to Return
In 2015, the “Disneyland Forever” fireworks and projections on Sleeping Beauty Castle captivated visitors during the park’s 60th anniversary. This beloved show might make a comeback as part of the 70th-anniversary celebrations, offering guests another chance to witness the magical display that has become synonymous with Disneyland’s milestone events.
Disneyland employees, known as cast members in Disney parlance, are eagerly preparing for the upcoming celebrations. Although Mickey Mouse and the rest of the Disney characters are always ready to mark significant milestones, it’s still early to start saluting the septuagenarian park’s eighth decade. However, the early kick-off for cast members indicates that the 70th anniversary will be a grand affair, likely stretching over more than a year.
Anticipation Builds for the 70th Anniversary
When will the official celebrations begin? How long will they last? What will be the theme? These are questions that Disneyland officials have yet to answer. But if past celebrations are any indication, the 70th anniversary will be nothing short of spectacular. The festivities for the 50th and 60th anniversaries each lasted over a year, filled with memorable events and attractions.
The 70th anniversary might draw inspiration from Disney’s 100th anniversary, which was celebrated in 2023. Known as a platinum anniversary, the 70th will likely feature the same metallic color theme that dominated the Disney100 celebrations. Disneyland’s 100th-anniversary festivities ran from January to September 2023 before moving to Epcot in Florida for the remainder of the year.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Disneyland was closed during its 65th anniversary in July 2020, resulting in no major celebrations. However, the park has a history of elaborate anniversary events. The 60th anniversary festivities stretched from May 2015 to September 2016, while the 50th anniversary celebrations ran from May 2005 to September 2006.
Looking Forward to a Yearlong Celebration
A time capsule was buried during the 40th anniversary in 1995 with plans to unearth it on July 17, 2035, for Disneyland’s 80th anniversary. This tradition highlights the park’s commitment to celebrating its rich history and looking forward to the future.
As anticipation builds for Disneyland’s 70th anniversary, fans and visitors can look forward to an array of events and attractions that will make the milestone unforgettable. While specific details remain under wraps, the early preparations and hints suggest that the 70th-anniversary celebration will be as grand and magical as previous landmark events in Disneyland’s storied history.