As Disneyland Park in Anaheim, California, turns 70 this summer time, Disney is doing what it does greatest: throwing an enormous celebration stuffed with cheerful escapism.
The occasion that begins Might 16, 2025, and runs by means of summer time 2026. It’s the whole lot you’d anticipate from Disney: nostalgia galore, festive parades and colourful novelty meals. The theme is “Have a good time Blissful,” however let’s be actual — happiness will get costly quick on the Happiest Place on Earth.
I used to be invited to attend a multiday media preview, which meant Disney picked up the tab for my resort and park tickets. However I additionally purchased my dad a ticket so he might be a part of me (in any case, Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters is manner much less enjoyable while you’re solo). Plus, we shelled out loads of money on meals and extras. That gave me a firsthand have a look at what’s well worth the cash — and what’s not.
What’s new at Disneyland’s seventieth celebration?
The seventieth Celebration Churro is rolled in ube sugar and topped with blue raspberry icing. (Photograph by Sally French)
Disney is leaning into its historical past with its seventieth anniversary celebration, incorporating throwbacks that friends from many years in the past could bear in mind. A lot of the new additions give nods to basic exhibits and the park’s historical past, together with:
“World of Coloration Happiness!”, a revised model of the nighttime water and light-weight present at Disneyland’s sibling park, Disney California Journey, combines audio from Walt Disney’s 1955 opening-day speech with imagery from newer Disney movies, together with “Inside Out,” “Tangled” and “Encanto.”
The “Have a good time Blissful” cavalcade is mainly a mini-parade by means of the park. This one options some characters you won’t be aware of, like Duffy (Mickey Mouse’s bear, in accordance with Disney lore) and ShellieMay (Duffy’s buddy, who can also be a bear).
“Tapestry of Happiness,” a projection present on the historic facade of “It’s a Small World,” honors Disney artist Mary Blair, who famously labored on movies resembling “Cinderella” and “Alice in Wonderland,” and helped design the “It’s a Small World” trip.
A historic strolling tour prices a further $120 per individual, however may enchantment to diehard Disney nerds like me. It covers Disney’s seven many years of historical past, together with rides on a number of the park’s authentic points of interest (with out having to attend in the usual line), plus some included snacks and reserved parade seating.
Greater than 70 new meals objects are mainly made for Instagram. Some treats, like a churro doused in ube sprinkles, are purple to match the occasion’s coloration palette. Others nod to the previous, just like the W.E.D. Chili Cheese Baked Potato named after Walt Disney’s initials. It’s a dish Walt Disney may’ve ordered, as he famously cherished chili.
Learn how to be a part of Disneyland’s seventieth on a price range
The actual magic is a trick you’ll have to tug off your self — discovering methods to avoid wasting. Listed below are my go-to techniques.
Purchase discounted tickets this summer time
For visits between Might 16 and August 14, 2025, Disney is providing a four-day ticket deal that breaks down to simply $100 per day, which is reasonable by Disney requirements. Even higher, approved resellers like Undercover Vacationer provide that deal (and others) for much less. In reality, I purchased my dad’s ticket there and saved about $20 in comparison with Disney’s worth.
Army personnel, Southern California residents and people with entry to company reductions may also be capable to rating discounted Disney tickets.
Don’t sleep on factors
A room on the Disneyland Lodge. (Photograph by Sally French)
Top-of-the-line causes to remain at a Disney-owned resort is the early entry profit. You probably have a theme park ticket, you’ll be able to enter the parks half-hour earlier than everybody else, which may be key to getting on widespread rides earlier than the traces get too lengthy. I used my Disneyland Lodge key to make a beeline to Guardians of the Galaxy — Mission: Breakout earlier than a line had fashioned.
The Guardians of the Galaxy — Mission: Breakout! trip at Disney California Journey. (Photograph by Sally French)
For those who don’t plan to make use of early entry, staying elsewhere may provide higher worth. Many lodges inside strolling distance are bookable on factors, and a few even provide free breakfast.
A few of the closest lodges with free breakfast are:
Hyatt Home at Anaheim Resort/Conference Heart: Class 4 (12,000 – 18,000 World of Hyatt factors per night time).
Hyatt Place at Anaheim Resort/Conference Heart: Class 4 (12,000 – 18,000 World of Hyatt factors per night time).
Home2 Suites by Hilton Anaheim Resort: Normal rooms begin at 65,000 Hilton Honors factors per night time.
SpringHill Suites Anaheim Resort/Conference Heart: Normal rooms begin at 35,000 Marriott Bonvoy factors per night time.
Carry your personal snacks, then splurge strategically
The Disneyland seventieth Celebration Abominable Snowman Sipper. (Photograph by Sally French)
Disneyland is surprisingly cool with you bringing your personal meals (with a number of exceptions; for instance, glass containers aren’t allowed). It can save you on meals by packing a meal, snacks and reusable water bottles.
However go away some room in your price range (and your stomach) to splurge on the limited-time meals objects particular to Disney’s seventieth. Among the many greatest values are:
Pulled pork mac and cheese in a bread bowl (Refreshment Nook, Disneyland’s Fundamental Road, U.S.A.): This scrumptious entree is served with the bread bowl’s lid on the facet. It might simply feed two folks.
Popcorn buckets and drink sippers: These are available a number of designs, together with some that characteristic the Abominable Snowman from the Matterhorn Bobsleds trip. And so they double as souvenirs!
World of Coloration Dessert Get together: This one’s admittedly an enormous splurge at $94 per individual, however I’ve robust emotions about it. I’m 4’10”, and each “standing room” fireworks or present viewing I’ve ever attended is simply somebody’s armpit in my face. This comes with precise seats, a flowery dessert field, limitless nonalcoholic drinks (plus one grownup beverage if you happen to’re 21+) and a killer view. On a packed summer time night time? Price it.
Don’t skip Downtown Disney
Bowling at Splitsville Luxurious Lanes begins at $21 per individual. (Photograph by Sally French)
You may nonetheless be a part of the Disneyland seventieth Anniversary enjoyable and not using a park ticket by strolling by means of the adjoining, free-to-enter Downtown Disney District. However take into account that particular person points of interest could price additional. For instance, you may go bowling at Splitsville, with costs beginning at simply $21 per individual.
A number of Downtown Disney eating places are including their very own particular menu objects for the park’s seventieth anniversary. Beignets Expressed has a blueberry cobbler beignet, and Black Faucet Craft Burgers & Shakes has a “Cotton Sweet Crazyshake” with purple and pink rock sweet. On the grownup beverage entrance, Jazz Kitchen Coastal Grill & Patio places a spin on a basic with the French “70” — a bubbly lavender gin cocktail.
