Disney is throwing a big party of sorts for Disneyland’s 70th anniversary, which kicked off May 16 and goes into 2026. So if you’re planning a big trip this summer or later this year (fall/winter break), read below to find out what’s new and returning. Plus, save these tips to plan for that getaway.
Before You Go
- Check for Disneyland ticket and hotel deals here: https://disneyland.disney.go.com/offers-discounts/.
- Set your budget – this will set expectations for all going.
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Purchase park tickets and make park reservations for Disneyland and/or Disney’s California Adventure Park (DCA) in advance, as some days sell out.
- Download the Disneyland App. This will help you plan your park days, make reservations, allow mobile check out at shops, order food. and more.
- Create a must-do itinerary to prioritize top rides, shows, and food stop. Find some inspiration online (and below).
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Pack smart to avoid buying stuff you don’t need. Do bring:
- Comfortable shoes
- Sunblock and hats
- Water bottles
- Portable phone batteries and charging cords
- Plastic pouches and ponchos or change of clothes for water rides
- Snacks
- Autograph book and pen for character greetings
- Stroller(s) if traveling with little ones
What’s new for the big celebration?
Some highlights:
- World of Color Happiness! opens, featuring several Pixar and Disney movie moments along with dancing fountains, brilliant light displays, flame and fog effects, in DCA by Pixar Pier. Guests can vote for one of four emotions to be featured in the show, too. Arrive early to catch a preshow featuring The Muppets.
- The Celebrate Happy Cavalcade comes to life along the Disneyland parade route and include some rarely seen characters, such as Duffy and ShellieMay.
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Disney Jr. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live! debuted at the Disney Theatre in DCA.
- Rex from Toy Story films makes his character debut over at Pixar Pier in DCA on June 1 for a limited time.
- Mickey & Minnie will debut new outfits for special photo opts in Town Square at Disneyland. And the parks will have new decorations that will provide some good photo backdrops. Ask about special pixie dust added to Disney PhotoPass locations.
- 70th-themed treats and dining packages. Check out Disney’s food blog to learn more.
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Miguel and Dante from Coco have joined the other children of It’s a small world.
- Lots of merch commemorating the 70th anniversary. Be careful if you are on a budget. Some of it is adorable.
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A Story of Celebration: 70th Anniversary Guided Tour will take you on a 2-hour exploration of the park. This new add-on experience requires separate reservations.
Returning entertainment includes:
- Wonderous Journeys projection spectacular, with fireworks on select nights.
- Paint the Night Parade, featuring LED lights and vibrant costumes plus the return of Anna and Elsa.
- Better Together: A Pixar Pals Celebration! Plus, it will include a Dessert Party option.
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Pixar Pals Playtime Party at Fantasyland Theatre.
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Stitch’s Interplanetary Beach Party Blast in Tomorrowland.
Make an intinerary
Never been to the parks? Here are some suggestions for what to do based the ages of your kiddos:
Baby and toddler tips
- Visit Fantasyland early for rides like Dumbo the Flying Elephant, Peter Pan’s Flight and It’s a Small World.
- Know where to find the Baby Care Centers in each park (Main Street next to First Aid at Disneyland and near the entrance of Avengers Campus at DCA). They have nursing rooms, toddler toilets and changing tables.
- Visit Mickey’s Toontown where they can feel like they are in an animated town and CenTOONial Park features sensory experiences. It’s a great place for pictures and play. Go early or late if you want to enjoy it with fewer crowds.
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Make time for character encounters. For princess fans, be sure to hang out by Royal Hall in Fantasyland. Pooh will be by The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh in Critter Country, near Tania’s Bayou Adventure (the old Splash Mountain). Mickey and friends can be found at their homes in Toontown.
- Enjoy the outdoors by visiting Tom Sawyer Island at Disneyland and Redwood Creek Challenge Trail at DCA.
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Use Rider Switch for adult rides.
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Catch a parade.
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Take breaks – find a shady area or if you have time, head back to the hotel for a siesta.
School-age kids and tween tips
- Prioritize rides that keep them active, feeling in charge and entertained, such as Web Slingers andToy Story Midway Maniaat DCA andBuzz Lightyear Astro Blasters and Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run at Disneyland.
- Visit interactive areas like ToonTown, Avengers Headquarters and Galaxy’s Edge.
- Join a scavenger hunt (when available).
- Enjoy live entertainment, such as Guardians of the Galaxy Awesome Dance Off! at DCA and Fantasmic! at Disneyland.
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Play games as a family with the Disney Play app. There’s lots of trivia and interactive games to explore the parks and maximize fun in ride lines.
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Build a droid at Droid Depot or lightsaber at Savi’s Workshop.
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Drink blue and/or green milk in Galaxy’s Edge.
Teen Tips
- Get in those thrill and immersive rides like the Incredicoaster and Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: Breakout! at DCA, and Space Mountain and Rise of the Resistance at Disneyland.
- Explore Galaxy’s Edge with Star Wars: Datapad game, part of Disney Play app.
- Go hunting for Instagrammable snacks and backdrops.
- Allow some independence, but make sure to have a check-in plan.
- Give them a say in the day’s itinerary – you might be surprised to find out what’s important to them.
Money-Saving Tips
Disney is a splurge for most, but it doesn’t have to break the bank – that’s how I’ve gotten my husband to agree to so many trips. Some of the ways I’ve saved:
- Stay at a Good Neighbor Hotel, which can be much less expensive than Disney properties. I’ve seen rates as low as $130/night when I spot checked a few places we’ve previously stayed within walking distance of the park.
- Buy discounted Disney gift cards (Target, Sam’s Club) and then buy your park tickets and food. Disney Chase credit card users also have select discounts on merchandise and food.
- Check out ticket deals. For example, if this is a big visit, consider the 3- or 4-day deal ($100-$120 per ticket per day) available May 16 – Aug. 14, 2025. Single day tickets are as much as $196 for ages 3-9 and $206 for ages 10 and up on weekends. And I didn’t see anything under $132 during those peak dates. Ouch.
- Consider using a travel agent or travel service to find you a good deal and save you time.
- Skip Park Hopper and Lightning Lane tickets. Park Hoppers add $65-$105 to each ticket, depending on the number of days you play. The Lightning Lane mulit pass adds $32+ per person per day to your cost, and some rides have a Lighning Lane single pass (prices vary). And then there’s the anxiety of getting to your ride at specific times and not always being able to “walk on.” Enjoy the moment. Find games to play in line, or talk.
- Bring snacks, share meals and/or bring your lunch
Final Tips
- Don’t stress about doing everything.You can’t.Focus on creating memories!
- Don’t forget to take pictures. Consider PhotoPass for group shots.
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Wear your MagicBands (if you have them) for interactive experiences through the parks.
- Use Mobile Order for meals. If you plan it right, you can get off one ride, grab a snack and enjoy in the next line.
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Check the DisneyParksBlog for recent news about new food, merchandise and special events. https://disneyparksblog.com/dlr/
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Be flexible and have a good attitude.
Yvette Armendariz is an award-winning journalist who regularly vacationed at Disney parks when raising her children, now young adults. Today, they still enjoy going especially when mom pays.