David Bridges
This summer marks a momentous occasion as Disneyland celebrates its 70th anniversary, kicking off a series of exciting festivities beginning this weekend at Walt Disney’s inaugural theme park. Unlike previous anniversaries that leaned heavily on nostalgia, this year promises a vibrant party atmosphere that will engage guests in unforgettable ways. Fortunately, this festive spirit does not involve transforming the iconic Sleeping Beauty Castle into a birthday cake; instead, attendees can expect a delightful mashup of beloved classic tunes paired with the latest chart-toppers from the Disney catalog, creating a unique auditory experience.
Having just attended the media week preview at the Disneyland Resort, I was thrilled to witness the enthusiasm surrounding this year’s theme. The palpable excitement for a diverse array of characters, from the enchanting Disney Princesses and the whimsical Muppets to the legendary Star Wars icons, is truly infectious. Even the more obscure characters, like Duffy the Disney Bear and those from A Goofy Movie, were celebrated. The event showcased remarkable moments from recent Pixar and Disney animated favorites such as Inside Out, Turning Red, Encanto, and Moana, all integrated into the 70th-anniversary offerings across the resort. This celebration is a true carnival of animated joy, and we eagerly await the debut of Robot Walt in July, perfectly timed to coincide with the park’s original opening date.
Some of the most exciting discoveries at the event were those I stumbled upon organically. While wandering through Disney California Adventure, I chanced upon some of the most outrageous Disneyland 70th anniversary merchandise imaginable. This quirky selection confirmed that Disney is indeed catering to all its diverse fanbases, showcasing items like a googly-eyed Mickey Mouse shirt and a vibrant spinner-top baseball cap. While the glamorous Loungefly Minnie ears and trendy Disney spirit jerseys are certainly appealing, the truly bizarre merchandise also finds its place in this celebration. Interestingly, these quirky items were not designed with meme culture in mind; rather, they hail directly from Disney’s nostalgic vault of bygone merchandise.
Over at the Animation Building, a stunning new visual display was unveiled in the musical lobby, showcasing memorable moments from beloved films such as Coco, Moana, Encanto, The Princess and the Frog, and Zootopia. This enchanting space serves as a sanctuary for those like myself who seek to immerse themselves in the magic of animation while escaping the summer heat. It’s an often-overlooked gem that has not seen significant updates since the release of Frozen. The Encanto representation at Disney California Adventure is particularly noteworthy; while the catchy tune “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” is a fan favorite, I’m grateful for the opportunity to hear other incredible songs shine. In the spectacular new World of Color: Happiness, the emotion of Anxiety from Inside Out 2 takes center stage, featuring an impressive sequence that highlights Luisa’s “Surface Pressure,” which sparked a joyful sing-along among the audience. Hot take: it’s an even better song than the Bruno hit. The Muppets’ opening act for the show is also a standout, featuring a thrilling stunt by the one and only Gonzo the Great.
The World of Color: Happiness show also introduced a dazzling, kaiju-sized Panda Mei to the mist projections, set to the catchy tune “Nobody Like You,” leading into a fantastic in-universe medley of Disney pop hits, culminating in an electrifying Powerline moment from A Goofy Movie. The crowd erupted with excitement during the beat drop of “I2I,” as Powerline electrified the stage, making everyone feel as if they were truly attending a live concert with the Goofs. This year, we are particularly excited to see Max Goof join his father, Goofy, for the Celebrate Happy Character Cavalcade parade, right behind Duffy and ShellieMay Bear who are leading the festivities. While there’s been much discussion about the various names being tossed around regarding “Happy,” this celebration is designed for those of us who appreciate the unique and offbeat elements of the Disney fandom.
For avid Star Wars fans, there’s a brand-new R2 unit available at Droid Depot, featuring exteriors designed in striking shades of pink, purple, blue, and yellow to celebrate the 70th anniversary. Additionally, we had the opportunity to glance at exciting new scrap pieces that were unveiled earlier this month as part of the May the Fourth celebration at Savi’s lightsaber building experience. The ombre chrome effect on the blaster emitter is particularly striking and a must-have. However, it’s worth noting that these new components are not sold individually for those who have previously constructed their lightsabers, which typically cost over $200. To acquire these sought-after pieces, fans will need to participate in another significant purchase during this limited-time offer before they disappear.
The beloved Paint the Night parade, a dazzling and rave-inspired tribute to the classic Electrical Parade, has made its grand return, and I had the pleasure of witnessing it near the It’s a Small World promenade, featuring a special new projection show on the ride’s façade. Fans of spooky and bizarre Disney lore were treated to a delightful montage of Grim-Grinning Ghosts, seamlessly transitioning into “Hellfire” from The Hunchback of Notre Dame, showcasing characters like Mr. Toad with wild eyes, the crone Evil Queen, and Frollo, providing a gateway into frightful imagery that will surely captivate children’s imaginations for years to come. The evening concluded with Wondrous Journeys, a breathtaking spectacle that brings to life the stories and memories captured in countless animation cells, projected onto the walls of the Disneyland Castle and celebrating the enchanting tales that have touched generations over the past century.
This year, it truly feels like Disney is striving to reach out to every corner of fandom in honor of the park’s significant anniversary, unafraid to embrace a little whimsy and zaniness along the way.
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