Once you finally emerge from a delayed slumber on the first few days of the new year, what else is there to do but look forward to your next Disney excursion with school-kid delight? It’s my go-to when looking for those happy feelings that motivate me to keep moving forward. For me, 2025 will include a coast-to-coast Disney trip, with the highlight being a visit to Disneyland’s 70th Anniversary for my mother’s 70th birthday. It’s cute, right? We visit more frequently in between, but we’ve often commemorated her big-0 birthdays along with the Disneyland celebrations. Because of this, I pay even closer attention to the announcements, thinking about all the experiences we have to look forward to. So far, I have one major observation that feels like it might just set the overarching tone for the whole event.
When comparing the 60th Anniversary to the preview images and concept art for this year’s 70th, there is a distinct difference in approach. The 60th, similar to the Walt Disney World’s 50th and the Walt Disney Company’s 100th celebrations, felt elegant. Even royal, if you will. Shades of blue were accompanied by luxurious metals like gold, silver, and platinum in a regal-feeling display of class. Departing from this trend comes the Disneyland 70th, which is like a slightly quirky, black sheep aunty that we all know is the most fun at the party. Bright colors and iconic style are giving me all the casual party vibes of the early 90s, and I am totally here for it.
Even though I loved the look of the other celebrations — I’m not a monster — nothing has quite hit the spot the way the new one looks as though it might. All we need to do is add your best hyper-color shirt and throw on your good neon bike shorts, and it’s the party of the year in 1993! Who wouldn’t look forward to that? In the concept art and preview images, Minnie looks like, for sure, if she had hair, it would be a wicked scrunchie wrapped in a side pony. Mickey has skipped the bowtie this year and gone all in on a Boy George take on the Miami Vice party look.
Though I love the royal feel of a Disney celebration, I think it’s nice to get back to the roots of Disney, where casual fun was the name of the game and colors ruled the school. I’m so glad that someone at Disney has finally discovered that not everything needs to feel like it would have been a suitable addition to Queen Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee to be worthy of a celebration. The brightness of Disney magic is on the return. I often thought that the sleeker color scheme missed the audience mark. Sure, you are honoring the nostalgia for some members of an older generation worthy of the toned-down royal look; I do understand that these are common colors for particular milestone occasions. Yet, those same people likely find a spark of excitement and delight in the newer approach as well, simplifying the event down to one thing: fun. Not only an appreciation of what was but also a celebration of everything that has been achieved along the way.
The Disneyland 70th Anniversary is yet to be fully revealed and already has so much to offer. I can’t wait to enjoy this event later in the year and hope to see you there!
