Even though the Disneyland Resort’s 70th Celebration started back in May, I’ve always felt that there was something missing from the party, especially in Disneyland Park. While Paint the Night is a powerhouse parade and Wondrous Journeys fireworks is growing on me, neither is new or speaks to the anniversary itself. Tapestry of Happiness, the brief and easy to miss projection show, was really the only thing new for the 70th. The show was magical, but we definitely needed more.
Well, now that Disneyland’s actual birthday has arrived, we finally get more. While we didn’t get a new fireworks show or parade, we did get a bit more magic…some small magic and some life-size magic.
Say what you will about the new Walt Disney audio-animatronic, Walt Disney – A Magical Life is a nice reminder for those that aren’t as Disney-obsessed as you and I that there really was a man named Disney behind it all.
In addition to the new show, there are countless photographs and artifacts in the Opera House lobby chronicling both the history of the man and the theme park. When the sun is high in the Southern California sky and you’re in need of some air conditioning, spent some time checking out the exhibit.
While the show has been well attended so far, the need for queue or virtual queue has waned since the Opera House reopened. I was able to walk right in at three different times during the day on the show’s first Saturday.
Just outside the Opera House you’ll find a new plaque from the “New Century Historical Society” honoring the history of the building. You’ll find several more of these new plaques along Main Street marking other historical places and items.
Just down the street at the Main Street Cinema, the classic cartoons have been temporarily replaced by a new short film celebrating The Sherman Brothers, the composers of the music for “it’s a small world”.
Robert and Richard Sherman are also responsible for music featured in many Disney films, including Mary Poppins, and other attractions like Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room, Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress, and Journey Into Imagination. Not long before his passing in 2024, Richard Sherman wrote a new verse to the classic song…more on that in a moment. Again, enjoy the air conditioning for a few minutes and take in this touching new tribute.
After learning the history of The Sherman Brothers, head over to “it’s a small world”, where that new verse has been added to the final scene and exit tunnel of the attraction. If you haven’t been on the attraction recently, you’ll also notice the updated Latin America scene that now includes Miguel and Dante from Coco.
A snippet of that new verse has also been added to Tapestry of Happiness, the nightly projection show celebrating Disneyland, both old and new.
While not specifically related to the 70th, we even got a brand new animated window display on the Emporium featuring the characters from Zootopia. Speaking of windows…across the street there is a new window honoring Lillian Disney.
The Imagineers have been busy leading up to Disneyland’s actual 70th, and it’s finally paying off.
I think, with these new additions that celebrate and honor both the history of Walt Disney and the theme park he created, we finally have a fully realized tribute to the 70th anniversary of The Happiest Place on Earth. If you’ve been waiting to visit…now’s the time.
