Hey Travellers,
If you haven’t already heard, The Walt Disney Company turned 100 this year and to celebrate the Disneyland Resort will commemorate the milestone with new experiences, entertainment and more throughout 2023. We were recently invited to Disneyland to experience the Disney 100 Years of Wonder celebrations. We were lucky enough to stay in the Disneyland Hotel which is so stunning and in the most unbeatable location. Just minutes walk from Downtown Disney and both Disneyland Theme Parks, staying here is extremely convenient.
From an all-new attraction and entertainment to dazzling décor and special food and beverages, here’s everything you need to know about the 100th anniversary happenings at The Happiest Place on Earth – and more magic to come later in the year.
SPECIAL DECOR:
Both theme parks, the Downtown Disney District and the Hotels of the Disneyland Resort will be adorned in beautiful, platinum-infused décor.
Around the resort, you’ll find platinum statues and medallions – which make great photo opportunities!
At Disneyland park, Sleeping Beauty Castle will be accented by two new water fountains and dressed in platinum banners and bunting, a magnificent cabochon and a shining wishing star.
On Main Street, U.S.A., you may find Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse and their pals in platinum-inspired looks designed to reflect the optimism and creativity that are at the heart of everything Disney.
MICKEY’S TOONTOWN:
Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway will be joined by additional new experiences and returning favorites with the reimagined Mickey’s Toontown that reopened on March 8, 2023! The beloved land will feature more play activities and attractions than ever before, as well as grassy play spaces for you to unwind.
Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway (will remain after the Disney100 Celebrations):
Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse now star in their very first ride-through attraction at the Disneyland Resort! Inside the El CapiTOON Theater in Disneyland park (which houses an exhibit unique to Disneyland), this family-friendly experience transports you into the wacky and unpredictable cartoon world of Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse, where you’ll board a train engineered by Goofy and embark on a zany adventure.
WORLD OF COLOR ONE:
This all-new nighttime spectacular at Disney California Adventure park celebrates the storytelling legacy started by Walt Disney, illustrating how a single action, like a drop of water, creates a ripple that can grow into a wave of change. This is the first Disneyland Resort nighttime spectacular to feature characters, music and moments from Walt Disney Animation Studios, Pixar Animation Studios, the Avengers and Star Wars in the same production. It was truly one of the best shows we have ever seen, our personal favourite part was the Star Wars section – it left us speechless!
You’ll be able to access the viewing area for “World of Color – ONE” through the virtual queue system* available only via the Disneyland app. Distribution for the complimentary virtual queue will begin at 12 p.m. PT, daily (subject to availability) and is available for guests who have entered Disney California Adventure park for the day or have entered Disneyland park with a Park Hopper ticket.
WONDEROUS JOURNEYS:
Each evening at Disneyland park, “Wondrous Journeys” transforms Main Street, U.S.A., Sleeping Beauty Castle, the façade of “it’s a small world” and the Rivers of America into an artist’s canvas with lighting effects, customized projections and more. This nighttime spectacular by Disney Live Entertainment will take you on an epic adventure through 100 years of Walt Disney Animation Studios storytelling. On select nights, “Wondrous Journeys” takes to the skies with sparkling fireworks. We watched it from Main Street, U.S.A. and from in front of “it’s a small world” and we would highly recommend both viewing areas. We thought that the projections seemed a lot clearer on the “it’s a small world” building.
During both “World of Color – ONE” and “Wondrous Journeys,” your MagicBand+ will come to life with dancing lights and vibrations synchronized to the shows.
THEMED FOOD AND BEVERAGES:
Feeling hungry amidst all these festivities? Savor a century of magic through specialty food and beverages like the platinum trifle and potato and cheddar cheeseburger. Plus, you can collect novelties such as the Disney100 Mickey Mouse sipper and platinum Mickey Mouse balloon bucket.
EXCLUSIVE DISNEY100 MERCHANDISE:
You can also bring the magic home with commemorative Disney100 merchandise and collectibles released throughout the year, such as the Disney100 Platinum Celebration Collection, special MagicBand+ designs, collectible medallions and pressed pennies.
THE DISNEY GALLERY PRESENTS: DISNEY 100 YEARS OF WONDER:
We’re excited to share that The Disney Gallery on Main Street, U.S.A., at Disneyland park will house a new exhibit inspired by Walt Disney’s vision for Disneyland to be where his films come to life. Inside, you’ll see beautiful artwork created by original Disney animators for some of Walt’s early films, alongside artwork concepted by original Disney Imagineers to recreate those stories in the park.
The exhibit will also display an animator’s desk, a model of a multi-plane camera and more. It’s a magnificent tribute to Disney films that became Disneyland Resort attractions, park experiences that later inspired Disney films and the rich traditions they both share.
MAGIC HAPPENS PARADE:
The “Magic Happens” parade made its highly anticipated return to Disneyland park on Feb. 24. Led by Mickey Mouse and his pals, the daytime spectacular celebrates moments of magic from Walt Disney Animation Studios and Pixar Animation Studios films with grand floats, artistic costumes and an energetic musical score. We were able to get a VIP viewing of the parade and the floats were so beautiful! Unfortunately it has rained just before it began so we did receive the “rainy day” version but it was still wonderful. The music is also incredible. You can watch the full rainy day version by clicking here.
There’s so much to look forward to this year at Disneyland Resort! Are you ready to celebrate the Disney100? Click here for your no-obligation Disneyland quotes!