Seventy years ago today, Walt Disney opened the gates to Disneyland, launching a new era of family entertainment. Now, on its official 70th anniversary, Disneyland Resort honors that historic milestone with a slate of new offerings that celebrate its legacy, heritage, and enduring magic.
A New Attraction Honoring Walt Disney
The centerpiece of this year’s anniversary celebration is the debut of “Walt Disney – A Magical Life”, a new attraction at the Main Street Opera House. This cinematic experience brings Walt Disney’s remarkable story to life, culminating in an intimate visit with Walt himself, brought to the stage through the magic of Audio-Animatronics technology.
Guests begin their journey with “Memories of Walt”, a pre-show film featuring touching reflections from those who knew or were inspired by Walt. Inside the lobby, the “Evolution of a Dream” gallery showcases rarely seen images, artifacts, and concept art from Disneyland’s early days. A companion exhibit also traces the evolution of Audio-Animatronics from Walt’s era to today’s cutting-edge experiences.
More Homages to Disney History
Guests can continue their nostalgic journey at Main Street Cinema, where the short film “The Last Verse” honors Disney Legends Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman. The film introduces a new verse of “it’s a small world,” penned by Richard Sherman in his final Disney contribution. This third verse can now be heard in the ride’s grand finale scene in Fantasyland.
Special Offers for a Summer of Celebration
Disneyland Resort is inviting guests to join the celebration with a variety of limited-time offers. Through August 14, 2025, the Disneyland Anniversary Ticket Offer gives families the chance to save on park admission. Guests looking to extend their stay can enjoy up to 20% off select hotel stays of three or more nights at the Disneyland Hotel, Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, or The Villas at Disneyland Hotel between August 17 and December 19, 2025, when booked by December 16.*
A Legacy 70 Years in the Making
Since opening on July 17, 1955, Disneyland has remained a beacon of imagination, creativity, and storytelling. With new attractions, timeless entertainment, and unforgettable guest experiences, the 70th Celebration is both a tribute to Walt’s vision and a promise of what’s still to come.
Janine is a theme park and pop culture nerd from an early age. Since 1994, she’s been traversing the theme park world and has enjoyed all things from Halloween events to new ride releases and beyond. When she’s not at a theme park, she’s probably at a concert or doing something fun with her kiddo.