Disneyland’s seventieth Anniversary Occasion: How you can Be part of for Low-cost

As Disneyland Park in Anaheim, California, turns 70 this summer time, Disney is doing what it does greatest: throwing an enormous celebration filled with cheerful escapism.

The social gathering that begins Could 16, 2025, and runs via summer time 2026. It’s every part you’d count on from Disney: nostalgia galore, festive parades and colourful novelty meals. The theme is “Rejoice Pleased,” however let’s be actual — happiness will get costly quick on the Happiest Place on Earth.

I used to be invited to attend a multiday media preview, which meant Disney picked up the tab for my resort and park tickets. However I additionally purchased my dad a ticket so he may be part of me (in any case, Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters is method much less enjoyable whenever you’re solo). Plus, we shelled out loads of money on meals and extras. That gave me a firsthand have a look at what’s definitely worth the cash — and what’s not.

Disney is leaning into its historical past with its seventieth anniversary celebration, incorporating throwbacks that company from a long time in the past might bear in mind. A lot of the new additions give nods to traditional reveals and the park’s historical past, together with:

• “World of Colour Happiness!”, a revised model of the nighttime water and lightweight present at Disneyland’s sibling park, Disney California Journey, combines audio from Walt Disney’s 1955 opening-day speech with imagery from newer Disney movies, together with “Inside Out,” “Tangled” and “Encanto.”

• The “Rejoice Pleased” cavalcade is principally a mini-parade via the park. This one options some characters you may not be conversant in, like Duffy (Mickey Mouse’s bear, based on Disney lore) and ShellieMay (Duffy’s good friend, who can also be a bear).

• “Tapestry of Happiness,” a projection present on the historic facade of “It’s a Small World,” honors Disney artist Mary Blair, who famously labored on movies similar to “Cinderella” and “Alice in Wonderland,” and helped design the “It’s a Small World” experience.

• A historic strolling tour prices a further $120 per individual, however would possibly attraction to diehard Disney nerds like me. It covers Disney’s seven a long time of historical past, together with rides on among the park’s unique points of interest (with out having to attend in the usual line), plus some included snacks and reserved parade seating.

• Greater than 70 new meals gadgets are principally made for Instagram. Some treats, like a churro doused in ube sprinkles, are purple to match the occasion’s colour palette. Others nod to the previous, just like the W.E.D. Chili Cheese Baked Potato named after Walt Disney’s initials. It’s a dish Walt Disney would possibly’ve ordered, as he famously beloved chili.

The actual magic is a trick you’ll have to drag off your self — discovering methods to save lots of. Listed here are my go-to ways.

For visits between Could 16 and August 14, 2025, Disney is providing a four-day ticket deal that breaks down to only $100 per day, which is reasonable by Disney requirements. Even higher, approved resellers like Undercover Vacationer supply that deal (and others) for much less. Actually, I purchased my dad’s ticket there and saved about $20 in comparison with Disney’s worth.

Navy personnel, Southern California residents and people with entry to company reductions may also be capable of rating discounted Disney tickets.

The most effective causes to remain at a Disney-owned resort is the early entry profit. When you have a theme park ticket, you may enter the parks half-hour earlier than everybody else, which might be key to getting on fashionable rides earlier than the traces get too lengthy. I used my Disneyland Lodge key to make a beeline to Guardians of the Galaxy — Mission: Breakout earlier than a line had fashioned.

In the event you don’t plan to make use of early entry, staying elsewhere would possibly supply higher worth. Many inns inside strolling distance are bookable on factors, and a few even supply free breakfast.

A number of the closest inns with free breakfast are:

• Hyatt Home at Anaheim Resort/Conference Middle: Class 4 (12,000 – 18,000 World of Hyatt factors per night time).

• Hyatt Place at Anaheim Resort/Conference Middle: Class 4 (12,000 – 18,000 World of Hyatt factors per night time).

• Home2 Suites by Hilton Anaheim Resort: Normal rooms begin at 65,000 Hilton Honors factors per night time.

• SpringHill Suites Anaheim Resort/Conference Middle: Normal rooms begin at 35,000 Marriott Bonvoy factors per night time.

Disneyland is surprisingly cool with you bringing your personal meals (with a number of exceptions; for instance, glass containers aren’t allowed). It can save you on meals by packing a meal, snacks and reusable water bottles.

However go away some room in your price range (and your stomach) to splurge on the limited-time meals gadgets particular to Disney’s seventieth. Among the many greatest values are:

• Pulled pork mac and cheese in a bread bowl (Refreshment Nook, Disneyland’s Foremost Avenue, U.S.A.): This scrumptious entree is served with the bread bowl’s lid on the aspect. It may simply feed two individuals.

• Popcorn buckets and drink sippers: These are available a number of designs, together with some that characteristic the Abominable Snowman from the Matterhorn Bobsleds experience. They usually double as souvenirs!

• World of Colour Dessert Occasion: This one’s admittedly an enormous splurge at $94 per individual, however I’ve robust emotions about it. I’m 4’10”, and each “standing room” fireworks or present viewing I’ve ever attended is simply somebody’s armpit in my face. This comes with precise seats, a flowery dessert field, limitless nonalcoholic drinks (plus one grownup beverage in the event you’re 21+) and a killer view. On a packed summer time night time? Value it.

You may nonetheless be part of the Disneyland seventieth Anniversary enjoyable and not using a park ticket by strolling via the adjoining, free-to-enter Downtown Disney District. However remember that particular person points of interest might price additional. For instance, you would possibly go bowling at Splitsville, with costs beginning at simply $21 per individual.

A number of Downtown Disney eating places are including their very own particular menu gadgets for the park’s seventieth anniversary. Beignets Expressed has a blueberry cobbler beignet, and Black Faucet Craft Burgers & Shakes has a “Cotton Sweet Crazyshake” with purple and pink rock sweet. On the grownup beverage entrance, Jazz Kitchen Coastal Grill & Patio places a spin on a traditional with the French “70” — a bubbly lavender gin cocktail.