As a seasoned Disneyland enthusiast and frequent park-goer for over two decades, I must admit that I was initially thrilled about the upcoming 70th anniversary celebration. However, as someone who has witnessed the evolution of Disney entertainment firsthand, I find myself a tad disappointed with the announced lineup.
At Disneyland, there’s always a fresh experience waiting, but for the upcoming 70th anniversary next year, some of the most exciting aspects will be familiar favorites.
Disneyland excels at hosting spectacular events, as evidenced by the fantastic entertainment offered during the Disney 100 celebration about two years ago. With 2025 being the 70th anniversary of the famous park, there is much anticipation since the park’s previous milestone celebrations for its 60th and 50th anniversaries were both top-notch.
The lineup for the 70th anniversary celebration in May 2025 is truly spectacular, leaving fans in high spirits overall. However, as an individual fan, I must confess a touch of personal disappointment. Despite the fantastic array of events, there are some specific offerings that, in my opinion, would have complemented the lineup perfectly and I can’t help but wish they were included too.
Disneyland’s 70th Anniversary Is A Greatest Hits Of Modern Classics
If you’ve visited Disneyland Resort within the past decade, chances are you’ll find delight in the attractions celebrating Disneyland’s 70th anniversary. You can expect a mix of fresh entertainment experiences along with some beloved favorites that have been recently revitalized.
What stood out most for me was bringing back the Paint the Night parade, a remarkable nighttime spectacle that serves as the spiritual successor to the Main Street Electrical Parade. Featuring fantastic tunes and stunning floats, it first appeared a decade ago during the park’s 60th anniversary celebrations, and has made only occasional comebacks since then.
In the context of Disney’s centennial celebration, Disneyland Park has just introduced a new fireworks spectacular titled Wondrous Journeys. Featuring an original score, aerial performances by Baymax over Sleeping Beauty Castle, and projection mapping sequences from various Walt Disney animation films, this show returned briefly in the spring of 2023 after closing for the holiday season at the end of August 2022. Its extended run is certainly something to look forward to now.
Over the summer just passed, Disneyland Resort held an event called Pixar Fest, and among its many attractions, Better Together: A Pixar Pals Celebration stood out for me as a delightful follow-up to another cherished parade of mine, the Pixar Play Parade at Disney California Adventure. I’m thrilled to learn it will be back soon.
Two Of Disneyland’s New Additions Could Become All-Time Classics
Alongside reintroducing some beloved series, two fresh attractions are set to debut as well. A refreshed version of Disney California Adventure’s nighttime spectacular, World of Color, will present a new installment called “World of Color – Happy.” Given that every edition of World of Color has been exceptional, it’s likely that the latest one will be just as impressive.
The major novelty at Disneyland isn’t originally tied to the 70th anniversary festivities, but it will undeniably premiere on their opening day. The exhibit titled “Walt Disney – A Magical Life” will feature a realistic and advanced audio-animatronic portraying Walt Disney himself. Without a doubt, this is a significant leap for Walt Disney Imagineering. While it’s a contentious move, it has the potential to be extraordinary.
Given the offerings for Disneyland’s 70th anniversary, it’s quite an impressive collection, taking everything into account. Exactly as I anticipated, it matches my expectations. Nevertheless, there were a couple of extra features I was hoping to see, and I must admit, I’m somewhat disappointed they weren’t mentioned.
Bring Back Mickey And The Magical Map
During the global pandemic, Disneyland had to shut down for an entire year. This loss affected many aspects, but live entertainment was particularly devastated. So, when the popular Disneyland stage show “Mickey and the Magical Map” failed to resume with the park’s reopening, it was a reasonable decision, though undeniably disappointing.
Despite the fact that the show didn’t come back at all, and except for a brief run of approximately 18 months for The Lion King story, the Fantasyland Theater has been largely neglected. From April onwards, the theater space has been utilized for Pixar Fest character interactions, and it currently houses Santa Claus. Regrettably, it’s been a long time since the theater screened a show.
Restaging Mickey and the Magical Map show, with its delightful blend of beloved Disney characters singing hit tunes and stunning stage magic, could have made an ideal anniversary celebration, lasting for just a year.
The Mad T Party Tease From D23 Needs To Be Realized
Last August, I found myself in the ninth row of the Honda Center during the Disney Experiences presentation at D23. With all the anticipated announcements, it was set to be the pinnacle of my weekend. And indeed, it proved to be so. However, what left me utterly amazed occurred even before the main event began.
In the heart of Honda Center’s secondary stage, the lively Mad T Party band emerged to perform their entire set, reminiscent of their past performances at Disney California Adventure. The band members, dressed as characters from Tim Burton’s live-action Alice in Wonderland, have been known for playing a mix of classic rock and modern pop tunes since 2012. However, they had been absent from the park ever since Disneyland’s 60th anniversary celebration concluded in 2015.
What were they doing, all dressed up, at D23 about a decade since their last appearance? It certainly seemed like they were setting the stage for an important announcement. With Disney Experiences chairman Josh D’Amaro ready to take the stage and kick off the show, it appeared he was going to announce that the Mad T Party Band would be coming back, possibly as part of the 70th anniversary celebration.
Not so much.
That evening, they brought up the 70th anniversary of Disneyland, yet details about what exactly was planned were scarce. It seemed like a unique event, perhaps an exclusive performance tailored for hardcore Disney enthusiasts. However, I had high expectations that when the official schedule for Disneyland’s 70th anniversary was released, it would feature the comeback of Mad T Party. So far, my dreams have not materialized.
It’s plausible that these shows are yet to be released, as Disneyland’s 70th anniversary announcement hints at more to come. However, given what we’ve already been informed, it appears uncertain if these specific attractions will materialize. I remain optimistic; after all, dreams do come true at Disneyland.
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2024-12-13 23:39