Disneyland is gearing up for a 70th anniversary celebration to rival the yearlong parties for the 50th and 60th anniversaries, with a new attraction, updated water show, character cavalcade, two returning parades and a fan-favorite fireworks show.

The celebration of the original Disney theme park will kick off today and run through summer 2026 at Disneyland and Disney California Adventure.

Disneyland will hold back on a few surprises until July 17 — the official anniversary of the park’s opening day in 1955.

The big birthday party at the Anaheim theme park will stretch for more than a year, and we’ve got all the details on the new and returning entertainment and attractions planned. Let’s take a peek at all the presents Disneyland plans to unwrap for its big 7-0 birthday party.‘Walt Disney — A Magical Life’

The first audio-animatronic figure of Walt Disney will debut July 17 at the Main Street Opera House at Disneyland.

Visitors will be able to sit down in Walt Disney’s office and listen to the park’s visionary founder talk about how he got started, his thoughts on his career and his dreams for the future.

The new “Walt Disney — A Magical Life” show will initially run solo before playing in rotation with “Great Moments With Mr. Lincoln.”

‘World of Color Happiness’

The “Happiest Place on Earth” will lean into the theme of happiness with a new “World of Color” water show hosted by Joy from the movie “Inside Out” that will draw inspiration from Walt Disney’s opening day dedication speech at Disneyland in 1955.

“World of Color Happiness” promises to explore a kaleidoscope of emotions with cameo appearances by a host of “Inside Out” characters — including Sadness, Anger, Fear, Disgust, Anxiety, Envy, Embarrassment and Ennui.

The new water show will also feature moments from the “Lion King,” “Little Mermaid,” “Frozen,” “Tangled,” “Encanto,” “Turning Red,” “Wish” and “A Goofy Movie” projected on water screens in California Adventure’s Paradise Bay.

Kermit the Frog, Gonzo and a dozen other Muppets will kick off “World of Color Happiness” during a preshow message projected on the mist screens. R&B vocal group Boyz II Men will sing a new rendition of “Rainbow Connection” from the 1979 “Muppet Movie.”

Lead singer Michael Fitzpatrick of Los Angeles indie pop band Fitz and the Tantrums will also debut the new song “Makes Me Wanna Move,” written for “World of Color Happiness.”

California Adventure parkgoers will be able to vote for the “Inside Out” character they would like to see play a more prominent role each night during “World of Color Happiness.” Fans will be able to vote using the Disneyland app for one of four characters: Sadness, Anger, Disgust or Envy.

“World of Color Happiness” debuts today.

‘Wondrous Journeys’

The “Wondrous Journeys” fireworks show that anchored the Disney100 celebration of the Walt Disney Co. in 2023 offered glimpses of all 62 Disney animated films.

Naturally, every Disney movie couldn’t play a starring role as “Wondrous” raced through 18 songs in 13 minutes.

Storytelling highlights included scenes from “Peter Pan,” “Frozen,” “Princess and the Frog,” “Moana,” “Encanto,” “Big Hero 6” and “Hercules.”

The nighttime spectacle kicks off today. On select nights, it will play in projection-only mode without fireworks.

‘Paint the Night’

The fan-favorite nighttime parade with 1.5 million LED lights debuted a decade ago during Disneyland’s 60th anniversary before moving over to California Adventure in 2018.

Past versions have featured floats dedicated to “The Incredibles,” “Peter Pan,” “Monsters Inc.,” “Cars,” “Little Mermaid,” “Toy Story,” “Frozen” and the Disney princesses.

“Paint the Night” returns to Disneyland’s parade route starting today.

The “Better Together” parade last ran during Pixar Fest 2024 at California Adventure.

“Better Together” drew upon elements from the Pixar Play Parade, which had a decadelong run at California Adventure before moving over to Disneyland during the original Pixar Fest in 2018.

“Better Together” featured roller skaters, bicyclists and dancers accompanying seven parade units — including floats dedicated to “Turning Red,” “Soul,” “Luca,” “Up” and “Inside Out.”

The parade soundtrack wove in familiar songs from three Pixar films — “Nobody Like U” by 4*Town in “Turning Red,” “It’s Alright” from “Soul” and a 1960s beach movie-style song sung in Italian for “Luca.”

“Better Together” returns to the California Adventure parade route today. Both “Better Together” and “Wondrous Journeys” will temporarily pause during the Halloween and Christmas seasons to make way for seasonal shows before resuming in January.

‘Mickey and Friends Celebrate Happy’

That’s a whole lot of entertainment, but the jam-packed schedule still leaves a hole in the daily calendar where Disneyland typically offers a daytime parade.

Disneyland will offer the “Mickey and Friends Celebrate Happy” character cavalcade starting today and starring Mickey and Minnie in their new anniversary outfits along with pals Goofy, Max, Duffy and ShellieMay.

A “cavalcade” is Disneyland’s way of setting expectations below what fans have come to expect from a full-fledged parade. Expect something like the rainy-day cavalcades dispatched to Main Street, U.S.A. during inclement weather.

‘Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live’

The new “Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live” stage show will debut today in the Disney Theater in Hollywood Land at California Adventure.

“Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live” will be geared toward preschool and grade school children, with songs and dancing based on the Disney Jr. television show with appearances by Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Goofy, Daisy and Pluto.

The backstory for the show finds Mickey inviting his friends over to his house for a party. When the party guests fail to show, Mickey and Minnie head out in search of them. The joyous reunion results in a high-energy finale.

‘Pixar Pals Playtime Party’

The “Pixar Pals Playtime Party” will return to the Fantasyland Theatre in Disneyland on May 23 for dancing, games and meet-and-greet photo opportunities with Pixar characters.

‘Stitch’s Interplanetary Beach Party Blast’

“Stitch’s Interplanetary Beach Party Blast” returns to the Tomorrowland Terrace stage in Disneyland on May 23 for a dance party with character appearances by

Goofy, Pluto, Chip ‘n Dale and Clarabelle.

It’s a Small World

Walt Disney Imagineering added “Coco” characters to the It’s a Small World boat ride at Disneyland when the attraction reopened Tuesday following an extended refurbishment.

Miguel and Dante dolls from the 2017 Pixar animated film are silhouetted by a marigold bridge in the Mexico section of the water dark ride.

Miguel plays his guitar while wearing a mariachi outfit. Dante will appear as a birdlike dog in his rainbow-colored alebrije spirit guide form.

Disneyland will pay homage to the Sherman Brothers by adding new lyrics to It’s a Small World that incorporate a “Last Verse” written for the catchy and infectious earworm song that plays on a continuous loop in the beloved attraction.

The new lyrics will be added to It’s a Small World on July 17.

A 3 1/2-minute video about the making of “Last Verse” that aired on “20/20” will also play in the Main Street Cinema at Disneyland starting July 17.

Toy Story Midway Mania

Toy Story Midway Mania in Pixar Pier at California Adventure will get a 70th anniversary ride overlay starting today.

Concept art for the overlay shows Sheriff Woody and Buzz Lightyear holding targets emblazoned with the number 70 and diamond logos with the words “Celebrate Happy” — the motto for the anniversary celebration.

Rex the dinosaur from the “Toy Story” films will make character meet-and-greet appearances in Pixar Pier for a limited time starting June 1.

‘Celebrate Happy’

Disneyland will roll out a new, upbeat theme song by the Jonas Brothers for the 70th anniversary called “Celebrate Happy” that will likely play during the daytime character cavalcades and the nighttime projection shows on the It’s a Small World facade and the Carthay Circle restaurant exterior.

Merchandise and food

Disneyland will be selling four merchandise collections celebrating the anniversary as well as 70 new food and beverage items.

Discount tickets

Disneyland is offering deep discounts on admission during the summer kickoff of the anniversary, with prices as low as $100 for a one-day, one-park ticket good through Aug. 14. The two summer deals include a $400 four-day ticket and a $360 three-day ticket — each good for one park per day.

That’s a really good deal if you’re planning to visit Disneyland or California Adventure on the weekends this summer, when tickets typically cost $180 to $206.

The tickets can be used on nonconsecutive days like a mini annual pass good for just the summer. Park-hopper upgrades and Lightning Lane add-ons are available.