Disney’s one hundredth Anniversary is now underway at Disneyland and California Adventure, and there are a number of new issues to have fun: Wondrous Journeys fireworks, World of Color – ONE, Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway, and extra. This information to the 100 Years of Wonder Celebration provides suggestions & tips for profiting from your time, what to see & do, and different assorted suggestions.
For starters, Disney100 celebrates the anniversary of the firm and never the California theme park. Disneyland just isn’t 100 years outdated. Well, duh. If you’re a diehard Disneyland fan, you already know that Walt Disney’s unique magic kingdom opened in 1955. Even if you happen to’re an rare native, you most likely know that the Diamond Celebration for Disneyland’s sixtieth Anniversary was not that way back.
However, not everyone seems to be a giant Disney fan. If you’re only a informal visitor, you couldn’t be blamed for considering it’s the one hundredth Anniversary of the theme park primarily based on the decorations and advertising and marketing. (It’s solely a matter of time earlier than a high-ranking firm govt mistakenly calls it Disneyland’s one hundredth Anniversary–the following earnings name is arising!)
With what the Disney100 Celebration isn’t out of the way in which, let’s tackle the 2 greatest questions we’ve obtained to this point: when will the 100 Years of Wonder Celebration at Disneyland finish and when is the most effective time to go to keep away from crowds? We don’t have the reply to the primary query. Officially, Disneyland has indicated that Disney100 will final “throughout 2023.”
Unofficially, our expectation is that it’ll last more than that. It’s customary for Disney’s milestone anniversary celebrations to final not less than 18 months–generally so long as 2 years. The distinction right here is that, as famous above, this isn’t an precise anniversary of Disneyland. Nevertheless, we’d count on this to proceed for not less than 13 months–it will make sense to have some type of festivities within the Winter 2024 low season. I might see it ending by Summer 2024, although.
The greater query is whether or not the leisure will outlast the Disney100 Celebration. Disneyland has gotten right into a behavior of rotating out nighttime spectaculars, “retiring” reveals sooner than anticipated solely to convey again beloved older ones to spice up turnout amongst locals. The strategy seemingly relies upon upon the reception to Wondrous Journeys and World of Color – ONE, however we’d count on not less than one among them to make appearances past 2024.
The second query is a bit more troublesome to reply. Disneyland Resort was a madhouse for many of final yr, and stays busy this winter. Weekdays haven’t been as unhealthy as they had been final yr, however as soon as Easter and Spring Break seasons arrive, crowds will spike once more.
“It’s going to be busy regardless of when you go–so deal with it” most likely isn’t the perfect reply to that second query, however it’s true to an extent. With that mentioned, there nonetheless are various levels of busy. Refer to our up to date 2023 Disneyland Crowd Calendars for quantitative suggestions or Best & Worst Months at Disneyland in 2023 for qualitative ones.
Now, let’s flip to some suggestions for the leisure and points of interest at Disneyland for the 100 Years of Wonder Celebration…
Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway – Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse star of their very first ride-through attraction at Disneyland! Located, inside Toontown’s El CapiTOON Theater, this family-friendly expertise transports you into the wacky and unpredictable cartoon world of Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse, the place you’ll board a practice engineered by Goofy and embark on a zany journey.
To expertise Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway, you’ll want to hitch the digital queue or purchase Individual Lightning Lane entry, which is simply obtainable through the Disneyland app. There is not any standby line for the experience proper now. The digital queue enrollment occasions shall be twice day by day, at 7 a.m. and 1 p.m. PT. Learn extra in our submit about Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway’s Virtual Queue, which incorporates pace technique. You’ll want that, because the boarding teams for the digital queue replenish quick–actually in milliseconds!
Even if you happen to’ve already carried out this experience in Disney’s Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World, we suggest doing the Toontown model. In Why Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway Is Better at Disneyland (Photos & Review), we clarify the variations between the 2 points of interest. Although the ride-through portion is considerably the identical, the “exhibit” within the queue is considerably completely different and well-worth seeing. The location in Toontown can be an asset to the attraction.
Wondrous Journeys – Each night at Disneyland, “Wondrous Journeys” transforms Main Street, Sleeping Beauty Castle, it’s a small world, and the Rivers of America into an artist’s canvas with lighting results, lasers, projections, and extra–together with pyro on weekends and busy weeknights.
The Wondrous Journeys nighttime spectacular takes you on an epic journey via 100 years of Walt Disney Animation Studios storytelling. This fireworks present options music, characters, and iconic moments from motion pictures together with Encanto, Mulan, Beauty and the Beast, Hercules, The Princess and the Frog, Peter Pan, Frozen, Treasure Planet, Big Hero 6, Moana, and…actually each different film by Walt Disney Animation Studios.
Regardless of whether or not Wondrous Journeys has pyro on the day you go to Disneyland, this nighttime spectacular is a must-see. I don’t need to get forward of myself with the effusive reward or favorable comparisons I would come to remorse…suffice to say, Wondrous Journeys is great. We each love Wondrous Journeys–it packs an amazing emotional punch. The final time a fireworks present made me really feel like this was when Happily Ever After returned. (I’m positive we’ll really feel equally when HEA returns once more!)
Wondrous Journeys is completely paced, has a coherent thematic through-line and semblance of story, and is brimming with highly effective moments. Unlike so many latest nighttime spectaculars, it doesn’t drag wherever. Wondrous Journeys is outstanding from begin to end, and masterfully weaves collectively music, projections, and extra. I need to see it a couple of extra occasions earlier than reviewing it, however whilst issues stand now, Wondrous Journeys is a brand new traditional.
World of Color – ONE – Then there’s the all-new nighttime spectacular at Disney California Adventure. World of Color – ONE supposedly celebrates the storytelling legacy began by Walt Disney, illustrating how a single motion, like a drop of water, creates a ripple that may develop right into a wave of change. This is the primary nighttime spectacular at Disneyland Resort to characteristic characters, music and moments from Walt Disney Animation Studios, Pixar Animation Studios, Marvel, and Star Wars in the identical manufacturing.
Like Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway at Disneyland, entry to the primary viewing space for World of Color – ONE is through digital queue within the Disneyland app. Distribution for the digital queue begins at 12 p.m. PT day by day (topic to availability) and is obtainable for friends who’ve entered Disney California Adventure park for the day or have entered Disneyland with a Park Hopper ticket. More data and how-to particulars can be found in our Guide to World of Color – ONE Virtual Queue.
Just as I don’t need to get forward of myself with reward for Wondrous Journeys, I need to withhold remaining judgment on World of Color – ONE for the precise reverse motive. My first impression of this nighttime spectacular just isn’t notably optimistic, however it positively has its moments. In that sense, it jogs my memory a number of Harmonious and even World of Color: Celebrate (for the Diamond Celebration). The Star Wars sequence is spectacular and I really like the unique track for World of Color – ONE.
I think there are sufficient ‘nuggets of goodness’ to make World of Color – ONE a winner for a lot of friends. That’s not my preliminary response, however I’ll not less than give it one other likelihood or two earlier than cementing my opinion. See our World of Color Viewing Guide for suggestions on the place to look at. Oh, and you’ll want to keep for the post-show/outro/exit track. That’s World of Color – ONE’s strongest section, if you happen to ask me.
Platinum Decorations – Disneyland, Disney California Adventure, Downtown Disney District, and the Hotels of the Disneyland Resort are all adorned in platinum-infused décor. There’s a surplus of glowing platinum banners, Disney100 medallions, and character statues that make picture alternatives.
Some of those are of questionable high quality. Fans have criticized banners which have the flawed yr points of interest opened or Mickey Mouse statues that supposedly misquote Walt Disney, however did they ever contemplate the likelihood that these are meant to be random years or quotes?! “I only hope that we never lose sight of one thing—that it was all started by a mouse” may’ve been Walt Disney’s precise quote, however to that, I say: so what. As quickly as I learn the statue marquee out loud, it turned a quote!
“It All Started With A Mouse.” ~Tom Bricker (Not to be outdone by “‘It was all started by a mouse.’ ~Walt Disney” ~Tom Bricker.)
Joking apart, these are enjoyable picture ops, errors and all. We made positive to attend and line and get a PhotoPass shot with the Mickey Mouse statue above the primary day it was out, because it’ll be a “rare” picture to have and a supply of bizarre bragging rights in a couple of years. (Assuming, after all, that that is mounted throughout the subsequent week or so.)
Later this yr, MagicBand+ interactivity shall be launched to the statues. I’m guessing it’ll be just like the Fab 50 statues at Walt Disney World–if you happen to flail your arms about hysterically in entrance of the statues whereas carrying a MagicBand Plus, they could say one thing to you. Or they may not, wherein case, you may simply look loopy to random passersby. Not that I communicate from expertise or something.
Sleeping Beauty Castle in Disneyland is accented by two new water fountains and wearing platinum banners and bunting, a cabochon, and a shining wishing star.
The fountains look implausible, however the remainder of it actually relies upon upon the sunshine hitting the decor good. Much of the day, the medallion is illegible except you’re straight in entrance of it on the fort bridge. This is the case with a number of the decorations, really. I perceive that Disney doesn’t management the daylight, however most of this doesn’t look a lot better at night time, when Disney is in full management of the lighting packages.
Character Costumes – On Main Street, chances are you’ll discover Minnie and Mickey Mouse, plus their buddies in platinum-inspired seems designed to replicate the optimism and creativity which can be on the coronary heart of all the things Disney.
These costumes are elegant and stylish. We’ve seen a number of ingenious outfits for Mickey and mates lately, so I’m completely happy with sharp, simple, and classy seems.
Music – This may appear to be a minor factor, however there’s a brand new background music (BGM) loop that performs within the Esplanade and Downtown Disney and options some all-time traditional theme park songs. It’s surprisingly heavy on EPCOT Center originals, however contains a good steadiness of outdated and new. Anything that features Country Bear Jamboree, Journey into Imagination, and IllumiNations is a winner in my e book!
The Disneyland Band and different musical acts across the parks are additionally taking part in new medleys for Disney100. These characteristic good blends of music from the parks plus animated and stay motion motion pictures of the previous and current. Entertainment is the center of Disneyland, and this makes the 100 Years of Wonder Celebration really feel extra alive.
Monorail – Speaking of creating the park really feel alive, one other small factor that’s to not be missed is the Disneyland Monorail gliding over the Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage lagoon throughout the noon hours. The solar hits the platinum wrap on the proper angle and glistens fantastically, whereas additionally leaving a surprising rainbow reflection within the water.
This is the most effective wrap for the reason that TRONorail at Walt Disney World over a decade in the past. Here’s hoping this additionally makes its means over to Florida, as this may look implausible for Flower & Garden, floating above the florals!
Merchandise & Food – Feeling hungry amidst all these festivities? Savor a century of magic via specialty meals and drinks just like the platinum trifle and potato and cheddar cheeseburger at Hungry Bear Restaurant. We haven’t had an opportunity to attempt any of this but, however that burger is excessive up my checklist of wierd culinary concoctions which can be must-eats for me–so keep tuned.
You also can convey the magic house with commemorative Disney100 merchandise and collectibles launched all year long, such because the Disney100 Platinum Celebration Collection, particular MagicBand+ designs, collectible medallions and pressed pennies.
The Disney Gallery Presents: Disney 100 Years of Wonder – On Main Street at Disneyland, the Disney Gallery is housing a brand new exhibit impressed by Walt Disney’s imaginative and prescient for Disneyland to be the place his movies come to life. Inside, you’ll see art work created by unique Disney animators for a few of Walt’s early movies, alongside art work concepted by unique Disney Imagineers to recreate these tales within the park.
The exhibit additionally shows an animator’s desk, a mannequin of a multiplane digital camera, and extra. It’s a pleasant tribute to Disney movies that turned rides. Personally, I want there was a bit extra “meat” to this–and really feel prefer it leans too closely on newer motion pictures and points of interest, and has “corporate synergy mandate” vibes in consequence. It’s most likely secure to say that Cars Land and Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge don’t want in-park advertising and marketing pushes.
Magic Happens Parade – Even extra enjoyable continues to be to return! The short-lived Magic Happens Parade makes its extremely anticipated return to Disneyland on February 24, 2023. Led by Mickey Mouse and his buddies, the daytime spectacular celebrates moments of magic from Walt Disney Animation Studios and Pixar Animation Studios movies with grand floats, creative costumes and an brisk musical rating.
Magic Happens first debuted on February 28, 2020. Anyone with even cursory data of world historical past is aware of what occurred subsequent, and why it ran for lower than two weeks. We by no means received the possibility to see Magic Happens throughout its unique run and have managed to keep away from watching video–we’re actually excited to see it for the primary time in particular person!
Mickey’s Toontown – Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway shall be joined by extra new experiences and returning favorites when the reimagined Mickey’s Toontown reopens on March 8, 2023! The beloved land will characteristic extra play actions and points of interest than ever earlier than, in addition to grassy play areas so that you can unwind.
We’re additionally actually trying ahead to this. We’ve known as this a sleeper spot in Disneyland and described Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin as criminally underrated for years. It’s good to see this land getting a number of love, and it ought to change into an even bigger draw for friends in consequence. Of course, that’s a double-edged sword–now we’ll most likely need to endure longer wait occasions for Roger Rabbit’s experience!
Ultimately, the 100 Years of Wonder Celebration at Disneyland Resort is an pleasant occasion and a pleasant approach to convey further pleasure and vitality to the parks. Even although it’s not the California parks which can be being honored, they’re the right host to the festivities. Disneyland was Walt Disney’s unique park, and continues to be the corporate’s crown jewel to today.
Disneyland has lengthy served as a spot to advertise the most recent animated (and different) movies, and it appears like that is the last word fruits of that. In specific, Wondrous Journeys is a gorgeous love letter to the Walt Disney Animation Studio’s wealthy legacy, and it appears like an ideal match for Disneyland. On prime of that, there are much more “little things” to see and do, and it’s good to see so many alternative divisions come collectively to have fun the corporate within the parks which have at all times carried out the most effective job of getting one eye seeking to the previous and the opposite to the long run. We’ll proceed to replace this information with new and added particulars about Disney100, so keep tuned for extra!
Planning a Southern California trip? For park admission offers, learn Tips for Saving Money on Disneyland Tickets. Learn about on-site and off-site motels in our Anaheim Hotel Reviews & Rankings. For the place to eat, take a look at our Disneyland Restaurant Reviews. For distinctive concepts of issues that’ll enhance your journey, take a look at What to Pack for Disney. For complete recommendation, seek the advice of our Disneyland Vacation Planning Guide. Finally, for guides past Disney, take a look at our Southern California Itineraries for day journeys to Los Angeles, Laguna Beach, and plenty of different SoCal cities!
Your Thoughts
Are you trying ahead to the 100 Years of Wonder Celebration at Disneyland Resort? What excites you essentially the most? If you’ve already seen World of Color – ONE or Wondrous Journeys in particular person, what did you consider these new nighttime spectaculars? Planning a visit particularly for the brand new leisure or reimagined and expanded Mickey’s Toontown? Hearing from you is half the enjoyable, so in case you have extra suggestions for Disneyland’s sixtieth or any questions, please share them within the feedback!