
There’s something genuinely timeless about Disneyland. Whether it’s your first visit or your fiftieth, there’s a feeling that hits the moment you step onto Main Street, U.S.A; a blend of nostalgia, wonder, and that inexplicable Disney magic.
In 2025, Disneyland turns 70. Seventy! The original magic kingdom that Walt Disney opened in 1955 has seen generations of dreamers, families, and Disney lovers walk through its gates and now, the celebration is officially underway. And let me tell you, this anniversary isn’t just about balloons and banners. It’s shaping up to be one of the most ambitious and emotional celebrations Disneyland has ever hosted.
Here’s everything I’m excited about and why this milestone means more to me than just another birthday.
A Platinum Celebration Worthy of the Original Magic Kingdom
Disneyland has always gone big for its milestone birthdays, but for the 70th, the tone feels a little more nostalgic. A little more… reverent. And perhaps rightly so.
Expect platinum accents across the resort, updated entertainment, and a dazzling array of food, merch, and exclusive experiences — all designed to celebrate the original Disneyland Park in Anaheim, California.
After all, this isn’t just an anniversary for a theme park. It’s a tribute to the place that redefined family entertainment, changed the landscape of themed design, and introduced the world to the magic of Disneyland — a park that, in Walt’s own words, “will never be completed.”
Rather than launching a slew of new attractions, Disneyland is leaning into its legacy and celebrating the park’s incredible heritage while offering a modern take on what keeps guests coming back year after year.
A Feast Fit For Walt Himself
Let’s get straight to one of the most exciting parts (for me, anyway): the food.
Disney have just dropped their official foodie guide for the 70th anniversary, and it’s everything you’d expect from a celebration of this scale. There’s colour, creativity, and a celebratory menu packed with nostalgia.
One item that jumped out to me immediately? The Mickey Hat Cookie. I mean, just look at it! Inspired by the iconic Mickey Mouse Club ear hat, it’s a shortbread-style cookie with a delightful-looking chocolate glaze and a Mickey Mouse Club roundel. It’s the kind of snack that’s almost too cute to eat… almost. The Mickey Hat Cookie is available at Market House Deli on Main Street, U.S.A.
There’s also the 70th Celebration Cake (layers of cake, cherry compote, confetti cake, vanilla bean white chocolate mousse, and lemon curd pastry cream covered with a white chocolate ganache buttercream!). This is one of the foodie items that got me “oooooo’ing, and as a Brit, whose staple diet is a slice of cake and a cup of tea, if I was visiting Disneyland this year, this would be an absolute must! The 70th Celebration Cake is exclusive to the Plaza Inn, which is fitting, as this exquisitely decorated restaurant is renowned for being Walt’s favourite. And I agree with Walt; the Plaza Inn is a real treat!
What would a trip to Disneyland be without a churro? Well, what would a trip to Disneyland during it’s 70th celebration without a 70th Celebration Churro: a classic churro rolled in ube sugar and topped with marbled blue raspberry icing drizzle and sprinkles. Está delicioso! and you’ll find these at various Churros stalls around the park.







But it’s not all about the sweets. I’m intrigued by the Hook’s Galley Tuna Melt at Red Rose Taverne. This fresh tuna salad topped with Muenster and herb-marinated tomatoes served with house crisps (chips for our American friends), harks back to the days when the ‘Chicken of the Sea Pirate Ship’ was one of the original icons of Fantasyland back in 1955. Hook’s Galley Tuna Melt featured on the menu here, so it’s return in the 70th year is another nostalgic nod to the Disneyland of yester-year.
Drinks-wise, the Tiramisu Cold Brew might be the wildcard I’d have to try — and potentially regret due to a potential bitterness overload — but I’m all in on this celebration’s culinary madness. Usually I’d have no issues demolishing a Tiramisu in it’s traditional solid (ish) form, but this Trabadour Tavern version is a dark chocolate cold brew with tiramisu topper and ladyfinger cookie. Buonissimo.
Over DCA, you can raise a glass to 70 years of magical memories, with the Pink Dragon Fruit Mimosa. This sparkling wine cocktail combines violet and dragon fruit syrups with lemon juice but what really caught my attention, is that this fruity-looking bev is served in a Disneyland 70th Celebration Acrylic Flute. Cheers ears!
Ah yes, Popcorn. While it doesn’t appear there’s anything new popcorn-wise during the seventieth celebrations, I absolute have to give a mention to the Disneyland 70th Celebration Mickey Mouse Bucket. What’s so special about a Mickey Mouse popcorn bucket at Disneyland, I hear you ask? Apart from being completely adorable to look at, a Siri-esque ‘Hey Mickey’ will cause our favourite mouse buddy to introduce himself, while blinking his eyes and turning his head from side to side. How cool is he!?
Merchandise Magic: How Much Space Do I Have in Your Suitcase?
Disneyland’s 70th merchandise line-up is already giving collectors heart palpitations — and I say that with love (and slight panic). From Disneyland 70 spirit jerseys featuring water colour portraits of Sleeping Beauty’s castle or the more traditional Disneyland logo in a 70th rainbow colour to the 70th Anniversary MagicBand+ featuring the logo on the face and Mickey and Minnie in their celebratory attire on either side. There’s also a golden Loungefly backpack featuring Mickey and Friends in their celebration attire.




One of the most out-there merch pieces being released is the “Key to Disneyland”. The $59.99 over-sized key, allows guests to interact with 9 different locks situated around the Disneyland Park and unleash hidden magic in each of the park’s lands. Once you’ve visited each of the lock stations, seen the key light up and play a multitude of tunes, you’ll be able to finally unlock a commemorative trading pin at the end of your journey by visiting the Mickey Topiary Finale lock station by the entrance on Main Street, U.S.A.
Whilst it may sound a bit gimmicky, by all accounts these D-shaped keys have been flying off the shelves!
I can already see myself carefully navigating the shops, convincing myself I don’t need another backpack… and then promptly buying one anyway. If you know, you know.
“Walt Disney – A Magical Life”: A Tribute Like No Other
Let’s talk about what is, without question, the most poignant and arguably most anticipated part of the anniversary: the debut of the Walt Disney animatronic in a brand-new show titled “Walt Disney – A Magical Life.”

Opening on 17 July at the Main Street Opera House, this experience promises to be something truly special. The show will feature an incredibly lifelike animatronic of Walt Disney himself, sharing stories from his life and the creation of Disneyland, right in the very park he imagined over seventy years ago.
Now, I know there’s been some controversy. Some fans feel uncomfortable with the idea of animating Walt, worrying that it edges toward turning him into just another attraction. I understand the hesitance but I’m personally in full support of this project.
Why? Because I trust the Imagineers.
These are the people who’ve spent their careers preserving Walt’s legacy with care, reverence, and creativity. They’re not recreating Walt for spectacle, I really believe they’re honouring his voice, his vision, and the very spirit of storytelling he pioneered. There’s been a few bloggers who’ve fortunate enough to have been invited over to WDI and have previewed the animatronic in action. Needless to say, there hasn’t been any bad reviews.
To me, “Walt Disney – A Magical Life” sounds like a heartfelt tribute that could easily become the emotional centrepiece of the 70th.
Walt famously said, “Disneyland will never be completed,” and this feels like a way of continuing his story within the park he brought to life — not as a gimmick, but as gratitude, and I’m gutted I won’t get to see it in the 70th year.
Why This Anniversary Feels So Personal
For me, this 70th celebration hits a little differently. I only made my first trip to Disneyland recently, after years of tightly closing my eyes and wishing for such a trip, as I blew the candles on my own celebratory cake. And it was every bit as emotional and magical as I’d imagined.
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