Disney’s one centesimal Anniversary is now underway at Disneyland and California Adventure, and there are a number of new issues to have a good time: Wondrous Journeys fireworks, World of Color – ONE, Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway, and extra. This information to the 100 Years of Wonder Celebration gives suggestions & methods 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 will not be 100 years previous. Well, duh. If you’re a diehard Disneyland fan, you understand that Walt Disney’s unique magic kingdom opened in 1955. Even in the event you’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 an enormous Disney fan. If you’re only a informal visitor, you couldn’t be blamed for considering it’s the one centesimal Anniversary of the theme park primarily based on the decorations and advertising. (It’s solely a matter of time earlier than a high-ranking firm government mistakenly calls it Disneyland’s one centesimal Anniversary–the subsequent earnings name is arising!)
With what the Disney100 Celebration isn’t out of the best way, let’s handle the 2 largest questions we’ve obtained to this point: when will the 100 Years of Wonder Celebration at Disneyland finish and when is the very best 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 a minimum of 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 anticipate this to proceed for a minimum of 13 months–it will make sense to have some form 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 deliver again beloved older ones to spice up turnout amongst locals. The strategy doubtless relies upon upon the reception to Wondrous Journeys and World of Color – ONE, however we’d anticipate a minimum of certainly one of them to make appearances past 2024.
The second query is a bit more tough to reply. Disneyland Resort was a madhouse for many of final 12 months, and stays busy this winter. Weekdays haven’t been as dangerous as they had been final 12 months, 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 best reply to that second query, however it’s true to an extent. With that stated, 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 prepare engineered by Goofy and embark on a zany journey.
To expertise Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway, you’ll want to affix the digital queue or purchase Individual Lightning Lane entry, which is simply obtainable by way of the Disneyland app. There isn’t any standby line for the trip proper now. The digital queue enrollment instances might be twice day by day, at 7 a.m. and 1 p.m. PT. Learn extra in our publish 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 in the event you’ve already executed this trip 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 by means of 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 wish to get forward of myself with the effusive reward or favorable comparisons I’d come to remorse…suffice to say, Wondrous Journeys is great. We each love Wondrous Journeys–it packs an incredible 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 current nighttime spectaculars, it doesn’t drag anyplace. Wondrous Journeys is phenomenal from begin to end, and masterfully weaves collectively music, projections, and extra. I wish to see it a number of extra instances earlier than reviewing it, however whilst issues stand now, Wondrous Journeys is a brand new basic.
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 by way of 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 company who’ve entered Disney California Adventure park for the day or have entered Disneyland with a Park Hopper ticket. More info and how-to particulars can be found in our Guide to World of Color – ONE Virtual Queue.
Just as I don’t wish to get forward of myself with reward for Wondrous Journeys, I wish to withhold remaining judgment on World of Color – ONE for the precise reverse cause. My first impression of this nighttime spectacular will not be notably optimistic, however it positively has its moments. In that sense, it jogs my memory lots of Harmonious and even World of Color: Celebrate (for the Diamond Celebration). The Star Wars sequence is spectacular and I like the unique music for World of Color – ONE.
I believe there are sufficient ‘nuggets of goodness’ to make World of Color – ONE a winner for a lot of company. That’s not my preliminary response, however I’ll a minimum of 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 observe. Oh, and make sure to keep for the post-show/outro/exit music. That’s World of Color – ONE’s strongest section, in the event you 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 unsuitable 12 months points of interest opened or Mickey Mouse statues that supposedly misquote Walt Disney, however did they ever take into account 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” would possibly’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 grew to become 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 number of years. (Assuming, after all, that that is fastened inside the subsequent week or so.)
Later this 12 months, MagicBand+ interactivity might be launched to the statues. I’m guessing it’ll be much like the Fab 50 statues at Walt Disney World–in the event you flail your arms about hysterically in entrance of the statues whereas carrying a MagicBand Plus, they could say one thing to you. Or they won’t, during which case, you would possibly 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 incredible, 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 fortress bridge. This is the case with lots of the decorations, really. I perceive that Disney doesn’t management the daylight, however most of this doesn’t look significantly better at night time, when Disney is in full management of the lighting packages.
Character Costumes – On Main Street, you might discover Minnie and Mickey Mouse, plus their buddies in platinum-inspired appears to be like designed to mirror the optimism and creativity which are on the coronary heart of the whole lot Disney.
These costumes are stylish and chic. We’ve seen lots of ingenious outfits for Mickey and pals lately, so I’m completely glad with sharp, easy, and trendy appears to be like.
Music – This would possibly seem 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 basic theme park songs. It’s surprisingly heavy on EPCOT Center originals, however contains a good steadiness of previous 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 enjoying new medleys for Disney100. These characteristic good blends of music from the parks plus animated and reside motion motion pictures of the previous and current. Entertainment is the guts of Disneyland, and this makes the 100 Years of Wonder Celebration really feel extra alive.
Monorail – Speaking of constructing 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 superbly, whereas additionally leaving a shocking rainbow reflection within the water.
This is the very best wrap because the TRONorail at Walt Disney World over a decade in the past. Here’s hoping this additionally makes its method over to Florida, as this may look incredible for Flower & Garden, floating above the florals!
Merchandise & Food – Feeling hungry amidst all these festivities? Savor a century of magic by means of 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 strive any of this but, however that burger is excessive up my listing of wierd culinary concoctions which are must-eats for me–so keep tuned.
You can even deliver the magic residence 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 digicam, and extra. It’s a pleasant tribute to Disney movies that grew to become 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 protected to say that Cars Land and Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge don’t want in-park advertising pushes.
Magic Happens Parade – Even extra enjoyable remains 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 obtained 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 individual!
Mickey’s Toontown – Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway might 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 wanting 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 lots of love, and it ought to change into an even bigger draw for company in consequence. Of course, that’s a double-edged sword–now we’ll most likely should endure longer wait instances for Roger Rabbit’s trip!
Ultimately, the 100 Years of Wonder Celebration at Disneyland Resort is an gratifying occasion and a pleasant option to deliver additional pleasure and vitality to the parks. Even although it’s not the California parks which are being honored, they’re the right host to the festivities. Disneyland was Walt Disney’s unique park, and remains to be the corporate’s crown jewel to this present day.
Disneyland has lengthy served as a spot to advertise the most recent animated (and different) movies, and it seems like that is the final word end result of that. In specific, Wondrous Journeys is a wonderful love letter to the Walt Disney Animation Studio’s wealthy legacy, and it seems 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 various divisions come collectively to have a good time the corporate within the parks which have all the time executed the very best job of getting one eye trying 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 lodges in our Anaheim Hotel Reviews & Rankings. For the place to eat, try our Disneyland Restaurant Reviews. For distinctive concepts of issues that’ll enhance your journey, try What to Pack for Disney. For complete recommendation, seek the advice of our Disneyland Vacation Planning Guide. Finally, for guides past Disney, try our Southern California Itineraries for day journeys to Los Angeles, Laguna Beach, and plenty of different SoCal cities!
Your Thoughts
Are you wanting ahead to the 100 Years of Wonder Celebration at Disneyland Resort? What excites you probably the most? If you’ve already seen World of Color – ONE or Wondrous Journeys in individual, 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 when you’ve got extra suggestions for Disneyland’s sixtieth or any questions, please share them within the feedback!