The Walt Disney Corporation is turning 100 years old this year and it’s planning to celebrate with the public at one of its most famous assets.
Disneyland will be home to a series of events throughout the year with a program labeled “Disney100.” The company’s original theme park, which is only 67 years old, will welcome guests with a variety of events and activities.
“Disney100 will celebrate our incredible storytellers and creators, along with the fans and families who’ve brought us into their hearts, as they together spark the magic and wonder of Disney,” Kelsey Lynch, a public relations director for Disneyland, wrote on the company’s blog. “This celebration honors the journey we’ve been on and the memories we’ve created together.”
Everything kicks off starting January 27 at the southern California resort.
Wondrous Journeys
Disneyland will light up every evening as Main Street, Sleeping Beauty’s Castle, the facade of It’s a Small World, and the Rivers of America are transformed with lighting projections.
Some nights will include a fireworks show as well, where the lights and music offer nods to the company’s five dozen or so animated films. A new song, “It’s Wondrous,” will be part of the show.
World Of Color
This fan-favorite is returning to Disney California Adventure with a new show: World of Color: One.
The show will feature characters, music, and highlights from Walt Disney Animation Studios, Pixar, the Avengers, Star Wars, and more — all in the same production. It will be available for those with California Adventure day passes, or those at Disneyland with a park hopper ticket.
Guests will be able to reserve a spot in the viewing area through the virtual queue in the Disneyland app starting daily at noon. Walk-up options will be on a first come, first served basis.
Mickey And Minnie’s Runaway Railroad
This new attraction opens January 27 inside the CapiTOON Theater as fans enter the cartoon world of Mickey and Minnie while riding a train led by Goofy.
Access to the attraction will be only through a virtual queue on the Disneyland app, with enrollment times at 7 a.m. and 1 p.m. daily. There will not be a standby line.
Mickey’s Toontown
New attractions and old favorites will be part of Toontown when it reopens on March 8.
In addition to Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railroad, other attractions will include Chip ’n Dale’s GadgetCoaster, Donald’s Boat, Goofy’s House, and Goofy’s How-to-Play Yard — all giving families with younger children a place to explore and expend some energy.
Other Attractions
In addition, Disneyland will have a scattering of other tributes to the company’s 100-year anniversary.
The Magic Happens Parade returns nightly starting February 24. Mickey leads the daytime parade through the park with floats, costumes, and nods to Disney and Pixar films.
The Disney Gallery on Main Street will have a new exhibit with artwork created by animators from some of the company’s early films, an animator’s desk, a model of a multi-plane camera, and more.
The parks, Downtown Disney, and the company’s hotels will showcase a variety of platinum-infused décor as a nod to the anniversary.
Special menu items will be added to menus across the parks and resort.
Two new water fountains will be unveiled in front of Sleeping Beauty’s Castle dressed in platinum banners.
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