Disney 100th Anniversary: Magical Celebration Guide to the Finale
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I’m excited to cover everything we currently know about the 100th Anniversary Celebration including new activities, attractions, celebratory food and drinks, limited-time merchandise, and more! Let’s get to it, shall we?
Disney 100th Anniversary Theme Park Décor
In order to commemorate the celebration of 100 years, both Disneyland and Disney California Adventure will feature extra displays of magic in their park décor. As you walk around the parks, you will see the addition of purple and platinum banners and ribbons throughout the park representing the celebration.
As we all know, the castle at Disneyland is Sleeping Beauty’s Castle. If you look closely, you will see the three good fairies from the Sleeping Beauty movie on the castle. They are using their magic pixie dust to illuminate it. In addition to these subtle touches, you can also find both a platinum Mickey and Minnie statue to commemorate the milestone.
You will find Platinum Mickey in Town Square and Platinum Minnie in front of Plaza Inn, both on Main Street, U.S.A. The decor and embellishments don’t stop at the parks. As such, you will also find banners, ribbons, and more throughout the other parts of Disney property including Downtown Disney and hotels at Disneyland Resort.
Can’t Miss Shows/Parades
Wondrous Journeys
NOTE: Wondrous Journeys is on hiatus for the rest of the 2023 season to feature Halloween and holiday shows. It is tentatively set to return in January 2024. Currently, Halloween Screams will run in its place until 10/31/23 followed by “Believe… In Holiday Magic” through the end of the holiday season.
Wondrous Journeys Show by Cory Doctorow (CC BY-SA 2.0)
With a celebration as big as this one, it wouldn’t be right to not introduce a new and exciting fireworks show! If you haven’t been to Disneyland in the past, they close out the evening with a fireworks spectacular every night.
Wondrous Journeys is the ultimate show in true Disney fashion that exhibits the history of Walt Disney Animation Studios throughout its 100 years of existence. You will be in absolute awe enjoying the beautiful show as it bursts into the sky over Sleeping Beauty’s Castle!
Wondrous Journeys will feature state-of-the-art projections and of course, pyrotechnics with beautiful, classic Disney music.
Show Highlights
- Length: 13 Minutes
- Location: Main Street U.S.A. at Disneyland
- Fireworks are only shown on select nights (weekends and holidays) of the Wondrous Journeys show.
World of Color – ONE
If you are closing out your night at Disney California Adventure, don’t worry. There is another incredible show featured during the Disney 100th Anniversary inside DCA.
World of Color – ONE is an incredible water and special effects extravaganza that showcases the stories that have been told through Disney, Pixar, Marvel, and Star Wars films throughout the 100 years of Disney. Some of the films featured in the show include The Lion King, Moana, Star Wars, and more.
Show Highlights
- Length: 24 Minutes
- Location: Paradise Gardens Park at Disney California Adventure
- Reservations: A reservation is not required to view the show. But, if you are looking to get the best view of the show, you may want to consider reservations. In order to enter the reserved viewing areas, you will need a valid virtual queue selection OR a valid voucher from either the World of Color – ONE dining package or the World of Color – ONE Dessert Party package.
- The World of Color – ONE show schedule is subject to change and may not be available every night. Be sure to check the show’s availability and showtimes.
“Magic Happens” Parade
Disney parades are a fan-favorite highlight of visiting Disney parks. With the kickoff and continuation of the Disney 100th Anniversary celebration comes the return of an iconic Disneyland parade, the “Magic Happens” Parade.
The Parade is making its return with classic Disney characters including Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Mickey’s friends, and some of the newer introductions of characters such as Moana, Elsa and Anna from Frozen, among others!
Show Highlights
- Length: 40 Minutes
- Location: The cavalcade makes its way throughout Disneyland Park being led by none other than Mickey Mouse himself.
- The “Magic Happens” Parade may not occur daily so look up the dates and show times for the parade prior to your visit.
New Attractions
Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway
Premiering at Walt Disney World in March of 2020, this new attraction has been a hit within the park. So, it was only natural that they brought it to Disneyland as well, right?
With an official opening of January 27, 2023, Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway has been a part of the Disney 100th Anniversary celebration from day one.
At this time, there is only a standby (no virtual) queue available for this attraction. Additionally, if you prefer to have a shortened wait time (and you may given the popularity of the ride), you can purchase an individual Lightning Lane entry for this attraction. Individual Lightning Lane prices vary depending on the attraction as well as the day and time you choose to visit.
Mickey’s Toontown
Mickey’s Toontown has always been a popular attraction at Disneyland but was recently shut down on March 9, 2022, to allow for renovations.
After a little over a year of enhancement and additions, the attraction officially reopened on March 19, 2023. The “reimagined” town features an interactive neighborhood along with plenty of fun and exciting attractions including:
- The CenTOONial Park
- Chip N’ Dale’s GADGETcoaster
- Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin
- A self-guided tour through both Mickey and Minnie’s homes and even…
- An opportunity to meet the famous couple!
- Donald’s Duck Pond
- Goofy’s How-To-Play Yard
The Disney 100 Gallery
At the Disney Gallery, guests can take the opportunity to see the history of Disney and how it has evolved over time. You will see how some of your favorite classic Disney films and stories came to be.
Walt Disney wanted to create Disneyland as a way to bring his storied creations to life and have his guests enjoy those stories in a completely different way. In addition to the stories, the art exhibit also features memorabilia and rare items from the development of Disney parks.
You might also like: EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival Guide
Disney 100th Anniversary Merchandise and Souvenirs
If you have the chance to visit Disneyland during the Disney 100th Anniversary celebration, you will certainly want to commemorate your visit with a souvenir (or two or 20). Well, you’re in luck.
Disney parks have launched brand new designs, apparel, and souvenirs featuring the Disney 100th Anniversary theme. You will find apparel, backpacks, Disney pins, toys, stuffed animals, Mickey and Minnie ears, and SO much more!
All merchandise fits the beautiful platinum and purple color scheme making them stunning
and unique!
Personally, I HAD to get my hands on a pair of those diamond-studded platinum and purple ears!
In addition to the platinum collection, Disney merchandise stores have also launched an Oswald line to commemorate the celebration. What a lot of people don’t know is that Oswald the Lucky Rabbit, not Mickey Mouse, is the first character that was created by Walt Disney! 😱
Disney 100th Anniversary Food and Drink
We can’t possibly talk about the Disney 100th Anniversary celebration without mentioning the food and drinks! The food at Disneyland parks is pretty creative and artistic. I’ve never had any food or drink in the Disney parks that I didn’t enjoy!
As with any special event, Disney has released a number of limited-time food and beverage options to enjoy during the 100th Anniversary. With so many incredible menu items to choose from, there’s no way to possibly cover them all. However, it is possible to share a few of the crowd favorites along with recommended items to try!
Disney 100th Anniversary Platinum Trifle
The Platinum Trifle is a layered dessert featuring chocolate cookie crumbles, a layer of cheesecake topped with a cherry compote, and a fluffy chocolate mousse. Finished off with a creamy topping and crunchy shimmering pearls, it proudly displays a platinum “100” chocolate piece!
Location: Galatic Grill and Jolly Holiday Bakery Cafe
Violet Pretzel
A soft baked pretzel filled with cream cheese, the Violet Pretzel is topped with a vanilla cream drizzle and lavender sugar crystals. Who says you can’t have it all with salty AND sweet? 🤩
Location: Refreshment Corner
Disney100 Churro
Disney parks are famous for their churros and even just their traditional churros are incredible. BUT. The Disney100 Churro is over the top!
A standard churro rolled in cherry sugar and topped with a white icing drizzle and silver/purple crunchy pearls is simply the BEST!
Location: Town Square Churro and Tomorrowland Churro
Disney100 Poison Apple Mug
I’m so excited about this one so it’s a MUST-GET for me! The Disney100 Poison Apple Mug features the iconic poison apple from Snow White with a Disney 100 Anniversary twist. The mug is a metallic purple apple covered in a platinum drizzle! 😱🤩😍
Location: Casey Jr. Churro Cart
Refillable Disney 100th Anniversary Popcorn Buckets
There are a number of limited edition Refillable Popcorn Buckets released for the 100th Anniversary celebration including the Magic Key Bucket, the Platinum Mickey Mouse Balloon Bucket, and the Cinderella Premium Bucket.
Prices vary for all the different popcorn buckets.
Location: Popcorn Carts all over Disneyland and Disney California Adventure parks
PIN IT!
A visit to Disneyland is such an incredible experience on any day but having the chance to visit
during one of their limited-time events or celebrations makes it that much more special. Hopefully, this guide gives you an inside look at what to expect for the Disney 100th Anniversary!
Are you planning to visit Disneyland during the 100th celebration? As always, I would love to hear about your visit or what you are most excited to experience!
‘Til next time…
Trimm Travels,
Heather
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