Disneyland 70th speculations and news

[KPeterso]

Not an official Disney thing on the 70th but I'll be hosting an open house in the Grand Villa at the Grand Cal on the 17th. For those DVC nerds who want to check it out (hopefully remodeled) keep an eye on the Grand Cal thread in the DVC resorts area of the boards for future news/info.

Love this idea! We will also be at VGC for the 70th, but only in a studio!

 

[LKing]

Fantasyland Theater was not open this weekend.

 

[KPeterso]

Some pictures from Paint the Night. I did notice that there was no Incredibles float which I do remember from the DCA version. Form the pictures you can kind of see how they were coming around the circle towards us giving us a great view!

 

[Pluto468]

Some pictures from Paint the Night. I did notice that there was no Incredibles float which I do remember from the DCA version. Form the pictures you can kind of see how they were coming around the circle towards us giving us a great view!

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Great pictures! Thanks for sharing

 

[maleficent55]

Hi.. I got here on Thursday night and will return home tomorrow.

A) 70th tour
I did today; wouldn’t recommend it or do it again.
The guide was fun, and kept us entertained with DL history tips, however nothing that hasn’t been widely known before (ie, how was the experience of the multitudes on opening day, what opening day attractions are still running..)

Highlight was some Walt Disney audio nuggets in the audio device through the tour. And a very nice pin.

The LL was Mickey Minnie railroad. The seating area is for the first PTN parade near the flag pole in Town Square, facing the street.

The tour started at Main Street, went into cinema to show Steamboat cartoon. The tour audio device played some original advertising radio messages. Then we walked to hub area; then walked into Fantasyland, some comments on opening day attractions plus the refurb led by T. baxter. We jumped to the railroad to ride to New Orleans station.

When we got into NewOrleans square the audio device tour had Walt Disney talking about this square, and how he wanted the experience to be, the river atmosphere etc; very nice. We jumped into Mark Twain ship, some commentary on the history of it.

Then we walked towards Frontierland, here we got a 10mins break. Then walked to Small World, and then we finished at the Pixar mural in the theater.

I’m not sure I will watch the PTN parade in that seating area as I like seeing castle projections but will decide later today.

B) 70th entertainment
- PTN parade is a very good one. Music and visuals are very catchy IMO. Lots of performers doing their very best. Totally worth it.
- Wondrous fireworks. It is my favorite ever and above HEA which I adore LOL. Yesterday I sat down in front ot the castle around 6pm (!)
- the Cavalcade. It is nice but I didn't like it as much, it felt an afterthought, or not as fun as it could have been if they approach to it as the It’s a good time at MK, very interactive and just couple of floats needed.
- the Tapestry of Happiness. Awesome, the music and projections are so emotional and well done.
- Better together parade is very fun to watch.

C) 70th merch
A lots! But nothing that got me feeling “I need this”, so.. I haven’t purchased a thing so far.

Parks are clean and beautiful as always, thr 70th anniversary is just another excuse for me traveling here again

Was there a keepsake that was given?

 

[DianaMB333]

Was there a keepsake that was given?

Yes, a 70th anniversary pin..
(I’m traveling but I can post a photo next wkknd)

 

[LKing]

chelsea.sue_ shared a picture of the tour pin on Instagram.

 

[Mrjoshua]

Hi.. I got here on Thursday night and will return home tomorrow.

A) 70th tour
I did today; wouldn’t recommend it or do it again.
The guide was fun, and kept us entertained with DL history tips, however nothing that hasn’t been widely known before (ie, how was the experience of the multitudes on opening day, what opening day attractions are still running..)

Highlight was some Walt Disney audio nuggets in the audio device through the tour. And a very nice pin.

The LL was Mickey Minnie railroad. The seating area is for the first PTN parade near the flag pole in Town Square, facing the street.

The tour started at Main Street, went into cinema to show Steamboat cartoon. The tour audio device played some original advertising radio messages. Then we walked to hub area; then walked into Fantasyland, some comments on opening day attractions plus the refurb led by T. baxter. We jumped to the railroad to ride to New Orleans station.

When we got into NewOrleans square the audio device tour had Walt Disney talking about this square, and how he wanted the experience to be, the river atmosphere etc; very nice. We jumped into Mark Twain ship, some commentary on the history of it.

Then we walked towards Frontierland, here we got a 10mins break. Then walked to Small World, and then we finished at the Pixar mural in the theater.

I’m not sure I will watch the PTN parade in that seating area as I like seeing castle projections but will decide later today.

B) 70th entertainment
- PTN parade is a very good one. Music and visuals are very catchy IMO. Lots of performers doing their very best. Totally worth it.
- Wondrous fireworks. It is my favorite ever and above HEA which I adore LOL. Yesterday I sat down in front ot the castle around 6pm (!)
- the Cavalcade. It is nice but I didn't like it as much, it felt an afterthought, or not as fun as it could have been if they approach to it as the It’s a good time at MK, very interactive and just couple of floats needed.
- the Tapestry of Happiness. Awesome, the music and projections are so emotional and well done.
- Better together parade is very fun to watch.

Was there actually a seating area for Paint the Night or is it standing? Also, does anyone know if it was crowded? Thank you for the insightful review.

 

[LKing]

Was there actually a seating area for Paint the Night or is it standing? Also, does anyone know if it was crowded? Thank you for the insightful review.

There was curb seating. This is a picture of the tour area taken at 8:15 pm on Saturday, May 17. It started where the arrow is drawn. I don't know how far it wrapped around the corner. The max number of people in the tour area is 80 (four tours of 20). The night that I took this picture, it looks like they had enough popcorn for 61. Some, like DianaMB333, might have chosen not to sit in that area.

Note, everyone can sit until approx. 10 min before the parade starts. At that point, they ask anyone not in the front row to stand.

 

[DontSpamMe]

I may have missed this. Is the viewing area for Paint the Night the same for the Plaza Inn dining package and the tour? Still 50/50 on this one.

 

[Tinkaboo]

I may have missed this. Is the viewing area for Paint the Night the same for the Plaza Inn dining package and the tour? Still 50/50 on this one.

@LKing provided a map over in the PTN Dining Review thread...appears they are adjacent toeach other with the tour folks having a slight advantage...

 

[LKing]

I may have missed this. Is the viewing area for Paint the Night the same for the Plaza Inn dining package and the tour? Still 50/50 on this one.

Here is a link to where that conversation took place. https://www.disboards.com/threads/p...ackage-reviews-and-info.3967563/post-66153383

 

[Brumeiser]

Glad to see these boards are still around. My wife would like to go back to Disneyland. These parks are her favorite more than the Florida parks. It has been 10 years since we have been to these parks. So I have a few questions if you can help please. With the 70th celebration will they still have Food and Wine festival next year? If so when do they make the announcement of the dates? Do the parks do anything for Easter? And when does spring break occur at these parks around Easter? Basically what days should we stay away from? Thanks everyone.

 

[DontSpamMe]

Thank you both. I agree the tour has a better spot. That corner spot is better when the parade comes from the other direction.

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

Glad to see these boards are still around. My wife would like to go back to Disneyland. These parks are her favorite more than the Florida parks. It has been 10 years since we have been to these parks. So I have a few questions if you can help please. With the 70th celebration will they still have Food and Wine festival next year? If so when do they make the announcement of the dates? Do the parks do anything for Easter? And when does spring break occur at these parks around Easter? Basically what days should we stay away from? Thanks everyone.

I would expect Food and Wine to still occur because I think the alcohol is a big money-maker for them and the event as a whole is a draw for the locals. Disney announced all of this year's events all at once in early December of last year. I think that was a new thing for them to do to publish the full slate at once so no guarantee that they will repeat, but I would still expect first half of the year info like Food and Wine dates to be made public before the end of this year.

Disney doesn't do a lot for Easter. There is usually an Easter egg scavenger hunt available. Cards can be purchased for each park and downtown Disney and you locate various large display eggs and mark them on the card. The card can be returned (completed or not) for a Disney trinket. There may or may not be a smattering of Easter themed treats available for purchase, usually in the candy shops. They did not do the famous chocolate eggs this year. I know there have been Easter themed character meals in the past, but I didn't pay attention this year to whether any of that was still going on.

March 29-April 5 is blocked out for all Magic Keys but the most expensive so that is the week Disney expects to be busy, busy, busy. Easter is April 5. Frankly any given day mid-March to mid-April can be busier than one might expect since spring break is kind of a rolling event with different school districts choosing different dates plus a lot of youth groups visit the parks that time of year. Still I would expect that March 29-April 7 might be among the busiest spring days.

 

[LKing]

Glad to see these boards are still around. My wife would like to go back to Disneyland. These parks are her favorite more than the Florida parks. It has been 10 years since we have been to these parks. So I have a few questions if you can help please. With the 70th celebration will they still have Food and Wine festival next year? If so when do they make the announcement of the dates? Do the parks do anything for Easter? And when does spring break occur at these parks around Easter? Basically what days should we stay away from? Thanks everyone.

You might find this thread helpful. It is the days that different official and unofficial events occur that might impact park attendance. The official 2025 calendar was posted on 12/5/2024 so I would expect next year's calendar to be announced around the same time this year.

 

[OlliePop27]

In the dining package thread, I mentioned that fireworks started late on both Friday and Saturday. @OlliePop27 pointed out that the official start time for Fantasmic has been changed to 9:05 pm. Also, the March Down Main Street (not sure if that is the official name) starts at the castle at 12:15. The band & characters perform in front of the train station around 12:25.

Below is an adjusted timeline. Always check the app for official times on the day of your visit.

12:15 pm Disneyland Band March Down Main Street
1:30 pm Celebrate Happy Cavalcade - Small World -> Town Square
2:30 pm Better Together - A Pixar Pals Celebration! (DCA)
2:45 pm Celebrate Happy Cavalcade - Town Square -> Small World
5:00 pm Better Together - A Pixar Pals Celebration! (DCA)
8:45 pm Paint The Night - Small World -> Town Square
8:45 pm Shadows of Memory (SWGE)
9:05 pm Fantasmic!
9:00 pm World of Color Happiness! (DCA)
9:35 pm Wondrous Journeys Fireworks
9:35 pm Fire of the Rising Moon (SWGE)
9:50 pm Tapestry of Happiness (Small World)
10:15 pm Shadows of Memory (SWGE)
10:15 pm World of Color Happiness! (DCA)
10:20 pm Tapestry of Happiness (Small World)
10:30 pm Fantasmic!
10:45 pm Paint the Night - Town Square -> Small World
11:30 pm Tapestry of Happiness (Small World)
11:45 pm Tapestry of Happiness (Small World)

Separated by park:

Disneyland
12:15 pm Disneyland Band March Down Main Street
1:30 pm Celebrate Happy Cavalcade - Small World -> Town Square
2:45 pm Celebrate Happy Cavalcade - Town Square -> Small World
8:45 pm Paint The Night - Small World -> Town Square
8:45 pm Shadows of Memory (SWGE)
9:05 pm Fantasmic!
9:35 pm Wondrous Journeys Fireworks
9:35 pm Fire of the Rising Moon (SWGE)
9:50 pm Tapestry of Happiness (Small World)
10:15 pm Shadows of Memory (SWGE)
10:20 pm Tapestry of Happiness (Small World)
10:30 pm Fantasmic!
10:45 pm Paint the Night - Town Square -> Small World
11:30 pm Tapestry of Happiness (Small World)
11:45 pm Tapestry of Happiness (Small World)

DCA
2:30 pm Better Together
5:00 pm Better Together
9:00 pm World of Color Happiness! (DCA)
10:15 pm World of Color Happiness! (DCA)

@LKing Just an update that DLR officially updated the start time of Wondrous Journeys all summer to 9:35 instead of 9:30. This was already obvious given the 9:05 Fantasmic start and your in park experience, but it's now official!

 

[LKing]

@LKing Just an update that DLR officially updated the start time of Wondrous Journeys all summer to 9:35 instead of 9:30. This was already obvious given the 9:05 Fantasmic start and your in park experience, but it's now official!

They need to update the start time of Fire of the Rising Moon.

 

[ShoeCello]

They need to update the start time of Fire of the Rising Moon.

Any idea why they pushed Fantasmic! and Wondrous Journeys back by 5 minutes?

 

[LKing]

Any idea why they pushed Fantasmic! and Wondrous Journeys back by 5 minutes?

No idea. Fantasmic changed first. @OlliePop27 when did you first notice the time change?