Disneyland Resort 70th Anniversary was celebrated with “70 Happiest Hours in Anaheim,” bringing Disney magic to local schools, families, and heroes.

Disneyland Resort 70th Anniversary: Anaheim Celebration
Photo Credit: Disney

Disneyland Resort is marking its 70th anniversary in a way only Disney can—by spreading magic directly into the community it has called home since 1955. Over three unforgettable days, Disneyland brought joy to more than 5,000 Anaheim residents during “70 Happiest Hours in Anaheim,” a celebration filled with surprise events, community gatherings, and Disney character appearances.

70 Hours of Magic Across Anaheim

Disneyland Resort 70th Anniversary: Anaheim Celebration

The Disneyland Resort 70th anniversary celebration featured 16 unique events across the city, blending Disney magic with local traditions. From surprise school visits to honoring local heroes, each moment was designed to give back to the community that has supported the resort for seven decades.

Disneyland Resort president Thomas Mazloum reflected on the milestone, saying:
“With ’70 Happiest Hours in Anaheim’, we’re honoring our legacy by giving back to the community that has embraced us for generations – bringing a little extra magic to the place and people who mean so much to us.”

Highlights of the Disneyland Resort 70th Anniversary Celebration

Disneyland Resort 70th Anniversary: Anaheim Celebration
  • First-Day-of-School Magic – Mickey Mouse and friends welcomed more than 800 students and staff at Crescent Elementary School.
  • Outdoor Movie Night – Over 300 attendees enjoyed an over-the-top Disney-style festival and movie experience at Loara High School.
  • Honoring First Responders – Nearly 100 Anaheim firefighters and police officers received surprise station visits complete with treats, games, and character meet-and-greets.
  • Saluting Veterans – Ten veterans from Walnut Village were honored during a special flag retreat ceremony at Disneyland Resort.
  • Grand Finale at Glover Stadium – The Katella High School band teamed up with the world-famous Disneyland Band for an unforgettable halftime show featuring classic Disney songs. Souvenirs, themed snacks, and character appearances rounded out the night.

Anaheim mayor Ashleigh Aitken praised the event, noting:
“As home to Walt Disney’s original Disneyland, no one else has what Anaheim has, and this reflects that special bond.”

Giving Back Beyond the Disneyland Resort 70th Anniversary Celebration

The Disneyland Resort 70th anniversary campaign is just one piece of its ongoing commitment to Orange County. Through Disney VoluntEARS, cast members contributed more than 33,000 hours of volunteer time in 2024 alone. The resort also supports the community with workforce development programs and tens of millions of dollars in donations each year.

Special Offer for Anaheim Residents

The celebration isn’t over yet! As part of the anniversary festivities, Anaheim residents can visit The Happiest Place on Earth with a special 1-day, 1-park ticket for as little as $70 for a limited time. Park admission and reservations are required. To learn more, visit Disneyland.com/AnaheimResidentOffer

For more theme park-related news and information, visit MSM News.

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Jon Self

Jon Self is an avid theme park fan. You can follow him at @pastorjonself on X/ Twitter or Jon.Self.37 at Instagram. He has been writing and editing in the theme park media world for over a decade. He also writes for several "foodie" sites as well as in the faith-based world.