Throughout Disneyland’s seventieth Anniversary, new experiences will probably be launched aimed toward preserving the heritage and legacy of Walt Disney, whereas introducing the person and the park’s wealthy historical past to a brand new technology of followers. This runs by way of what’s coming to Fundamental Road USA (and past) in the course of the celebration, plus our ideas.
Upon coming into Disneyland, the primary land you step into is the quaint Fundamental Road, USA. Impressed by Walt Disney’s hometown of Marceline, Missouri, Fundamental Road recreates the distinctive allure and quaintness of small-town America on the flip of the twentieth century, crammed with hope and optimism. Every of those new choices will likewise not solely showcase the historical past of Disneyland, but additionally share optimism and pleasure for the way forward for The Happiest Place on Earth.
As Disney gears up for the milestone seventieth anniversary celebration at Disneyland Resort, beginning on Could 16, 2025 and working by way of Summer time 2026, there are extra experiences coming to Disneyland all through the course of the occasion. These all-new experiences coming to Fundamental Road, U.S.A, and past, will debut on July 17, 2025, the seventieth anniversary of Disneyland’s opening day. See our Information to the Disneyland seventieth Anniversary for every thing else you could know concerning the leisure and different new & returning choices for the celebration.
A Tribute to the Sherman Brothers on the Fundamental Road Cinema
Contained in the famed Fundamental Road Cinema, you’ll get to see the story and impression of the well-known songwriting duo, the Sherman brothers.
Right here you possibly can watch a heartwarming three-and-a-half minute movie referred to as “The Final Verse,” which celebrates the timeless connection and hope behind the Sherman Brothers’ iconic tune, “It’s a Small World.”
Created for the tune’s sixtieth anniversary, this movie unveils a brand new verse written by legendary composer Richard M. Sherman in his last Disney contribution earlier than his passing in Could 2024. Within the spirit of the beloved tune, viewers journey throughout the globe because the tune is handed from individual to individual and technology to technology, culminating within the reveal of this heartfelt new verse:
“Mom earth unites us in coronary heart and thoughts
And the love we give makes us humankind
Via our huge wondrous land
After we stand hand in hand
It’s a small world in any case.”
Moreover, Disney will probably be premiering this third and last verse within the “it’s a small world” attraction at Disneyland, starting July 17, 2025.
New Experiences on the Fundamental Road Opera Home
As you enter the Opera Home on Fundamental Road, U.S.A., you’ll discover an all-new gallery that includes the evolution of Walt Disney’s dream of Disneyland, the theme park that impressed generations and adjusted the leisure world perpetually. On show will probably be photos, artwork and artifacts – some by no means earlier than seen – that present Disneyland earlier than, throughout, and after Walt’s dream grew to become a actuality.
Walt Disney Imagineering and the Walt Disney Archives have curated relics and memorabilia from the very early phases of Disneyland, in addition to by way of the evolution of what Walt’s unique park has change into as we speak. The Walt Disney Household Museum can be loaning a few of Walt’s humanitarian accolades for visitors to get pleasure from.
The Walt Disney Household Museum has chosen greater than 30 artifacts for these experiences within the foyer. Among the many treasures on mortgage within the gallery will probably be unique objects from Walt’s personal condominium above the Fireplace Station on Fundamental Road. This stuff embody an unique rocking chair, lamp and desk, all of which have by no means been publicly exhibited at Disneyland earlier than.
You’ll additionally have the ability to get a detailed take a look at objects together with Walt’s 1955 Emmy award for the “Walt Disney’s Disneyland” TV present, his Presidential Medal of Freedom awarded by President Johnson in 1964, and the Walt Disney Commemorative Medal introduced to Lillian Disney by President Nixon in 1969.
Talking for everybody, I sincerely hope his Nationwide Pigeon Affiliation Wendell Levi Excellent Service Award for the “best contribution ever made to the game of racing pigeons” is on show. (That’s an actual award Walt actually acquired, and like purpose #1,955 why each fan ought to go to the Walt Disney Household Museum!)
As you journey additional into the foyer of the Fundamental Road Opera Home, you’ll uncover one other particular exhibit.
Right here you’ll encounter the story and historical past of Audio-Animatronics know-how, from Walt’s day resulting in the development of the place we’re as we speak. You’ll find out about Walt’s inspiration and see firsthand the internal workings of this know-how, and the way far Audio-Animatronics figures have superior by way of the years.
There was an exhibit alongside these strains on the final Vacation spot D23 and it was cool however means too small. I’d think about that that is similar to that, each by way of coolness and measurement. It’s space-constrained by the exhibit space within the Opera Home, a whole lot of which will probably be consumed by the above displays about Walt Disney and Disneyland.
Regardless, I’m joyful to see this. There have been fears over time that Imagineering is getting away from utilizing Audio Animatronics, and though new additions within the final couple of years have quieted that to a point, AAs nonetheless aren’t as frequent in newer sights. That’s a disgrace, for my part, as they’re nonetheless a novel know-how that, not like screens, you don’t see in every day life. Introducing new audiences to Audio Animatronics, and exhibiting followers their internal workings, is a win from my perspective.
All of those displays are basically the pre-show for “Walt Disney – A Magical Life,” which is able to now open alongside these new Fundamental Road Opera Home displays on July 17, 2025.
As you step into the theater, you’ll get to expertise the unbelievable story of Walt Disney’s life. Via remastered footage and audio recordings, you’ll be taken on a cinematic journey that leads from Walt’s early endeavors to the intense lights of Los Angeles and past. And when the curtain rises, visitors will probably be transported to Walt’s workplace. Via the magic of Audio-Animatronics storytelling that he helped pioneer, Walt will share some heartfelt tales and phrases of knowledge.
Whereas it’s unlucky to have “Walt Disney – A Magical Life” delayed by a pair months (it was beforehand slated to open on Could 16), I’d reasonably see Imagineers get it proper than ship it rushed. This attraction will hopefully be loved by generations of visitors for years to return. Provided that I’ll in all probability be watching this usually for the following 2+ a long time, I’m superb with getting it 2 months later.
We followers could be impatient, however I’d hope we realized a lesson from the accelerated opening timeline of Tiana’s Bayou Journey at Walt Disney World. Take the time essential to make issues nearly as good and polished as doable.
After its preliminary run, “Walt Disney – A Magical Life” will play in rotation with “Nice Moments with Mr. Lincoln.”
No phrase but on how lengthy the “preliminary run” will final, however our guess is that it’ll be demand-driven. If “Walt Disney – A Magical Life” remains to be enjoying to full homes by early 2026, it’ll proceed solely by way of the conclusion of the seventieth. That additionally creates a little bit of a Disney Vault dynamic for Nice Moments with Mr. Lincoln each time it will definitely returns.
On the conclusion of the present, as you allow the theatre, you’ll get to see simply how “Disneyland won’t ever be accomplished. It would proceed to develop so long as there’s creativeness left on the planet.” – Walt Disney
The exit foyer will preview initiatives on the horizon which are indicative of how Disneyland will proceed to maneuver ahead, in addition to showcase the way it has performed so for many years. Imagineers are exhausting at work creating these experiences that may mark an unbelievable second in 70 years of Disneyland historical past.
Turning to commentary, I really like nearly all of this. In fact, these are “solely” displays and nobody out of state who wasn’t already planning a visit for Disneyland’s seventieth Anniversary is now going to be pricing out airfare to see what’s coming to the Fundamental Road Opera Home or Cinema. However that’s type of the purpose.
Disneyland is doing this for the love of the sport. That is purely to honor Walt Disney and the heritage of Disneyland–there aren’t any ulterior (or revenue) motives. I’ve beforehand criticized the corporate for utilizing Walt as a superficial company mascot or wielding out of context quotes as hole justification for its controversial choices. And I nonetheless don’t like that, however this isn’t that. It is a true tribute for the longtime followers on the market.
Equally as vital, it’s introducing youthful generations of followers to Walt Disney, many for the very first time. Readers of web sites like this may increasingly scoff on the notion, however Walt is being forgotten. The children lately don’t know who he’s. Or worse but, they’re consuming anti-Walt propaganda and studying about who he truly wasn’t. As somebody who views Walt Disney as one of many best folks of all-time, that is miserable to listen to. Walt Disney is a shining instance of American ingenuity and spirit who must be studied as a task mannequin.
Accordingly, I’ll cheerlead Disneyland’s seventieth Anniversary displays and provides them outsized consideration, as a result of I actually assume issues like this are that vital. Walt’s legacy wants safeguarding in opposition to morons and misinformation, and we should always all admire the corporate’s efforts at issues like this. (Aspect word: I sincerely hope these followers who make the unfounded claims that “Walt can be rolling in his grave” or that “the corporate has turned its again on Walt” don’t likewise flip their backs on these displays.)
The one little bit of this information I’m in “wait and see” mode about is including the ‘final verse’ written by Richard Sherman earlier than his passing to “it’s a small world.” It’s not that I’m essentially in opposition to the thought–I’m not. It’s that “it’s a small world” is without doubt one of the few sacred sights at Disneyland, and any adjustments must be fastidiously scrutinized and thoughtfully made.
Then once more, it appears wild to jot down that a couple of tune verse written by one of many Disney Legends who’s liable for the enduring recognition of “it’s a small world” and its cultural significance. That verse itself is implausible and this feels like a beautiful tribute, so all of it hinges upon how seamlessly it’s built-in with the remainder of the historic boat experience. On the very least, it’s higher than injecting Marvel characters into the present scenes.
Planning a Southern California trip? For park admission offers, learn Suggestions for Saving Cash on Disneyland Tickets. Find out about on-site and off-site lodges in our Anaheim Lodge Evaluations & Rankings. For the place to eat, take a look at our Disneyland Restaurant Evaluations. For distinctive concepts of issues that’ll enhance your journey, take a look at What to Pack for Disney. For complete recommendation, seek the advice of our Disneyland Trip Planning Information. Lastly, for guides past Disney, take a look at our Southern California Itineraries for day journeys to Los Angeles, Laguna Seaside, and lots of different SoCal cities!
Your Ideas
What do you consider the displays and experiences being added to Fundamental Road and past for Disneyland’s seventieth Anniversary? Excited for “Walt Disney – A Magical Life” or disenchanted that it’s being delayed? Do you agree or disagree with our evaluation on honoring Walt Disney and Disneyland historical past? Any questions? Listening to your suggestions—even if you disagree with us—is each fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas under within the feedback!
