In my humble opinion, there is always a reason to go to Disneyland. Did you just get paid? Go to Disneyland. Got a new churro flavor? Go to Disneyland. Today is Tuesday… well, you get it.
You don’t necessarily have to have a special reason to visit the Happiest Place on Earth. However, there are quite a few new attractions and special events coming to Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure this year, as well as the return of beloved parades and fun events.
Related: All new lands and attractions coming to Disneyland and Disney World in 2023 and beyond
From the opening day Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge 2019 and grand opening Avengers campus in 2021Disneyland has changed quite a bit in recent years, but with even more to come in 2023.
Read on to learn more about eight new offerings coming to Disneyland this year that you won’t want to miss.
Celebrating 100 years of the Walt Disney Company
When Walt Disney opened Disneyland in 1955, he worked wonders for children of all ages for decades with his groundbreaking animated shorts. They featured characters like the lucky bunny Oswald and, of course, Mickey Mouse, as well as animated series like “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs”.
The Walt Disney Company was founded on October 16, 1923, and Disney parks across the globe are marking the company’s 100th anniversary with a display of the world’s most famous mouse. Disneyland is Walt’s original theme park, so the biggest celebrations are held there until late 2023.
In celebration of Disney’s 100th Anniversary, you can expect to see exclusive merchandise, limited-time food service, and festive purple and platinum decorations, including an elegant makeover for Sleeping Beauty Castle.
At Disney California Adventure, you can also catch two new spectacular nighttime performances, Disneyland Park Magic Journey and Colorful World — One.
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All 61 of Walt Disney Animation Studios’ films are featured in Magical Trips alongside the company’s 62nd film, “Wish,” which is slated to be released later this year.
The show uses fireworks and projections over Sleeping Beauty Castle, the “It’s a Miniature World” facade and along US Main Street, so there really isn’t a bad place to see it. performance.
Also, the projections in each area are different, creating a whole new show depending on where you watch it from. Keep an eye on the sky for some special surprises.
At Disney California Adventure, World of Color – Water projections, lights, and fountains are used to tell the story of how a single drop “one” can create world-changing ripples.
It’s not as high-energy as some of Disney’s other spectacular nighttime scenes. However, the message is heartwarming, and the parts with “Star Wars” and “The Avengers” will really blow you away.
Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railroad
It took more than 65 years for Mickey and Minnie to gain their own charm at Disneyland, but it’s finally time for the main mice to take center stage.
In spite of Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway has opened at Walt Disney World As of March 2020, this attraction didn’t reach the West Coast until January 27, 2023, the official start date for Disney’s 100th anniversary festivities.
However, the two attractions are not the same. If you’ve experienced Florida’s version, you should still try Disneyland’s version. The ride is set at the El Capitoon Theater (a play at the nearby El Capitan Theater in Los Angeles) and the queue is filled with Mickey memorabilia and lots of Easter eggs.
I won’t give it all away, but all the candy on display at the discount counter in the queue is inspired by Disney movies and TV shows throughout the years, and the popcorn in the popcorn machine filled with hidden Mickeys.
Related: How I Make the Most of Disneyland’s Genie+ and Explore 26 Attractions in One Day
The ride itself is not quite the same as the layout of the building is different from in Florida. It’s not too different, so don’t spend the whole trip trying to spot the changes. Just have fun!
Currently, Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railroad uses a virtual queue that you can join from the Disneyland app at 7 a.m. and 1 p.m. each day. You don’t have to be at the park to line up at 7am, but you do need to be in line at 1pm.
However, you have to be quick because the spots disappear in less than a second. That should subside once the ride is open for a few weeks. If your fingers are not fast enough, you can also buy one Personal Lightning Lane entrance Let’s ride. There is currently no queue.
Reenactment of Mickey’s Toontown
Mickey’s Toontown originally opened at Disneyland Park in 1993. Thirty years later, it’s time for a complete change. Toontown has always been a place you can visit with Mickey and Minnie in their home, and kids can play in themed play areas and ride pint-sized attractions.
New Toontown opens on March 8, with reimagined play spaces and attractions that kids will love. And yes, you can still stop by Mickey and Minnie’s house to say hello and take a picture. The new Toontown will have more green spaces and interactive elements where kids can run around (and expend energy). There will even be a “dream tree” inspired by the tree on Walt’s family farm in Marceline, Missouri, where he played as a child.
Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Rail is in this area, as is the kid-friendly Chip ‘n’ Dale’s Gadgetcoaster and Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin.
After-hours events
Disneyland After-hours Events offers the rare opportunity to visit the parks without the crowds you normally face during regular park hours. These events require separate ticket purchases, but tickets are limited, keeping attendance low.
This year, Disney will be adding the all-new Disneyland After Dark: Princess Nite on select nights in March 2023. The event showcases characters, photo opportunities, entertainment, food, and drinks. and special merchandise as well as access to select attractions.
Your ticket lets you enter Disneyland at 6pm and enjoy the park until the party officially starts at 9pm Tickets start at $145 per person and include unlimited digital PhotoPass downloads in the event.
The Return of the Magic Happens Parade
The Magic Happens Parade launches on February 28, 2020 and unfortunately has only been going for two weeks before that. Disneyland is closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Performers and the show design team could barely see it made before Disneyland’s gates were closed for more than a year.
On February 24, 2032, nearly three years since the parade first hit the streets of Disneyland, Magic Happens will return as part of Disney’s 100th Anniversary Celebration. This parade features fantasy floats where your favorite Disney movies like “Frozen” and “Moana” come to life before your eyes.
Weather permitting, Magic Happens will take place daily at Disneyland Park. Check showtimes on Disneyland’s website or in the Disneyland app.
Re-imagining of Adventureland Treehouse
Disneyland’s giant interactive treehouse guide has had many identifying features over the years. It opened in 1962 as the Swiss Family Treehouse, named after the Disney movie “Swiss Family Robinson” that came out two years earlier in 1960. In 1999, the attraction was renamed Tarzan’s Treehouse, after the popularity of the Disney movie “Tarzan”.
Regardless of the theme, the treehouse is a place where kids can climb, play, cross bridges, and enjoy some of the park’s breathtaking views.
Later this year, the treehouse will reopen, this time as the Adventureland Treehouse. The new edition will pay homage to the original Swiss Family Tree House, but with a new family and new spaces to explore.
According to concept art, Disney could even integrate references to its secret society, the Association of Explorers and Adventurers (SEA). A flag in the top left corner of the tree house depicts the SEA logo. The entire backstory of this secret society is a story for another day, but references to SEA and its members pop up at attractions at Disney parks across the globe and it’s a lot of fun. as Disney continues to promote this hilarious Disney secret.
Tiana’s Palace Restaurant
Right after Disney announced Sensational mountain The attractions at Disney World and Disneyland will be reminiscent of the 2009 movie “Princess and the Frog,” and fans began clamoring for a Tiana-themed restaurant. After all, she fulfilled her dream of opening a restaurant in New Orleans in the last part of the movie.
Related: Disney’s Splash Mountain closing date announced, ride will be reimagined as Tiana’s Bayou Adventure
Disneyland visitors will soon be able to dine at Tiana’s Palace, with a menu inspired by authentic New Orleans flavors. Tiana’s Palace will be located in New Orleans Square in the former French Market space. The French Market and Mint Julep Bar (the only spot inside the park that sells Mickey-shaped beignes and non-alcoholic mint juleps) will close on February 17, 2023 to make way for the new restaurant.
Tiana’s Palace and Mint Julep Bar will reopen later this year. Splash Mountain has closed at Disney World, but a closing date at Disneyland has yet to be announced. Tiana’s Bayou Adventure will open at both parks in 2024.
Disneyland Hotel Update
The Disneyland Hotel is the first hotel in Disneyland and the one that all Disney fans hope to visit at least once in their lifetime. The hotel now features Adventure, Fantasy and Border themed towers, which reflect the decor and style of the respective lands within the park. Later this year, the hotel will launch The Villas at Disneyland Hotel, a 344-room tower for members of the Disney Vacation Club (DVC).
Fortunately, you don’t need to be a DVC member to stay there. You can also rent DVC points and stay at top Disney hotels for less than the listed cash rate.
A redesign of the affordable Paradise Pier Hotel is also underway and is expected to launch later this year. The hotel will become Pixar Place Hotelincorporates Pixar characters (including the iconic Pixar ball and lights) into the living room, public space, and pool area.
bottom line
Have you packed your bags and put on Mickey ears?
Even if you don’t plan to visit until later this year, it’s easy to see that there are plenty of new reasons to visit Disneyland in 2023. With the Walt Company’s “100 Years of Wonders” celebration. Disney is happening, I wouldn’t be surprised to hear about additional announcements throughout the year. If we’ve learned anything from Disney World’s 50th anniversary, it’s that Disney knows how to throw a party.
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