Hi Erika,
Welcome to planDisney! I’m so excited for your upcoming trip to the Happiest Place on Earth!
Lots of Disney fans have been eagerly awaiting news on when the
70th Anniversary celebrations will kick off. I understand the fear of missing out on such a big occasion. Disney has announced that the
celebration will begin on May 16, 2025. I can't say with confidence that entertainment like
Paint the Night or
Wondrous Journey will begin before that date. I know this might be disappointing news, Erika, but there’s still hope! The 70th Anniversary celebration will run until the summer of 2026, so I hope you’ll be able to schedule your vacation for next year and catch Paint the Night then.
When I head to the parks, I always like to
check the daily schedule to see what’s going on. You can find this online or through the
Disneyland app. On the app, you can check the entertainment schedule by clicking the map icon at the bottom of the screen. Then, at the top of the screen, you can scroll to Entertainment. I like to switch to the List mode, so I can see all the options and times. The schedule is usually available about 40 days in advance, but it’s always subject to change.
Your trip does overlap with The
Season of the Force, where Disneyland celebrates Star Wars across the park. I’m personally excited to ride Hyperspace Mountain, which is Space Mountain with a Star Wars overlay. I’m also a big fan of the Star Wars shows on Disney+, which will be featured in Star Tours during this celebration. There will also be new foods to try and new merchandise to buy! Check out the
Disney Parks Blog for their guide on everything coming to the park. I’m confident the Force will be with you during your vacation.
I know you’re going to enjoy your trip, Erika, and I hope you’ll be able to join us in the park next year to experience Paint the Night before it’s gone. If you have any other questions or need help planning other aspects of your trip, feel free to write back to me or one of my fellow panelists. We’d be happy to share our thoughts.
Have a magical trip!
-Melinda