Disney gave more details today on their upcoming 100th anniversary celebration at Disneyland Resort as well as an opening date for Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway. The latter will open in Toontown and on the same day that the nighttime spectaculars debut for the anniversary! In this post, we’ll share the news before giving a little bit of commentary of our own.

Beginning Jan. 27, the Disneyland Resort will receive new platinum-infused décor throughout the resort, new sparkling looks for Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse and their pals, special food and beverage offerings, merchandise and more. 

At Disneyland park, Walt Disney’s original Sleeping Beauty Castle will be dressed in style for the anniversary. Celebrating wonder, the castle will be adorned with elegant platinum banners and bunting, accented by a magnificent cabochon featuring the three Good Fairies who illuminate it with their shimmering pixie dust. Two majestic water fountains will grace either side of the moat, while a beautiful wishing star will sparkle from the tower above.

Disneyland Resort guests will be dazzled by two all-new nighttime spectaculars. 

“World of Color – One” at Disney California Adventure park will celebrate the storytelling legacy started by Walt Disney a century ago. It will tell a new story of how a single action, like a drop of water, creates a ripple that can grow into a wave of change. It brings some of the most courageous, loving and inspiring characters to life in new ways. The show will also feature a new original song, “Start a Wave.” 

And at Disneyland park, Walt’s original magic kingdom will become a magnificent canvas with “Wondrous Journeys,” a new nighttime spectacular. It will feature nods to every Walt Disney Animation Studios film to date, taking us on a journey filled with artistry, music, storytelling and heart. It will continue to build upon the park’s state-of-the-art projection effects, turning Main Street, U.S.A., Sleeping Beauty Castle, the façade of “it’s a small world” and the Rivers of America into an artist’s canvas that brings characters to life all around you. On select nights, “Wondrous Journeys” will go even bigger with the addition of sparkling fireworks in the sky above Disneyland. This spectacular will also feature an incredible new song, “It’s Wondrous.”

While Mickey’s Toontown is slated to reopen for guests in spring 2023, we are pleased to announce that the new Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway attraction will open early as we kick off the Disney100 anniversary celebration on Jan. 27!

In time for spring, the “Magic Happens” parade will have its long-awaited return to Disneyland park. “Magic Happens” celebrates the awe-inspiring moments of magic that are at the heart of so many Disney stories. This parade reminds us we don’t need wings to fly, shooting stars were made to wish upon, and magic doesn’t stop at midnight.

Plus, even more special entertainment moments are slated to pop up across the resort.

Additional news and details for the Disney100 celebration at Disneyland Resort will be shared ahead of the debut on Jan. 27, 2023. 

Commentary

In a somewhat strange twist, Disney has shared quite a bit of new information in the month following the D23 Expo. I’m not complaining, I’ll always take good news, it just seems a little odd that they didn’t share a few of these during the presentation. Either way, this is big news and I’m excited to see all of what has been announced come to fruition in January!

I’m somewhat surprised that Runaway Railway will debut before the rest of Toontown simply because I thought they’d hold it back for one big grand opening. That said, I’m glad they’re going this route as Disneyland needs the capacity and has some other attractions that could use refurbishment love. I don’t know if that played into this decision but I’d like to think so.

Runaway Railway is a quality attraction that will add some depth to Disneyland. Once Toontown opens fully, the land will have value for all ages instead of just one good ride and a lot of filler.

Moving on, I like the concept art for the castle. The fountains in the moats will be a beautiful addition. A Disneyland historian will be able to tell you more accurately but I can’t remember there ever being fountains there before. As for the actual castle décor, it’s simple and easy on the eyes. I’m glad they didn’t go too big with it, as I believe that should be reserved for park specific anniversaries.

I’m eager to see the new nighttime spectaculars and Magic Happens. The wording is a little strange when it comes to Magic Happens but it sounds like it will re-debut later in the spring, possibly with the rest of Toontown or Food & Wine. That’s when it debuted in 2020, just weeks before the shutdown. Adding in the new nighttime spectaculars should be a boon to both parks!

Overall, I’m very excited by today’s news and am glad there’s a specific date on the table. All of these additions will be helpful to Disneyland Resort and should add depth to the parks! I’m also interested in finding out what other entertainment options they have in store.

What do you think of this Disneyland Resort news? Let us know, along with any questions you might have, in the comments below! Let us know in the comments! Planning a Disney trip? Check out our Travel Guides to help you along the way! Thank you for reading Wandering in Disney. Please subscribe to the blog and like our social media pages, all of which you can do on the right side of the page. Have a wonderful day!