Disney turns 100

Category: Activities, Performances, & Events
Category: Travel

Did you ever wonder why the D23 Disney fan club is called D23? Well, it’s because the Disney Company was formed in 1923. That makes 2023 the hundredth year. Marking this great milestone there will be celebrations throughout all the Disney brands, including Disneyland. The whole shebang kicks off January 27.

Throughout the Disneyland Resort, a new platinum décor will be unmistakable. And Mickey and Minnie, as well as some of the other characters, will be sporting new looks. New food and beverages, as well as merchandise (remember we’re talking about Disney, the king of merch) will be available to mark the anniversary. And not only do the characters get a festive celebratory look, the entire park including Sleeping Beauty Castle will be dressed up for the occasion.

Two special nighttime spectaculars will impress guests of all ages. “Wondrous Journeys” in Disneyland celebrates the Disney animation through the years with fireworks, music and projections. This new show will wow guests not only at the castle and Main Street, U.S.A., but also on the façade of “it’s a small world” and at the Rivers of America. There will be brand new song, “It’s Wondrous,” that will play on select nights.  And over at Disney California Adventure, the new “World of Color – One” has a new song, “Start a Wave,” as well as a fresh story playing out over the water. So guests in both parks will be able to see the new spectaculars honoring the 100 years of the Disney Company.

As the year progresses new features will be unveiled, including the reopening in the spring of Mickey’s Toontown, which has been closed for a complete overhaul. Mickey’s Toontown will have plenty of fun areas for families to enjoy.

And the new Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway attraction is scheduled to open on January 27 when the celebrations begin.

Also in the spring the “Magic Happens” parade returns to Disneyland. This parade has been absent since the park closed due to the pandemic. The return of this daytime parade celebrated the magic of many favorite Disney stories. And since the company has now been around 100 years, there are plenty of them. This parade was created to mark the 65th anniversary of Disneyland and debuted in 2020 but was immediately halted due to the park closing. It returns to awe guests for the 100th anniversary of the company.

As mentioned above, the celebrations will take place in all the Disney parks with new and commemorative shows and merchandise marking the milestone.

Walt Disney was born in 1901 and passed away in 1966. His legacy is more than his movies and theme parks. His legacy is part of our culture.

About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry for over 25 years. She also writes about products and travel. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, is the entertainment correspondent for Good Day Orange County, and has her own TV show, Beyond the Red Carpet, on Village Television in Orange County. She is a longstanding member of the Television Critics Association and is accredited by the MPAA. Follow her on Twitter.

Thanks to Disneyland Resort for all the photos and concept art.