Disneyland 2026: Your Ultimate Guide to New Attractions, Events & Tips

Disneyland's 70th Anniversary and Special Events

• 🥳 Disneyland is celebrating its 70th anniversary with festivities running into 2026, featuring the Paint the Night Parade, Wondrous Journeys Nighttime Spectacular, and interactive Key to Disneyland experience.
• 🎟️ A new Disney After Dark event, "70 Years of Favorites," will occur on March 3rd and 5th, complementing other themed nights like Sweethearts Night and Star Wars Night.
• 🌟 These after-hours events offer unique entertainment, character encounters, exclusive food and drinks, and shorter wait times, running from 9:00 PM to 1:00 AM.

New and Updated Attractions

• 🐾 Bluey and Bingo will make their debut at the Fantasy Land Theater starting March 22nd for singing, playing, and dancing.
• 🚀 Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run in Galaxy's Edge will feature new missions coinciding with a new Mandalorian and Grogu movie releasing May 22nd.
• 🎙️ Walt Disney: A Magical Life, an attraction featuring the first Walt Disney audio-animatronic, opened July 17th, 2025.
• 🏞️ The Storybook Land Canal Boats in Fantasy Land have a new Rapunzel's Tower section with special nighttime lighting effects.

Exploring Disneyland's Themed Lands

Main Street USA

• 🛍️ Discover iconic shops like The Emporium, Candy Palace, Silhouette Studio, and The Mad Hatter.
• 🖼️ Don't miss the interactive window displays on Main Street USA, which are frequently updated.
• 🍽️ Enjoy dining at Carnation Cafe for classic American dishes or Plaza Inn for its famous fried chicken and character breakfast.

Fantasy Land

• 🏰 The Sleeping Beauty Castle walkthrough offers an enchanting look at the classic fairy tale.
• 👑 Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique provides magical makeovers for children aged 3 to 12.
• 🎢 Fantasy Land boasts numerous rides suitable for all ages, with Mr. Toad's Wild Ride and Matterhorn Bobsleds highlighted.
• 💡 A hidden gem: the heat from Mr. Toad's Wild Ride affects the Card Soldiers Room on the Alice in Wonderland ride.

New Orleans Square

• 👻 Experience classic attractions like Pirates of the Caribbean and Haunted Mansion, the latter featuring a popular Nightmare Before Christmas overlay during the Halloween and Christmas seasons.
• 🍲 Dining options include the atmospheric Blue Bayou and the more affordable Cafe Orleans, with Royal Street Veranda offering a budget-friendly Monte Cristo.
• 🥞 Tiana's Palace serves Southern dishes, and the attached Mint Julep Bar is known for its Mint Julep and Mickey beignets.

Frontier Land & Adventure Land

• 🚢 Classic attractions like the Mark Twain Riverboat and Sailing Ship Columbia are found in Frontier Land, alongside Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.
• 🗺️ Indiana Jones Adventure in Adventure Land offers a unique motion simulator experience, while the Jungle Cruise and Enchanted Tiki Room are timeless classics.
• 🍍 Dole Whip is a must-try snack in Adventure Land, available at the Tiki Juice Bar and Tropical Hideaway.

Tomorrowland & Galaxy's Edge

• 🌌 Space Mountain is a fan-favorite in Tomorrowland, with a Hyperspace Mountain overlay during the Season of the Forest event.
• 🚀 Star Tours and the Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage offer further adventures, with an observation outpost providing a video feed of the submarine ride.
• 👽 Alien Pizza Planet offers pizza and pasta, while Galactic Grill provides classic quick-service options.
• 🌌 Galaxy's Edge transports visitors to Batu, featuring Rise of the Resistance and Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run.
• 🍔 Unique snacks in Galaxy's Edge include Ronto Roasters, Docking Bay 7's chicken bao, and Oga's Cantina's garlic cheese bread.

Visiting Disneyland: Tips and Best Times

• ⏱️ For lighter crowds, consider visiting during the "back to school" season in mid-August and September, though this means missing 70th-anniversary events.
• ☀️ Summer is convenient for families but can be warm; winter offers fewer crowds but less guaranteed nighttime entertainment.
• 🚶‍♂️ Mornings and early afternoons, especially on weekdays, generally offer a better crowd experience.
• 😋 Disneyland's food is not overhyped, with snacks often preferred over table-service meals, except for specific items like Plaza Inn's fried chicken and Cafe Orleans' Monte Cristo.