Disneyland 60th Anniversary Diamond Celebration

Sleeping Beauty Castle all decorated for the Disneyland Diamond Celebration 60th Anniversary, May 22, 2015

Disneyland turns 60!! Sixty years ago, Walt Disney opened up Disneyland on July 17, 1955 - a dream he had imagined for so long had come to life! He simply wanted to create a place so magical, so full of happiness that people want to come and put all their troubles behind them. And it was beyond his wildest imagination that it has turned into the the iconic place of happiness for everyone, everywhere in the world to enjoy the "happiest place on earth". 

The Diamond Celebration is all about celebrating the history of Disneyland, the last 60 years of Disney classic and traditional, iconic, vintage memories and visions of Walt Disney with new tributes honouring his vision with the newest technology and resources available to us today. It is the perfect mix of new and classic treasures that pay a loving tribute to the man himself. 

Many rides have been upgraded and refurbished to offer a new and updated experience. Most notably, Peter Pan's Flight, the Matterhorn Bobsleds and the Haunted Mansion are the newest upgraded attractions that are definitely worth checking out! The Hatbox Ghost was brought back to the Haunted Mansion after a 50 year absence, and the Yeti in the Matterhorn Bobsled is scarier than ever! 

(Hatbox Ghost and Yeti photos courtesy of David/coheteboy on Instagram, an amazing photographer who provided me with so many tips and tricks to make my visit so much more magical and memorable!) 

But the biggest and newest news for the Diamond Celebration is the debut of three new night time spectacular shows that were shown to guests on May 22, 2015. It is so exciting to be among the first to watch the new shows! 

"Paint the Night" is a new night time parade that is a modern and updated version of their classic Main Street Electrical Parade. It's a energetic, upbeat moving dance party with over a million LED lights dazzling the amazing floats! See larger than life characters from classic Disney to new Pixar characters dancing to the music with more than 80 performers in light up costumes accompanying the floats. The parade is also running in Hong Kong Disneyland to much success but this is the first time it is playing in Disneyland California. 

(My photos simply are nowhere near to snuff to capture the true essence of the parade!) 

And if you have some time to watch the whole parade, here is a video from Inside the Magic, so you can watch the parade in its entirety! 

"Disneyland Forever" - a new fireworks show that lights up the sky with projected imagery on the castle and along the buildings on Main Street USA. It is a fireworks show that honours Walt and the classic characters and stories of Disney.

If you want to watch the fireworks show complete with projections on the Sleeping Beauty castle, Inside the Magic has provided a fantastic video which shows the Disneyland Forever Fireworks presentation in full! 

Last but certainly not least is the new "World of Color" show at Disneyland California Adventure! It is a water and lights show that has been updated and revised to pay tribute to Walt and include new stories of Disney and Pixar characters. With new host Neil Patrick Harris and Mickey leading the show, it is definitely a show not to be missed! 

I don't have any photos from the World of Color show but coheteboy has some AMAZING photos from his behind the scenes viewing experience! Thanks for allowing me to share them! 

Inside the Magic provides another video of the FULL show experience! 

So if you are heading to Disneyland anytime in 2015 for their Diamond Celebration, you definitely need to check out all three of the new night time shows! 

The "Paint the Night Parade" and "Disneyland Forever" Fireworks show are both in Disneyland Park and available on a first come basis for ideal locations to watch. Bring blankets or sheets and scope out the location you wish to watch. 

"World of Color" plays nightly at California Adventure and a FASTPASS is available at the Grizzly River Run area to obtain viewing in the Paradise Bay area. You can also purchase a dining package to obtain tickets for access to Center Stage viewing area for premium views of the shows. Dining packages are available at Carthay Circle Restaurant and Wine Country Trattoria. 

If you watched or experienced any of  their new nighttime shows, or any of their new Diamond Celebration experiences (food, merchandise, attractions, etc,,,) let me know what you think! 

If you would like assistance in planning your Diamond Celebration Disneyland vacation, please let me know!! I would love to assist!