The Disneyland Resort has announced that has decided continue the 60th Anniversary Diamond Celebration through the summer of 2016. That means if you haven’t experienced the sparkling magic of the 60th, there is still plenty of time to experience the dazzling entertainment, park enhancements, food and more.
If you haven’t visited the Resort, here is what you are missing:
Dazzling Entertainment
Paint the Night is Disneyland’s new nighttime light parade. It 
incorporates incredible technology and lighting for a for luminescent parade experience like no other. With dazzling special effects, unforgettable music, energetic performances, fun surprises and spectacular floats, “Paint the Night” is more vibrant than any parade in 60 years at the Disneyland Resort. Even the choreography glows, as parade performers light up with their props and costumes. Want to learn more about the parade? Check out our special guide with everything you would ever want to know about Paint The Night!
“Disneyland Forever” is a fireworks spectacular that is a completely immersive experience like nothing seen before at the Disneyland Resort. The show provides unique guest experience at multiple viewing locations throughout Disneyland. Want to know where to sit and what makes this fireworks show unique? Check out our exclusive interview with Disneyland’s John Addis and fun facts for Disneyland lovers.
World of Color – Celebrate! at Disney California Adventure Park brings to life the remarkable story of Walt Disney and Disneyland with animated imagery, live-action film, fountains, lasers, special effects and a special musical score. If you are a Disney fan, I assure you that you will be moved by the show and inspired by Walt Disney’s legacy. The show is absolutely beautiful! If you want a sneak peek of what you will see at the show, click here for 25 dazzling photos of the show’s opening night.
World of Color – Celebrate is a celebration is Disney past, present and future.
Park Enhancements and Decorations
Special decorations and enhancements can be found throughout Disneyland and Disney California Adventure. From Sleeping Beauty Castle to Mickey, Minnie and the their friends dress in the 60th finery to resort Cast Members wearing sparkling name tags, the entire resort is in on the Diamond Celebration spirit. But, of course, the folks at Disney didn’t stop there, they have enhanced the magic of the 60th with a special Diamond Days Sweepstakes that allows guests to win special daily and weekly prizes. Learn more about how you can win by clicking here.
Delicious Food
You know what I love about Disneyland? They don’t just stop with decorations or special merchandise when it comes to celebrating special events; they always bring in wonderful dining elements. The Disneyland 60th includes incredible offerings like Walt’s favorite chili at Carnation Cafe on Main Street (click here to get the recipe so you can make it at home), an amazing Meyer Lemon Creme Brûlée at the Blue Bayou (click here for the recipe to make it at home) and specialty drinks that are wonderfully refreshing on a hot day. Of course, the sweet treats found throughout the resort are pretty amazing, as well.
Marvelous Merchandise
More than 500 merchandise pieces were specially created for the Diamond Celebration, including clothing, accessories, art, collectibles, headwear, home décor, jewelry, pins, souvenirs, toys and more. They can be found throughout Disneyland Resort, including Disney Showcase and Main Street Emporium in Disneyland, Elias & Co. in Disney California Adventure and World of Disney in the Downtown Disney District. Want to see pics of some of our favorite merchandise pieces? Click here!
If you haven’t had a chance to visit the Disneyland Resort and purchase a special souvenir of your own (or even if you have), I am giving away a Disneyland Diamond Celebration “D-mug” to one lucky Babes In Disneyland reader! (GIVEAWAY OVER)
Check our Facebook page to find out who won!
Use the Rafflecopter entry form below to enter. a Rafflecopter giveaway
This post was written as part of my participation in a special media event at Disneyland to celebrate the home video release of Tomorrowland! It will be available starting October 13 on DVD and Disney Movies Anywhere. If you haven’t seen Tomorrowland yet (or even if you have), check out 5 fun facts about the movie by clicking here and see my boys’ video review of the movie by clicking here. The mug was provided to me as part of my participation in the event, but since I already have one, I thought it would be nice to give it to a Babes In Disneyland reader instead.
Want to know more about the Disneyland 60th? We have even more posts, tips and insider info on our Disneyland Diamond Celebration Trip Planning Guide.
My favorite memories of Disneyland are both of my kids first trips. Both trips were so magical, and the looks on their faces meeting their idols were priceless. It was worth every penny!
soo many memories…going to Disney with my husband for the 1st time…in the rain! was so much fun!! taking my babies for their first time.
Lots of great Disneyland memories. One of the best is the day my daughter and I were the first riders on Indiana Jones. We met “Bob” at the rope drop and followed him all the way through. We always look for and wave at “Bob” every time we go.
My first and favorite memory of Disneyland was meeting Minnie Mouse and getting a hug! Made my trip complete as a 4 year old! Then as a parent, we make sure each of our kids had a special 4th birthday at Disneyland to continue the tradition!
My favorite Disneyland memory is when my parents let me and my sister venture off into the park by ourselves for the first time. We thought we were so grown up! We still really enjoy going to the park together and taking our kids–and letting them wander on their own together without parents now that they are old enough.
My favorite Disneyland memory is taking my younger cousin on Splash Mountain for the first time. We had been in the park most of the day and it finally had a short enough wait time, so we decided to go since he was barely tall enough. He was so excited and when we finally got up to the top of the hill he said, “Where are we going now?”. He had never been on it before!! We had to buy the picture because his face was so priceless!!
I loved the Main Street Electrical Parade! Hearing the music from the parade always brings back lots of my favorite memories at Disneyland!
My favorite Disneyland memory? How to choose?! I grew up in Garden Grove, CA watching the Disneyland fireworks from my backyard! We couldn’t afford to go to the park often when I was a child, but the times that we did, my heart began to beat out of my chest as soon as we walked up to the Main Gate and heard the music! My husband and I moved to Arizona 25 years ago and started a family. The first time I brought my two girls to Disneyland and watched their wide-eyed excitement when we reached the Main Gate is truly a special memory! I could still feel my heart beating out of my chest and I could tell that theirs were too! Sharing my favorite place with my two favorite people was a magical time and a cherished memory!
Entered! Hope I win!
Still dreaming of visiting Disneyland
Hard to name just one!! I think now that I have children, my favorite memories include them: their first ride on Space Mountain, watching them on the Mad Tea Party, singing along to it’s a small world 🙂
My favorite Disneyland memory was the summer of 2012. My husband and I had just got married and were unable to afford a honeymoon. As an unexpected surprise my mom had planned a trip and added us to the reservations with tickets and our own hotel room. Even though part of the time we were with my family, we got to experience a honeymoon we never expected. It was the one and only time my husband has been to Disneyland so the fact that it was our honeymoon made it even more special.
So many wonderful memories at Disneyland. I think my favorite was watching my Dad ride Matterhorn on his 65th birthday. It reminded me of riding it with him as a little girl!
I have never been to Disneyland or Disneyworld, so I don’t have any memories. But I would love to go. Maybe someday….
Growing up, Disneyland was an annual trip for my family, so I just love the feeling of that family closeness and bonding that we got through our visits 🙂
I was walking out through Sleeping Beauty Castle at the end of a wonderful day at Disneyland while on a youth group trip from 29 Palms Marine Corps Base.
As I walked out on the drawbridge, dreading having to leave, Duke Ellington and his band started playing the great song I was named for: “Laura” (by David Raskin/Johnny Mercer). They must have been at the old bandstand or where Jolly Holiday is now.
It was the single most magical moment of my life and I felt so very connected to Walt’s memory. It brought me to tears and I have always appreciated that gift.
I’ve never been to disneyland, only to Disney World. My first time going was when I was 27 and it was amazing. I would love to go again!
Last year our daughter was tall enough to ride so many more rides. Her first trip over splash mountain and reaction was priceless! So much joy!
My one and only trip was as a nanny it was fun but need to get back when I am not working lol
Unfortunately, I have never been to Disneyland or Disney World but would love to take my kids someday soon.. (wistful sigh)
My favorite memory…hmmm, it’s hard to pick just one. Instead I’ll mention my 1st favorite Disney memory 😉 The look on my daughter’s face once the fireworks started. As soon as I was able to cover her little 3 year old ears, she lit up in utter amazement. A look of total disbelief! She was taking it all in, and through her eyes, so was I. A smile I most certainly won’t forget. Ever!
My favorite disney memory would be the first time I had a mickey krispy treat – I remember it was super hot and my family was getting cranky and snapping at one another. Instead of joining in on the bickering I decided to get a Mickey treat and once my family saw me with it it was almost like they remembered why we were at Disney so they went and got their own and we all hung out on Main Street eating our treats happily.
I’ve had so many great memories at Disneyland. Probably my most recent one was when I was able to take my niece there. It wasn’t her first time at Disneyland but it was the first time it was just us. We had such a great time!
I have so many Disneyland memories as my kids were blessed to grow up with Disney passes for most of their childhood but my favorite memory has to be the very first time my daughter met Mickey Mouse.
I have never been to Disneyland
When I was little we used to bring my three best friends to Disneyland on my birthday each year. Definitely a favorite memory.
I had wonderful times as a child with my late grandparents at Disneyland! One time we saw the Main Street Electrical Parade, and I’ll never forget it.
My favorite memory of Disneyland? Taking my son on Big Thunder Mountain for the first time. Priceless.
I do have quite a few favorite memories. The first is obviously my first time there. I was 9 and my parents took my grandma along. I only got to go with her that one time. Besides the other times I’ve been able to go, it would be for my daughter’s first time and her first birthday and this day was also my husband’s first time there. I hold those memories very close.
I have so many favorites, too many to pick just one! A recent favorite was a night out with some of my Disney loving adult friends at the park…no kids! We had an amazing time and had a mini photo shoot in front of the castle! We probably looked like a bunch of weirdos trying to get the lighting right with light from friends holding cell phones, but it was a blast!
My favourite memory is riding “it’s a small world” with my new husband in 2011. Just such a happy moment.
My favorite memory would be the last time I went to Disneyland with my mom and dad, shortly before my father passed away. We surprised my brother and his girlfriend right after they got engaged in front of Sleeping Beauty’s castle! It was Halloween and Disney made the experience amazing (as if you would expect anything else!)
Favorite Disneyland memory would probably be when my husband surprised me for my birthday and had reservations for us at the Blue Bayou!! It was first time there, and I cried happy tears the whole way in!
My favorite Disney Land memory was when I was 10 years old my parents took us to Disney Land and we had the best time ever. I want to take my kids so they will have the same memories I do of Disney Land.
I’VE ONLY SEEN THE COMMERCIALS ON TV BUT THEY SUREMAKE ME WANT TO GO TO DISNEYLAND!
The
First time I went and my daughter and minnie mouse her favorite appeared at breakfast. I still have the picture it makes me all but cry seeing how happy she is in that moment
I have so many wonderful memories of Disney growing up because my parents are Disney fanatics so we went all the time. My best memory however was taking my fiance there for his first time. He was like a kid, it was so much fun! We have been trying to get pregnant for a year with no luck, we were staying at Port Orleans Resort and I made a wish to have get pregnant and have a boy- I threw a quarter in by the large water wheel. When we returned home I found out that I was pregnant and we had a boy! These memories are especially precious because my fiance passed away before the wedding but he got to be a dad and I love believing that it was that moment that my wish came true.
My favorite memory was getting to escort John Hench around Disneyland for 5 days. He was working on a project for the Disneyland Hotel and DCA. He would tell me stories about Walt Disney and how he looked at each detail even today and asked himself if Walt would like it. We ended our last day together at Disneyland walking through the park at night after all guest were gone. And it that moment I just stood there. I could just feel the history, magic and could almost see Walt Disney walking through the castle. John Hench then gave me the biggest compliment that I could ever receive. He told me he thought Walt would have liked me, and thanked me for the service to the park. It still makes me tear up when I think about it. It was the best day ever.
I’m embarrassed to admit this, but I bawled like a baby when they wanted me to go into the mouth of that whale. (This was a few years ago.)
Unfortunately I have never had the pleasure of visiting Disney Land, but I live in Florida and I have been visiting Disney World since the age of 3. It is absolutely magical and we go every year.
Haven’t been to Disneyland yet, but will go in November! Avenger’s Half Marathon Weekend!
My most favorite memory has to be 2 year ago when I was 6 months pregnant and my special needs daughter was sleeping in the stroller and My 1 year old was very awake so we bought popcorn from the Matterhorn popcorn stand which is my most favorite in the whole park and we sat next to the castle with the grass area and we sat and ate popcorn until some duck came over to beg for some popcorn and my 1 year went and followed them in to the grass area and played with those ducks for over a hour. This memory is the best so far but every memory of Disneyland I make with my children are the best memories ever
We have never been to Disney before but are planning out our trip for next year!
I was so excited to see who won, but the link to FB doesn’t lead to any info on who won 🙁
Congrats to whomever won!