The Walt Disney Company is celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2023 with a variety of new promotions at Disneyland and Disney California Adventure. The celebration is set to begin on Jan. 27.
Promotions include the reopening of the reimagined Toontown in spring 2023 after its closure on Mar. 9. The revision will feature the ride Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railroad, which originally opened at Orlando’s Walt Disney World in 2020. It will open ahead of Toontown on Jan. 27.
The attraction follows Mickey and Minnie as they attempt to catch an out-of-control train. It will feature the late Russi Taylor who voiced Minnie Mouse from 1986 to 2019. The ride also features a new song entitled “Nothing Can Stop Us Now,” which will feature the voices of Minnie, Mickey (Chris Diamantopoulos) and Pluto (Bill Farmer).
Goofy’s House is among the renovated Toontown attractions, complete with a new interior that hosts a candy-making device that simulates candy production for children. The themed land will also include CenTOONial Park — the first space guests will see upon their entrance. Its centerpieces are a fountain and two interactive play areas. The City Hall next to “Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railroad” has replaced the Toontown fountain with additional seating, and the market has also replaced the gas station.
The “Magic Happens” parade will be returning to Disneyland on Jan. 27 after its initial debut on Feb. 27, 2020. The parade shut down after two weeks of operation due to COVID-19. It will feature floats based on Disney movies, ranging from recent entries such as “Moana,” “Frozen II” and “Coco” as well as older entries such as “The Sword In The Stone” and “Sleeping Beauty.” The song “Magic Happens” will also play during the parade.
The parks will be welcoming two new nighttime shows: “World of Color — One” set to debut at Disney California Adventure and “Wondrous Journeys” at Disneyland. “World of Color — One” is a new version of the “World of Color” night show that will feature movies such as “Encanto,” “Moana,” “The Lion King,” and “Coco” — as well as a new song entitled “Start A Wave.” “Wondrous Journeys” is a nighttime display that will feature references to every Disney Animation Studios film made using high-tech projection. It can be seen from four places in the park: the “It’s a Small World” facade, “Rivers Of America,” Main Street USA, and the Sleeping Beauty Castle. It will also debut a new song, “It’s Wondrous.” Fireworks will be added to the show on select nights.
The company also revealed new merchandise to commemorate the anniversary, including a pastel-colored Spirit Jersey that features Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Daisy, Goofy and Pluto on the back. It will be sold starting Jan. 27.
Mickey and Minnie will also be wearing new platinum-colored outfits for their park, which debuted during the Disney D23 expo on Sept. 9. Platinum-colored decor will also adorn the parks.
The Sleeping Beauty Castle will have platinum banners, a cabochon with the three good fairies — Flora, Fauna and Merryweather — and water fountains on either side.
Bailey Kanthatham is a City News Staff Writer. He can be reached at bkanthat@uci.edu.
