When Disneyland reached its Silver Anniversary in 1980, the park celebrated with a year-long promotion that included a new parade, a 25-hour overnight party, a television special and cake. When Disney California Adventure turns 25 next week, the party will be much more understated, but that’s to be expected. Walt Disney World has also held much smaller promotions for their second (and third, and fourth) gates, so West coast fans shouldn’t feel snubbed. (There will still be cake… kind of).
Earlier today Disney announced its plans to commemorate the occasion so fans visiting the park next week know what to expect. There are also nods to the 25th anniversary of Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel and Spa and the Downtown Disney District.
Disney California Adventure
As the park approaches its 25th anniversary, it’s worth acknowledging that Disney California Adventure is a completely different park from the one which debuted in 2001. Almost since opening day, attractions, shops, restaurants and entire lands have been added, removed, relocated and renamed. Disney even changed the name of the park in 2010, dropping the possessive “s.” The transformation has been so comprehensive that very little remains of Disney’s California Adventure, and it shows in the icons selected for the anniversary marketing.
The 25th anniversary merchandise prominently features the Carthay Circle Theater, which was not built until 2012, along with the park’s newer logo, updated in 2010. Other icons in the logo are from Tower of Terror (2004); Cars Land (2012); the main entrance gates (2012); Pixar Pier and Pixar Pal-A-Round (2018); and San Fransokyo Square (2023). With the addition of the Sunshine Plaza icon (demolished in 2005) and Grizzly Peak (the only of the icons to have spanned all 25 years), the graphic is a nice walk-through of DCA history.
The Disney California Adventure 25th Anniversary Collection merchandise will be released on Friday, February 6 at three locations in the park – Elias & Co., Gone Hollywood and Seaside Souvenirs. Bonus fact – only one of those three stores still retains its opening day name.
Another nod to DCA 1.0 are the new outfits that Mickey and Minnie will be wearing in the park for a limited time starting February 6. These play off of the pair’s Disneyland 70 costumes, but the colors definitely evoke the Sunshine Plaza of 2001. Back too starting February 6 is the original “Soarin’ Over California,” which opened in 2001. The park usually brings back the OG film during the Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival, which this year runs March 6 through April 27.
“Soarin’ Over California” will run through July 1. On July 2, the new “Soarin’ Across America” will debut as part of the nation’s 250th anniversary. Disney has not said if “Soarin’ Over California” or the current “Soarin’ Around the World” will return in rotation with the new film, but we wouldn’t expect to see either one back for at least another year.
February 6 brings a new celebration cake shake to Schmoozies (another opening-day location), as well as the release of the latest soon-to-go-viral popcorn bucket. Disney says the Pixar Pal Around bucket has embedded “Magic Inside” technology, which sounds like a new term for Glow with the Show / Made with Magic interactive objects that really haven’t been seen since 2018.
According to Disney, the bucket “reacts to select locations in both theme parks, changing color, and lighting patterns that will surprise and delight. The lighting effects enhance the storytelling of some lands and attractions, as well as amplify select nighttime spectaculars with an extra touch of pixie dust.” No additional details were released, and we don’t know if this is the first of a new merchandise collection.
The new bucket will be available through mobile order as well as walk-up locations. We always recommend using mobile order to avoid the inevitable lines.
On February 8, the actual 25th anniversary of Disney California Adventure, visitors can get a souvenir park map at the entrance, while supplies last.
Downtown Disney and Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa
Downtown Disney and Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel are also commemorating 25 years in 2026, both having opened in January 2001.
Storytellers Cafe at the Grand Californian will welcome a new character to Donald’s Tales of Adventure dinner buffet starting January 6. This is the first park appearance by Humphrey the Bear, nemisis of Donald Duck in short films in the 1950’s, and occasional guest star of Disney shows in the late 90s and early 2000s. Reservations are already open for the meal, and at press time there was plenty of availability at the restaurant.
Bonus fact – Storytellers Cafe is one of the restaurants which offers the World of Color dining package. You can combine a visit with Humphrey Bear and snag reserved viewing for World of Color, where you could check out the special “Magic Inside” effects of your new popcorn bucket.
Disney has already released a collectible pin for 25th anniversary of Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, available at Acorns Gifts in the hotel lobby. The World of Disney store in Downtown Disney has an anniversary tote bag and pin, while supplies last.
Finally, five Downtown Disney eateries, only two of which were around on opening day, are offering special menu items for the anniversary:
Beignets Expressed (available now through Aug. 9)
- Bananas Foster beignet dipped in a banana rum glaze, sprinkled with cinnamon-sugar and served with a vanilla crème anglaise
Jazz Kitchen Coastal Grill & Patio (available now through Aug. 9)
- French “70”: an effervescent blend of gin, prosecco, lemon juice, and lavender simple syrup (for guests ages 21 and older)
Kayla’s Cake (available now through May 31)
- Strawberry yogurt macaron croissant: crisp macaron batter baked on top of a butter croissant, filled with strawberry yogurt custard cream and topped with sprinkles
- Pistachio macaron croissant: butter croissant topped with crisp macaron batter, filled with pistachio custard cream and dusted with edible gold glitter
Vista Parkside Market (available second Saturday of every month)
- Parkside Birders Club: fun-filled opportunity for guests ages 21 and older to taste and learn how to make three cocktails, enjoy light bites, plus receive a $20 bounce back for Parkside Market and a collectible pin.More information is available on Disneyland.com.
Wetzel’s Pretzels (available now through Aug. 9)
- Incredi-Bitz: enhances the Original Bitz with tasty toppings, available in 3 flavors: Choco Churro Bitz, Bacon Ranch Bitz, or S’mores Bitz.
