Disneyland Resort is feeling the full force of its 70th-anniversary celebration—and so are the guests. On Tuesday, what should have been a quieter weekday at the Southern California theme park turned into an overwhelming experience for visitors, as thick crowds swarmed Disneyland Park’s Main Street, U.S.A., and beyond. The influx came just days after Disneyland70 officially began on May 16, kicking off a summer-long party drawing Disney Parks fans in droves.
While Disneyland Resort’s birthday doesn’t land until July 17, the festivities are already in full swing. Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park are offering exclusive merchandise, themed food, and returning fan-favorite entertainment offerings to commemorate the occasion. Among them are the “Celebrate Happiness” cavalcade featuring Duffy, ShellieMay, and friends, and the new “Tapestry of Happiness” nighttime projection show in Fantasyland.
Other Disneyland Park offerings include two new Coco (2017) dolls in “it’s a small world,” the return of the beloved “Paint the Night” electrical parade, and the fan-favorite Wondrous Journeys fireworks spectacular. Over at Disney California Adventure Park, guests can catch the “World of Color Happiness” nighttime show and enjoy refreshed scenes on the Toy Story Midway Mania! ride as well as the return of the “Better Together: A Pixar Pals Celebration” parade.
But it seems the Disneyland70 magic came with an unfortunate side effect: mid-week gridlock. On Tuesday, several Disneyland Resort guests took to social media to document the unusually high crowd levels. TikTok user @ayy.ariannaaa captured a packed view of Main Street, U.S.A., and admitted she “didn’t even get on a ride” that day:
@ayy.ariannaaa Didn’t even get on a ride today 🥲 #fyp #disney #disneyland #crowded #may #magickey
User @brazzledazzledad posted a video of his experience trying to grab a complimentary “Paint the Night” poster exclusive to Magic Key Pass holders.
@brazzledazzledad It’s shockingly busy at Disneyland for a Tuesday! #disneyland #disneylife #disneytiktok
“I honestly am in disbelief how insanely crowded it is today on a random Tuesday afternoon,” he said. “… Don’t these people have jobs?”
While Disney has not commented on the unexpected crowd swell, many attribute it to the early success of Disneyland70 and the limited-time perks enticing locals and travelers alike. And with more offerings yet to debut, the crowds may only grow.
On July 17, Disneyland Park will introduce a new song verse written by the legendary Sherman brothers for “it’s a small world.” Disney Park guests will also get their first look at “Walt Disney – A Magical Life” inside the Main Street Opera House. This all-new show features the first-ever Walt Disney audio-animatronic and rare artifacts from the Walt Disney Archives. After its initial run, the show will alternate with the longtime classic Great Moments With Mr. Lincoln.
Guests who haven’t made it to the celebration yet still have time—Disneyland70 festivities are expected to continue through summer 2026.
How do you manage the crowds at Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park? Share your tips with Disney Fanatic in the comments!
