For 70 years, The Happiest Place on Earth has called the city of Anaheim home. In celebration of the anniversary of Disneyland Resort and to bring a touch of pixie dust to our neighbors, the resort is inviting residents to join the celebration with exciting events across the city through 70 Happiest Hours in Anaheim. The excitement starts Aug. 20 and continues through Aug. 22, 2025!
From dance parties and unforgettable festivities to surprise visits from favorite characters, keep an eye out for our magic makers on the move this week as we celebrate happiness like only Disney can – you never know where we’ll show up next.
70 Happiest Hours Initiative
Whether you’re an Anaheim resident or Disneyland holds a special place in your heart, stay tuned for a look at every moment of fun as we sprinkle pixie dust all throughout Anaheim.
Day 1: Aug. 20, 2025
8:00 A.M. – Start the School Year Off with Disney Magic at Crescent Elementary
Kicking off the celebration in style, the fun began at Crescent Elementary School this morning where students and teachers were greeted with a touch of magic. Over 800 students and staff were surprised with a first day of school celebration inspired by The Happiest Place on Earth, including visits from Disney characters, live entertainment, delicious breakfast treats and more.
Each student and staff member also received a plush Mickey Mouse to take home as a reminder of the special day. From a spirit tunnel of Disney VoluntEARS to moments shared with their favorite characters, this first day of school was sure to be one they won’t forget.
9:30 A.M. – Inspiring the Next Generation of Readers at Ponderosa Elementary
Later in the morning, the fun continued at Ponderosa Elementary School, where third and fourth grade students were invited to a special celebration designed just for them.
Greeted by Mickey Mouse and Disney Ambassador of Disneyland Resort, Raul Aquino Rojas, over 250 students enjoyed festive music, photo backdrops and tasty treats while choosing from a selection of books to take home.
To make the moment even more special, New York Times bestselling author Ridley Pearson made a surprise appearance and participated in a live reading of his newest book, “Kingdom Keepers: Inheritance: The Final Draw.”
In honor of this exciting moment, the resort also announced a $15,000 donation voucher to Ponderosa Elementary School to support the continued development of these students and their love of reading.
12:00 P.M. – Sixties-Style Sockhop at Brookhurst Community Center
Feeling hungry? Lunchtime at the Brookhurst Community Center got an extra boost today as local seniors were surprised with a sixties-themed dance party and lunch event.
These residents brought their appetite and outta sight moves to the dance floor in festive fashion as a live band played popular hits of the 1960s, from Motown to girl groups and everything in between. When they took a break from the dance moves, attendees also enjoyed a delicious meal, Disney-themed treats, games and more.
4:00 P.M. – A Fun-Filled Afternoon at the Boys and Girls Club
The magic makers are on the move again! Our next stop was the Boys and Girls Club of Anaheim, where nearly 100 participants were surprised by a visit from some Disney characters. Donald Duck and Daisy Duck stopped by to say hello to students and capture memorable photo moments with their new pals. Students enjoyed coloring and craft time with the help of Disney VoluntEARS, and they received tasty snacks and novelty popcorn buckets to take home as a souvenir from this unforgettable day.
7:00 P.M. – A Block Party Bash For the Ages at Ponderosa Park
As the sun set on the first day of the 70 Happiest Hours in Anaheim, there was still one more stop to spread happiness throughout the city. The day wouldn’t be complete without a festive block party bash – with a touch of Disney magic. From live entertainment to exciting giveaways and more, residents of all ages enjoyed the live band, themed décor, fun games and snacks while getting to know their neighbors.
Of course, this block party featured favorite Disney characters who were excited to meet new friends – including Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, enchanting princesses and more. Disneyland Resort President Thomas Mazloum couldn’t miss out on the fun either. He also stopped by the party to welcome residents and thank them for 70 incredible years of Disneyland Resort.
Day 2: Aug. 21, 2025
9:00 A.M. – Celebrating First Responders at Anaheim Fire Station #3
It was only fitting to start our second day of the 70 Happiest Hours in Anaheim by showing appreciation for our local first responders. To thank them for their dedication to keeping residents safe, we surprised the Anaheim Fire Department with a fun-filled start to the day – including a hot breakfast, 70th Celebration souvenirs and activities enjoyed with their loved ones.
Attendees also tested their skills with competitive rounds of interactive games like oversized Jenga, corn hole and high striker. Goofy and Pluto stopped by to thank these heroes for their work.
11:00 A.M. – Toddler Story Time & Sing-along at Sunkist Library
Next on the agenda – we headed to Sunkist Library to keep spreading happiness. Young readers were greeted by a special host who shared a toddler story time complete with adventures from favorite Disney stories and sing-alongs to beloved tunes.
Attendees were also treated to fun games and musical instrument time with the help of Disney VoluntEARS. The perfect end to this special time included a Disney-themed bubble dance party and each child receiving their own plush Mickey Mouse as a keepsake.
12:00 P.M. – A Special Surprise for the Anaheim High School Chamber Singers
The fun continued at Anaheim High School where a major surprise was in store for the school’s Chamber Singers. During a normal class period, Mickey Mouse, Disney Ambassador Jada Young and Disney VoluntEARS made a grand entrance, greeting choir students and teachers in the classroom with treats and Mickey Ears.
But the surprise didn’t stop there! Mickey Mouse and his fellow magic makers presented $50,000 to the Anaheim High School Chamber Singers program, encouraging students and staff to continue fostering creativity and creating happiness through song.
3:00 P.M. – Veterans Honored with a Surprise Visit to Disneyland Park
The daily flag retreat ceremony at Disneyland park is one of the resort’s most time-honored traditions dating back to opening day in 1955. 70 years later, it is a privilege to honor our military and veteran community through this meaningful salute to service.
As part our 70-hour event, we were thrilled to host 10 veterans and residents from Walnut Village for a visit to The Happiest Place on Earth, along with honoring them during a special flag retreat ceremony. Around the flagpole in Town Square on Main Street, U.S.A., these veterans were recognized for their courage and dedication alongside members of the resort’s SALUTE Employee Resource Group.
In fitting Disneyland fashion, their fun-filled day also included time for delicious food, attractions and photos with some of their favorite Disney characters. It is an honor for us to host and create happiness for these veterans as part of The Walt Disney Company’s enduring admiration for service members.
5:00 P.M. – Disney Magic at the Mobile Family Resource Center
To bring the celebration to residents in a north Anaheim neighborhood, Disney VoluntEARS handed out sweet treats and other giveaways at one of the city’s mobile family resource center events. Young residents also had the opportunity to get their faces painted, while their parents were invited to learn more about potential career opportunities at Disneyland Resort.
7:00 P.M. – Out-of-this-World Movie Night Comes to Loara High School
Over 400 students and their families from Loara High School were treated to an extraordinary movie night experience during a private screening of the live-action Lilo & Stitch. This out-of-this-world evening brought a touch of Hawaii to Anaheim, where guests enjoyed themed photo opportunities, live musical performances and exciting prizes to share with their ohana.
Starting off the evening, a pre-show festival full of tropical fun, guests of all ages enjoyed music, games, delicious snacks, island vibes and surprises before settling in for the movie. Right when it was time to start the movie though, a disruption took over the theater as Stitch himself crash-landed at the party. Thanks to a bit of tinkering, Stitch helped save the evening!
Stay tuned for more updates to come as the 70 Happiest Hours fun continues tomorrow.
