Disneyland is gearing up for a yearlong party celebrating 100 yeas of Disney animation with a new nighttime spectacular, fireworks show and dark ride dedicated to the Mouse that started it all.
The Disney100 celebration officially kicks off on Friday, Jan. 27 at Disneyland and Disney California Adventure. The Anaheim theme parks hosted media and employee previews of the shows and ride during a two-day event on Wednesday and Thursday.
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Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway takes riders on a madcap journey through a cartoon short in the first ride-through attraction dedicated to Mickey Mouse.
A nearly identical version of Runaway Railway opened in March 2020 at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Florida just a few days before the COVID-19 pandemic shuttered Disney theme parks around the globe.
Mickey Mouse Dons his 100 anniversary costume at Disney California Adventure on Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2023 in Anaheim, CA.
(Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Mickey and Minnie join President of Disneyland Resort, Ken Potrock, as he cuts a filmstrip to open the new Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway at Disneyland in Anaheim, CA, on Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023.
(Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A new statue of Mickey Mouse sits on Main Street, U.S.A. at Disneyland in Anaheim, CA, on Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023.
(Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Mickey and Minnie join President of Disneyland Resort, Ken Potrock, as he cuts a filmstrip to open the new Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway at Disneyland in Anaheim, CA, on Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023.
(Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Lemon Tea Cake: Lemon curd, lemon zest glaze, and a fresh slice of lemon, is now available at Alien Pizza Planet in Tomorrowland at Disneyland in Anaheim, CA.
(Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Mickey and Minnie join President of Disneyland Resort, Ken Potrock, as he cuts a filmstrip to open the new Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway at Disneyland in Anaheim, CA, on Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023.
(Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Michael Aaron shares a laugh with Minnie Mouse as she dons her 100 anniversary costume at Disney California Adventure on Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2023 in Anaheim, CA.
(Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A tumbler with a cartoon image of Walt Disney is one of the 100 anniversary collectibles available at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, CA.
(Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Disney100 Churro rolled in cherry sugar drizzled with white icing and topped with purple and silver pearls is available at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, CA.
(Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Disney 100 Poison Apple Mug available at Casey Jr. Churro Cart inside Disneyland for the company’s 100th anniversary in Anaheim, CA.
(Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A Mickey Mouse sipper and premium popcorn bucket are some of the collectibles available at the Disneyland Resort for the company’s 100th anniversary in Anaheim, CA.
(Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Mickey and Minnie join President of Disneyland Resort, Ken Potrock, as he cuts a filmstrip to open the new Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway at Disneyland in Anaheim, CA, on Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023.
(Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A small preliminary model of pirate mate from Pirates of the Caribbean at the Opera House on Main Street, U.S.A. As part of the Disney 100 Years of Wonder exhibit inside Disneyland in Anaheim, CA, on Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023.
(Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Platinum Trifle: Layers of chocolate cookie crumbles, cheesecake, cherry compote, chocolate cookie mousse, and crème fraîche chantilly with crunch pearls and a chocolate piece available at Jolly Holiday Bakery Café inside Disneyland for the company’s 100th anniversary in Anaheim, CA.
(Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A room inspired by Walt Disney, including an animators desk, at the Opera House on Main Street, U.S.A. As part of the Disney 100 Years of Wonder exhibit inside Disneyland in Anaheim, CA, on Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023.
(Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A new grassy area sits where a fountain used to be in Mickey’s Toontown at Disneyland in Anaheim, CA, on Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023.
(Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Mickey’s Toontown at Disneyland in Anaheim, CA, on Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023.
(Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The President of Disneyland Resort, Ken Potrock, opens the new Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway at Disneyland in Anaheim, CA, on Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023.
(Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Cast members are dressed like theater employees at the new Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway at Disneyland in Anaheim, CA, on Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023.
(Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A new sign welcomes visitors to Mickey’s Toontown at Disneyland in Anaheim, CA, on Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023.
(Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The new Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway at Disneyland in Anaheim, CA, on Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023.
(Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A new statue of Mickey Mouse sits on Main Street, U.S.A. at Disneyland in Anaheim, CA, on Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023.
(Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A small preliminary model of Indiana Jones from Indiana Jones and the Temple of the Forbidden Eye at the Opera House on Main Street, U.S.A. As part of the Disney 100 Years of Wonder exhibit inside Disneyland in Anaheim, CA, on Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023.
(Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A new statue of Mickey Mouse sits on Main Street, U.S.A. at Disneyland in Anaheim, CA, on Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023.
(Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Disney 100 banners hang in the esplanade at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, CA, on Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023.
(Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The new Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway at Disneyland in Anaheim, CA, on Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023.
(Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The new Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway at Disneyland in Anaheim, CA, on Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023.
(Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Drawing and plans for Star Wars attractions hang on the wall of the Opera House on Main Street, U.S.A. As part of the Disney 100 Years of Wonder exhibit inside Disneyland in Anaheim, CA, on Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023.
(Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The revamped Mickey’s Toontown includes the new Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway and a redesigned mountain backdrop at Disneyland in Anaheim, CA, on Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023.
(Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A new sign welcomes visitors to Mickey’s Toontown at Disneyland in Anaheim, CA, on Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023.
(Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The revamped Mickey’s Toontown at Disneyland in Anaheim, CA, on Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023.
(Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Construction walls will greet visitors in Mickey’s Toontown on their way to ride the new Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway at Disneyland in Anaheim, CA, on Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023.
(Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Sleeping Beauty Castle is decorated for the Disney Company’s 100 anniversary at Disneyland in Anaheim, CA, on Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023.
(Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The revamped Mickey’s Toontown includes the new Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway and a redesigned mountain backdrop at Disneyland in Anaheim, CA, on Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023.
(Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Disney
The Disney100 Poison Apple Mug is among the collectibles available at Disneyland. (Disney)
Disney
The Steamboat Willie Shake at Schmoozies is part of the Disney100 menu lineup at Disney California Adventure. (Disney)
Disney
The Mr. Banks Shortbread Tart at the Jolly Holiday Bakery Cafe is part of the Disney100 menu lineup at Disneyland. (Disney)
Disney
The Minnie Apple and Minnie Cake Pop are part of the Disney100 menu lineup at Disneyland. (Disney)
Disney 100 banners on Main Street, U.S.A. at Disneyland in Anaheim, CA, on Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023.
(Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Runaway Railway will be the marquee attraction of the reimagined Mickey’s Toontown when the themed land reopens on March 8.
On Friday, Disneyland will open the new Mickey Mouse ride and a small portion of the refreshed land.
The returning Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin along with the new Chip n’ Dale’s Gadget Coaster, Goofy’s How-To-Play Yard, Donald’s Duck Pond and Walt’s Dreaming Tree will open in March as part of Toontown transformation geared toward young children and their families.
A pair of new nighttime spectaculars officially open to the general public on Friday alongside the new Mickey and Minnie attraction.
The new “World of Color — One” water show at Disney California Adventure tells the story of a single drop of water that grows into a wave of change.
The preview presentation of the thoughtful, contemplative and mellow “One” on Wednesday night was marred by high winds that shredded the mist screens used during the show for video projections.
The new “Wonderous Journeys” fireworks and projection show highlights all of Disney”s 61 animated films plus the new “Wish” coming in November.
What to expect when Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway opens at Disneyland
On Thursday night, Disneyland previewed the new nighttime spectacular that will be presented without fireworks on weeknights and with pyrotechnics on weekends.
The new 100 Years of Wonder historic exhibit debuting Friday in the Disney Gallery in the lobby of the Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln looks at how a Disney movie becomes an attraction — and how the process occasionally moves in the opposite direction.
Disney will mark the yearlong celebration with platinum and purple Disney100 décor draped on Sleeping Beauty Castle and Main Street USA along with 100th anniversary merchandise, food and drinks at Disneyland and DCA.
The party continues on Feb. 24 with the return of Magic Happens — the daytime and nighttime parade that ran for only a few weeks at Disneyland in 2020 before the pandemic closure of the park.
