Disneyland Resort Creates the Happiest Day in Anaheim

Since 1955, Disneyland Resort has been a source of joy and inspiration to the world — a mission that started with Walt Disney himself over 70 years ago.

This sentiment extends beyond the parks’ gates, inspiring initiatives to bring joy to children and families within Orange County and throughout Anaheim. This includes last year’s 70 Happiest Hours in Anaheim initiative, a three-day citywide celebration to celebrate the 70th anniversary of Disneyland Resort.

This year, The Happiest Place on Earth is bringing even more happiness to the local community! Celebrating over 70 years of magic in Anaheim, Disneyland Resort is inviting residents to experience exciting events and fun surprises, as we create the Happiest Day in Anaheim on Aug. 27.

There is so much excitement in store, everything from treat stops at various locations to surprise visits from iconic characters and more. Anaheim residents: Be on the lookout for plenty of magic this week and stay tuned here for updates on all the latest surprises.

What’s better than a Disney treat on a summer day? A surprise Disney treat! Ahead of the Happiest Day in Anaheim, the fun kicked off for residents with surprise visits from Disneyland Resort making treat stops across the city.

Throughout the month, over 2,000 residents across Anaheim were greeted with sprinkles of Disney magic, with visits spanning across a variety of local community centers and events.

Whether it was surprising kids attending summer camp at Oak Canyon Nature Center, or welcoming families at the YMCA Sports Complex, Disney VoluntEARS brought plenty of smiles and unique treats to each surprise location — greeting residents of all ages with fun finds like bubble wands, Mickey Mouse plush, and Minnie Mouse ears.

Ready to party? To start off the Happiest Day in Anaheim on Aug. 27, over 125 senior citizens were surprised with the ultimate Disney celebration at the Ponderosa Family Resource Center. Kicking off the morning with yoga led by instructors from Tenaya Stone Spa at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, residents stretched their bodies and minds, unwinding ahead of all the fun to come.

After enjoying this wellness activity, residents were treated to even more of the excitement in store, including greeting characters like Goofy, playing a game of Disney Bingo, and enjoying treats. On top of all these activities, attendees also enjoyed making crafts with Disney VoluntEARS, snapping pictures in front of Disneyland Resort backdrops and dancing to Disney hits through the decades.

The magic didn’t stop there. The resort also provided four libraries and two other senior communities with all of the supplies they need to create their very own epic Disney celebration in honor of the occasion too.

On your mark…get set…go! With the day just beginning, Disney VoluntEARS were off to the races for a legendary Disney-inspired field day at Danbrook Elementary School, welcoming over 400 students to four themed adventure areas complete with games, music, and more.

Spanning seven grade levels, these scholars showed off their dance moves with a Toontown Dance-Stravaganza, put their sporty skills to the test with a Pixar Pier Relay Rally, engaged in a New Orleans Square Swashbuckling Soiree, and even struck a pose with Mickey Mouse himself.

To cap off a morning of adventure, each student also received a specialty Disney swag bag including surprises like Mickey Ears and a delicious Mickey crispy treat.

To further thank all 75 staff members at Danbrook Elementary, each of the school’s teachers and faculty were gifted a complimentary Disneyland Resort ticket for themselves and a guest to experience even more fun.

After a packed day full of happiness across the city, it was time for the main event: Main Street on Your Street. At Center Greens Park, Disney VoluntEARS brought beloved elements of Main Street, U.S.A., to over 3,000 Anaheim residents, directly providing the magic of Disneyland park to its neighboring communities.

The themed land quickly took shape, with iconic Disneyland park staples on full display for Anaheim residents, everything from vibrant performances by Mary Poppins and the Pearly Band to a view of the Disneyland Resort Fire Engine.

The experience was fully immersive and uniquely Disney, with carnival style games, a “make your own Main Street, U.S.A., window” paper craft, Mickey balloons, and photo backdrops of Sleeping Beauty Castle and the Disneyland Resort marquee. Attendees also snacked on complimentary beloved eats and treats straight from the resort — hot dogs, popcorn, cotton candy, and Mickey’s Premium Ice Cream Bars.

To add even more pixie dust to the evening, characters like Miguel from Disney and Pixar’s Coco and Mirabel from Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Encanto, greeted the thousands of residents at the party, wishing them a warm welcome before more beloved characters took center stage. Joining together in harmony, Mickey Mouse and some of his pals showed up in style, dancing to classic Disney tunes while engaging with dedicated onlookers as they performed on the main stage.

It was an evening of epic proportions and animated spirits, the perfect end to a day that can only be described as the Happiest Day in Anaheim.

For more than 70 years, Disneyland Resort has called the city of Anaheim home. Through volunteerism, special experiences, and cash and in-kind donations totaling tens of millions of dollars each year, Disneyland Resort creates lasting memories for families throughout Orange County.

The Happiest Day in Anaheim is just one example of the many ways that the resort provides joy and support to its local community. As Disneyland Resort enters a new decade of making magic, we are excited to continue bringing happiness to Orange County, in ways that only Disney can.

Learn more about Disneyland Resort’s commitment to supporting Anaheim on DisneyExperiences.com.