In honor of Disneyland’s 70th birthday, the resort has released a new anniversary merchandise collection, added a new final verse to “it’s a small world,” and debuted several treats including a new DOLE Whip flavor — all this and more in today’s daily recap for Thursday, July 17, 2025.

Walt Disney World

Magic Kingdom

• The new final verse for “it’s a small world” has now debuted at Magic Kingdom.
• Props have been removed from Tom’s Landing on Tom Sawyer Island, and more props are tagged for removal since the area’s permanent closure in Magic Kingdom.

Disney Springs

• The Cinderella statue is gone from outside World of Disney in Disney Springs again, after having been refurbished late last year.

New Merchandise

• New open edition pins at Walt Disney World this month include a new Park Pal Outfits series, “The Nightmare Before Christmas” pins, and a Mickey pin trading 25th anniversary pin.

Disneyland Resort

Disneyland Park

• The new final verse for “it’s a small world” has now debuted at Disneyland for the park’s 70th anniversary.
• As part of the Disneyland 70th Celebration, the “it’s a small world” facade is illuminated with the “Tapestry of Happiness” projection show, which was updated to include the new verse.
• Each year for the last several years, Disneyland has put on a special cavalcade for its anniversary, and that tradition continued for its 70th birthday.

• A new Main Street window display has been installed at Disneyland Park, featuring “Zootopia,” as part of the 70th anniversary celebration.
• Disneyland has launched a new ad campaign celebrating families and guests visiting the Happiest Place on Earth.
• New hotel stay offers are now available to book for the Hotels of the Disneyland Resort for Halloween Time and the holiday season.

• In the early morning hours of July 17, 2025, two ceremonies honoring the park’s 70th anniversary were held at Disneyland, featuring appearances by Disney CEO Bob Iger and Parks Chairman Josh D’Amaro.
• The Disneyland 70th anniversary hot air balloon has flown over the skies of Disneyland on the actual anniversary date of July 17, 2025

• Commemorative Disneyland 70th anniversary maps, buttons, and stickers are available at Disneyland Park today — July 17, the actual 70th anniversary date.
• For a limited time, Magic Key holders can save on select stays at a Disneyland Resort hotel this fall and winter.

• A handful of new treats are available starting today, July 17, at Disneyland Resort to celebrate their 70th anniversary — including a brand-new flavor of DOLE Whip.
• The brand-new DOLE Whip Peach flavor debuted at Disneyland on July 17 for the park’s 70th anniversary, alongside a special collectible cup, and we stopped by to give it a review.
• Anaheim residents can visit Disneyland Resort during its 70th anniversary this year for just $70.

• Disney has added a plaque to the ground next to the “Cigar Store Indian” statue on Main Street, U.S.A. at Disneyland Park.
• A new social media video shows the new Walt Disney Animatronic featured in “Walt Disney – A Magical Life” experiencing some technical difficulties on its first day of performing for guests.
• If “Walt Disney – A Magical Life” has to go down due to unexpected issues, Disney has revealed that a different show may be presented in the Main Street Opera House instead.

Disney California Adventure

• Though Disney California Adventure is not turning 70 today, it still has a commemorative guidemap for the Disneyland Resort 70th anniversary.

New Merchandise

• A new Walt Disney talking figure is now available today, July 17, to celebrate the 70th anniversary of Disneyland.
• A series of new Disneyland 70th anniversary merchandise was released on July 17, 2025 — the actual 70th anniversary date, including “I Was There” pins and tees, an ear hat, a Dooney & Bourke ear headband, and Magic Key-exclusive items.

• A new short-sleeved button-up Trader Sam’s shirt is available at the Disneyland Hotel, where Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar is located.
• A new hoodie for the 2025 Haunted Mansion Holiday overlay at Disneyland has arrived at the park.
• Droid Depot at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge in Disneyland has new apparel, pins, and more merchandise.

Disney Store Merchandise

• A new die-cast Cars set includes Lightning McQueen, Tow Mater, Red, and DJ in their Haul-O-Ween costumes from Cars Land.

Universal Orlando Resort

Epic Universe

• Universal Orlando Resort announced a new UOAP button is coming soon, possibly the next in the Epic Universe series.

Universal Studios Florida

• Universal Orlando Resort announced another scare zone for Halloween Horror Nights 34 — “Mutations: Toxic Twenties.”
• Give Kids the World will have a special fundraising event that includes after-hours access to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando Resort this September.

Entertainment and Media

• Disney has announced that the live-action reimagining of Lilo & Stitch has become the first Motion Picture Association (MPA) film of 2025 to cross the $1 billion mark at the global box office.
• Disney released the first full trailer for “TRON: Ares” and debuted a soundtrack single by Nine Inch Nails.

WDW News Today

• Our friends at DVC Resale Market have brought back their “Red Hot Deals” limited-time offer to get you the best prices on a resale Disney Vacation Club contract.

That’s it for today; we hope you enjoyed this Daily Recap. Thanks for stopping by, and we’ll see you tomorrow!

Gretchen McDermid