Happy anniversary to the OG Disney theme park !

Roughly 2,500 miles away from the Florida theme parks, California's Disneyland Resort is kicking off its 70th anniversary celebration on Friday, May 16.

Disney is celebrating the milestone with limited-time entertainment, colorful decorations, food and beverages, and collectible merchandise. It will also bring back fan-favorite events and special experiences, including the “Paint the Night” parade.

In a press release last year , officials said they will honor "seven decades of happiness and many moments of joy in the making."

All this hype around Disneyland's anniversary might leave some theme park fanatics wondering how old Walt Disney World is. Here's what to know.

What day is Disneyland's 70th anniversary? When did Disneyland open?

Disneyland Resort officially opened on July 17, 1955; however, it's celebrating its 70th anniversary starting May 16, 2025, and will continue through summer 2026.

When did Disney World open? When will Disney World celebrate its 70th anniversary?

Disney World's Magic Kingdom officially opened on October 1, 1971. This makes the park 54 years old as of May 2025.

Disney World will celebrate its 70th anniversary on October 1, 2041.

Why did Walt Disney want a theme park in Florida?

According to the Disney Connect website , Walt Disney saw the success of Disneyland and wanted a new theme park that could provide "the same fun and captivating experience" on the East Coast.

Rick Foglesong, author of the book " Married to the Mouse ," told NPR back in 2021 that the interstate highway system drew him to Orlando. This would make it easier for out-of-state guests to travel to the theme park, which they planned to make larger than its California counterpart.

Walt died in 1966, roughly five years before the park opened. His brother Roy stepped up to fulfill his vision.

How many Disney World parks are there?

Disney has four theme parks, as well as two waterparks, in Florida.

How much are tickets to Disney World in Florida?

Tickets to any of Disney's theme parks start at $119, prices rising depending on the season and which day you attend.

Disney World also just announced its "Summer Magic Ticket" offer exclusively for Florida residents. As of May 6, parkgoers can purchase tickets for as low as $60 per day — with no blackout dates. The offer is valid from May 18 through September 27, 2025.

You can purchase the tickets or learn more by visiting Disney World's website under " Tickets & Passes ."

How many Disney theme parks are there across the world?

Wondering what other Disney parks there are beyond Orlando? Obviously, there are parks out in California but did you know there are parks in other countries?

New Disney theme park coming to Abu Dhabi

Disney also announced earlier this month that it will partner with Miral to build a new theme park resort in Abu Dhabi . It’s not yet clear when the new destination will open, but Disney shared that Miral is eager to move quickly.