Inside Disneyland’s 70th (and the Disneyland vs. Walt Disney World differences!)

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Theme Parks and Passports

Heidi Mackey and Melissa Sanchez

19 episodes

6 days ago

The travel podcast for every family that is ready to explore the world, one destination at a time! Theme Parks & Passports is a podcast for anyone who has ever dreamed of traveling with (or without) your family! Hosted by two travel-obsessed agents – Melissa Sanchez and Heidi Mackey – who know the ins and outs of all types of family vacations! They will take your travel dreams and make them into a reality.

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Society & Culture

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All content for Theme Parks and Passports is the property of Heidi Mackey and Melissa Sanchez and is served directly from their servers with no modification, redirects, or rehosting. The podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by Podjoint in any way.

Places & Travel

Society & Culture

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Inside Disneyland’s 70th (and the Disneyland vs. Walt Disney World differences!)

Theme Parks and Passports

31 minutes 59 seconds

2 months ago

Inside Disneyland’s 70th (and the Disneyland vs. Walt Disney World differences!)

Join Heidi and Melissa as they take you inside the magic of Disneyland’s 70th Anniversary Celebration. Melissa is reporting directly from Anaheim after completing Disney’s Agent Education Program, sharing first-hand experiences of the park’s platinum-themed décor, special anniversary events, rare character meet-and-greets, and can’t-miss treats like platinum-dusted churros. Whether you’re a first-time Disneyland visitor or a Walt Disney World pro curious about the differences, this episode is packed with insider tips on park hopping, Lightning Lane strategies, resort options, and exciting upcoming attractions—including a Marvel Campus expansion and new lands in Disney California Adventure.

Key Takeaways

Platinum Magic Everywhere – The 70th anniversary brings subtle yet stunning platinum and iridescent décor, special fireworks, exclusive merchandise, and themed spa treatments, among other magical moments.
Disneyland vs. Walt Disney World – Learn the key differences in Lightning Lane rules, park hopping convenience, and hotel proximity that make Disneyland uniquely easy to navigate.
What’s Next for Disneyland – Get a sneak peek at future expansions, including an Avatar: The Way of Water-inspired land, a Coco attraction, and a doubled Avengers Campus with two new rides.

Resources:

Disneyland 70th Anniversary Details - Disney Parks BlogDisney Food Blog’s guide to Disneyland’s 70th Celebration and guide to 70th limited-time treats

Connect with Hosts:

This podcast! https://themeparksandpassports.com/

Melissa’s company, Spellbound Vacations, LLC: https://spellboundvacations.com/

Heidi’s company, House of Mackey Travel: https://houseofmackeytravel.com/

Melissa on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/spellbound_vacationsllc/

Heidi on Instagram: http://instagram.com/houseofmackeytravel

Key Episode Timestamps:

[00:00:00] Welcome & introduction to Theme Parks and Passports

[00:01:00] Melissa live from Disneyland’s 70th Anniversary

[00:02:00] Platinum décor, celebratory atmosphere & Main Street USA

[00:03:02] Special parades, rare characters & fireworks

[00:04:00] Classic attractions with anniversary buzz

[00:05:10] Lightning Lane differences between Disneyland & Walt Disney World

[00:07:03] Park hopping ease at Disneyland

[00:08:15] Grand Californian, Pixar Place, and Disneyland Hotel proximity

[00:10:18] Anniversary merchandise, special food & spa treatments

[00:12:23] Platinum churros & Disneyland’s churro legacy

[00:14:36] Magical guest moments & rare character meets

[00:16:38] Pixar Place Hotel history, features & unique trivia

[00:19:02] Exploring Avengers Campus attractions, food & characters

[00:22:27] Planning tips for Disneyland first-timers & 70th celebration visitors

[00:23:25] Booking timelines, hotels & good neighbor options

[00:26:02] Upcoming attractions: Avatar Land, Coco ride & Avengers Campus expansion

[00:28:19] Doubling Avengers Campus: New rides & Marvel fan excitement

[00:29:35] Would You Rather: Churro vs. Mickey Bar

[00:31:03] Closing & how to book your Disneyland vacation

Music is Homesick by Luke Bergs & Waesto and Ukulele Trip Version 60s