September 5th is just about a month away and when it comes it will mean the finale of the Disneyland Diamond Celebration. Of course the end of the Diamond Celebration will bring many changes. We've outlined what's leaving, what's coming, and last but not least, what's staying after the Disneyland Diamond Celebration ends.
What's leaving after the Disneyland Diamond Celebration ends:
Disneyland Forever Fireworks: If you haven't seen this fireworks spectacular, it may be time to try to get in one last trip before the summer ends! This show specifically created for the Disneyland Diamond Celebration is completely immersive, unlike anything you've ever seen, and can be viewed from four different areas of the park. It's amazing. Not only will the Disneyland Forever fireworks make its finale on September 5, so will nightly fireworks. Once the Disneyland Diamond Celebration ends, the fireworks will go back to a weekend only schedule.
World of Color - Celebrate!: This show is a complete revision of the original World of Color. Like the original show, it features water, lights, lasers, fire and some of the most incredible special effects. However, the story is completely different. World of Color - Celebrate! tells the story of Walt Disney and his dream of Disneyland coming to fruition. You still have until September 5 to watch this show!
Paint the Night Parade: We admit, this one breaks our hearts a little bit. Paint the Night is without a doubt the highlight of the Disneyland Diamond Celebration. Huge floats and live performers are adorned with 1.5 million LED lights as they celebrate our favorite Disney stories and make their way down Main Street U.S.A.. If you haven't seen it, it is definitely worth the trip to see it before its finale on September 5.
The decor: The entire Disneyland Resort has been completely dazzled for the Diamond Celebration. While it may take a while for the sparkles, blue, white and silver accents to fade away, we're fairly certain that the warm fall colors of Halloween will speed up the process.
The merchandise and menus: Once the Disneyland Diamond Celebration ends, so will the limited time merchandise and menu items. This means if you want to grab a dazzling Minnie ears headband or sip on a Frozen Pomegranate Silver Sparkler from the Holly Jolly Bakery Cafe, you'll want to get to the park before September 5!
What's coming after the Disneyland Diamond Celebration ends:
Fantasy in the Sky Fireworks: Beginning September 6, the classic Fantasy in the Sky Fireworks are coming back on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights. This fireworks display originally debuted clear back in 1958 and ran slightly different versions through 1999. Then, the Fantasy in the Sky Fireworks made brief reappearances in 2004 and 2015. The Fantasy in the Sky fireworks are definitely a piece of Disneyland history.
Seasonal Fireworks: In addition to the Fantasy in the Sky fireworks, Disneyland will bring back their seasonal fireworks shows as well. Halloween Screams will be shown on Mickey's Halloween Party nights only, which begin on September 23. There are 17 different party nights and separate admission is required. (more on that later) Once the official dates for Holidays at the Disneyland Resort are announced (mid-November through early January), we expect Disney to also announce that Believe... in Holiday Magic fireworks will make their return as well. This holiday themed fireworks show ends with a magical snowfall over Main Street U.S.A. and is a guest favorite. We are anxiously awaiting its return!
World of Color: Fans of the original World of Color show will be thrilled to learn that beginning September 6, the version of the show that made us fall in love with World of Color will be back. Because World of Color was designed to allow scenes to be switched out regularly, it's not entirely clear if the show that is returning is the very first version of the show or if it's the most recent version of the show before the Diamond Celebration began. Either way, we're so excited to see the main format, stories and songs back at Disney California Adventure Park.
Halloween Time: We can't mention what's coming after the Disneyland Diamond Celebration ends and not mention Halloween! Halloween Time is beginning earlier than ever before as the festivities kick off on September 9, 2016 and we can't wait! The Pumpkin Festival on Main Street U.S.A. is sure to make you instantly get into the spirit of Halloween. Haunted Mansion Holiday, Space Mountain: Ghost Galaxy and more will make their triumphant return. Mickey's Halloween Party will also be held select nights beginning September 23. Read all about Mickey's Halloween Party and Halloween Time 2016 here.
What's staying after the Disneyland Diamond Celebration ends:
The Disneyland Diamond Celebration brought some permanent updates to a handful of classic attractions. Well, as permanent as Disneyland gets, because as we know, according to Walt, Disneyland will never be complete! With that said, there were some pretty amazing additions to three attractions that are expected to stick around after the Disneyland Diamond Celebration ends:
Peter Pan's Flight: This favorite Fantasyland attraction had a few dazzling enhancements in honor of the Diamond Celebration and we're so glad that they are now part of the attraction! Tinker Bell was added, new Darling children figures were added, plus new animation and all sorts of extra special effects were added so seamlessly that it keeps that magical feel of the original attraction. In fact, some of the pieces still date back to the ride's opening in 1955. They did a perfect job updating this beloved ride!
Matterhorn Bobsleds: New technology, animatronics and special effects were added to the iconic Matterhorn as part of the 60th anniversary. A new Abominable Snowman, aka Harold, was created to be the most realistic Yeti yet...i. (Sorry, had to!) You may also remember that shortly before the Diamond Celebration that the bobsleds and track were updated for a slightly smoother ride. If it's been a while since you've braved the Matterhorn, you'll want to be sure to ride it the next time you're at Disneyland.
Haunted Mansion: One of the most anticipated attraction updates for the Diamond Celebration was the reintroduction of the Hatbox Ghost. Originally one of the 999 haunts of the Haunted Mansion, the Hatbox Ghost disappeared shortly after he first appeared. The technology wasn't quite right at the time and the "trick" didn't work. So, the Hatbox Ghost disappeared for decades. Until the Diamond Celebration! It has been so much fun to have him back. Although we anticipate the Hatbox Ghost to take another brief hiatus when Jack Skellington and crew take over the Haunted Mansion for the holidays from mid-September through early January, we expect the Hatbox Ghost to be back as a more permanent part of the Haunted Mansion.
Of course, there's so much for at the Disneyland Resort to see and do well after the Disneyland Diamond Celebration ends. The new Frozen - Live at the Hyperion, Soarin' Around the World, Cars Land, Star Wars experiences at Tomorrowland, and so much more are all awaiting your family!
We hope that you were able to go and experience all of the magic of the Diamond Celebration, and if you didn't, there's still time! Take your family for one last hurrah before school starts and celebrate the finale of the Disneyland Diamond Celebration including all three nighttime spectaculars!
Believe it or not, we still have Adults at Kids' Prices for travel in August and September, plus hotels that are offering free nights, free breakfast and more... all before the Disneyland Diamond Celebration ends. Book your Disneyland package online or call our Disney Experts at 855-GET-AWAY!
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Join the Conversation!
Leave A CommentGet Away TodayAugust 15 2016
Hey AJ, If the Halloween Party is scheduled, the party guests will see "Halloween Screams" instead of "Fantasy in the Sky." Halloween Screams will take place each party night regardless of whether or not it is a weekend as long as the weather cooperates. :)
AJAugust 13 2016
Do you know if "Fantasy in the Sky" fireworks will occur on Friday evenings in October when there is a also a Halloween party scheduled?
Get Away TodayAugust 04 2016
Jill - we expect that they'll gradually disappear. It will probably depend on what Disney decides to do with their holiday castle. :) Xochi - That's fantastic! We hope so!
XochiAugust 03 2016
The hatbox ghost was there with jack skellington last Christmas so I'm sure it'll still stay this year!
JillAugust 03 2016
Will the extra sparkles on the castle stay?