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Disneyland's 70th Anniversary: How to Save Up to 30% on Hotels Plus Special Ticket Deals

Deals
July 17, 2025
The Points Party Team
Mickey Mouse at Disneyland leaning over a railing from a walking giving a double thumbs up
Disneyland's 70th anniversary brings massive savings: up to 30% off hotels for Disney Visa cardholders, special ticket deals from $100/day, and exclusive celebration entertainment through summer 2026.
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Disneyland Resort is pulling out all the stops for its 70th anniversary celebration, and that includes some of the most significant savings we've seen in years. Today marks exactly 70 years since Walt Disney first opened the gates to his revolutionary theme park on July 17, 1955, and Disney is celebrating with hotel discounts up to 30% off and special ticket deals starting at just $100 per day.

If you've been waiting for the right time to visit The Happiest Place on Earth, this might be it. The celebration runs from May 16, 2025 through summer 2026, giving you plenty of opportunities to take advantage of these deals while experiencing once-in-a-lifetime entertainment and attractions.

Here's everything you need to know about booking your Disney vacation during this milestone celebration.

Hotel Discount Breakdown: Which Offer is Best for You?

Disney is offering multiple hotel discount tiers, and the best deal for you depends on your travel dates, length of stay, and which credit cards you carry. Let's break down each option so you can maximize your savings.

General Public Hotel Savings

The most accessible deal offers 20% off select stays on Sunday through Thursday nights from May 16 through August 14, 2025. This discount applies to standard and premium rooms at Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, Disneyland Hotel, and The Villas at Disneyland Hotel.

Key details:

  • Booking deadline: July 31, 2025
  • Travel completion: August 15, 2025
  • Restrictions: Not valid for Concierge rooms, Signature suites, Premium suites, or 2-3 bedroom villas
  • Advance reservations required

This is perfect for families planning shorter trips during the week, though you'll need to avoid weekend stays to qualify.

Disney Visa Cardholders: The Best Deal

Here's where points and miles enthusiasts should pay attention. Disney Visa cardholders can save up to 30% on select premium rooms during the same timeframe (May 16-August 14, 2025).

What makes this special:

  • You must mention the offer when booking
  • Payment deposit must be made with a Disney Visa Card or Disney Rewards Redemption Card
  • Applies to premium rooms that aren't included in the general 20% offer
  • Same Sunday-Thursday restriction applies

If you don't have a Disney Visa Card, this promotion alone might justify applying for one. The Disney Premier Visa Card earns 2% back in Disney Rewards Dollars on everyday purchases, plus special cardmember perks like early park admission opportunities. For those seeking broader travel rewards beyond Disney, consider cards like the Chase Sapphire Preferred, which can provide excellent value for general travel expenses.

Extended Stay Discounts

Planning a longer vacation? Disney offers up to 30% off for stays of four nights or more from May 16 through September 26, 2025. This deal has the longest booking window, extending well into fall.

Extended stay highlights:

  • Minimum stay: 4 consecutive nights required
  • Booking deadline: May 15, 2025 (coming up fast!)
  • Travel completion: September 27, 2025
  • Best value: Perfect for families making Disney their primary vacation destination

For extended Disney vacations, consider exploring nearby attractions or adding a few days in Los Angeles. Check out flight deals on Going.com for the best airfare options to Southern California airports.

Magic Key Holder Perks

Annual passholders get their own tier: Magic Key holders can save up to 25% on hotel stays during the same promotional period. While not as high as the Disney Visa discount, it's still substantial savings for frequent visitors.

Special Anniversary Ticket Deals

The hotel discounts are just part of the story. Disney is also offering some of the most competitive ticket pricing we've seen in recent years.

The standout deal is a 4-day, 1-park per day ticket for $400 total – that's just $100 per day. For comparison, regular single-day tickets often cost $100-140 depending on the season.

Ticket deal breakdown:

  • 3-day tickets: $360 total ($120 per day)
  • 4-day tickets: $400 total ($100 per day)
  • Valid dates: May 16-August 14, 2025
  • Flexibility: Tickets can be used on non-consecutive days
  • Upgrades available: Park Hopper and Lightning Lane Multi Pass options

Important caveat: Park reservations for these discounted tickets are limited and subject to availability. Disney specifically notes that regular ticket holders might have reservation availability even when promotional ticket reservations are sold out. Book early to secure your preferred dates.

What Makes This Celebration Special

You're not just saving money – you're experiencing a once-in-a-lifetime celebration. The new "Walt Disney – A Magical Life" attraction makes its debut at the Main Street Opera House, featuring a cinematic presentation of Walt Disney's journey culminating in a visit with Walt himself through Audio-Animatronics technology.

Other exclusive celebration highlights include:

  • The return of the beloved Paint the Night parade
  • New "World of Color Happiness!" with a special Muppets pre-show
  • Enhanced "it's a small world" experience with a new final verse
  • Limited-time 70th anniversary decorations throughout both parks
  • Exclusive merchandise and collectibles

The celebration also includes 30-minute early park entry for hotel guests every day of their stay, giving you first access to popular attractions before the crowds arrive.

Points and Miles Strategy: Maximizing Your Disney Trip Value

For points and miles enthusiasts, this celebration presents some interesting opportunities. The Disney Visa Card's 30% hotel discount often provides better value than using hotel points, especially during peak season when cash rates are highest.

Consider this strategy:

  1. Apply for the Disney Premier Visa Card if you don't have one (2% back in Disney Rewards Dollars)
  2. Book hotels with cash using the 30% discount rather than points
  3. Use a high-earning travel card for park tickets and dining to maximize overall rewards (cards with no foreign transaction fees work best for international visitors)
  4. Save hotel points for off-peak Disney visits when discounts aren't available

The math often works in favor of paying cash with the discount versus redeeming points, especially when you factor in the Disney Visa's ongoing earning potential. If you're wondering about points expiration policies for various programs, our guide on Do Credit Card Points Expire? can help you plan your redemption strategy.

Booking Tips and Important Restrictions

Act fast on these key deadlines:

  • Extended stay discount: Book by May 15, 2025
  • General and Disney Visa discounts: Book by July 31, 2025
  • Ticket deals: Available now for May 16-August 14 visits

Critical booking considerations:

  • Park reservations are mandatory for all ticket types and dates
  • Hotel reservations don't guarantee park access – you still need separate tickets and reservations
  • Promotional ticket reservations are more limited than regular ticket availability
  • Weekend hotel stays don't qualify for most promotional rates

Pro tip: Download the official Disneyland app immediately after booking to link your hotel reservation and park tickets. This streamlines the park reservation process and provides mobile access to your confirmation details.

When booking accommodations, compare Disney's official rates with major booking platforms like Booking.com or Hotels.com to ensure you're getting the best deal, though the Disney Visa discounts typically beat third-party rates.

Bottom Line: Is This Deal Worth It?

For a family of four planning a 4-day trip with 3 nights at a Disney hotel, you could save over $500 compared to regular pricing:

  • Hotel savings: 20-30% off roughly $400-600 per night = $240-540 saved
  • Ticket savings: $40-160 compared to regular pricing
  • Early park access value: Significant time savings during busy summer season

The biggest value comes from combining the hotel discount with the special ticket pricing, especially if you're a Disney Visa cardholder who can access the full 30% hotel discount.

Book immediately if:

  • You want to visit during summer 2025
  • You have flexible travel dates (weekdays work best)
  • You're planning a 3+ night stay
  • You have or can get a Disney Visa Card

Consider waiting if:

  • You prefer weekend travel (no hotel discounts available)
  • You're hoping for last-minute deals (unlikely given the anniversary celebration)
  • You're targeting fall/winter 2025 visits (different promotions may become available)

Ready to Book Your 70th Anniversary Trip?

With booking deadlines approaching quickly and limited promotional park reservations available, now is the time to secure your spot at this historic celebration. Visit Disneyland.com/offers to compare all available deals and make your reservations.

For official updates on the 70th anniversary celebration, follow Disney Parks Blog for the latest announcements on new attractions, entertainment, and special events.

Remember, this celebration runs through summer 2026, so even if you miss the current promotional periods, there will likely be additional opportunities to experience the 70th anniversary magic – though these current deals represent some of the strongest savings we expect to see.

The combination of significant hotel discounts, reduced ticket prices, and exclusive anniversary entertainment makes this one of the most compelling Disney vacation opportunities in years. Just don't wait too long – the best dates and room types are already starting to fill up.

For more Disney planning tips, check out our guides to:

Don't forget to protect your vacation investment with travel insurance and consider booking activities and tours through platforms like GetYourGuide to enhance your Disney experience.

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