13 Reasons Why 2015 Has Been the Best Year to Visit Disney Parks . . . So Far

To celebrate the Disneyland’s 60th anniversary, the park put on a spectacular yearlong celebration filled with special-edition souvenirs, foods, and shows. The Diamond Celebration will continue into 2016 as well, but spending the actual anniversary in the park was something truly unforgettable.

Both Walt Disney World and Disneyland celebrated the December release of Star Wars: The Force Awakens by unveiling a new sci-fi-inspired area called the Star Wars Launch Bay. It’s tailor-made for Star Wars fans and will inspire a whole new generation of wannabe Jedi and Sith warriors.

One of Fantasyland’s most popular rides, Peter Pan’s Flight, received a neon-colored, animatronic makeover in early 2015. It’s the same old ride you’ve always loved, with some much-needed modern additions!

The long-running, widely beloved Aladdin musical is set to hold its final performance in early January, so 2015 was the final year for visitors to enjoy the experience without any pressure. Soon there will be a Frozen show to replace it!

You might know him better as Bert from Mary Poppins, but actor Dick Van Dyke had no trouble being recognized when he celebrated his 90th birthday at Disneyland in December 2015. He is one of the many celebrities who enjoyed the Disney fun over the course of the year — if you visited, you might have been lucky enough to spot a few!

A long-missing member of the famed 999 Happy Haunts at Disneyland’s Haunted Mansion reappeared in 2015, leaving visitors to marvel over the spooky-fun ride in a whole new way.

For the first time ever, the geniuses at the Disney parks created an experience that allowed superfans to dine on their favorite ride — the Jungle Cruise Sunrise Safari Breakfast, which was operating on limited dates between September and December 2015, included a special crash course in jungle skipper training and keepsakes, in addition to a tasty meal.

Described as “the biggest, brightest, and most vibrant parade in the history of Disneyland Park,” Disney’s Paint the Night Parade premiered in all of its million-light glory in 2015.

The year 2015 was definitely the most popular for Disney proposals. From Rob Dyrdek's elaborate Disneyland question pop to Giants player Hunter Pence’s surprise Walt Disney World proposal, we couldn't stop "awwww"-ing at Disney engagement stories this year!

Disney California Adventure visitors could enjoy Frozen fun in real snow, thanks to lovable snowman Olaf. Some things, like this Winter 2015 experience, are worth melting for.

This year, visitors to Disneyland’s historic Matterhorn ride were treated to a brand-new, moving Yeti at the ride’s conclusion for extra scare factor.

There’s no question about it: 2015 was the year of Disney DILFs. How lucky are we to get DILFs and charming princes? Hot dads spending quality time with their Disney-loving little ones took over Instagram (and our hearts) this year.

One of the most magical parts of the Diamond Celebration this year was the introduction of the Disneyland Forever fireworks show in the Summer of 2015. “Using all of Main Street, USA, and iconic Disneyland locations like the Matterhorn mountain, Rivers of America, and It’s a Small World as its stage, this all-new showcase takes you on an amazing adventure that proves just how magical The Happiest Place on Earth can be,” describes the Disney blog of the show.