The Anaheim Ducks and Disneyland Resort are hosting an event for fans in honor of the NHL hockey team’s 30th Anniversary. This guide to this ‘mighty milestone’ covers everything you need to know: dates, details, things to do, and more. Plus, we share commentary about our thoughts on this limited-time celebration.
If you’re a Disney fan of a certain age, it doesn’t matter where you live, your other NHL allegiances, or even if you like hockey in the first place. You are a Mighty Ducks fan. It’s like the Anaheim Angels or, to a lesser extent, the Orlando Magic. Perhaps you don’t actively cheer on any of these teams today, but you hold a special place for them in your heart.
You probably already know their history. In case not, the NHL team was originally founded by the Walt Disney Company in 1993 as the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, a name inspired by the 1992 Disney film, The Mighty Ducks. That was a team of losers led to greatness by the legendary coach Gordon Bombay and one of the all-time greatest plays in sports, the Flying V. According to 7-year old film critic Tom Bricker, The Mighty Ducks is one of the greatest movies of all-time. (Rotten Tomatoes seems to disagree with that–yikes. Won’t be revisiting the movie to find out whether it still holds up.)
The 1990s really were a wild time for the Walt Disney Company. Reborn, like a phoenix rising from Arizona, thanks to Michael Eisner and Frank Wells bringing the company back from the brink and massively growing it during what they dubbed the “Disney Decade.” A lot of stuff happened in the parks, and just as much didn’t. We often focus on how Walt Disney World and Disneyland changed during that era of explosive growth.
But can we stop for just a second to appreciate that Disney made two sports movies, The Mighty Ducks and Angels in the Outfield, and then went on to create those franchises in real life?! That is absolutely wild. Granted, they “only” acquired a stake in the already-existing California Angels, but they built the Mighty Ducks from the ground up as an expansion team. It’s nuts. A lot has changed in professional sports since then and I can’t imagine something like this ever happening now. Suffice to say, the 1990s were a different time.
As a result of the Disney connection, a generation of kids became fans of the Mighty Ducks NHL team. It probably also didn’t hurt that the club was surprisingly good for an expansion team, and got even better a couple of years later thanks to the dynamic duo of Paul Kariya and Teemu Selanne, the Finnish Flash. The latter is still engaged with the club and in the community–he just opened a bakery next to his (excellent) steakhouse in Laguna Beach!
The Mighty Ducks were really good in the early 2000s, but despite their success atop the Western Conference duking things out with Detroit, couldn’t win a Stanley Cup. Disney sold the team in 2005, they were renamed as the (not-so-mighty, I guess?) Anaheim Ducks for the 2006-2007 season, and won their first (and only) Stanley Cup. They will always be the Mighty Ducks to me.
Anyway, here are details about the 2024 Mighty Ducks of Anaheim Days at Disneyland…
Hustle over to Hollywood Land at Disney California Adventure on February 22 and 23, 2024 for a slate of fun-filled activities and scrumptious food and beverage offerings.
Special Activities
- Anaheim Ducks Cavalcade – Pick a spot along the path between Hollywood Land and Paradise Gardens Park to see some current Anaheim Ducks players in a cavalcade on February 22. On Friday, February 23, a Legacy Celebration cavalcade will feature select Anaheim Ducks alumni.
- Wild Wing Meet & Greet – Anaheim Ducks mascot Wild Wing will make special appearances throughout Ducks Days in Hollywood Land.
- Fan Zone in Hyperion Courtyard – Hollywood Land will be home to a dedicated Fan Zone, with music playing throughout both days. Park guests will have the opportunity to test their hockey skills, capture photo moments, and more!
- Meet and Greet with Anaheim Ducks Players – Bring your camera-ready smile to the Hollywood Backlot Stage and see some current Anaheim Ducks players on February 22 and select Anaheim Ducks alumni on February 23. Plus, meet some of your favorite Power Players and DJs.
- Live Music at the Hollywood Backlot Stage – Shift into overtime at the Hollywood Backlot Stage with performances by Anaheim Ducks DJs and a live band.
- Share the Spotlight with the Iconic Stanley Cup – Enjoy a unique photo opportunity with one of the most famous trophies in all of sports—only offered for a select time at Paradise Park (World of Color viewing area) on February 23.
- Animation Academy Learn To Draw – Throughout the day, learn how to draw some favorite Disney “Ducks” with our Animation Academy artists. And when you’re done, keep your art as a souvenir. Check the Disneyland app for operating hours and showtimes.
- Seek & Find – Put your knowledge to the test with a fun park-wide activity highlighting key moments in Anaheim Ducks history.
A handful of select food & beverage locations in Disney California Adventure will also have special menu items for the 2024 Anaheim Ducks Days:
Trolley Treats
- Cake Pop
Outdoor Vending Locations in Hollywood Land
- Green and Purple Swirl Cotton Candy
- Brewery X Ducks Beer, Blonde Ale
Hollywood Lounge and Studio Catering Co.
- Chocolate Mousse Cake
- Chicken Fried Steak Burrito & Fritters
- Orange Cocktail
- Mocktail
- Brewery X Ducks Beer, Blonde Ale
Gear up with special Anaheim Ducks Days merchandise, including apparel (t-shirts and Spirit Jerseys), headwear and accessories, commemorative puck and pins and more! Purchasing limits apply. Merchandise is limited and available while supplies last. No discounts allowed.
Grab your jersey and come to play—because this event will be a slapshot of pure fun!
In terms of commentary, I absolutely love everything about this. Disney doing more limited-time events that encourage locals and Annual Passholders to come out to the parks. The company doing outreach to form closer bonds within the community. A good amount of effort for what amounts to “only” a 2-day event. I wish it were longer than just two days, but I’m guessing that’s about the extent of demand–so it makes sense. Regardless, all of this is great to see. Kudos to Disney and the Ducks for putting the effort into making this happen.
I’d love something similar with other teams (and more) at Disneyland and Walt Disney World. Some of my favorite events are the little things like this that have niche appeal but enhance the guest experience and are included in admission. If you’re a Mighty Ducks fan, this event arguably offers more for you than the themed Disneyland After Dark nights! Let’s have the same with ‘dueling days’ for the Angels and Dodgers, Clippers and Lakers, Chargers and Rams (and Raiders, still a hometown team, if we’re being honest). Walt Disney World could do the same for the Magic, Buccaneers, Rays, and Lightning.
I’m hoping we have a chance to make it out to the Anaheim Ducks Days at Disney California Adventure on February 22 or 23, 2024. (I’d prefer Feb. 23, but we might have to be flexible!) Although I was a diehard Red Wings fan growing up, I lost interest in hockey after leaving home and it also became more or less impossible to watch out-of-market games. I’ve since gotten back into the sport over the last few years now that the games are much easier to watch, but I don’t have a team–I just enjoy whatever’s on. Maybe the Mighty Ducks will end up being it; that would certainly be the easiest option!
Planning a Southern California vacation? For park admission deals, read Tips for Saving Money on Disneyland Tickets. Learn about on-site and off-site hotels in our Anaheim Hotel Reviews & Rankings. For where to eat, check out our Disneyland Restaurant Reviews. For unique ideas of things that’ll improve your trip, check out What to Pack for Disney. For comprehensive advice, consult our Disneyland Vacation Planning Guide. Finally, for guides beyond Disney, check out our Southern California Itineraries for day trips to Los Angeles, Laguna Beach, and many other SoCal cities!
Your Thoughts
Will you be attending the Anaheim (Mighty) Ducks Days at Disney California Adventure on February 22 or 23, 2024? Excited to see the Stanley Cup, past and present players, Wild Wing, or anything else? Do you agree or disagree with our assessment of the event? Any questions? Hearing your feedback—even when you disagree with us—is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts below in the comments!
