Building Disneyland was an uphill battle for Walt Disney. Architects didn’t understand his vision. Banks didn’t want to make loans.

And his business-minded brother (and partner) wanted him to reign in his spending. Yet Walt’s magnificent original park, the only one that he ever got to visit and enjoy, became a global icon beloved by generations of visitors.

Today, as Disneyland celebrates its 70th anniversary, new and old are seamlessly integrated. Original rides and attractions your grandparents enjoyed (think Autopia, Jungle Cruise, Peter Pan’s Flight and Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride) are still as fun and popular as the latest and greatest creations (like Tiana’s Bayou Adventure).

The party lasts all summer, culminating on the actual anniversary, July 17, with the debut of an entirely new show, “Walt Disney–A Magical Life,” in the Main Street Opera House, where it will eventually play alongside “Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln.” The world’s first Audio-Animatronic figure of the company’s legendary founder will greet visitors in a recreation of his studio office and share stories and anecdotes. The advanced figure is pushing technological boundaries with lifelike materials and movements, and even has a special effect simulating the twinkle in his eye. “This has been a labor of love. It’s a new world for us, new challenges,” Imagineer Tom Fitzgerald told Fortune. “But as Walt would say, it’s kind of fun to do the impossible.”

Other retro comebacks include groovy orange sweatshirts from the 1960s and others with big, fun, googly-eyed Mickeys. They’ve also brought back those vintage “E” ticket books reimagined as mint tins and notepads. A line called the Nostalgia Collection features imagined historical items like a brown leather journal inspired by Walt’s briefcase, a charm locket with a tiny portrait of the boss hiding inside and a shirt with the Disney quote: “Disneyland is the star. Everything else is in the supporting role.”

Even some of the food from the past is returning for the summer. “The Hook’s Galley Tuna Melt is an homage to the original tuna melt that used to be served at Chicken of the Sea restaurant (in Fantasyland) when the resort first opened,” Disneyland chef Esther Alonso explained before turning her attention to a vintage-inspired dish from Frontierland. “The Fried Tamale Walking Taco is inspired by Casa de Fritos,” she continued. “Back then, we used to have two fan-favorite dishes, a Frito pie and a fried taco, and we mashed those together into this beautiful dish.”

Another new addition to the park comes from legendary songwriter Richard Sherman, who walked into Disney CEO Bob Iger’s office with a new verse for his opus, “It’s a Small World,” some 60 years after completing the original for Walt. The late legend’s 34 words about love and humanity have been added to the soundtrack. A new after-dark light show called “Tapestry of Happiness” is projected across the ride, transforming it into a brilliantly colorful memory portal featuring modern animated renditions of Pirates of the Caribbean and Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room. We even hear a snippet from “A Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow,” the Sherman Brothers theme to a ride that disappeared more than 50 years ago. The show ends with a quote from Walt echoing around the park, “Like I say, we’re just getting started.” (Over at Disney California Adventure, visitors can also hear a recording of words spoken from Walt during the new “World of Color” show: “To all who come to this happy place … welcome!”)

And in a new “Wondrous Journeys” show projected onto Sleeping Beauty Castle, moments from films like Peter Pan and The Princess and the Frog are among the greatest hits playing out across the façade while fireworks erupt overhead.

Nothing ever really goes away at Disneyland. It just fades in and out like a dream.