Yesterday, my family and I were invited to a media preview of “Bluey’s Best Day Ever!” at Disneyland. The kids loved it, and it opened to the public today. Here’s what you need to know.
First of all, if you have little kids in your life, then you probably already know all about Bluey. The Australian animated series about a family of Blue Heeler dogs has taken the world by storm. My wife and I even show episodes to friends and family who are empty nesters, and they always say, “I wish I had this when my kids were young.” Each episode is about seven minutes long, and some will not only make you laugh but also bring a tear to your eye. Below is one of those episodes and one of our family’s favorites.
The U.S. really started taking notice in 2023 when CAMP created an interactive Bluey experience at their Los Angeles (Century City) store and others around the country. My kids adored it so much that when we learned Bluey’s World was opening in the creator’s hometown of Brisbane just a couple of weeks after we were scheduled to arrive Down Under, we decided to make the journey, a quick one-hour flight north from Sydney, to check it out.
Disney has announced that a Bluey movie is in development, scheduled for release in 2027. In the meantime, they have created “Bluey’s Best Day Ever!” at the Fantasyland Theatre, next to the “It’s a Small World” ride, in Disneyland Park as part of the resort’s 70th Celebration of The Happiest Place on Earth. The show celebrates the heart and humor of the critically acclaimed series.
The best part? It doesn’t cost anything extra and you don’t need reservations. The theater holds more than 1,300 people, but what makes it unique is that seating isn’t required. There is a large open space in front of the stage where kids and parents are encouraged to get up and dance or simply sit criss-cross applesauce.
There are two rotating shows, each about 35 minutes long. Bluey and Bingo appear on stage at set times, joining a troupe of comedic performers and musicians. Together, they bring to life popular games, music and dances from the series, with plenty of cheeky moments along the way. While other characters do not appear in 4D, they do pop up on side screens, including Chattermax, Unicorse and a troupe of Grannies, adding a bit of delightful chaos to the show.
We went to the first show, and the kids loved it. Since there was a 15-minute break before the next performance, we decided to hop on the “It’s a Small World” ride next door. At first, I almost skipped it because of the long line, but it moved quickly and the posted wait time of five minutes turned out to be spot-on. (Pro tip: The Disneyland app shows real-time wait times.)
Of course, the song is stuck in my head for at least the next few days. Afterward, I asked the kids if they wanted to try another ride or go back for the second Bluey show and they both immediately yelled, “Bluey!” So back we went. I am glad we did because I actually enjoyed the second show even more. The performers are fantastic and one of the songs had that perfect Bluey balance of humor and heart. It made you laugh and almost tear up at the same time.
Before, during, or in between shows, you can stop by the Troubadour Tavern at the entrance of the theater (mobile ordering is available), to try Bluey-inspired snacks. We sampled quite a few:
• Pizza Girls Baked Potato: Pepperoni, sausage, bacon bits, marinara, mozzarella, alfredo sauce, and parmesan herb topper
• The Troubadour Baked Potato: Butter, sour cream, cheese, bacon bits, and green onions
• Mini All-Beef Hot Dog served with a Cuties Mandarin orange, applesauce, and your choice of small DASANI water or low-fat milk (kids’ meal)
• Poffertjes! Poffertjes!: Mini Dutch pancakes topped with buttered condensed milk and powdered sugar (new)
• Magic “Asparagus” Pretzel: Pretzel rod coated in white chocolate (new)
• Pavlova Parfait: Meringue bites, vanilla yogurt mousse, berry compote, vanilla cake, fresh berries, and candied kiwi (new)
• Watermelon Ice Block (new)
• Mud Cake Cold Brew: Joffrey’s Coffee French roast cold brew with a malted milk topper, fudge brownie bits, and sprinkles (non-alcoholic) (new)
• Lime Ice Block Drink: Pineapple limeade with coconut milk and watermelon ice block (non-alcoholic) (new)
When we arrived, the organizers also surprised our kids with a Bluey sipper, which includes a fountain beverage (limit two per person, per transaction; available while supplies last).
If your kids love Bluey, then “Bluey’s Best Day Ever!” is a must-do at Disneyland. It is fun, interactive and refreshingly low-stress, with no extra cost or reservations required. More importantly, it captures exactly what makes the show so special: humor, heart and those little moments that resonate with both kids and adults. Do not be surprised if your children ask to see it again and you might not mind one bit.
