The Disneyland After Dark 2023 events are in full swing at the Disneyland Resort. Several of the after-hours events have now passed, including Sweetheart Nites and Princess Nites, and there are several more on the way— including a newly announced one! Each of Disneyland’s after-hours parties lasts for 4 hours (generally from 9pm until 1am) and also offers 3 hours of mix-in (starting at 6pm) with regular park guests prior to the party. Parties typically offer PhotoPass, themed entertainment, characters in event attire, unique event food and merchandise, select rides and attractions remain open, and sometimes a special show or spectacular (like fireworks or a mini parade).
Some of the earlier events this year suffered from sluggish demand. Tickets for at least two of the Sweetheart Nites (including Valentine’s Day), as well as both Princess Nites, were still available on the day of the event. At nearly $140 per person, these events may be too expensive for the limited and repetitive offerings. We’re curious what you think. But there are certainly some of the after-hours events that are very tempting, such as the Oogie Boogie Bash Halloween party, which offers lots of extra added value with a special parade, trick-or-treating, villains experience, and oodles of characters and decor. So, perhaps the issue is a lack of making some of these ‘Nites’ special enough to justify the high price.
JUST ANNOUNCED – Pride Nite
June 13 & 15 at Disneyland Park. (Tickets go on sale April 18)
This is the first Disney-sanctioned Pride event at the Disneyland Resort. While Disney has allowed unofficial Pride events to take place, like the popular Gay Days, Disney has recently made more of a concerted effort to specifically support inclusivity by offering Pride merchandise collections. To celebrate Pride Month (June), there are two Pride Nites at Disneyland in honor of the LGTBQIA+ community and its allies.
The event boasts themed entertainment, iconic Disney characters— some in special costumes, special photo ops, event merchandise, and specialty foods. This includes:
- The Pride Nite Cavalcade featuring Minnie, Mickey, Clarabelle, Donald, Daisy, and Goofy dressed in campy rainbow attire as they make their way down Main Street
- Ohana Dance Party at Tomorrowland Terrace, where a DJ and Stitch will be keeping the party going with upbeat music that celebrates the spirit of ohana
- The Pride Nite Dance Club will be located along the Rivers of America
- Enjoy country line dancing at The Golden Horseshoe
- Photo ops with inspirational messages and with Disney characters. (As usual, unlimited PhotoPass digital downloads are included with the party)
- Specialty foods exclusive to the party include a Chocolate Almond Churro at New Orleans Square, Spiced Beef Loaded Potato Bites at Red Rose Taverne, a Berry Cheesecake Funnel Cake at Stage Door Cafe, and a Grapefruit Lemonade Soda at Galactic Grill
🌈 Celebrating the LGBTQIA+ community and allies, proudly join us for the first-ever Disneyland After Dark: Pride Nite at Disneyland Park on June 13 & 15! Delight in a dance party, photo ops and more! Tickets go on sale 4/20/23! Availability is limited. https://t.co/BXSHcBjOLJ pic.twitter.com/XL86GbqHC5
— Disneyland Resort (@Disneyland) April 13, 2023
Throwback Nite
April 18 & 20 at Disneyland Park (Tickets were still available when this article was updated)
This after-hours event promises to take guests back to the days of the 50s and 60s. For this special Nite, Disneyland will be filled with tributes to the first decade of the park. Mickey Mouse and his pals will wear special retro outfits, plus there will be some “nostalgic” characters for guests to meet with. Here’s what to look forward to in this event
- “Fantasy in the Sky” nighttime spectacular (a tribute to the first fireworks show at Disneyland in 1957)
- DJs and live music around the park inspired by the 50s and 60s
- Event-exclusive food inspired by treats offered in the park’s early days
- Vintage-inspired backdrops of attractions, posters, and Disney films with PhotoPass photographers
- After-hours access to classic Disneyland attractions like Peter Pan’s Flight, Pirates of the Caribbean, Jungle Cruise and more
JUST ANNOUNCED – Star Wars Nite
May 2, 4, 8, & 11 at Disneyland Park (Tickets Now Sold Out)
The popular Star Wars-themed after-hours event returns with four nights in May. This event always promises a great gathering of Star Wars fans, plus some themed experiences. Here is what to look forward to:
- “Star Wars: Celebrate the Nite” fireworks spectacular set to the iconic music of Star Wars
- Captain Phasma and Stormtroopers out in Tomorrowland for the March of the First Order
- Special characters like Tusken Raiders and Jawas
- A Lightsaber Instructional demonstration to learn “elite moves”
- Photo ops with Star Wars characters
- Specially-created snacks like galactic churros and other treats
Additionally, Hyperspace Mountain is returning in time for Star Wars Month! Starting May 1 through June 5, guests at Disneyland will be able to enjoy this limited-time offering, even without attending an after-hours event! For more information, take a look at the article below!
The Force Is Strong With the Return of Hyperspace Mountain at Disneyland!
Below, we have a list of the completed Disneyland After Dark events for 2023.
Completed – Sweethearts’ Nite
Jan. 31, Feb. 2, 5, 7, 9, 14, 16, 2023, at Disneyland Park
In honor of Valentine’s Day, Disneyland once again offered a nighttime celebration of lovers. There was a range of romance-themed entertainment, including famous Disney couples from your favorite movies. The event was offered on 7 nights in 2023. Although the website listed that the event was sold out, tickets were still offered in-person (at full price!) at Disneyland on several nights.
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- Special Valentine-themed fireworks show
- Royal Ball hosted by Aladdin and Jasmine (near “it’s a small world”)
- Nighttime cruise on the Mark Twain Riverboat with a live jazz ensemble
- Polynesian trio at the Tropical Hideaway
- Special photo spots inspired by romantic scenes from Disney films such as “Lady and the Tramp” and “The Little Mermaid,” including
- Unlimited Disney PhotoPass digital photo downloads from the party
Completed – Princess Nite
March 7 & 9, 2023, at Disneyland Park
This new event focuses on Disney’s popular princesses and heroines. But was only offered for 2 nights!
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- Princess Minnie Mouse and Princess Daisy Duck with fanfare trumpeters at the Main Street Train Station
- A concert celebrating Disney’s heroines including Moana, Merida and more accompanied by live vocalists
- Candy-themed dance party at Tomorrowland stage with Vanellope Von Schweetz
- Dance along to jazz music with Tiana in New Orleans Square
- Specialty royal menu items throughout Disneyland park
- Photo backdrops inspired by Disney films like “Beauty and the
Beast” and “The Princess Diaries” including unlimited Disney PhotoPass digital
photo downloads from the party - Rapunzel in the Royal Theatre with glowing lanterns overhead
Disneyland After Dark Tickets
Tickets for the newly announced Pride Nite will go on pre-sale for Magic Keyholders starting April 18 (no earlier than 9am PST); tickets for the general public will go on sale starting April 20 (no earlier than 9am PST). There were still tickets available for both nights of Throwback Nite at the time of updating this article on April 13.
What Disney After Dark Events Might Offered Later This Year?
There have been lots of Disneyland After Dark events over the years. We’ll likely see at least some of these return later in 2023. Be sure to let us know which you’d like to see offered in the coming months:
- Villains Nite,
- Grad Nite Reunion
- 80s Nite
- Pixar Nite
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Let’s Hear From You
Have you attended a Disneyland After Dark Event? What are your thoughts? Looking froward to attending any of the upcoming events? At approximately $139 per person (prices are variable by date and event), these 4-hour events aren’t cheap. Have they become too expensive? Let us know what you’d like to see offered at these events in the future and what you think would make a great Disneyland After Dark Event.
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