Magical Moments at Disneyland After Dark's Historic Pride Nite

Sharing our experience from the first Disneyland After Dark: Pride Nite that took place at Disneyland Resort.

I went to the second night of Disneyland After Dark’s first-ever Pride Nite event on behalf of DLR Magazine! It was a night unlike any other. Pride Nite was a celebration of love, diversity, and inclusion that would forever be etched in the hearts of those who attended. Disneyland Pride Nite had it all… Cascading rainbow lights, lively dance music, themed snacks and entertainment, and so much more. 

Photo by Kathleen Lee

“Disneyland After Dark” is a separate ticketed event that takes place inside Disneyland after-hours from 9 PM to 1 AM. Attendees were able to enter the park as early as 6 PM during the mix-in time. The event was completely sold out. Tickets went on sale in April 2023 for the June 2023 date, with pricing starting at $139 per person. Pride Nite guests were given a special commemorative lanyard, a wristband, and a map of the event. 

Photo by Kathleen Lee

From the moment I entered the park, it was abundantly clear that Pride Nite was a momentous occasion. Seeing classic Disneyland landmarks wrapped in the colors of the pride flag was one of the most amazing sights to see. Unlike other Disneyland After Dark Events, Pride Nite had a unique vibe to it. The character lines weren’t insanely long, and I could get to almost everything I had planned to see for the evening, making it a more relaxing and enjoyable experience overall. 

In my opinion, four major experiences made Pride Nite an unforgettable event—one that, if repeated, should not be missed:

Photo by Kathleen Lee

Pride Nite at Disneyland featured an exclusive firework show presented by AT&T. Disneyland created special welcome fireworks show just for Pride Nite! The show included songs such as “Show Yourself” from Frozen 2, “Reflection” from Mulan, and “This is Me” from The Greatest Showman. Fireworks could be seen from Sleeping Beauty Castle. the Rivers of America, and the façade of “it’s a small world.” The show was a great way to kick off the evening and get guests excited for the rest of the night!

The Pride Nite cavalcade was an extravaganza of color, music, and love. Enthusiastic performers showcased their talents, dancing their way down the parade route alongside Mickey, Minnie, and all of their pals adorned in their best Pride Nite attire.

Clarabelle Cow was a showstopper in the cavalcade getting thunderous applause after she shimmied and shook her way leading the cavalcade. The air reverberated with the beats of uplifting anthems. The song used in the cavalcade was “Around the World,” the Pride Month theme from Disneyland Paris. Witnessing the cavalcade was a mesmerizing experience, one that left me in awe of the incredible dedication Disney had shown toward making this event truly spectacular.

Photo by Kathleen Lee

The photo ops at Pride Nite were unlike any other, offering fun and festive themes in each land. My favorite photo opportunity was in Fantasyland with the Spill the Tea props near the Mad Hatter shop. Cast members and attendees alike wished each other Happy Pride and stepped in to help you snap a memorable photo at every opportunity.

Many guests came dressed in pride clothing with colors of their flag represented, or they came in costumes of their favorite Disney characters. It was truly heartening to witness people from all walks of life coming together, sharing stories, and embracing each other’s differences with open hearts. It was also fun to see classic Disney characters dressed up in festive costumes, like Stitch from Lilo and Stitch in his iconic Elvis Presley white costume at the Tomorrowland dancefloor.

Photo by Kathleen Lee

Speaking of dance floors, at Pride Nite, Disneyland turned into a giant dance floor with DJs and dancing throughout the night. Everywhere you looked, there were people dancing and having a great time. My two favorite dance floors were Tomorrowland with Stitch and the Golden Horseshoe country music line dancing. 

Photo by Kathleen Lee

Disneyland After Dark’s first-ever Pride Nite event was a monumental celebration of love, diversity, and inclusion. It not only created magical memories but also marked a significant milestone in the ongoing journey towards equality and acceptance.