Every June, the Happiest Place on Earth gets a fabulous after-hours makeover just for the LGBTQ+ community and its allies, and yes… it’s everything.
From rainbow fireworks to character meet-and-greets that serve camp, here’s everything you need to know about Disneyland After Dark: Pride Nite — and why it might be our new favorite queer holiday.
What Is Pride Nite?
Pride Nite is a separately ticketed after-hours event held at Disneyland during June — aka the month of gay dreams coming true under castle fireworks. Once the daytime crowds leave, the park transforms into a nighttime celebration of LGBTQ+ joy and magic.
This year’s Pride Nite took over Disneyland for two magical nights — June 16 and 18. The park closed early to the public, welcoming queer guests and allies starting at 6 PM. But the real party didn’t start until 9 PM, when the rainbow lights turned on and the magic truly began.
Your $170 ticket gets you access to exclusive entertainment, rainbow-tastic merch, character appearances, themed food, unlimited PhotoPass downloads, and a commemorative lanyard — plus free Skittles gummies because… of course.
Exclusive Characters
Let’s be real — the characters are the moment.
From Mickey and Minnie to Goofy, Donald, Daisy, and Clarabelle — everyone’s showing up in their Pride best. Think rainbow outfits, glittery accessories, and all the photo ops your gay heart can handle.
But the real gag? EXCLUSIVE meet-and-greets with rare characters like:
Cruella de Vil being dramatic on Main Street U.S.A. like she owned the place (she does).
Clarabelle Cow holding court in New Orleans Square in an outfit that screamed barnyard couture.
Luca, Alberto & Giulia showing up near Fantasyland Theatre — the queer-coded trio we didn’t know we needed.
Hercules characters (yes, including Pain and Panic) at The Royal Theatre. And you already know Hades was stealing the show.
Aurora, Maleficent, Flora, Fauna & Merryweather casually roaming Fantasyland like it was a royal runway.
The Queen, Gaston, Queen of Hearts and Tinker Bell + fairy friends, all sashaying through Fantasyland. No notes.
Plus, there are surprise appearances and themed photo backdrops around every corner — from Fantasyland to Galaxy’s Edge.
Dance Floors for Days
If you came to dance, Disneyland came prepared.
- Ohana Dance Party in Tomorrowland Terrace with Stitch and Angel bringing the beats and the vibes
- Country Line Dancing at the Golden Horseshoe, where cowboys, cowgirls, and cow-thems can two-step in rainbow boots
- Rivers of America Dance Club with a DJ on a raft and beats floating across the water
Fireworks, Cavalcades & Pure Queer Joy
You’ll wanna grab a good spot for the Welcome Pride Cavalcade, where the characters strut down Main Street in full rainbow fantasy. It’s short, but it slaps.
Then, stick around for the Pride Nite Fireworks: WELCOME! — a custom pyrotechnic show set to queer anthems like:
- “Show Yourself”
- “Reflection”
- “This Is Me”
- You may get misty-eyed. And that’s okay. We all did.
Themed Snacks That Taste Like Pride
Disney chefs said: what if every treat was a love letter to the gays?
Here’s a quick taste of what’s on the menu:
- Rainbow Cereal Churro (Frontierland Churro Cart)
- Spicy Bratwurst Cheesy Pretzel (Refreshment Corner)
- Cereal Milk Cold Brew (Jolly Holiday Bakery)
- The Golden Girls Cheesecake (Red Rose Tavern — Dorothy would approve)
There’s even a Plaza Inn dining package for reserved show seating (if you can snag it early enough).
Merch You’ll Regret Not Buying
We’re talking exclusive T-shirts, pins, ornaments, and even a limited-edition Pandora charm. You’ll want to hit Starcade early, but the goods also pop up at Star Trader, Emporium, and Disney Showcase once the event starts.
Rides, But Make It Gay
Yes, the rides are still open — and the lines? Practically nonexistent. You can hit:
- – Haunted Mansion
- – Indiana Jones Adventure
- – Big Thunder Mountain
- – Galaxy’s Edge
- – Toontown
- – …and more
Final Thoughts
Disneyland’s Pride Nite isn’t just an event — it’s a celebration of queer joy in the most magical way possible. From churros to character hugs, it’s a night where LGBTQ+ folks can feel seen, celebrated, and sprinkled with pixie dust.
So grab your ears, your chosen family, and your cutest rainbow fit. Pride Nite is waiting.
