Disneyland After Dark is back and bigger than ever this year! From Star Wars Nite to Pride Nite, these spring/summer events are a must-see for any Disneyland fan. With so much excitement in store, it can be hard to know where to begin planning your evening. But fear not; we’ve got you covered! In this guide to making the most of the evening, we’ll share with you all the insider tips and tricks to help you experience the magic of Disneyland After Dark to the fullest. Get ready to blast off to a galaxy far, far away or to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community at Disneyland like never before!
Star Wars Nite & Pride Nite
Events this spring/summer include three dates for Star Wars Nite and two for Pride Nite! Star Wars Nite is scheduled on May 4, 8 and 11, while Pride Nite will take place on June 13 and 15. This year, visitors got to attend a number of After Dark events like Sweethearts Nite, Princess Nite and Throwback Nite, with plenty of exclusive merchandise, specialty eats and lots of characters you’ll rarely find in the parks.
Star Wars Nite highlights include a meet and greet with Queen Amidala, animated characters from Rebels (and soon-to-be Ahsoka on Disney+) and The Clone Wars, and plenty of other fan favorites. Fans of the galaxy can also enjoy special eats like the Wookiee Parfait at Galactic Grill, Dagobah-Bite Beignets in Critter Country and the Galactic Princess Sundae at Gibson Girl. The March of the First Order and the special Star Wars-themed fireworks display are also event exclusive. You won’t want to miss them!
Disneyland’s first-ever Pride Nites are going to be a beautiful LGBTQ+ celebration with characters in exclusive Pride attire, an all-night DJ dance party, the Pride Cavalcade, Pride-themed photo opportunities and character greetings and access to premium attractions with shorter wait times. Pride Nite foods include the Grapefruit Lemonade Soda, Spiced Beef Potato Loaded Bites and Berry Cheesecake Funnel Cake.
Use the Disneyland App
When it comes to getting the most out of your Disneyland After Dark experience, the Disneyland app is your go-to source for all the latest and most accurate information. While the park maps and website may offer helpful hints and tips, the app provides a level of detail and convenience that cannot be beaten—you’re also less likely to leave it behind on a ride! From specific locations for the best photo opportunities and character greetings to up-to-the-minute updates on event-specific food, the Disneyland app is your one-stop shop for all your After Dark needs.
The paper maps also don’t provide times for all of the events, but you can find those in the app. With real-time updates, you can adjust your schedule on the fly and make sure you don’t miss a single exciting part of your night. When it comes to food, mobile ordering is an absolute must. Event-specific food items tend to sell out quickly, so it’s essential to place your orders as soon as possible. Luckily, the app makes ordering a breeze and lets you schedule your pick-up time to ensure you get your favorite treats when you need them.
PhotoPass
Utilize Photopass as much as you can—it’s included with your Disneyland After Dark event ticket! This is the time to get those castle photos—you’ll have fewer people in the background, and Disneyland at night has a completely different look and feel. PhotoPass lenses in the Disneyland app also provide a new level of fun to your Disneyland photos, and many of them can only be used while inside the parks!
Plan Ahead
Prioritize your evening based on your interests—Character greetings, photo opportunities, food or merchandise. This year at Star Wars Nite, Queen Amidala is a new addition to the evening, and much like the Sanderson Sisters at Oogie Boogie Bash, you’ll want to prepare if you hope to catch her. Disneyland is distributing wristbands for this greeting, so get it as early as you can if you hope to meet her! Photo opportunities in Tomorrowland are extremely organized, with Boba’s Throne, Palpatine’s Throne and Bo Katan’s Throne utilizing one line for all three backdrops. Guests can enter the line and pass through all three Photopass sections before continuing on with their evenings. While characters and photo opportunities have yet to be released for Pride Nite, assume that any rare character or backdrop will have a long line and prepare accordingly.
