Ever wondered what it’s like when the Happiest Place on Earth throws a party just for the LGBTQIA+ community and allies? Picture Sleeping Beauty Castle lit up in rainbow colors, Mickey and friends dressed in their Pride best, and fireworks bursting across the sky while “This is Me” plays in the background! That’s exactly what happens at Disneyland After Dark: Pride Nite, and trust me, it’s pure magic!

This isn’t just another night at Disneyland. This is history in the making—Disney’s first official Pride celebration in the United States that started back in 2023. Since then, it’s become one of the most joyful, colorful, and heartwarming events you can experience at the parks! Whether you’re part of the LGBTQ+ community, an ally, or just someone who loves Disney magic with an extra dose of sparkle, Pride Nite delivers an unforgettable experience!

What Is Disneyland After Dark: Pride Nite?

Let’s break it down. Pride Nite is a separately ticketed after-hours event held at Disneyland Park during June. It’s part of Disney’s “Disneyland After Dark” series, which means the park closes to regular guests and opens exclusively for ticket holders who get to enjoy shorter wait times, special entertainment, and experiences you won’t find any other time of year!

The event runs from 9 PM to 1 AM, but here’s the sweet part—your ticket gets you into the park as early as 6 PM. That’s a full seven hours to soak in all the rainbow-filled goodness! During those first three hours, you’re mixing in with regular day guests, but once 9 PM hits, the park transforms into a full-blown Pride celebration!

When Is Pride Nite Happening?

For 2026, Disneyland After Dark: Pride Nite is scheduled for June 16 and 18. These are the only two nights, so you’ll want to mark your calendar now. Disney typically announces ticket sale dates early in the year, with Magic Key holders getting first dibs before general public sales open.

Past events saw tickets priced at $169 per person for all ages 3 and up. While 2026 pricing hasn’t been officially announced yet, expect it to be in that range or slightly higher based on recent trends.

How to Score Your Tickets (Before They Sell Out)

Here’s the thing—Pride Nite tickets go fast. Like, really fast. Disney uses a virtual queue system when tickets go on sale, and you might wait hours just to get your chance to purchase. Some past events sold out completely within days!

Here’s your game plan: Show up to the ticketing page before the sale starts (usually no earlier than 9 AM Pacific Time). You’ll be placed in a virtual holding room, then randomly assigned a spot in the queue when sales begin. Use the “Notify Me” option to get an email when it’s your turn, but don’t just rely on that—keep checking the page yourself.

Magic Key holders typically get early access to tickets before the general public, so if you’re a passholder, that’s your advantage!

The Entertainment That Makes Pride Nite Special

Welcome Fireworks Show

Right when the event kicks off at 9 PM, Disney launches the “Welcome” fireworks spectacular. This isn’t your typical Disney fireworks show—it’s built specifically for Pride Nite and features songs like “Reflection” from Mulan, “Show Yourself” from Frozen II, “Go the Distance” from Hercules, and the powerful anthem “This is Me” from The Greatest Showman.

The show lasts about six minutes and starts with Walt Disney’s famous quote: “To all who come to this happy place, welcome.” Sleeping Beauty Castle lights up in rainbow colors while fireworks burst overhead, and honestly, it’s the kind of moment that makes you tear up a little!

Welcome Pride Cavalcade

Think of this as Pride Nite’s mini parade. Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Daisy, Goofy, Chip, Dale, Pluto, and Clarabelle all appear in special rainbow-themed outfits, riding on colorful floats decorated with balloons and streamers.

The cavalcade runs twice during the night—once at 9:05 PM starting at “it’s a small world,” and again at 11:30 PM starting from Town Square. It stops a couple times along the route so you can get good views and photos. The featured song is “Around the World,” which debuted at Disneyland Paris for their Pride celebrations.

Pro tip: Show up about 30 minutes early to grab a good viewing spot, though it’s usually not as packed as you’d think!

Dance Parties Everywhere

One of the coolest parts of Pride Nite? The park basically becomes one giant dance party.

Pride Nite Dance Club happens along the Rivers of America, where a DJ literally floats on a rainbow-clad raft playing everything from “Funky Town” to current club hits. Rainbow streamers blow in the breeze, multicolored lights pulse with the music, and guests just let loose.

Country Line Dancing takes over the Golden Horseshoe. Yes, you read that right—country line dancing at Pride Nite. It’s fun, it’s campy, and it’s surprisingly popular.

Tomorrowland Dance Party features Stitch and sometimes Angel and other cousins from Lilo & Stitch. Stitch hosts this high-energy party that celebrates the “ohana” spirit!

Character Meet and Greets

This is where Pride Nite really shines. You’ll see classic characters in their Pride outfits, plus rare characters who almost never appear at Disneyland!

Past events have featured characters like:

• Mickey and Minnie in special rainbow attire

• Hercules characters including the Muses (super popular with long lines)

• Ethan Clade from Strange World

• Princess Tiana and friends in New Orleans Square

• Cruella de Vil being fabulous on Main Street

• Tinker Bell and the Pixie Hollow fairies

• Aurora, Maleficent, and the three fairies from Sleeping Beauty

• Luca, Alberto, and Giulia near Fantasyland Theatre

• Elsa, Anna, and Olaf

The cool part? Many characters roam around rather than standing in one fixed spot, so you might randomly encounter them as you explore. Character lines are typically shorter than other Disney events, making it easier to meet your favorites!

Musical Celebration of Pride

This live performance happens near “it’s a small world” and features beloved Disney songs in a heartwarming celebration of individuality. It runs three times throughout the night at 10:15 PM, 11:15 PM, and 12:15 AM.

Fond Farewell

Before the night ends, Mickey and friends gather at the Main Street Train Station at 12:45 AM to wish everyone goodnight. It’s the perfect way to close out an incredible evening!

The Food and Drinks You Need to Try

Disney goes all out with Pride Nite menu items. We’re talking dozens of specialty foods and drinks you can only get during the event.

Some must-tries from past years include:

The Golden Girls 40th Anniversary Cheesecake at Jolly Holiday Bakery Cafe—New York-style cheesecake topped with Chantilly cream. Yes, Disney partnered with Hulu to celebrate The Golden Girls during Pride Nite.

Cereal Milk Cold Brew at Gibson Girl Ice Cream Parlor—cold brew flavored with cereal and topped with vanilla foam and fruity cereal.

Rainbow Cereal Funnel Cake at Stage Door Café—exactly what it sounds like and totally Instagram-worthy.

Chicken and Churro at Hungry Bear Barbecue Jamboree—popcorn chicken, churro, and maple syrup. Weird combo? Maybe. Delicious? Absolutely.

Peach and Watermelon Slushy at Galactic Grill—served with a Mickey-shaped glow cube.

Rainbow Grey Stuff, Monte Cristo Pizza, Spicy Bratwurst Cheesy Pretzel, and countless other creative dishes appear throughout the park. Most locations offer mobile ordering, which saves you time in line.

Full-service restaurants like Café Orleans and Carnation Cafe also have special Pride Nite menus with reservations recommended.

Photo Opportunities and Magical Moments

Rainbow projections cover Main Street U.S.A., Sleeping Beauty Castle, the Matterhorn, and “it’s a small world.” The whole park glows in Pride colors once the sun sets.

Special photo ops include rainbow steps, rainbow crosswalks, fire engines decorated with Pride decorations, and themed backdrops inspired by Disney films. Plus, your ticket includes unlimited Disney PhotoPass digital downloads from the event, so snap away without worrying about buying photos later!

Rides and Attractions: Walk-On Wait Times

Here’s one of the best-kept secrets about Pride Nite—the ride wait times are ridiculously short. We’re talking walk-on for most attractions and maybe 10-25 minutes for the most popular rides!

Rise of the Resistance, which normally has 90-minute waits, drops down to much shorter times. Space Mountain, Matterhorn, Haunted Mansion, Pirates of the Caribbean—all way shorter than during regular park hours.

Many guests focus on entertainment, food, and character meet-and-greets, leaving the attractions wide open for riders. You can legitimately ride your favorites multiple times in one night.

Just note that some rides like Rise of the Resistance may close before the event ends for overnight maintenance.

What to Wear to Pride Nite

The dress code? Express yourself! Guests go all out with rainbow outfits, Disney-inspired Pride looks, glittery accessories, and full costumes. You’ll see everything from simple Pride t-shirts to elaborate ball gowns inspired by Disney characters.

Just follow Disney’s standard park dress code—no offensive language, appropriate coverage, and nothing dragging on the ground. Many guests wear Disney bounding outfits (modern clothes inspired by characters) with Pride twists.

Comfortable shoes are a must since you’ll be on your feet for hours. Layers help too since California nights can get cool!

Planning Your Perfect Pride Nite Experience

Arrive Early: Gates open at 6 PM for ticket holders. Getting there early gives you three extra hours to grab food, scope out photo ops, and strategize your evening before the event officially starts at 9 PM.

Make a Game Plan: With so much happening, prioritize what matters most to you. Want to meet specific characters? Check where they appear and line up early. Dying to try certain foods? Mobile order ahead when possible. Must-ride attractions? Hit those right at 9 PM when everyone else is watching fireworks.

Download the Disneyland App: It shows real-time wait times, entertainment schedules, mobile ordering options, and your PhotoPass photos.

Budget Extra: Your ticket gets you park admission and entertainment, but food, drinks, and merchandise cost extra. Specialty items can add up quickly.

Don’t Skip the Entertainment: Yes, the short ride lines are tempting, but the entertainment is what makes Pride Nite unique. Balance riding attractions with watching the shows, meeting characters, and soaking in the atmosphere!

Is Pride Nite Family-Friendly?

Absolutely. Disney markets Pride Nite as a family-friendly celebration welcoming guests of all ages. The event celebrates love, acceptance, and diversity in a wholesome way that’s appropriate for everyone.

Tickets are required for ages 3 and up, and children under 3 are admitted free. Many families attend with kids and teens.

The vibe is joyful and inclusive rather than party-focused like some adult-oriented Pride events. Think Disney magic meets Pride celebration—colorful, uplifting, and designed to make everyone feel welcome!

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a separate park ticket to attend Pride Nite?

Nope! Your Pride Nite ticket is your admission. You don’t need a regular park ticket for that day unless you want to visit earlier than 6 PM.

Can I park hop to California Adventure during Pride Nite?

No, Pride Nite tickets are only valid for Disneyland Park. California Adventure is not included, and once regular guests leave Disneyland at 8 PM, you can’t exit and re-enter.

Where should I park?

Standard Disneyland parking applies—Mickey & Friends Parking Structure or Pixar Pals Parking Structure. You can also park at Downtown Disney’s Simba Lot, though validations work differently there.

Will Pride Nite sell out?

Very likely. Past events have sold out within days of tickets going on sale. Buy tickets as soon as you can.

Is the event worth the cost?

Most attendees say yes. You get seven hours of park time (6 PM-1 AM), drastically shorter ride waits, exclusive entertainment, character experiences, unlimited PhotoPass downloads, and commemorative items. Compared to a regular park day, the lower crowds alone make it worthwhile for many people.

What’s included with my ticket?

Park admission starting at 6 PM, all entertainment and shows, access to attractions, unlimited Disney PhotoPass digital downloads from the event, and a commemorative credential with lanyard. Food, drinks, and merchandise are purchased separately.

Are there any age restrictions?

Pride Nite is open to all ages. Children 2 and under are free, while ages 3+ require a ticket.

What time should I arrive?

Many guests recommend arriving between 5:30-6:30 PM to beat the crowds entering after 6 PM. This gives you time to get through security, pick up your credential, and start experiencing the park before it gets busy!

Why Pride Nite Matters

Beyond the rides and rainbow churros, Pride Nite represents something bigger. It’s Disney’s first official LGBTQ+ celebration in the United States, happening at a time when representation and visibility matter more than ever!

For many attendees, especially LGBTQ+ youth and families, seeing their identities celebrated at the Happiest Place on Earth creates memories that last a lifetime. It’s a safe space where people can be fully themselves, surrounded by acceptance and joy.

The event has evolved since its debut in 2023, growing more popular each year as Disney expands the entertainment, food offerings, and character experiences. It’s become a tradition for many people and communities who travel from across the country to attend!

Final Thoughts

Disneyland After Dark: Pride Nite isn’t just another theme park event. It’s a celebration of love, diversity, acceptance, and pure Disney magic wrapped in rainbow colors! From the moment you walk down Main Street and see Sleeping Beauty Castle glowing in Pride hues to the final farewell with Mickey and friends, every moment feels special!

Whether you’re riding Space Mountain with a 10-minute wait, dancing along the Rivers of America under rainbow lights, meeting rare characters in their Pride outfits, or watching fireworks burst to “This is Me,” Pride Nite creates experiences you simply can’t have any other time!

So grab your tickets when they go on sale, plan your fabulous outfit, charge your phone for endless photos, and get ready for one of the most joyful nights you’ll ever spend at Disneyland! Because at Pride Nite, everyone is welcome, everyone belongs, and everyone gets to experience the magic of Disney at its most colorful and inclusive!

See you at the castle, where dreams sparkle in rainbow colors and the magic never ends!