If you have visited Disneyland In recent years, you may have seen items that boast rainbow colors like Minnie Mouse ears, T-shirts, pins and Mickey Mouse stuffed animals.
While pride monthyou may have spotted things that look like pride-themed celebrations such as rainbow tiered cakes and colorful sprinkles, but until last year this was largely called “Rainbow Collection” and is not explicitly labeled as a reference to pride, despite the implied meanings.
The unofficial “gay day” in the park has been going on for decades. However, the official representation in the park of LGBTQ+ guests often stops with shirts, hats and cupcakes… until now.
On April 13, Disneyland announced it would hold its first official Pride events this June during Pride Month. Disneyland After Dark: Pride Nite joins a growing list of all-ages, after-hours events held at Southern California theme parks, including Star Wars Nite and Throwback Nite.
“I love food, so I’m pretty excited about the food. And I’m really looking forward to seeing the characters in their Pride costumes and finding out what characters they’ll bring to the event, ” Allison Mertzman of Los Angeles said. Mertzman was attending the event with his wife and two children.
“Disney has a lot of shows on Disney+ with weird characters, and I’d love to see them introduce characters and stars from some of those shows,” Mertzman added.
Some might see it as just another ticketing party that brings in cash. Still, others recognized the event as an important step forward in supporting the company’s LGBTQ+ community — especially in light of the political turmoil Disney is currently facing in Florida regarding State’s Parental Rights in Education law. The truth is, this moment came a long time ago.
Disney’s History with LGBTQ+ Representation
Not so long ago, it was not common to see rainbow ears and inclusion in Disney parks.
Prior to Disneyland’s recent announcement that they would be hosting an LGBTQ-friendly event featuring pride-themed photo sets, character appearances, and dance parties, they had enforced the order. Prohibition of same-sex dancing during “date nights” events that engage teenagers. park on weekends.
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To be fair, this policy has been in place since 1957, two years after the park opened. However, it remained strictly enforced until 1985, a year after Disney lost a lawsuit because a male visitor was forced to leave the park for refusing to stop dancing with a male friend. A Disney spokesman at the time said same-sex dancing was banned, in part because “some patrons may find same-sex dance partners offensive”. LA time.
In the years that followed, unofficial “Gay Day” events took place at both Disneyland and Walt Disney World. Anaheim Gay Day attracts more than 30,000 visitors wearing red each year in weekend fun activities in and out of the park.
Although not an official Disneyland event, Gay Days Anaheim has been held at the park since 1998, and the Gay Days website states that “Disney has provided an excellent support for the event, especially the when it has grown.”
When paired with pride-specific treats and merchandise that began appearing in US Disney parks around 2018 and officially Proud event held at Disneyland Paris Since 2019, it’s clear that Disney has changed its stance on not only recognizing but welcoming LGBTQ+ guests. Now, the brand’s alliance could be challenged when the Florida Legislature introduces a controversial bill regarding the discussion of gender identity in schools.
Related: 7 LGBTQI+ family documents to always carry when traveling
Disney has a stance to fit in
In early 2022, Disney faced strong criticism for its initial response to Florida’s controversial Parental Rights in Education bill, which opponents called the bill “. Don’t say gay.”
Billsigned by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, prohibiting “classroom instruction by school personnel or third parties regarding sexual orientation or gender identity” for students in kindergarten through third grade or “in a manner that is not age appropriate or developmentally appropriate for the student according to state standards.”
Disney has been slow to take a public stance on the bill that occurred in the state of Florida, home of Disney World, to the dismay of many fans and employees.
By the time DeSantis signed the bill in late March 2022, Disney had speak out against the lawstates in a Facebook post that the company opposes “any law that violates fundamental human rights, and unites and supports LGBTQIA+ Cast, Crew and Imagineers and their vocal fans. them today and every day.”
Related: TPG supports Project Trevor in fighting anti-LGBTQ+ community laws
Disney also pledged to “increase support for advocacy groups to fight similar laws in other states” and “create a new framework for our politics to ensure their advocacy I better reflect our values”, like shared in a statement by then-CEO of The Walt Disney Company, Bob Chapek.
When Bob Iger, who served as CEO of The Walt Disney Company from 2005 to 2020, returns as CEO in November 2022, he further solidifies Disney’s commitment to the LGBTQ+ community by declaring during an employee meeting held on November 28, 2022, that “this company has been telling stories for 100 years and those stories have had such a positive, meaningful impact.” gender and one of the reasons they have such a positive, meaningful impact is because one of the core values of our storytelling is inclusion and acceptance and tolerance, and we can’t judge lose that,” according to CNBC.
Disneyland After Dark: Pride Nite has just been announced as the company’s latest step towards fulfilling its commitment to inclusion and acceptance.
“I know a lot of people are upset that Disney hasn’t spoken out about the bill, and I think this event is a direct response to that,” Mertzman said. “I think they wanted to show a really strong stance on their support for the LGBTQ community to their park patrons and also the actors.”
Disneyland After Dark: Pride Nite details
With the plot and journey to the present day established, here’s what to expect from the upcoming Disneyland After Dark: Pride Nite event.
Like all Disneyland After Dark events, Disneyland After Dark: Pride Nite is designed for all ages and features special offerings that you can’t experience during regular park business hours.
Disneyland’s Pride Nite event will feature the following:
- Dance party with DJ and Disney characters.
- The proud themed parade features Mickey, Minnie and friends in colorful costumes.
- Characters appear throughout the evening.
- Pride themed photo opportunities.
- Visit after hours to select attractions.
- Themed drinks and food items are available for purchase.
- Keepsake.
The event is scheduled for both Tuesday, June 13 and Thursday, June 15, from 9pm to 1am PST. You can enter Disneyland Park with party tickets starting at 6pm
How to get tickets to Disneyland After Dark: Pride Nite
Tickets for Disneyland’s first ever Disneyland After Dark: Pride Nite go on sale to the public on Thursday, April 20, at 9 a.m. PT. We expect these to be very popular and likely to sell out quickly, so you’ll want to be ready to buy when they’re on sale if you want to attend.
Tickets for the event cost $139 per person for guests ages 3 and up. Guests under 3 years old do not need a ticket to attend the event. The ticket also includes free admission to Disneyland Park at 6 p.m., three hours before the party officially begins, though an additional parking fee is required.
The following is Best credit cards to use for Disney purchases if you want to have one available when tickets go on sale.
We hope the first official Disneyland Pride event of its kind, which has been around for about 50 years, will be a memorable one.
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