Disneyland will host its first-ever "Pride Night" to celebrate the "LGBTQIA+ community and allies."
The event will take place on June 13 and 15 during "Pride Month."
"This after-hours event includes themed entertainment, Disney characters, one-of-a-kind photo opportunities, specialty menu items, event merchandise and more! It begins with a three-hour pre-party mix-in from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. PT, then the private party runs from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. PT, when guests can ride some popular attractions after regular park hours," Disney Parks announced in a blog post. "A theme park reservation is not required."
The event will be open to all ages and feature a "Pride Nite Cavalcade featuring Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Clarabelle, Donald, Daisy and Goofy dressed in special attire as they make their way through the heart of Disneyland park down Main Street, U.S.A.!"
Additionally, characters will be dressed in "special attire," and there will be photo opportunities with "pride-themed backdrops."
"Pride Nite comes more than 25 years after the unofficial but immensely popular 'Gay Days,' which began as an after-hours event when the park could be rented out for private parties," the Los Angeles Times reports. "Gay Days is now held during park hours and attracts thousands of LGBTQ attendees each year."
Eddie Shapiro, the organizer of Gay Days Anaheim, told the Times that it is ironic that the official events will now occur after the park is closed.
“I think it’s kind of funny that 25 years later, Disney is ready not to have an unofficial thing but an official thing, and we’re back to having an after hours, late night event,” he said.
However, Shapiro is happy that the company is continuing to push LGBTQ interests after the company's opposition to the Parental Rights in Education Act sparked a massive battle with the state's governor, Ron DeSantis.
“In the wake of everything that’s happening to the country, that Disney is coming out in support of the community and inviting the community in, in this way, I think is a great thing,” Shapiro said. “Disney is obviously saying out loud, ‘We as a company are not cowed by [events in Florida],’ nor should they be. I’m glad that they’re saying that.”
Tickets will go on sale April 20 for $139.
