Disneyland After Dark Sweetheart's Nite: Review and Tips
Updated: May 10
2023 update
If you are in love with love, romance, hearts and Disney fairytales then you will love this event as much as I did. Disneyland After Dark Sweethearts Nite was completely magical. The whole park was celebrating love and it was the ultimate night of romance. Main Street had some of my favorite Disney love songs playing the whole night. It really set the mood for the night and made it extra special.
If you love Disney and this is something you would like to experience I have some good and bad news. Bad news is that tickets are already sold out for 2023 but there's still some other After Dark fun events. Tickets still available for Princess Nite down below Disneyland After Dark: Princess Nite. The GOOD NEWS is that there is always next year and if you didn't get tickets for this year, you will be prepared with all the tips and must do's to have the best experience for next year or years to come.
UPDATE 2023: We visited in 2020 but most event attractions seem to remain the same based on what I've seen on Disneys website and all informations has been updated. This will definitely help give you an idea of what to expect on this fairytale night if you've already purchased your tickets or would like to attend next year.
When to purchase tickets
Start looking at ticket sales around December for the year to come if there's a specific date you'd like. Do not plan to purchase tickets last minute because they WILL sell out.
Things to do inside the park
You might be asking yourself whats so special about this night that I can't just enjoy on a regular Disney visit? Trust me when I tell you there is so much to do and I will list it all out for you as well as my experience!
When you first enter the park you will be given a map with all the information you need to know for the night, a wristband and credential with a lanyard that will serve as identification for the night.
Dressing up
You don't need to dress up, in fact the majority of people were not dressed up but it was so fun to see the ones that did. If you enjoy dressing up like I do, then don't miss the opportunity to do so. It definitely adds to the whole experience. We had fun picking out our outfits and putting them together. We wanted to represent one of our favorite Disney couples and loved how it all turned out. Was it hard to put together? Absolutely not! I found both of our outfits pieces on Amazon and Im sure you can too no matter what disney couple you decide to go as. Before choosing a costume make sure you check the Costume Guidelines
Take pictures with amazing photo ops
There were so many photo ops all throughout the park but I'll share with you some of my favorite ones.
Take pictures with some of your favorite Disney character friends
Many of our favorite Disney couples were out for character greetings and pictures like Belle and The Prince, Rapunzel and Flynn, Anna and Kristoff, Ariel and Prince Eric, Mulan and Shang, Princess Tiana and Naveen along with many more. And of course the main couple of them all Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse. To find out the location of these characters you can always refer back to your map.
Free Disney Photopass Pictures
All memories captures by Disney PhotoPass photographers during the character greeting and during the photo ops where included in the price of the ticket and they were all available to view and download for FREE! We barely used our phones and just enjoyed the night knowing all this would be capture by the professionals. Purchasing these pictures can get pricey so this was definitely a treat. Scan the QR code on your event wristband into the Disneyland app to access Disney PhotoPass digital photos captured during the event. Photos can be downloaded from your Disney account as often as desired, for 45 days after initial capture
Try special event food
Nibble the night away—purchase unique dining experiences and event night-only sweet and savory menu options at select Disneyland Park locations. In 2020 We decided to have dinner at Cafe Orleans where they had a prefix menu. There was no need for a reservation but they did start taking names down at 6pm so if you decide you want to eat at a sit down restaurant I recommend you start heading toward the restaurant as early as 6pm. The prefix menu was delicious and we would definitely do it again. For dessert we enjoyed the Strawberry Beignets that were perfect and so pretty. They had so many different specialty foods and beverages all thought the park. From strawberry churros to Mickeys sweetheart flat bread for two. The only real problem of the night was deciding what to try because it all sounded and looked amazing.
Dancing, Music and Amore
You can't have a night or romance without some dancing right?! The royal ball was my favorite part of the night. They had a live orchestra playing while some of my favorite Disney couples came out to dance. There was Cinderella and Prince Charming, Aurora and Prince Philip and Snow White and The Prince just to name a few. Best part, we all got to dance alongside them and I even got to dance with Prince Phillip while my husband danced with Aurora! The Royal ball started every hour on the hour at 8, 9,10,11pm and it's a must! You definitely do not want to miss it. UPDATE: 2023 This year there will also be live music or you can boogie down at their DJ dance party. Times have remained the same
Purchase specialty merchandise
During this event they had a specialty pin and shirts/hoodies. Personally I didn't purchase any but if this is a must for you then head on over and buy them as soon as they go on sale because they WILL sell out.
Experience Sweethearts Nite Fireworks Extravaganza:
Fireworks started at 9:30 sharp and were visible from skies above the park. It was incredible beautiful and romantic and we decided to enjoy the moment.
Moonlight Cruise
Bob your head to the rhythm of jazz music as you savor gentle breezes aboard this cozy cruise on the Mark Twain Riverboat.
See, I told you there was so much to do! It was definitely a fun and unique experience and I would do it again in a heartbeat. Here are some things I think are important to keep in mind.
Tips
Event doesn't officially start until 9pm and character greeting and photo ops won't be available until then, but you can arrive as early as 6pm. Take this time to enjoy treats, get on some rides or purchase merchandise.
If you plan to eat at the park doing so between 6-9pm is perfect to not cut into special even activities once 9pm rolls around. Trust me, there is so much to do and time flies when you are having fun.
Head out to get your special even merchandise early if that's something you are interested in because they WILL sell out.
For character greetings and photo ops start at the back of the park. There are shorter lines because everyone seems to start at the front. It will definitely save you some time.
Dress warm. The nights get very chilly so come prepared.
Parking is not included with ticket purchase
Hope you find this review of the night helpful and let me know in the comments if you plan on attending next year. Here are other Disney After Dark events you might be interested in.
There are other Disneyland After Dark fun events. Tickets still available down below.
Disneyland After Dark: Princess Nite
Anaheim Hotel Perfect For An Overnight Stay
Talk to you later!
