Guests heading to Disneyland Resort tomorrow may encounter something unusual before entering the parks. Two political demonstrations are planned near the Anaheim property, marking another rare moment when national politics brush up against Disney’s carefully controlled environment.
Disney parks are built to minimize outside influence. Rules governing guest behavior are strict, political speech is limited, and unauthorized demonstrations are banned inside the gates. Even so, recent years have shown that political activity sometimes gathers just beyond Disney property.
That pattern is not new. In December 2023, protestors marched along Harbor Boulevard outside Disneyland Resort, criticizing the Walt Disney Company’s financial support of Israeli aid organizations. The demonstration stayed off Disney property but was highly visible to arriving guests.
Earlier that same year, neo-Nazi groups positioned themselves outside the gates of Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. They displayed antisemitic, white supremacist, and anti-LGBTQ signs, drawing swift condemnation and national attention.
Those incidents provide context for what is planned tomorrow. According to the Orange County Register, two separate political gatherings are scheduled near Disneyland Resort on February 28.
Political Activity Planned Around Disneyland
One event is being promoted as the “Disneyland MAGA Invasion.” It is organized by the 805 Patriots, a political activist group known for hosting pro-Trump flag runs and conservative gatherings throughout Southern California.
The group’s Patriots in the Park event is framed as a group visit rather than a protest. Organizers say the goal is to highlight support for what they describe as a “return to American roots and classic values.”
The 805 Patriots have promoted themed merchandise tied to the event. Attendees have been encouraged to wear red MAGA hats and blue Make Disney Great Again T-shirts. They have been discouraged from bringing American or MAGA flags into the parks.
On Facebook, the group wrote: “We are not there to cause problems. We are attending to give as many like-minded patriots as possible the opportunity to make memories with their families and friends while being proud of their beliefs!”
At the same time, the Brown Berets of California have planned a counter-protest. The group has been vocal in its criticism of immigration raids and other Trump administration policies.
According to an Instagram post, the Brown Berets’ demonstration will take place from 7 to 11 a.m. at Disneyland’s main entrance. Organizers have described the event as “peaceful and united.”
The group has emphasized that its protest will remain outside the park. That distinction is important given Disneyland’s rules prohibiting demonstrations inside its gates.
Adding to the day’s complexity, an unofficial Gay Days event is also scheduled at Disneyland. The 805 Patriots have stated publicly that the timing overlap is coincidental, saying “both groups intend to enjoy the park without interference.”
What Guests Should Expect Tomorrow
Only one of the two events involves attendees entering the theme parks. Even then, organizers insist the gathering will resemble a typical group visit rather than a political demonstration.
The 805 Patriots say the meetup is “strictly recreational” and “not a march, protest, demonstration or political action.” The group maintains that participants plan to follow all park rules.
In a longer statement, the group wrote:
“The 805 Patriots emphasize that their group intends to participate in the park in the same manner as any other unaffiliated guests or gatherings that visit Disneyland. The goal is simply to enjoy the day, move throughout the park as regular visitors, and experience the attractions without drawing unnecessary attention or creating disruptions. The group holds no special status, seeks no special treatment, and expects to follow the same guidelines and expectations as all other guests who choose to enjoy the park on that day.”
The Brown Berets of California have also clarified that their protest will take place “outside the park,” reducing the likelihood of direct interaction between groups once guests pass through security.
As of now, there is no indication that Disneyland Park or Disney California Adventure Park will change normal operations. Major attractions are expected to run as scheduled.
Disneyland Resort rules explicitly ban “flags and banners” inside the parks, as well as any “unauthorized events, speeches, or use of any flag, banner, sign or other material for commercial purposes, or as part of a demonstration.”
Those policies are designed to keep political activity from disrupting the guest experience. Security teams routinely monitor large groups to ensure compliance.
For most visitors, tomorrow is likely to feel like a standard park day. The demonstrations are expected to remain contained, with little impact once guests enter the parks.
Still, the timing serves as another reminder that Disneyland’s boundaries are physical, not cultural. The parks may aim to stay apolitical, but the world outside the gates does not always follow the same script.
Are you visiting Disneyland for either demonstration?
