June is Pride Month, and Disney Parks have a handful of new offerings to celebrate. There is rainbow food, rainbow merchandise, and Pride artwork popping up on the walls of various theme parks. One of the biggest new installments for the occasion, and perhaps most controversial, is Disneyland Resort’s first-ever After Dark: Pride Nite event. The party went off last night, and Guests may have gotten an even bigger experience than they expected.
Last night, Main Street was lit up with all the colors of the rainbow as Guest filed in for Disneyland’s After Dark: Pride Nite. Stitch from Disney’s animated Lilo & Stitch (2002), was DJ of the Ohana Dance Party. Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, and friends sported new rainbow-style outfits and paraded down Main Street. And there were a handful of backdrops with inspiring Disney quotes for Guests to pose in front of. The entire two-night event sold out months ago!
While the Pride event was clearly an amazing time, what people are really talking about today are all the “characters” that showed their faces at Pride Nite.
First up, check out California Governor Gavin Newsom‘s appearance:
Great to be at Disneyland’s first ever Pride Night. pic.twitter.com/MW3eHMDemO
— Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) June 14, 2023
Guests were absolutely floored and touched to see him there. Videos showing him waving to Guests, praising the Pride aesthetic, and clapping along with the entertainment. The crowds cheered with joy. The Governor took pictures with Guests. While attendants were wildly surprised and happy to see Newsom in attendance at the event, others who didn’t attend felt his move was overly political and wondered why he didn’t bring his family along.
Many readily connected it to Walt Disney World Resort’s horrible relationship with Florida Gov Ron DeSantis.
Gov. Gavin Newsom hanging out at Disneyland After Dark: Pride Nite just to flex on how Gov. Ronny D could never be seen anywhere on Disney Property in the very state he Governs 😂
— Shaun Ranks the Parks 🎆 (@rankingthemouse) June 14, 2023
More Characters Who Made Appearances at Disneyland’s After Dark: Pride Nite
While Governor Gavin Newsom was certainly the biggest surprise, Disneyland also pulled out some rare characters to meet and greet the Pride Nite Guests. On Main Street, USA, Guests could meet 101 Dalmatians’ (1961) Cruella de Vil and the semi-rare Jane Porter and Terk from Disney’s Tarzan (1999). Over in New Orleans Square, Princess Tiana met with alligator pal Louis, but instead of her normal lily-pad green ball gown, she wore a special flapper party outfit with white fur and a feather headpiece.
In Fantasyland, Guests could meet the live-action Princess Ariel, Mulan and Mushu, and Wandering Oaken from Frozen (2013). Of course, Anna and Elsa were there too! Tinker Bell and some of her rarer Pixie Hollow friends, like Silvermist, Rosetta, and Terence, played games with Guests. Guests could even meet villains like Maleficent and The Evil Queen. Most notably, Alice in Wonderland‘s (1961) Queen of Hearts met as a face character! Usually, she has a sculpted head like Mickey Mouse.
Fan’s absolute favorite, though, was an unexpected appearance by The Muses from Disney’s Hercules (1997)! The female group of five stunned in red!
Did you have a ticket to Disneyland’s first-ever Pride Nite? Tell us about your experience!