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You’ll Have to Work For an Invite to This Ultra-Exclusive Disney Parks After Hours Event!

the pixar pal around featuring mickey mouse ferris wheel overlooks a colorfully lit body of water at DCA
Credit: NBC Los Angeles

Disney Parks after-hours events are all the rage, but do you know about the exclusive late-night party thatโ€™s by invitation only?

At both the Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort, Guests enjoy the after-hours offerings such as Disneyland After Dark, a series that hosts limited-access parties within a Disney Park such as Princess Nite, Star Wars Nite, and Villains Nite. Moreover, Walt Disney World Parks have Moonlight Magic, a favorite with Disney fans.

four cast members in costumes participate in moonlit madness

Credit: Disney

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But what about the most difficult after-hours event to get into of all? Itโ€™s none other than Minnieโ€™s Moonlit Madness, an after-hours mystery challenge only open to Disney Parks Cast Members!

These intrepid company employees come together from across the West Coast to Southern California to help Minnie Mouse and her Clue Crew solve a mystery by deciphering clues and completing tasks, trivia, and puzzles. Each year, teams join together to complete the scavenger hunt across Disney California Adventure Park, with some experiencing the exclusive event for the first time and others returning for another year of fun.

disney cast and president ken potruck stand with checks and detective minnie

Credit: Disney

 

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Moreover, Cast Members earn points in teams, and proceeds always support a charity effort. Last year, the 2022 Moonlit Madness hosted 400 groups of Cast Members and their invited Guests to solve โ€œThe Mystery of the Missing Snacks,โ€ raising a total of $105,000 for the Orange County Food Bank with help from Disneyland Resort President Ken Potrock.

This yearโ€™s event benefited Anaheimโ€™s MUZEO Museum and Cultural Center, with challenges created by the Disney Cast Activities team and presented by Detective Minnie Mouse. When asked about the event by Disney Parks Blog, Walt Disney Studios senior tour specialist Drew Hayashida said he loves how teams challenge themselves just as much as the eventโ€™s questions and activities do.

cast members at moonlit madness

Credit: Disney

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In fact, Hayashida has participated in Minnieโ€™s Moonlit Madness since 1989, and Experience and Integration Cast Member Ali Garay echoed his statement about the huntโ€™s power to form camaraderie. The event has three competitive levels, and Garay led the Detective Divisionโ€™s winning team, who prepared by reading, performing online research, and studying past events.

You can watch a video for a behind-the-scenes look at this yearโ€™s Moonlit Madness below, and maybe even join one year… IF you work really hard to join the Walt Disney Company!

About Spencer Johnette

Spencer is a lifelong lover of theme parks, princesses, and Disney history that recently relocated to Northern California. She completed her undergraduate studies at UCLA, where she was the founder and first president of the campus Disney Club. A former Cast Member still mourning the loss of the Disney Store, she now haunts the Walt Disney Family Museum halls and shares her opinions with anyone who will listen @gothelsflower.