Magic, the smell of churros, and Pirates water.
There’s a lot in the air at Disney Parks, and this week, it’s love.
Starting last night, February 1, Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California is celebrating romance once again as the second annual Disneyland After Dark: Sweethearts’ Nite brought some after-hours loving to the Park.
The event ties in with Valentine’s Day and allows couples and families to have some heartfelt fun at Disney at a special, separately ticketed evening event.
And along with some delicious menus, dancing, and photo opportunities, there were also some rare characters out to meet Guests last night!
Disneyland will host Disneyland After Dark: Sweethearts’ Nite during 5 separately ticketed evening events on February 1, 3, 8, 10, and 14. Each event will see Guests have special after-hours theme park access to entertainment and attractions. The special event sold out very quickly and has now been sold out for over a month.
The romantic event runs from 8:00 p.m. until 12:00 a.m. Ticket holders already in Disneyland Park can check-in for the event at the Starcade starting at 3:30 p.m., and those coming just for the event can check-in at the main entrance at 5:00 p.m.
Disney recently announced that special characters will be out in the theme park greeting Guests, many with their respective partners from their classic animated movie.
In Fantasyland, Guests can catch a glimpse of Snow White and the Prince, Belle and the Beast, Gaston, Rapunzel and Flynn Rider, and Princess Aurora and Prince Phillip.
In Critter Country, Zootopia’s (2016) Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde will be waving to fans, while in New Orleans Square, Princess Tiana and Prince Naveen and Bernard and Miss Bianca will be out in their Valentine’s Day finery.
On Main Street, U.S.A., Guests can spot Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Donald and Daisy Duck, Clarabelle Cow and Horace Horsecollar, and Mary Poppins and Bert.
Tomorrowland will see rare appearances from Milo Thatch and Kida from Atlantis: The Lost Empire (2001), and Stitch and Angel.
Disney has also installed some fun photo backdrops, including Rapunzel’s lanterns and Mickey and Minnie in hearts, located at Main Street, U.S.A., Fantasyland Theatre, Critter Country, and New Orleans Square.
Many Disney fans shared their joy at seeing these rare characters, with many posting photos of these special sightings. Alex Farnworth shared some snaps on Twitter of Snow White and her Prince:
Snow White and her Prince were the surprise of Sweetheart’s Nite
Snow White and her Prince were the surprise of Sweetheart’s Nite. ?? pic.twitter.com/XzYTz4jXAh
— Alex Farnworth (@AlexFarnworth) February 2, 2022
He also got a wonderful video of the two classic characters from Disney’s The Rescuers (1977):
Bernard and Bianca
? Bernard and Bianca ? pic.twitter.com/e1oduMArhK
— Alex Farnworth (@AlexFarnworth) February 2, 2022
We also got a look at Donald and Daisy Duck in their Valentine’s Day outfits:
First stop of the night for #DisneylandAfterDark Sweethearts Nite.
First stop of the night for #DisneylandAfterDark Sweethearts Nite. pic.twitter.com/Xi2JXMRBIJ
— Alex Farnworth (@AlexFarnworth) February 2, 2022
Patrick Dougall shared his delight at seeing Kida and Milo from Atlantis, two characters that are not often seen at Disneyland and Walt Disney World in Florida:
Okay… I can leave now!
Okay… I can leave now! pic.twitter.com/JSZxHJnCHd
— Patrick Dougall (@PatrickADougall) February 2, 2022
Patrick Dougall also shared a fun video of characters like Cinderella, Jasmine, and Aladdin dancing to live music from Disney’s Encanto (2021):
We got LIVE Jazz Encanto music!
We got LIVE Jazz Encanto music! pic.twitter.com/DueD1Qsrqn
— Patrick Dougall (@PatrickADougall) February 2, 2022
Entertainment at the event also includes Sweethearts’ Nite Fireworks at 9:30 p.m., the Dapper Dans, the Ukulele Group at Tropical Hideaway, Pianist at the Golden Horseshoe with Ms. Lily, a Royal Ball at “it’s a small world”, a Moonlight Cruise on the Mark Twain, and a DJ in Tomorrowland.
Disneyland Resort’s official description of Disneyland After Dark: Sweethearts’ Nite reads:
L’Amour Is in the Air
Celebrate Valentine’s Day at an after-hours bash bursting with heartfelt fun!This February, Disneyland Park will host Disneyland After Dark: Sweethearts’ Nite during 5 separately ticketed evening events. Each event will grant Guests, of all ages, special after-hours park access to dancing, Character experiences, photo opportunities, entertainment, event-themed menu selections, attractions and more.
Availability is limited, so hurry and choose from 5 exciting nights—February 1, 3, 8, 10 and 14, 2022. It’s the perfect way to show your sweethearts how special they are in true Disney fashion!
While at the Disneyland Park event, sweethearts will be able to ride classic attractions like Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, Haunted Mansion, “it’s a small world,” Pirates of the Caribbean, Space Mountain, and others!