Disneyland Sweethearts’ Nite [2024]: Tips and What to Expect
Everything you need to know about Disneyland Sweethearts’ Nite! A full review and all the details of the Disney After Dark Valentine’s Day party event in 2024.
Visiting Disneyland as a couple for a romantic Disney date night has been on our bucket list for years. When I heard about the Disney After Dark special event nights, I knew it was the perfect Disney date opportunity. But when I heard about Disneyland Sweetheart Nite my jaw dropped! We watched for tickets to open and I purchased them as a Christmas gift.
Sweetheart’s Nite, aka Disney After Dark Valentines Day party, is the perfect night for couples to have a romantic Disneyland date night!
Spoiler alert, we loved Sweetheart’s night so much, we have now been three years in a row and we’ve learned a lot of tips and strategies to make the most of this Disneyland Valentine’s Day party!
What is Sweethearts Nite at Disneyland?
Sweethearts’ Nite (also known as Sweethearts’ Night) is part of the Disneyland After Dark series.
These are special ticketed events Disneyland hosts from evening to midnight (or later). They have a theme, and they take place from February through May (Disney Channel Nite, Star Wars Night, Pride Nite, and Sweethearts Nite). Although one could argue the Oogie Boogie Bash at Disney Hallowentime is also part of the bunch.
Consider the Sweetheart’s night Disneyland’s Valentine’s party. It’s a night that celebrates love and centers activities around famous Disney couples, love songs, romantic scenes from Disney movies, and Valentine-themed food.
When does it start?
The party starts at 9:00 and goes on until 1:00. But party ticket holders may enter the park at 6:00 to enjoy rides and all the park has to offer early.
What do tickets cost?
They vary from night to night but this year’s tickets ran $139-$159 per person (plus taxes and fees).
When Do Disney After Dark Tickets Go On Sale?
They went for sale on December 14th in 2023 for the 2024 party. And, for historical reference, they went on sale on December 9th in 2022. I’d keep an eye out for the first week of December! They sold out in two days this year. Last year they sold out by mid-January.
I predict they will sell out much faster in the coming years as the event gains more awareness. When they go on sale, you can get tickets here. Also, here’s the landing page with details and ticket sales info.
Do you have to buy a regular park ticket too?
No, you don’t! The price of the special event is all you need!
Of course, you may buy a ticket for the day and enjoy the park all day. Disney will always gladly take your money! But you will have to pay the full price for each. If you need Disneyland Discount Tickets be sure to check out our favorite hack to buy them!
Just note the after-dark party ticket is valid 6:00 p.m.-1:00 a.m.
What’s a Great Hotel Near Disneyland to Stay At?
Because the events goes extra late, I’d recommend getting a hotel close to the parks! Check out our list of Hotels Within Walking Distance to Disneyland for a lot of great options!
Do people who visit the park that day get to attend the event?
No, they don’t unless they purchase a special event ticket. In fact, at 8:00 they kick everyone out who doesn’t have the special event wristband.
If you’re visiting the parks I’d double-check for special events before you make reservations. It’s a bit of a bummer to have to leave the park early when you paid for a ticket.
You can park hop over to the other park if you bought a park hopper ticket when you’re kicked out for the event. But fair warning, it gets crowded those nights.
What is there to do during a Disney After Dark Event?
There’s a lot! You’ll find the normal park operations (or at least most) up during an event! So ride any rides, get food, and enjoy the park. But the main reason to attend a Disney After Dark Event like Sweetheart’s Nite at Disneyland is to enjoy the special attractions, entertainment, and food!
Sweethearts’ Night Attractions
Special Character Interactions
Enjoy seeing some of Disney’s most famous and beloved couples during this celebration of love! There were so many we didn’t have to visit them all. But each couple we visited was darling and so fun to see!
Here’s a list of Disneyland characters at Sweetheart’s Night, and where they are located.
Disney Characters at Sweetheart’s Nite
Mainstreet U.S.A.
- Mickey and Minnie
- Donald and Daisy
- Mary Poppins and Bert
Fantasyland
- Belle and the Beast and Gaston
- Esmeralda and Phoebus
- Snow White and the Prince
- Peter Pan and Wendy (by the King Arthur Carousel)
- Princess Aurora and Prince Philip
- Flik and Atta just East of the castles
- Mulan and Shang are just East of the castles
Fantasyland (At The Royals Ball)
- Ariel and Eric by Small World
- Aladdin and Jasmine by Small World
- Cinderella and Prince Charming by Small World
- Rapunzel and Flynn Rider
New Orleans Square
- Princess Tiana and Prince Laveen from The Princess and the Frog in New Orleans Square
- Clarabelle Cow and Horace Horsecollar
Critter Country
- Nick Wilde and Judy Hopps
- Big Al
Adventureland
- Indiana Jones and Marion (my personal favorite!)
Tomorrowland
- Space couple (vintage throwback)
Star Wars Land
- Rey and Chewbacca
- Kylo Ren and Storm Troopers
Photo Opps at Disney After Dark Valentine’s Day Party
Kiss the Girl scene from The Little Mermaid by the Astro Orbiters
Luca Step into the Scene in Fantasyland
Tangled Floating Lantern Scene in The Fantasy Theater
The Princess and The Frog Storybook in Critter Country
The Perfect Picnic with Minnie and Mickey in Toontown
Sleeping Beauty Throne Step Into the Scene in front of the Castle
Lady and the Tramp Step Into the Scene by Plaza Inn
Mary Poppins Penguins on Main Street
Up House on Main Street by Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln
Romantic Castle Photo Opportunity
Aladdin Step into the scene in front of Small World
Together Forever Tombstones at The Haunted Mansion
Love Bug in Tomorrowland
Sweetheart’s Night Entertainment
- Sweethearts’ Nite Fireworks (Canceled in 2024)
I’m so sad these weren’t included in 2024! But we’re so hopeful they will bring them back next year!
Here’s our thoughts from 2022/2023:Expect all the joy of a Disneyland Fireworks show, but set to love songs! The castle is lit up with projections of love. There were so many “Ews-and-Ahs” during the show. Also, we joined 10 minutes before the show and still had a great view! Hooray for lower capacity so you can enjoy the best part of the night easily!
Royal Ball Cavalcade
This was our favorite part of the entire night! New for 2024 – the Grand Duke and Fairy Godmother from Cinderella welcome guests to the party and clear the path to the Small World Promenade.
Royal couples arrive in horse drawn carriages ready to go dance at the ball. You’ll see Cinderella and the Prince, Aladdin and Jasmine, Aurora and Prince Phillip, and Rapunzel and Flynn Ryder wave as they pass by parade style.
You’ll also catch the evil mother and step sisters at the end, who were hilarious and made everyone laugh!
They all hop off at Small World, and come to join in for dancing at the Royal Ball.Royal Ball
Location: by It’s a Small World in Fantasyland.
What to Expect: An amazing band plays Disney songs fit for a ball! You’ll see at least four royal couples dancing the night away in front of the band. This included Cinderella and the Prince, Aladdin and Jasmine, Rapunzel and Flynn Ryder, and Aurora and Prince Phillip. You can jump right in and dance along side the Disney characters. Some may even ask to cut in and dance with you.
The band was PHENOMENAL! We could have watched and danced along all night. I’d say this is a don’t-miss part of Disney’s Valentine’s Party! It was the surprise favorite for Disneyland Sweethearts’ Nite!-
Jazz Club Band
The Mark Twain boat is closed for refurbishment this year, so they took the beloved romantic moonlit cruise party and made a jazz club on the pier instead. This was my favorite bad, and one I don’t think you’ll want to miss!
-
DJ in Tomorrowland
If you’re ready to dance and party this is your spot!
You can join Lilo and Stich for this fun modern party. -
Piano Player in Frontierland
Jazzy tunes and love melodies ala one of the most talented piano performers
in the Golden Horseshoe. We also watched Jessie from Toy Story dance to the music, and it was beyond darling! -
Polynesian Trio in Adventureland
Hello, music from the islands with all the romantic vibes!
They were fantastic! -
Dapper Dans
The Dapper Dans are always fun with seasonal Disney tunes. Expect some romance barbershop quartet style during Sweetheart’s Nite!
Sweetheart’s Nite Food
This could certainly be its own post with an extensive list! I’m going to include a picture of the offering the night we went.
Must Eat Items:
Our favorite was the strawberry chocolate croissant from Jolley Holiday. And if you love chocolate, don’t miss the chocolate salted caramel tarte. It was Jacob’s favorite!
We tried the Raspberries and Cream Funnel Cake from Stage Coach Cafe with friends, and everyone adored it- it’s big enough to share!
And oh the churro offerings are also excellent! You can’t go wrong with any of these recommendations this year!
People were also raving about the Heart-Shaped Beef Shortrib Ravioli at Daisy’s Cafe. We ate dinner before the party started so didn’t sit down for a full meal. But we can speak to the treat! Oh my, they were delicious!
What to Wear to Sweethearts Nite
You can truly wear whatever you want! There isn’t a strict dress code and people do a lot of different things.
Here are the main things we saw:
1. Valentine Themed Clothing
Dress in red and pink. Wear all the hearts. Lean into the romantic night and Valentine colors and match the theme.
I loved my Minnie Valentine Sweater– I got stopped by over a dozen people to tell me they loved it and ask about it!
2. Disney Couple Shirts / Disney Valentine Shirts
I mean why not rock couple characters? We saw a lot of Minnies with their Mickey, Daisy shirts with a coordinating Donald shirt. And plenty of the Star Wars classic lines “I Love” and “I Know” in his/hers shirts.
3. Dress as Your Favorite Duo
If you need Disney couple costumes, we have 100+ Disney Couple Costume Ideas to help you out!
I loved the Leia and Hans outfits, Rapunzel and Flynn Ryder couples, and every other Disney couple or Disney Duo you can think of! Come up with a pair and dress in costume or dress in Disney bound.
Oh and don’t forget the most comfortable walking shoes, because you’ll likely walk even more than you do on a busy typical Disney day during the party.
Disneyland Sweethearts Nite Review
Was it worth it?
As a date night blogger you know I’m going to tell you yes- we loved it! It checked all the boxes for me.
But let me give you the honest good and bad and let you weigh in if this will check all the boxes for you!
The theme and vibe
We were there for the romantic vibes you don’t normally get at a park filled with children. Some children attended, but since the event is late, it was almost all adults. I’d even add mostly couples! There were plenty of girl’s night out parties, but it truly was about 80% couples out for a dream date. That clearly spoke to us!
The Crowds
Although the crowds are lower, the themed photo ops and character encounters are long! You most likely won’t be able to do them all, so you’ll have to carefully select which ones. We waited for the longest for my dream photo recreating kiss the girl in 2023. If you aren’t as into photos and characters it may feel less exciting.
They’ve figured this out this year, and the wait times were much lower for photo ops due to more scene set ups, two photographers at most locations, and better crowd control. We didn’t wait more than 30 minutes for any- good job Disney!
However, the rides have shorter lines and we rode way more rides than we have at our other Disney After Dark events.
Is Rise of the Resistance Open During Disney After Dark Events?
Not this year, Rise of the Resistance was not open. They open it from about 8:00-10:00, and they shut it down early before the party.
Smugglers Run, and every other ride are open and operating during the party.
A Dream Disney Date
As people who look for the funniest date ideas for a living, and have done thousands of dates. I have to say this may be my number one! We clearly love it so much we go every year!
It’s a dream to get to do Disneyland together for date night. Clearly, it’s even more of a dream when it’s date night themed around love and couples. It’s one I’m glad we made happen, and one I hope we do again next year!
Disneyland Sweetheart’s Nite FAQs
It’s an after-hours special ticketed event/party with a Valentine’s theme. Disney couples roam the park, they have special photo ops including step into the scene of romantic moments in Disney movies, and themed food.
The party goes from the end of January until Valentine’s Day. It also requires a special ticket purchase for the event.
Absolutely! The event is appropriate for infants through the elderly! Just note it is quite late starting at 8:00 p.m. and going until 1:00 a.m.
In 2024 Sweetheart’s Night takes place on the following dates:
Jan 23, 25, 30; Feb 1, 6, 8, 12, 14, 2024
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