Oh, snap! Looking for a way to unwind and embrace your inner child? We sure are! We're all in this together for Disneyland's newest After Dark event — Disney Channel Nite at Disneyland Park! The entire Frog Family attended opening night and had fun at this brand-new nighttime party focused on the lasting legacy of popular Disney Channel shows and movies over the years. Get into some wild shenanigans, sing to your heart's content and relive some of the most entertaining moments in Disney Channel history. If you are attending March 7, we have some tips for you to make it the best night ever!
Overview of Disney Channel Nite
Disneyland After Dark is offering night owls and television connoisseurs alike the best of both worlds with Disney Channel Nite! The newest Disneyland After Dark event, Disney Channel Nite celebrates iconic Disney TV shows and films across various eras, as well as their beloved characters who molded so many childhoods. Fans are in for a night of fantastic music, spunky characters, high-energy parties and extremely unique photo opportunities. Get ready to party and laugh along with the familiar stories and songs from this nostalgic era of TV!
Offerings for Disney Channel Nite can be found on the Disneyland app. (Make sure to search for Disney Channel Nite in the app.)
If you also have a daytime ticket, you can check in behind Star Trader in Tomorrowland. When you enter the park or check in, you receive your wristband, credential lanyard, event guide and a glow stick magic wand! There is a wand and ears PhotoPass location in there as well (in case you miss the main one in Town Square).
Disney Channel Nite Tickets and Dates
It's the best day ever! Get ready to sing, dance and unleash your inner kid during Disney Channel Nite, taking place March 5 and 7, 2024. Although guests can enter Disneyland as early as 6 p.m. the day of the event (mixing in with regular-day guests), the event officially kicks off at 9 p.m. and continues until 1 a.m. At 8 p.m., the park closes to exclusively host Disneyland After Dark guests.
Tickets for this event, starting at $139, are now sold out on the Disneyland website.
Characters and Photo Locations at Disney Channel Nite
It’s time to get your head in the game and prepare to be immersed in the realm of Disney Channel, as Disney Channel Nite will offer opportunities to relive some of the most iconic and quotable moments from its programming!
Enjoy unlimited Disney PhotoPass digital photo downloads for some photo opportunities at the party. You can scan the QR code on your wristband into the Disneyland app for unlimited access to photos captured during the event.
Character Experiences
Let childhood nostalgia sink in when you meet some unfrogettable Disney characters! Here are the characters in 2024:
- Kim Possible with Ron Stoppable (roaming in Adventureland)
- Baloo, King Louie and Don Karnage in Adventureland
- Lilo, Stitch and Experiments in Tomorrowland (it's a walk-through experience)
- Chip, Dale and Monterey Jack in Toontown
- Darkwing Duck and Launchpad McQuack in Fantasyland
- Goofy and Max in Town Square
- Rapunzel and Flynn Rider (roaming in Fantasyland)
- Huey, Dewey, Louie and Scrooge McDuck at the Toontown fountain (for distanced interactions)
- Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse near Fantasyland Theater
Photo Opportunities
Step into your TV screen and pose in front of imaginative photo backdrops from hit Disney Channel shows and movies. Here are the locations in 2024:
- Disney Channel Wand ID — Town Square (Note: This line was cut long before the party ended, so get in line early if it's a priority!)
- Event Step & Repeat — Town Square
- "Camp Rock" — Frontierland
- "The Cheetah Girls" — Critter Country
- "Gargoyles" — Frontierland (behind Big Thunder Mountain)
- "Halloweentown" — New Orleans Square
- "Hannah Montana" — The Royal Theatre
- "Lizzie McGuire" — Fantasyland (near Pixie Hollow's exit)
- "The Proud Family" — Tomorrowland
- "The Suite Life of Zack & Cody" — Fantasyland
- "Teen Beach Movie" — Fantasyland
- "That's So Raven" — Tomorrowland/Fantasyland border
- "Wizards of Waverly Place" — Tomorrowland
- "Zenon: Girl of the 21st Century" — Tomorrowland
Some of these photo-ops are out early if you want to knock some out before the party starts.
Disney Channel Nite Attire
Arrive in style, sporting the coolest attire around for this party of the past! Guests can dress up or down for this event but must keep in mind Disney's specific costume guidelines when putting an ensemble together. For the entire list of costume guidelines, visit Disneyland's website.
Costume Guidelines:
- Costumes may not reach or drag on the ground (e.g., full-length dresses).
- Costumes must be family-friendly and may not be obstructive, offensive, objectionable or violent.
- All guests may dress as their favorite character, but may not pose for pictures or sign autographs for other guests.
- Costumes may not contain any items that resemble (or could easily be mistaken for) an actual weapon.
- Costumes may not contain sharp/pointed objects or materials that may accidentally strike another guest.
- Layered costumes or props surrounding the entire body are strongly discouraged and may be subject to additional security screening.
For Guests Ages 13 and Under:
- Costumes may be worn, as well as some masks, as long as the entire face isn’t covered and the eyes are visible.
For Guests Ages 14 and Older:
- For adults and teens, keep safety and good judgment in mind and adhere to these guidelines: Capes cannot go below the waist.
- Themed T-shirts, blouses, sweatshirts and hats are permitted.
- Acceptable accessories include transparent wings, plastic light sabers, toy swords and tutus.
- Headwear may not cover the face.
- No masks of any kind, except for medical purposes.
These rules only apply during event hours (and mix-in time when you're allowed to enter the park three hours early for the event). Standard theme park attire rules apply during all other times. All rules, regulations and guidelines are subject to change without notice. If you don't adhere to the guidelines, Disney may remove you from the event, unless you can modify the costume to meet the above standards.
Entertainment at Disney Channel Nite
Hop into the heart of this event with some classic Disney Channel staples! Here's some of the frogciting entertainment you can expect during this nostalgic night:
- 9:30 and 11:15 p.m. — "High School Musical" / "Zombies" Pep Rally — Complete with original songs and arrangements from the "High School Musical" and "Zombies" franchises, this spirited bunch parades through the streets of Disneyland Park. This show makes three seven-minute stops: In the middle of Main Street, in front of the Tomorrowland side of the Hub and right in front of "it's a small world." You will want to be in the right spot. The show's first run begins near "it's a small world" and moves toward Town Square. The second flows in the opposite direction.
- 9 p.m. and 1 a.m. — "Camp Rock" Karaoke & the Ultimate Disney Channel Trivia Challenge — Sing your heart out to the soundtrack from "Camp Rock" and test your Disney Channel knowledge at the Golden Horseshoe in Frontierland. Karaoke and trivia alternate times throughout the night.
- "Descendants" Musical Journey at the Rivers of America — Need a break from rocking so hard? Enjoy the original score from the “Descendants” trilogy on the Sailing Ship Columbia at the Rivers of America.
- 9:15, 10:15 and 11:15 p.m. and 12:15 a.m. — DescenDance — Also at Rivers of America, Villain Kids from the Isle of the Lost (from the "Descendants" franchise) show off their wicked dance moves.
- 9, 10 and 11 p.m. and 12 a.m. — Disney Channel Rocks — This rock concert-style stage show features hit songs from popular Disney Channel programming.
- 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. — "Phineas and Ferb" Dance Party — This dance party will let you know exactly what you want to do that night! Bust some moves at the Tomorrowland stage and meet some beloved characters from “Phineas and Ferb." The crowds go wild for Perry the Platypus! Perry! Perry! Perry!
- Fond Farewell – Swing by Town Square for a fun-filled farewell at 12:45 a.m.
Catch Mickey's Mix Magic projection show before the party begins at 7:30 p.m.
Dining at Disney Channel Nite
Sweet nibblets! Munch on delicious delights inspired by quintessential Disney Channel TV shows and films. Guests can also enjoy table-service meals during this event. There are two Disney Channel Nite dining options in 2024. Dining packages are available at:
- Cafe Orleans — This dining package serves a three-course, prix fixe meal for $35 per adult. A regular kids menu is available, with prices that vary based on à la carte selections. (Prices listed exclude gratuity and tax.) Reservation times are from 8 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. Cancelations must be made at least two hours in advance of a reservation to avoid a $10 per person charge.
- River Belle Terrace — This package offers only à la carte selections. No reservations are needed. Walk up or join the walk-up list on the Disneyland app. Kids menus are available upon request.
To view menus and pricing or reserve a package, check out Disneyland’s Disney Channel Nite webpage or the Disneyland app. If you want to purchase a dining package, we recommend reserving it for 8 p.m. so you can maximize your party time.
Quick-Serice Dining Options
Find special offerings in the Disneyland app. Look up a restaurant menu, and note the "Special" heading for Disney Channel night offerings. Mobile order way in advance, by the morning or afternoon of that day, for party-time pick-up. Party food is usually available at 8 p.m. We order our items in the morning for pick-up between 8 and 9 p.m. so we don't spend precious party time acquiring food.
Jolly Holiday Bakery Café
- Cookies and Cream Whoopie Pie with chocolate Mickey ears
Mint Julep Bar
- Bouncing Beary Beignets — Two Mickey beignets dusted with blueberry sugar and a berry icing drizzle
Hungry Bear
- Lion Cub Grub — Ground beef, caramelized onions, fried gnocchi and trofie pasta over curly fries with a chimichurri drizzle (we liked this but it's a little spicy — beware!)
- Doonkelberry Funnel Cake — Blueberry funnel cake with cake, berry icing, whipped topping and a chocolate bat
- Gummiberry Juice — Gummy-flavored juice with whipped cream and gummy bears
Churros near Sleeping Beauty Castle, Haunted Mansion and Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters
- Chocolate-Peanut Butter Churro
Churros Near Casey Jr. Circus Train and Pretzels at "it's a small world"
- Banana Pudding Dipping Sauce with chopped banana chips
Pretzel Cart in Tomorrowland
- Raspberry & Coconut Pretzel — Cream cheese pretzel dipped in raspberry compote, topped with pound cake crumbles and shredded coconut
Red Rose Taverne
- Tropical Banana Punch with a cherry pineapple skewer
Royal Street Veranda
- Salisbury Steak Fritters — Ground beef and vegetable meatballs wrapped in mashed potatoes, breaded and fried with gravy (our favorite dish of the night!)
Little Red Wagon
- Elote Loaded Corn Dog with cilantro-lime aioli, creamed corn, cotija cheese and salsa verde tortilla chips
Refreshment Corner
- Tsunami Dog — Linguiça sausage, pickled pineapple, teriyaki and mac salad on a Hawaiian roll
Golden Horseshoe (Do not order pick-up times before 9 p.m. as this location opens at 9 p.m.)
- Loaded Dino Nuggies — Fries and dinosaur-shaped nuggets with nacho cheese, buffalo ranch sauce, chiles, bacon bits and green onion
Stage Door Café
- Loaded Dino Nuggets — Fries and dinosaur-shaped nuggets with nacho cheese, buffalo ranch sauce, chiles, bacon bits and green onion
- Chocolate Brownie Funnel Cake
Galactic Grill
- Salisbury Steak Burger with roasted corn aioli, Swiss cheese, caramelized onions, mushrooms and gravy on a brioche bun
- Gummiberry Juice Slush with whipped cream and gummy bears
Café Daisy
- Campfire Donuts Skewer with graham cracker sugar, toasted marshmallow and chocolate sauce
- Campfire Nachos with cheese sauce, chile con carne, tomato-onion relish and green-onion cilantro sauce
- S'more Cold Brew with toasted marshmallow syrup and whipped topping
Attractions Open for Disney Channel Nite
Whether you’re just kickin’ it or looking for some adrenaline-punching fun during Disney Channel Nite, you can enjoy after-hours access to some of the most legendary Disneyland attractions during Disney Channel Nite. The park is fully open, including Toontown, Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge and Critter Country, which often close for other After Dark events.
Check the hours for rides online. Some rides close early, including the following:
- Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage closes at 12 a.m.
- Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance closes at 7 p.m.
- Disneyland Railroad closes at 8 p.m.
- Mark Twain Riverboat closes at 6 p.m.
A few other rides are closed for refurbishment.
Disney Channel Nite Merchandise
For Disney Channel Nite, each ticketed guest receives a complimentary commemorative map and lanyard with a special credential.
Some locations are selling toadally rad Disney Channel-reminiscent souvenirs at the park, so don’t froget to grab your special event merchandise early in the night, before it sells out. You can also buy shirts, and there is jewelry at the Emporium.
If you're a Magic Key holder, you can get a free keepsake. It's a patch!
Tips for Disney Channel Nite at Disneyland
Here are some tips to maximize your time at Disney Channel Nite:
- Arrive early (use those early three hours to visit attractions that close early or to eat).
- Dress for the weather (it can get chilly or wet).
- Wear comfortable shoes.
- Eat a meal early, or eat between 8 and 9 p.m.
- Mobile order food for the party in advance (by that morning or afternoon for pick-up after 8 p.m.). Do not arrive for food until you receive the notification that it is ready. We have found mobile ordering to be slow on party nights.
- Make a list of your must-see activities in advance, since time flies once the party begins.
- Join the line to use the want to light up Mickey's ears early!
- Find out if a line to meet a character cuts off before the end of the night so you do not miss out on your meet-and-greet.
- If you hoppen to be in a line when the park closes, you can stay in line.
- Position yourself in the middle of Main Street, on the Tomorrowland side of the Hub or in front of "it's a small world" to see the pep rally.
- Get all of your shopping done early in the evening. The stores all close at 1 a.m. and special event souvenirs can sell out extremely quickly (within the first hour or two of the night).
- Consider staying on-site or in a hotel close by so you can get to bed as soon as possible after the party ends.
- Get on rides near the end of the night when lots of people start to leave the event and the lines are short. But keep in mind some lines can get cut early.
- Access the event guide in the Disneyland app for easy access to all of the important event information. You can even download the event and food guide to your phone, in case your internet connection isn't the strongest while at the park.
- Magic Key holders can stop by the Magic Key destination for a special keepsake.
Stopping by the first-ever Disney Channel Nite this year? Let us know in the comments below! If you’re looking for more magical deals, check out our hoppin' deals on hotel stays and multi-day Disneyland theme park tickets.
Related: What to Expect at Disneyland After Dark Parties
Hoppy planning!
