Your Ultimate Guide to Princess Nite: The After Dark Event Celebrating Disney Princesses at Disneyland 2023

If you’re a huge Disney fan, chances are that you already have heard of the After Dark Events hosted by Disneyland. These events offer guests exclusive access to the park after hours, with special entertainment and themed activities! This 2023 year is the first time that Disneyland is debuting the After Dark event of Princess Nite, which celebrates our beloved Disney Princesses.

There will be shuttles available to guests from the Toy Story Parking lot. Trams will be running at the Mickey & Friends and Pixar Pals parking structure. The hours of operation for the trams will be until 2:00 A.M.

Here’s what you can expect at Princess Nite according to Disney’s Princess Nite 2023 Event Guide but simplified by yours truly, enjoy!

Exclusive Character Meet-and-Greets

Princess Nite offers a rare opportunity to meet some of the most beloved Disney princesses. You can expect to see the following princesses at these locations below!

On Main Street U.S.A 

1. Princess Minnie Mouse 
2. Princess Daisy Duck 

In Adventureland

1. Jasmine
2. Moana

In Frontierland

1. Pocahontas

In Tomorrowland

1. Princess Leia

In Fantasyland

1. Ariel
2. Aurora
3. Belle
4. Cinderella
5. Elena of Avalon
6. Kida of Atlantis: The Lost Empire
7. Merida
8. Mulan
9. Princess Atta
10. Raya
11. Sofia the First
12. Snow White

What is Disney PhotoPass

Love a good photo opportunity? Then you’re going to love that the PhotoPass is included in this year’s event. Be sure your photographer links the photos on your Disneyland App by scanning your Link PhotoPass Card or with the event wristband that will have a barcode to link them! However, something to note is that there are no complimentary digital downloads for transformational experiences for the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique. You would have to purchase a package separately for this. 

Here are the locations you should check out with unique backgrounds for Princess Nite!

On Mainstreet U.S.A

-Disneyland After Dark: Princess Nite Welcome Window themed to “Be Our Guest”

At Critter Country

-Be Royally Fierce Storybook

At Frontierland

-Agrabah Night Scene

At Fantasyland

-Cinderella’s Crystal Coach

-Royal Throne from The Princess Diaries with the theme “The art of the fan”

What is the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique?

This is a separate experience that you may book for children during the event (ages 3-12) who are wanting a magical transformation into the royalty they really are! Availability is by appointment only and offerings to book are for a limited time during the event, so check the Disney app or book online!

What are the available themed food and beverages for Princess Nite?

If characters are not your main focus and you are more of a foodie, then you have to take a look at these!

On Mainstreet U.S.A

1. A Princess Sundae located at Gibson Girl Ice Cream Parlor 

-This sweet treat includes Blackberry, Peach and Raspberry Sorbets

Over at the Jolly Holiday Bakery Cafe enjoy these items!

1. Daydreamer Macaroon 

-It’s Raspberry-Coconut 

2.  Princess Trifle

-Enjoy a White Chocolate Mousse and Mixed Berry Compote with Vanilla Cake

At the Refreshment Corner 

1. Curried Beef Hot Dog
2. Cotton Candy-cream Cheese Pretzel 

At the Little Red Wagon you can find 

1. The Mixed Berry Wagonade presented by Coca-Cola!

Over at the Plaza Inn discover these savory items

1. Be Brave Spicy Chicken Dinner
2. Honey BBQ Chicken Tenders

In Tomorrowland at the Galactic Grill

1. Spicy Huli Huli Loaded Tenders
2. Royal Sparkling Lemonade

In Tomorrowland over at Alien Pizza Planet 

1. Big Slice Pepperoni
2. Big Slice Cheese
3. Cinnamon Breadsticks

In Tomorrowland at the carts

1. Macadamia Nut Pretzel (Pretzel Cart)
2. Berry Good Churro (Churro Cart)

In Fantasyland at the Red Rose Taverne

1. Escargot Flatbread
2. Wild Mushroom Flatbread
3. Glowing Strawberry Sparkle Tea
4. Blueberry Cheesecake Churro with blueberry cheesecake dipping sauce (Churro Cart) or you can find this as well over by “It’s a small world”

In Adventureland over at the Bengal Barbecue

1. Pineapple Shrimp Skewer 

In Frontierland

1. The Berry Good Churro

In New Orleans Square

1. Mixed Berry Milk
2. Friendship Churro! These are rolled in Raspberry-Limeade & Pink Lemonade Sugars

In Cafe Orleans, Disney is offering a “prix-fixe tea service” that has an assortment of selection of teas! Reservations are not required for these but you will be asked to check in at the podium for availability. See below for their description!

For the Tea service it will include the following:

1. Short Rib Sandwich
2. Caviar Egg
3. Crab Avocado Toast
4. Monte Cristo Fritter
5. Creole Chicken & Apple Pecan Salad Po Boy
6. Crepe Layer Cake
7. Blueberry-Almond Scone
8. Strawberry Shortcake
9. Strawberry-Chocolate Creme Puff

For a Plant based tea service it will include the following:

1. Impossible Sandwich
2. Roasted Potato
3. Avocado Toast
4. Ratatouille Sandwich
5. Cucumber & Watercress Salad Sandwich
6. Strawberry Shortcake
7. Fruit Cobbler
8. Chocolate Raspberry Bar
9. Blueberry-Almond Scone

And of course Disney does cater to your little one’s so here is their menu for the tea service!

1. Peanut Butter and Jelly
2. Grilled Cheese Sandwich
3. Meatball Po Boy
4. Assorted Fruits
5. Creme Puff

At Critter Country over at the Hungry Bear Restaurant you will find

1. Cajun Honey-Glazed Chicken and Loaded Steak Fries
2. Tea Time Lemon Funnel Cake with Lemon Sorbet
3. Friendship Churro! These are rolled in Raspberry-Limeade & Pink Lemonade Sugars (Churro Cart)

What themed entertainment can I expect to see at Princess Nite?

Throughout the night, there will be plenty of themed entertainment to enjoy. You can expect to see princess-themed dance parties, special parades, and even a special fireworks show set to your favorite Disney tunes. 

Upon entering the park you will be greeted with a royal welcome by Princess Minnie Mouse and Princess Daisy Duck by the Disneyland Train Station near Main Street U.S.A. This will happen every 30 minutes per hour.

However some of the other enchanting entertainment options may overlap with others, so you should think about which one’s you won’t want to miss out on! I have you covered with where they will be and their showtimes below so you can decide ahead of time.

On Mainstreet U.S.A and Main Street Cinema

1. Princess Gowns of the Past

• 9:00 P.M. to 1:00 A.M. 

1. The Cavalcade (parade) featuring Giselle (only on Mainstreet U.S.A)

• Starts at 9:15 P.M. and will happen two times per hour

At Tomorrowland Terrace in Tomorrowland

1. Pop Princess Dance Party featuring Vanellope Von Schweetz!

• 9:00 P.M. to 1:00 A.M.

2. Share your Light over by the Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage

• 9:00 P.M. to 1:00 A.M.

On Cafe Orleans Patio and New Orleans Square

1. Struttin’ Jazz Band

• 9:00 P.M.
• 10:00 P.M.
• 11:00 P.M.
• Final performance at 12:15 A.M. 

1. Soaring Melodies Under the Stars! This is a musical performance that will feature special appearances from Disney Princesses located at the Rivers of America Near New Orleans Square

• 9:30 P.M.
• 10:45 P.M. (Sign language interpreter available)
• 11:45 P.M. (Sign language interpreter available)

What Limited-Edition Merchandise can I purchase at Princess Nite?

If you’re a collector, you won’t want to miss the limited-edition Princess Nite merchandise! There are often exclusive t-shirts, usually pins, and other souvenirs that you can only purchase during the event. Make sure to arrive early if you’re hoping to snag any of these items, as they tend to sell out quickly.

From Disney’s event guide they only listed one sneak peek for a t-shirt that says “Princess Nite 2023” and is limited to 5 per guest; however I am sure we will see more the day of the event. You can purchase this t-shirt at the following locations:

1. The Star Trader Showcase
2. The Emporium
3. The Pioneer Mercantile

If you are into Disney jewelry (such as Crislu) like I am, then you should stop by the Jewelry Trunk Show featuring the designs of Amir Parstabar at the Emporium on Main Street U.S.A between the hours of 8:00 P.M and 12:00 P.M. 

Keepsakes for Magic Key Holders for Princess Nite

Remember to visit the Star Wars Launch Bay to get your special keepsake for Princess Nite. You must show your pass and wristband for it. Limit is one per magic key holder and this will be while supplies last. 

There you have it my Mouseketeer friends! Everything you need for a perfect Princess Nite at the happiest place on Earth.

A chance to be featured on Disney Finds

Share your photos and videos with me by tagging @disneyfindsoffical on social media (if you found this After Dark Event guide for Princess Nite at Disneyland helpful) for a chance to be featured on my page(s). Also be sure to share this with your loved ones who are going to this event! Have fun and I’ll see you there.