Welcome to planDisney, Esther! Your visit to
Disneyland Park for one of the most enchanting
After Dark events of the year is right around the corner, and I’m so glad you stopped by with this question.
Sweethearts Nite is a truly special experience, filled with romance, elegant entertainment, and charming surprises that make Disneyland feel like it’s been plucked straight from a fairy tale.
With your Sweethearts Nite ticket, you’ll be able to enter Disneyland approximately three hours before the event officially begins. This early entry is often referred to as the “mix-in” period, when Guests attending the event can enter the park while daytime Guests are still enjoying their visit. Once you arrive and scan your ticket at the main entrance, be sure to stop by one of the designated event check-in locations inside the park. Friendly Cast Members there will verify your Sweethearts Nite ticket and provide you with your commemorative credential, event guide map, and any other materials you’ll need for the evening. After that, you’re free to begin enjoying Disneyland ahead of the festivities.
That pre-event window is a wonderful opportunity to set the tone for a relaxed and memorable night. One popular strategy is to schedule a
dining reservation during those early evening hours. Many table-service restaurants continue seating Guests before Sweethearts Nite officially starts, making it the perfect time to enjoy a leisurely meal together before the park transforms into an After Dark celebration. Even if you prefer something more casual, this is a great chance to grab a favorite treat, take photos while the sun sets, or enjoy a few attractions with lighter crowds.
Once Sweethearts Nite officially begins, the atmosphere shifts in the most delightful way. Be sure to reference your event guide map, as it will list times and locations for all of the exclusive offerings available throughout the night. You can plan your evening around romantic highlights like the Celebrate Love Cavalcade or the dreamy Once Upon a Dream ball in
Fantasyland. Rare character encounters are another standout feature, with beloved couples and hard-to-find characters (such as Milo Thatch and Kida from Atlantis: The Lost Empire) making special appearances. Add in event-exclusive photo backdrops, themed lighting along
Main Street, U.S.A., and unique entertainment moments, and the park truly feels transformed.
Esther, I hope this helps you feel confident about when you can enter the park and how to make the most of every moment leading into Sweethearts Nite. If you’d like more tips for planning your evening or have additional questions as your visit approaches, please don’t hesitate to stop by and visit us again here at planDisney.
May your night be filled with romance, music, and magical memories!
David