A ~Toadally~ Groovy Guide to Throwback Nite at Disneyland (2023)

Hey Daddy-o! The Frog Family is taking on a Disneyland After Dark event once again. Throwback Nite is returning for two nights this year, and we are more frogcited than ever! This special Nite takes guests back to the dawn of Disneyland Resort, allowing guests to take a trip down memory lane and enjoy retro-inspired entertainment, attractions, dining and decor reminiscent of the park's early days. There are so many things to see at this event and such little time to see them. With that said, let's hop into everything you need to know to fully enjoy Throwback Nite!

Hop To

• Overview
• Dates
• Characters
• Attire
• Entertainment
• Dining
• Attractions
• Merchandise
• Tips

Overview of Throwback Nite at Disneyland

Calling all cool cats (and frogs)! The Disneyland After Dark event, Throwback Nite, is returning to Disneyland in 2023! Only the second year it has occurred at the park, this event transports guests to the debonair days of the 1950s and 1960s. Offerings for this year's Throwback Nite event can be found on the Disneyland app. (Make sure to search for Throwback Nite in the app.)

With a ticket to this after-hours event, you can enjoy a blast from Disney's classic past, with vintage live music, classic characters, unique photo opportunities, distinguished dining and plenty of nostalgic entertainment (including the first fireworks show ever held in the park). Additionally, many scrumptious eats from the park's early era will be available for purchase! Ya, dig?

Throwback Nite Tickets and Dates

For two nights in April, specifically April 18 and 20, Throwback Nite festivities will envelop the park! Guests can begin to enter Disneyland at 6 p.m. the day of the event (and mix with regular day guests), with the actual festivities beginning at 9 p.m. and continuing until 1 a.m. As soon as the clock strikes 8 p.m., the park closes and exclusively hosts Disneyland After Dark ticketed guests.

Tickets for this event went on sale on the Disneyland website Feb. 23, 2023, with tickets still available for purchase! Magic Key holders were able to purchase these tickets starting Feb. 21, 2023.

Characters and Photo Locations at Throwback Nite

Get into the swing of things by posing for a photo with a classic Disney character! There are also some vintage photo backdrops inspired by the first two decades of Disneyland magic. Enjoy unlimited Disney PhotoPass digital photo downloads from the party. Scan the QR code on your event wristband into the Disneyland app for unlimited access to photos captured during the event.

Classic Characters Meet and Greet Locations

Throwback Nite features some of the most fascinating, classic Disney characters in its entire history. You can find these early-era characters throughout the park:

Main Street, U.S.A.

• Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse (included in PhotoPass)

Fantasyland

• Dumbo
• Pinocchio & Friends
• Cinderella & Friends
• Aurora & Friends
• Hyacinth Hippo (from "Fantasia") (included in PhotoPass)
• Mademoiselle Upanova (from "Fantasia") (included in PhotoPass)
• Alice & Friends

Frontierland

• Peter Pan & Friends

Critter Country

• The Three Little Pigs and The Big Bad Wolf

Tomorrowland

• Mother and Father from Walt Disney's Carousel of Progress (included in PhotoPass)
• Tomorrowland Space Couple (included in PhotoPass)
• Mr. Morrow (from "Flight to the Moon") (included in PhotoPass)

Classic Photo Opportunities

Flashback to yesteryear with toadally vintage photo opportunities, centered on timeless attractions and posters, such as Skyway and Autopia and antique Disney films. These precious flicks are captured by Disney PhotoPass photographers at the party.

Here are the locations of the special photo scene opportunities and backdrops for Throwback Nite:

Main Street, U.S.A.

• Walt Disney's Disneyland Park
• Disneyland Marquee

Tomorrowland

• Mighty Microscope
• People Mover

Fantasyland

• Skyway

Frontierland

• Rainbow Caverns Mine Train

New Orleans Square

• Disneyland Railroad

Throwback Nite Attire

Arrive in style, sporting the most dapper 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 this night.

Disneyland After Dark 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 Throwback Nite

Bask in the night with a variety of musical entertainment at Throwback Nite. Dance parties and DJs will make you do the mashed potato. You can also bunny hop to the beat of the live bands and musicians inspired by the era.

Take the time to gaze upon the nighttime fireworks spectacular “Fantasy in the Sky,” which is the same show that first illuminated the park in 1957! This show will happen once at 9:30 p.m.

In 2018, the event enlisted the musical talents of the Dapper Dans, Tupua, Atlantic City Boys and more. There was also a Musical Riverboat Cruise show and frogcinating exhibits, such as Circa Vision and Skyway Bucket.

This year, a Mariachi Espectacular will take place at Zocalo Park in Frontierland at 9 p.m., 10:15 p.m., 11:15 p.m. and 12:15 a.m. Swing Dancing will also occur at the Royal Theatre in Fantasyland at 9 p.m., 10 p.m., 11 p.m. and 12 a.m. Be ready to dance the night away!

Dining at Throwback Nite

Indulge in delicious delicacies from the Golden Age during Throwback Nite. Don't froget to snack like it's 1955 with treats from the park’s early days, made once again just for this event!

Here is a list of treats that will be available during the event and where to get them:

Refreshment Corner

• Circus Pretzel
• Main Street Sunrise Drink

Jolly Holiday Bakery & Café

• Jelly-filled Donut
• Baked Pineapple & Ham Toasted Sandwich
• Sundae Cupcake

Gibson Girl Ice Cream Parlor

• Espresso Cookie Sandwich

Plaza Inn

• Home-style Meatloaf Dinner (Plaza Inn)

The Tropical Hideaway

• Tropical Punch Dole Whip Float

Blue Bayou Restaurant (reservations recommended)

• Monte Cristo Fritters
• Empanadas
• Cuban Slider
• Escabeche (plant-based)
• Ahi Tartare
• Chicken Gumbo
• Young Coconut
• Zombie Cocktail

Harbour Galley

• Chocolate Chip Cookies
• Apple Spice Milk

Hungry Bear Restaurant

• Reuben Burger
• Impossible Sloppy Joe Fries (plant-based)
• Glitter and Gold Funnel Cake

Rancho Del Zocalo Restaurante

• Ta-cup Trio

The Golden Horseshoe

• Bacon Caramel Sundae

Stage Door Cafe

• "So, a Taco went for a Walk..."
• Float Funnel Cake

Red Rose Taverne

• Chicken Parmesan Sandwich
• Patty Melt Loaded Bites
• BLT Flatbread
• Orange-Vanilla Cream Soda

Galactic Grill

• PB&J Burger
• Orange Vanilla-Cream Soda

Castle Hub, Tomorrowland & Frontierland Churro Carts

• Root Beer Float Churro with Root-Beer flavored Sugar and Vanilla Ice Cream Drizzle

New Orleans Square & Critter Country Churro Carts

• Glitter and Gold Churro with Banana Pudding, Peanut Butter Sauce and Gold-coated Bacon Bits

Fantasyland & "it's a small world" Churro Carts

• Milk & Cookie Churro rolled in Cookie-flavored Sugar served with Condensed Milk Dipping Sauce

Attractions Open for Throwback Nite

In 2023, Throwback Nite guests can enjoy after-hours access to iconic Disneyland attractions such as Peter Pan’s Flight, Pirates of the Caribbean and Jungle Cruise!

Here is a list of the attractions that were available during the first Throwback Nite event in 2018:

• Big Thunder
• Mark Twain Riverboat
• Frontierland Shootin' Exposition
• Indiana Jones Adventure
• Enchanted Tiki Room
• Tarzan's Treehouse
• Astro Orbiter
• Autopia
• Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters
• Autopia
• Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage
• Space Mountain
• Star Tours — The Adventures Continue
• Disneyland Railroad
• Main Street Cinema
• The Disneyland Story presenting Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln

Throwback Nite Merchandise

For Throwback Nite, each ticketed guest receives a complimentary commemorative map and lanyard with credentials. How frogciting!

There will be special event merchandise available at The Star Trader, Disney Showcase, Emporium and Pioneer Mercantile.

Tips for Throwback Nite at Disneyland

Here are some tips to maximize your time at Throwback 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. 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.
• 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 youhoppen to be in a line when the park closes, you can stay in line.
• Get all of your shopping done early in the evening. The stores all close at 1 a.m.
• Consider staying on-site or in a hotel close by so you can get to bed as soon as possible after the party ends.
• 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, near Pooh Corner, for a special keepsake.

Most of this information is from the first Throwback Nite event ever held, in 2018. Event details are subject to change for this year! Stay tuned for more updated information on Throwback Nite!

Are you attending Throwback Nite this year? Let us know your plans in the comments! While we don't currently sell tickets to the Disneyland After Dark events, we do have some hoppin'deals onhotelstays andmulti-day Disneyland theme park tickets.

Related: What to Expect at Disneyland After Dark Parties

Hoppy planning!