One Of My Favorite Disneyland Events Is Coming Back, But I’m Terrified My Favorite Part Might Be Gone

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Disneyland creates unforgettable memories, offering experiences you won’t find anywhere else. This is especially true during Disneyland After Dark events. These limited-ticket nights make both Disneyland and Disney California Adventure even more magical with unique shows and character encounters you can’t enjoy at other times.

Disneyland has revealed its 2026 schedule for Disneyland After Dark, and it looks fantastic! There’s a new event called ’70 Years of Favorites’ which will celebrate Disneyland’s history with beloved characters and shows. Plus, fan favorites like Star Wars Nite, Pride Nite, and Disney Channel Nite are coming back, along with the always-popular Sweethearts’ Nite.

Sweethearts’ Nite Is The Best Disneyland After Dark Event. Fight Me

I’ve become a big fan of the Disney Parks After Hours events, and I’ve been to several at Disneyland, like Star Wars Nite and Oogie Boogie Bash. But my absolute favorite is Sweethearts’ Nite. The fact that it’s happening for nine nights in 2026 – while other events only run for four nights at most – proves it’s a hit with other guests too.

I especially love Sweethearts’ Nite because it features entertainment you won’t find anywhere else in Disneyland, even on a regular day. One example is the Lou-Ray Jazz Club, where a live jazz band plays on the Mark Twain Riverboat as you sail around the Rivers of America. But I’m worried that one of my all-time favorite Disneyland experiences from Sweethearts’ Nite might not return next year.

Once Upon A Dream Sounds Like The Royal Ball, But Might Not Be The Same

The Royal Ball has been a popular part of Sweethearts’ Nite since 2019. Originally held on the plaza outside It’s a Small World, it moved inside the Fantasyland Theater last year. The ball featured Disney Princes and Princesses dancing with a live band, and guests were invited to join them on the dance floor – the characters even danced with guests!

Honestly, no matter how grown up you think you are, when Ariel asks you to dance, it just takes you right back to being a kid again – I can tell you that from firsthand experience! I actually asked my wife if it would be alright to accept, and she gave me the go-ahead.

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During the ball, I had a surprisingly fun encounter. Drizilla, one of Cinderella’s stepsisters, was hilariously trying to get people to dance, but everyone kept rejecting her. I felt sorry for her, so I asked her to dance, and she was absolutely thrilled! We ended up having a really good time together.

Experiences like this are rare when all you do is briefly meet a character and take a picture. While a hug from someone you admire is great, this is something truly special.

I was already disappointed when the Royal Ball switched to the Fantasyland Theater because it meant fewer characters were available to interact with guests – though some still did get to dance. Now, it looks like the Royal Ball won’t even be part of next year’s Sweethearts’ Nite celebration.

A new show called Once Upon a Dream is coming soon! It’s a musical celebration of love and romance, showcasing different Disney princes and princesses and ending with a magical nighttime ball under the stars.

Although the event is advertised with Disney princesses and a ball, the new name suggests it won’t be quite the same as the Royal Ball held in previous years. It will likely include opportunities to meet characters, but it hasn’t been confirmed whether there will be dancing.

Just because ‘Once Upon a Dream’ will be different from the Royal Ball doesn’t mean it will be bad. In fact, it could actually be even better.

The event is likely to be held outdoors again, as the description mentions being “beneath the stars.” It might even be near the It’s a Small World ride, which could create a more intimate experience with the characters and guests. I’m hoping it feels like a return to the classic Royal Ball, and while I’m excited, I’m also a little concerned that something special from the past might be missing.

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2025-11-21 16:39