Celebrating Valentine’s Day at Disneyland – Ultimate Guide

Disneyland Park sparkles each February with festive decor, entertainment, food, and keepsakes for Valentine’s Day. Guests can enjoy special dining options like prix fixe menus at signature restaurants, cute snacks like cookie milkshakes, and romantic backdrops for photos with Disney characters dressed in holiday attire. Sleeping Beauty’s Castle glows pink and red at night, Main Street is adorned with floral wreaths and garlands, and Mickey and the gang appear in sweetheart outfits for the season of love. The highlight is the separately ticketed after-hours “Disneyland After Dark: Sweethearts’ Nite” events in late January and early February. These nights extend park hours until 1 am with rare character meet-and-greets, dance parties, crafts, scavenger hunts, photo ops, fireworks, and more for lovebirds of all ages.

Highlights

  • Special dining offerings like prix fixe menus, themed desserts, snacks, and drinks available at locations across both parks and hotels. Popular options include the Blue Bayou, Napa Rose, Award Wieners, and Gibson Girl Ice Cream Parlor.
  • Festive decorations along Main Street USA and Sleeping Beauty’s Castle, including floral portraits of Mickey, heart wreaths on lampposts, themed window displays, and pink and red nighttime lighting on the castle.
  • Character meet-and-greets with rare characters like Esmeralda & Phoebus or Meg & Hercules dressed in sweetheart outfits, as well as photo backdrops with romantic phrases.
  • Entertainment like the “Romantic Moments” musical show and Mickey’s Valentine Surprise scavenger hunt with themed clues.
  • Merchandise such as themed Mickey ears, plush animals, apparel, accessories, pins, mugs, and more available in Main Street shops.
  • Fireworks shows like “Remember Dreams Come True” with a special Valentine’s finale.
  • The separately ticketed after-hours “Disneyland After Dark: Sweethearts’ Nite” events in late January/early February, with exclusive entertainment, activities, and offerings for couples.

Dining

Disneyland offers special dining options across both parks for Valentine’s Day. Here are some of the most popular:

  • Blue Bayou Restaurant: Offers specialty menus for lunch and dinner, featuring items like surf and turf and chocolate ganache cake. Also has stunning waterfront views.
  • Napa Rose: The award-winning signature restaurant in Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel has exclusive prix fixe Valentine’s Day menus.
  • Steakhouse 55: Located in the Disneyland Hotel, this upscale steakhouse has a special Valentine’s prix fixe menu.
  • Fantasmic! Dining Packages: Allows guests to enjoy a meal at River Belle Terrace or Blue Bayou, plus reserved seating for the nighttime Fantasmic! show.

In addition, many quick-service locations like Jolly Holiday Bakery Café, Clarabelle’s, and Award Wieners offer Valentine’s-themed desserts and snacks like red velvet cupcakes, chocolate-dipped strawberries, and cookie milkshakes.

Merchandise

Disneyland sells a variety of holiday-exclusive merchandise like plush animals, apparel, accessories, pins, and more. Some popular Valentine’s items include:

  • Themed Mickey ears with red bows, hearts, or Cupid Mickey
  • Minnie Mouse plush dressed in red with a rose
  • Mickey and Minnie plush sets dressed up for their date
  • Heart-shaped mugs and water bottles
  • Headbands and jewelry with phrases like “Be Mine”

Shops on Main Street like Disney Showcase and Emporium have the largest selection of Valentine’s merchandise.

Characters

Many Disney characters dress up for the Valentine’s season and make special appearances for photos and greetings:

  • Mickey and Minnie wear matching red and pink outfits.
  • Donald and Daisy meet guests in special sweetheart costumes.
  • Duffy and ShellieMay wear red with heart details.
  • Stitch attempts to woo Angel with flowers and gifts.
  • Gaston may give out roses to guest “belles.”
  • Rare characters like Esmeralda & Phoebus or Meg & Hercules appear especially for the holiday.

Entertainment & Activities

In addition to rides and attractions, Disneyland has special entertainment and activities on Valentine’s Day:

  • “Romantic Moments” musical show on the Small World Mall stage
  • Mickey’s Valentine Surprise scavenger hunt with themed clues
  • Valentine’s-themed crafts and card making at the Jolly Holiday Bakery
  • Character greetings and photo ops with romantic backdrops
  • After-hours Sweethearts’ Nite events (hard ticket) in February

Fireworks & Parades

  • “Remember Dreams Come True” fireworks spectacular has a special Valentine’s finale with romantic songs like “Bella Notte.”
  • Mickey’s Soundsational Parade sees Mickey and the gang in Valentine’s attire, along with heart-shaped floats.
  • On Sweethearts Nite nights, there are special late night fireworks viewing areas just for event ticket holders.

Decorations

Disneyland Park sparkles with Valentine’s decor from late January through mid-February:

  • The main entrance floral Mickey display becomes a red, pink and white floral heart.
  • Lampposts on Main Street are adorned with heart wreaths and garland.
  • Storefronts sport heart-shaped wreaths and window displays.
  • Trees, flower beds, and planters bloom with additional red flowers.
  • Romantic phrases and Xs and Os adorn the windows on Main Street.
  • Sleeping Beauty’s Castle gets special pink and red lighting at night.

Cost

Most Valentine’s offerings at Disneyland are included with park admission. However, there are some additional costs:

  • Special dining packages and prix fixe menus range from $60-$150 per person.
  • Disneyland After Dark Sweethearts’ Nite (Jan. 23, 25, 30 & Feb. 1, 6, 8, 12 & 14, 2024) event tickets cost start at $139-$169 per person.
  • Themed merchandise and keepsakes are separately priced.

Romantic Spots & Photo Ops

  • It’s a Small World: The walkway near It’s a Small World is beautifully lit at night and makes for a lovely romantic stroll.
  • King Arthur’s Carousel: This classic attraction offers a chance for couples to ride side-by-side on an ornately decorated horse.
  • Snow White’s Wishing Well: Located in Fantasyland, this wishing well makes for sweet photos and memories.
  • Sleeping Beauty Castle Walkthrough: The walkthrough offers an intimate, quiet retreat for couples away from crowds.
  • Main Street Vehicles: Riding vintage vehicles like the horse-drawn trolley, omnibus or fire engine allows couples to cuddle up.
  • Disneyland Railroad: The Grand Canyon and Primeval World dioramas viewed from the train create mood lighting.
  • Fantasmic! Dining Packages: Special dining plus reserved Fantasmic! seating provides a full date night experience.
  • Blue Bayou Restaurant: The atmospheric restaurant beside Pirates of the Caribbean sets a romantic tone.

Tips For Your Romantic Visit

Here are some tips to make the most of a Disneyland Valentine’s Day visit:

  • Make dining reservations early, as popular restaurants book up quickly.
  • Bring small bags so you can carry more merchandise easily.
  • Arrive early if you want unobstructed castle or floral heart photos.
  • Grab Times Guides to find character greeting times and locations.
  • Stay until closing for romantic fireworks shows.
  • Dress up to get into the Valentine’s spirit!

Crowds

As one of Disneyland’s lower attendance periods, February weekdays see fewer guests than peak seasons. However, crowds increase around the actual holiday:

  • Weekdays the first 2 weeks of February have low crowd levels.
  • Crowds increase starting Presidents Day weekend through Valentine’s Day.
  • Valentine’s Day itself is extremely popular with near-capacity attendance.
  • Weekdays after the holiday taper off again crowd-wise.

Those wishing to avoid crowds should visit before or after the holiday week if possible.

History of the Celebration

Disneyland has celebrated love and romance annually since opening its gates in 1955. Here’s a look back at Valentine’s Day festivities over the years:

1995: First record of Disneyland hosting a special Valentine’s Party event after hours in February, with live music and dancing.

Early 2000s: More Valentine’s Month offerings are introduced, like themed foods, merchandise, and decorations on Main Street.

2013: Disneyland coins the phrase “True Love Week” and debuts Mickey’s Valentine Surprise scavenger hunt and crafts.

2015: Sleeping Beauty’s Castle first gets temporary red and pink lighting for Valentine’s Season.

2019: “Romantic Moments” musical show debuts on the Small World Mall stage.

2022: New character appearances, photo backdrops, and after-hours Sweethearts’ Nite events join the lineup.

2023: Disneyland is celebrating Valentine’s bigger than ever, with special dining, new fireworks shows, entertainment, photo ops, merchandise, and more!

 

Conclusion

For nearly 70 years, Disneyland has celebrated romance and Valentine’s Day with offerings that grow each year. Guests can make memories over meals, take photos with beloved characters, watch fireworks, and take home themed souvenirs. The special after-hours Sweethearts’ Nite events encapsulate the Disney magic, sparking joy and romance. With enchanting ambiance, delicious food and drink, entertainment, decor, keepsakes and more, it’s the ideal spot for couples, friends, and families to enjoy the day of love.

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