Disney and Universal theme parks strive to make all guests feel welcome with cultural activities (such as Lunar New Year and Dia de Los Muertos celebrations), in-park experiences honoring Black History Month, and the upcoming after-hours parties and merchandise collections celebrating the LGBTQ+ community during Pride Month.
"Both Disney and Universal celebrate the world's diversity through storytelling and inclusive experiences within their respective properties," said Scott Wismont, owner of Rainbow Getaways in Orlando, Fla. “Pride celebrations at the theme parks allow members of the LGBTQ+ community to be their true selves.”
Colorful themed treats are available at Disney parks during Pride Month.
Credit: 2024 Disneyland Resort
Disney Pride Events
Following last year’s inaugural, separately ticketed Pride event — which Denise Ambrusko-Maida of Buffalo, N.Y.-based Travel Brilliant says received “overwhelmingly positive social media response from people who attended it" — Disneyland is once again hosting Disneyland After Dark: Pride Nite, with two after-hours parties on June 18 and 20, 2024.
Both events will take place in Disneyland Park, offering themed food and beverages, photo ops and dance parties, as well as a Welcome Pride character cavalcade, a Pride Nite Dance Club along the Rivers of America and a special Disneyland After Dark: Pride Nite fireworks display.
Pride Nite events officially start at 6 p.m., but clients with party tickets can enter three hours early to get a head start on riding favorite attractions.
Pride Nite features the Welcome Pride character cavalcade.
Credit: 2024 Disneyland ResortIn addition to hosting after-hours Pride events at Disneyland and promoting Pride Month through dedicated merchandise collections and themed food and beverages at both U.S. resorts, Disney Destinations has been a Platinum Global Partner of the International LGBTQ+ Travel Association (IGLTA) since 2017.
“Theme parks showcasing LGBTQ+ representation year-round can make a powerful statement of acceptance and inclusion," said John Tanzella, president/CEO of IGLTA. “Travel agents play an important role in amplifying this message. Encouraging clients to participate in Pride Month events at … theme parks demonstrates the importance of LGBTQ+ travel and fosters a sense of community. By consistently supporting LGBTQ+ inclusion, travel agents can be true champions for our community."
Theme parks showcasing LGBTQ+ representation year-round can make a powerful statement of acceptance and inclusion.
Universal Pride Events
Universal Studios Hollywood is again partnering with L.A. Pride for Pride is Universal, a separately ticketed, after-hours “theme park takeover” from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. on June 15, 2024.
This year’s event features a new prom-themed dance party; performers from the Emmy-winning television show "RuPaul's Drag Race;" and a new, early-hours Kids Club with live music, character appearances and family-friendly activities.
Universal Studios Hollywood partners with LA Pride for an after-hours party called “Pride is Universal."
Credit: 2024 LA PrideParty guests can also ride Universal Studios Hollywood attractions, including Jurassic World – The Ride, Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, The Secret Life of Pets: Off the Leash, the world-famous Studio Tour (celebrating its 60th anniversary) and Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge in Super Nintendo World.
Clients can enter the park as early as 2 p.m. with a VIP ticket or 4 p.m. with a general ticket. Pride is Universal is a fundraiser for the Christopher Street West Association, the nonprofit organization that produces several L.A.-area Pride events.
The Disney Pride merchandise collection is created by members and allies of the LGBTQ+ community (Photo courtesy of Disney Parks)Pride Merchandise
Since its debut in 2018, the Disney Pride merchandise collection created by members and allies of the LGBTQ+ community has grown each year, as has the colorful “Love is Universal” collection at Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal Orlando Resort.
“The pride merchandise offered by Disney and Universal allows us to proudly display our love for the brand while also making a statement that love is love,” Wismont said. “After a slow start of the brands releasing their own pride merch, in the last few years, both brands have launched full collections.”
Select Pride items are also available year-round on the Disney and Universal online shopping websites.
Ambrusko-Maida notes that theme parks acknowledging Pride Month goes a long way toward showing their values; however, she points out that the support extends to the rest of the year, too.
“Universal and Disney have expanded dress codes to allow for more gender fluidity and gender expression,” she said. “If these parks are supporting their team members and cast members who are part of the LGBTQ+ community, we have to support these parks.”
