Hey Disney friends! Last week we chatted about some of my favorite attractions to experience after dark at Walt Disney World, and this week I couldn’t leave Disneyland Resort out of the conversation. There is something wonderfully nostalgic about watching the original Disney park light up for the evening. As the lanterns glow along Main Street, U.S.A. and Sleeping Beauty Castle begins to sparkle, Disneyland feels even more magical than it does during the day. Then, just across the Esplanade, Disney California Adventure comes into its own as the sun sets over Pixar Pier and Cars Land starts glowing with neon lights. If you’re visiting this summer, here are five attractions that I think are even better once the stars come out.
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Disneyland Park
I’ve always loved Big Thunder Mountain, but there’s something about riding it after dark that makes it feel like an entirely different attraction. Racing through the wilderness beneath the night sky adds just the right amount of extra excitement, and the glowing lanterns scattered throughout the mountain make the whole experience feel like you’ve stepped into an old frontier adventure. If you can time it during the fireworks on select evenings, even better.
Radiator Springs Racers, Disney California Adventure
This one is almost cheating because Cars Land at sunset is one of the most beautiful places in any Disney park. The neon signs flicker to life, and the whole area transforms into Radiator Springs before your eyes. Taking a spin on Radiator Springs Racers afterward is simply the icing on the cake, with the colorful lights making every twist and turn through Ornament Valley even more spectacular.
Storybook Land Canal Boats, Disneyland Park
Not every nighttime attraction has to be fast. Storybook Land Canal Boats takes on an entirely different charm in the evening as the tiny villages twinkle with miniature lights and the peaceful waterways reflect the glow around them. It feels like every little tale is alive in the perfectly crafted miniature setting. It’s one of those attractions that encourages you to slow down for a few minutes and appreciate the quieter side of Disneyland.
Incredicoaster, Disney California Adventure
If you’re looking for a little more adrenaline after sunset, Incredicoaster is hard to beat. Racing around Pixar Pier with the lights shimmering across the water is such a fun experience, and those sweeping views across the resort are even more impressive at night. It’s one of those rides that somehow feels faster once the sun has gone down.
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, Disneyland Park
The beautiful lighting throughout Tiana’s Bayou Adventure gives this attraction a completely different atmosphere after dark. The glowing lanterns, fireflies, and warm colors of the bayou create such a peaceful setting that it’s easy to forget you’re moments away from the big drop. It’s a lovely reminder that Disney Imagineering often saves some of its most beautiful details for guests who stick around into the evening.
Before I wrap this up, I have to give an honorable mention to Jungle Cruise, which somehow becomes even more entertaining after sunset. There is something about drifting through the jungle in the dark that gives the whole adventure a different feel, and those classic skipper jokes never get old. One last tip if you’re planning your evening at Disney California Adventure: be sure to check the performance times for World of Color. Viewing areas and walkways around Pixar Pier can be affected before and during the show, so it’s worth planning your ride on Incredicoaster or a stroll through the area around the entertainment schedule. However you spend your Disney evenings, I hope you leave a little room in your itinerary to experience the parks after dark. It’s one of my favorite times of the day, and I think you’ll quickly see why.
