Disneyland Grad Night – Dates, Cost, and What to Expect [2024]
Springtime is quickly approaching, which means graduation time is around the corner. What better way to celebrate a new beginning after high school, than attending the Disneyland Grad Night for the 2024 year? That’s right, Disneyland Grad Night returns for this year’s graduating seniors!
Disneyland is inviting all graduates from the Class of 2024, to come to the parks to celebrate this important milestone.
With 15 different dates to choose from, this is a night that high school seniors won’t want to miss.
If you aren’t a high school senior or don’t have a child who is a high school senior, then don’t worry, we go over why this information is important for you too!
Disneyland Grad Night: The Break Down
Disneyland hosting a Grad Night is a big deal because Disneyland is the only Disney park that hosts a grad night for high school seniors. But what about Disney World? Disney World hasn’t hosted a Senior Grad Night since 2011. And there is no sign of its return.
This post will cover everything for Disney Grad Night, from dates, costs, perks, and more. Even just for fun, I included a bit of Disneyland history at the end of the post.
This post will constantly be updated as information becomes available. So be sure to check back each grad season to see what changes are happening with Disneyland Grad Night.
What is Disneyland Grad Night?
Disneyland Grad Night is a unique opportunity for schools to send their graduating seniors to celebrate at Disneyland. It is a special after-hours event for just high school seniors and their chaperones, providing seniors with a safe and sober grad night.
Seniors have the whole park to themselves from 9 pm until 2 am. A full 5 hours in the park without the long lines and crazy crowds.
If you are intending on looking for a gift for your Disney-loving grad, there is merchandise available on their website “Shop Disney”.
This includes special graduation ears, a graduation cap with Mickey ears, Christmas ornaments, and other special merchandise for the graduating class of 2024.
Note that these items are not high school-specific. So if you have a college graduate that is also a Disney fan, this could be a great gift idea as well. But know that Disneyland Grad Nights is exclusively for High School Seniors.
Klook.comDisneyland Grad Night: For Non-Graduates
Now you might be reading this blog, and thinking “I’m not a high school senior (nor have any in my family), so why is this information important?”
The answer is yes, this information is still critical. Because after-hours events affect crowds, and parks close early!
Let’s break it down, starting with the issue of crowds.
Even though the Disneyland Grad Night event takes place after Disney California Adventure closes, those seniors are going to be in the parks during the day. This will lead to higher crowds and larger crowds of teens.
The crowds might not be too horrible of a thing if you have little ones, as most of those seniors are going to be in lines for the more thrilling rides that Disneyland has to offer. Yet, it still means more people in the parks.
Don’t forget about Park reservation availability! With all of the students and chaperones having the option to be in DCA or Disneyland for the day, that is a few hundred park reservations that are going to be unavailable for regular guests!
Now to break down the issue of park closure. Even though Disneyland Grad Night is an after-hour event, Disney California Adventure park does close earlier.
Typically in the summertime, Disney California Adventure Park closes at 10 pm, however, for the event, the park will be closing at 9 pm to the general public. This is also the official start time of the Disneyland Grad Night.
Having DCA close an hour early might not seem like that big of a deal, but that hour can be valuable ride time during your day. Be sure to plan accordingly so you can really soak up all of the Disney magic and make the most out of your trip.
Disneyland Grad Night: Dates & Time
Even though the event is called Disneyland Grad Nights, the event actually takes place in Disney California Adventure park.
During the event, students have all of Disney California Adventure Park to share with only graduating seniors. This includes enjoying some exclusive event benefits that are only available during Disneyland Grad Nights.
The Disneyland Grad Night dates are held during select nights in May and June.
The specific dates are as follows;
May 10, 14, 15, 17, 19, 22, 23, 28, and 31
June 2, 5, 7, 9, 12, and 14
The Disneyland Grad Night event starts at 9 pm and ends at 2 am. Giving graduating seniors enough time to celebrate and enjoy their time.
Because the Disneyland Grad Nights are exclusive and don’t happen every night, it is important that you register early to secure your school’s spot.
Disneyland Grad Night: What To Expect
With every graduating class, Disney has a few different exclusive perks that they offer the attendees of Disneyland Grad Night.
In some years past, these perks have included a Snapchat filter and special characters for meet and greets. Additionally, Disney has also put on a unique World of Color Show specifically dedicated to that year’s graduating class.
Disneyland Grad Night: Ticket Options & Cost
There are 3 different ticket options for students who attend the grad night. The type of ticket the student will have will be dependent on what the school registers for and is able to reserve (based on availability).
The cost of the event will be based on two factors; the day of the week and the ticket option selected. This can be a bit confusing, so let’s break it down.
Ticket Option 1: Grad Night Event Only
This first ticket option is essentially the base-level ticket. It is the minimum cost that a student will have to spend in order to celebrate Grad Night in Disneyland.
With this ticket, the student is just allowed to attend the private Grad Night after-hours. The student is unable (without separate purchase) to visit the parks during the day, but they are able to enjoy all of the exclusive things of the Grad Night event from 9 pm – 2 am.
Ticket Option 1 Cost:
Tuesday – Thursday (weekdays): $109 per person
Friday / Sunday (weekends): $114 per person
*This is a $10 increase in ticket prices from last year
All-Day Park Admission and Event Ticket
This ticket option builds upon the base ticket discussed above.
This ticket allows students to spend the whole day in Disney California Adventure. With access to the private event after the park closes.
Which is a great way for graduating seniors to make the most of the day and have it truly filled with Disney magic.
Ticket Option 2: All-Day Park Admission and Event Ticket
This second ticket option builds upon the ticket option listed above.
Option 2 ticket allows students to spend the day in Disney California Adventure Park during normal operating hours in addition to having access to the after-hours event after the park closes to the general public.
This ticket option is a great way for graduating seniors to make the most of the day and have it truly filled with Disney magic.
Ticket Option 2 Cost:
Tuesday – Thursday (weekdays): $139 per person
Friday / Sunday (weekends): $144 per person
*This is a $10 increase in ticket price over last year
Ticket Option 3: Park Hopper Park Admission and Event Ticket
This is the top-tier ticket available for those students looking to attend, and really gives you the most bang for your buck.
With this third ticket option, graduating seniors are allowed to park hop and enjoy both Disneyland and Disney California Adventure parks during normal operating hours.
Then, when Disney California Adventure Park closes to the general public, graduating students then get their exclusive after-hours Grad Night party all night long.
Ticket Option 3 Cost:
Tuesday – Thursday (weekdays): $209 per person
Friday / Sunday (weekends): $229 per person
*This is a $10 price increase per ticket over last year.
Now, you might think that these ticket prices are a bit much. Especially since there has been an increase in the cost of tickets. However, it really is quite a deal.
The base cost of a single-day ticket to Disneyland is about $104 per person (age 10 and up). And the average ticket cost during May is $159, and during June is $169 per person (age 10 and up).
Disneyland Grad Night: Registration
It should be no surprise that the tickets for Disneyland Grad night sell out quickly. Because of this, Disney opens registration in August a year before the event occurs.
Registration for Disneyland Grad Night 2024 opened in August of 2023. Early registration (typically months prior) is pretty normal for most Disney events.
Schools have to register for the event in advance. During the registration, the top 2 ticket options that the school wants are selected. What the school actually gets is subject to availability as usual.
Whatever selection the school gets, is what the students then pay and receive.
Unfortunately due to the nature of Grad Night events, school registration is required with minimum requirements in order to get approved by Disney.
Disneyland requires that in order for a school to be considered for their Grad Night, there needs to be a minimum of 20 students and 20 chaperones need to be attending for Disneyland to consider approving it.
Disneyland Grad Night FAQ:
Here are some of the frequently asked questions about Disneyland Grad Night, that you might have. If you have any other questions regarding Disneyland Grad Night, then feel free to email, or message me.
Does Disneyland close for grad night?
Yes! Since the event takes place in Disney’s California Adventure park it does close early. However, not as early as some of the other after-hour events.
Typically Disney California Adventure closes around 9 pm or 10 pm. During Grad Nights, the park will close for regular guests at 9 pm.
Where this isn’t exactly “early”, it is something to keep in mind when at the parks as that hour can really make all the difference in what you can complete.
How does Grad Night work at Disneyland?
Grad Night at Disneyland isn’t just open to any senior in high school that is graduating. The school needs to register with Disneyland, to inform them of all the information, including how many students and chaperones are going to be attending.
There is a minimum requirement of at least 20 students and 20 chaperones.
Is there a dress code for Disneyland Grad Night?
Yes and no. Where there isn’t a specific strict dress code, there are a few guidelines that Disney expects participants to follow.
Disneyland does recommend that attending students and chaperones wear comfortable and casual clothing for the night but doesn’t list specifics about what students and chaperones can and cannot wear.
However, just like at the parks during the day, there is a dress code, and if you are caught wearing something inappropriate, you won’t be allowed in and asked to change.
Disneyland prides itself on being a family-oriented location. So it is important to dress accordingly. This does also include limited-exclusive events that happen after the general public leaves.
What hours does Grad Night happen at Disneyland?
The actual event only takes place for a few hours at night, but there are ticket options that allow you to expand upon your experience.
The school’s ticket reservation will determine how long the event will be for you.
The specific Disneyland Grad Night event starts at 9 pm in Disney California Adventure and ends at 2 am.
This gives graduating students plenty of time to enjoy everything that Disneyland has to offer for the grads.
If the graduating student has one of the other two tickets, then their day can begin when the parks open, and end at 2 am when the event ends.
Does Disneyland have performers during Grad Night?
Where no events for this year’s Grad Nights have been confirmed. But if it is anything like previous years, then there will be plenty of different events for the graduating seniors to enjoy.
In previous years, there have been plenty of different characters for the graduating class to enjoy photo ops with. As well as themed dance parties to enjoy.
Additionally, like most other Disney events, there is no restricted access to any of the popular rides. Like WEB SLINGERS: A Spider-Man Adventure.
Can anyone go to Disney Grad Night?
Any school can register to be a part of Disneyland Grad Night and will get approved as long as they meet the minimum requirements to get approved (20 students & 20 chaperones).
Unfortunately, if your school doesn’t register to be a part of the event, even if you are in the Class of 2023, you will not be able to purchase a ticket to the event. Tickets are not sold on an individual basis, like most of the other after-hour events.
Can parents go to grad night at Disneyland?
Unless a parent registers as a chaperone, no parents will be permitted after the park closes to the general public.
Once Disney California Adventure Park closes to the general public, then only the registered students and chaperones will be allowed to stay in the park. Everyone else will be asked to leave.
How much does Disney Grad night cost?
The cost of Disney Grad Night depends upon which ticket your school decides to purchase. There are 3 different ticket options varying in price from $99 to $219 per person.
Ticket prices do vary by the ticket options and the day of the week that you attend the night.
Disneyland Grad Night History?
Just for fun, I decided to include a little bit of the brief history of Disney’s Grad Night. Even though the Grad Night event is no longer offered at both Disney parks. It is fun to take a look back and see how things have changed.
When did Disneyland Grad Night start?
The tradition of Disneyland hosting Grad Night has been happening since June 1961, according to Disney History 101.
It is no secret that Walt Disney was a forward thinker, and was always thinking and bringing the ‘future’ to the now. This also meant that Walt Disney had an interest in the upcoming generations, of high school graduates.
Back then, there was a very strict dress code, where students had to be in nearly semi-formal/formal attire. Anyone who wasn’t dressed accordingly wouldn’t be allowed to attend.
According to D23, (Disney’s official fan club), Grad Night first took place at Walt Disney World in 1972. This obviously shows the popularity of going to Disneyland was, for graduating seniors.
The Disney Blog mentioned that in 1964, just a few years after the start of Disneyland’s Grad Nights. Disneyland actually pulled an all-nighter and stayed open for 24 hours!
Which just sounds like a wild experience! I mean how crazy fun would that be?!
Unfortunately, Disneyland no longer holds all-nighter events. If there was an event like that, I would definitely sign up!
The Wrap-Up: Disneyland Grad Night
Disneyland has confirmed that Grad Nights for graduating seniors is going to be returning once again to the Disneyland Resort in 2024! This is big news for those who have been looking forward to it for years.
There are various ticket options available for students who wish to attend. There is a minimum requirement that at least 20 students and 20 chaperones must attend from each school that registers.
Registration for the Disneyland Grad Night opens in August the year prior. It is important to register early, as nights do sell out, and registration does close. Registration is closed for the 2024 Graduation year.
There is no strict dress code, so treat it like you were going to the park during normal hours. Anyone who is not dressed in accordance will not be allowed in.
This is a great event for graduating Seniors to enjoy the Disney magic and make lasting memories with friends.
