Everything We Know About Disneyland Paris Pride 2022
Deanne Revel explains why LGBTQ+ families might want to consider Disneyland Paris Pride as an alternative to Disney World in Orlando, Florida.
If you’ve missed the last couple of salty months, Walt Disney World has dug itself a big mouse-shaped grave in Florida with more and more bad news piling on about the company’s political donations and botched response to the state’s ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill. However, across the pond, French Mickey and Minnie are ready to SCREAM gay. It’s a strange juxtaposition, but the European mouse house is the most queer-friendly Disney Park and for the first time since all the COVID shutdowns, Pride is returning. Here’s everything we know about this special event, from celebrity performances to rainbow overlays on rides.
While most of Europe waits until July or August to celebrate Pride, Disneyland Paris is sticking to the American calendar and kicking off the celebration on June 11. The specialty-ticketed event is one-night-only at Walt Disney Studios Park. I had hoped after the 2019 debut, the event might move to Disneyland Park because Le Château de la Belle au Bois Dormant in all its gothic glory wrapped in Pride flags would make my queer sapphic heart burst. But no. It’s back at what most theme park critics consider to be the least fun park Disney ever created. Still, it’s the only park to ever host a Pride.
All ages are welcome, and the price tag ($106.80 USD per person) is the same regardless of age. Three and under are free just like any other park admission, but the event is from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. So, maybe don’t bring your baby unless they’re ready to rage or you’ve prepped them with a mega nap so they can keep up with older siblings. If you plan on staying at a Disney hotel, book your room first as you can save up to 15% on event tickets. And annual pass holders can save, too. Magic Plus Pass holders save about $10 and Infinity Pass holders save about $15.
The best part about this event is the relaxed dress code. Typically, only guests under 12 are allowed to wear costumes in the parks. But for special events like this and Halloween parties, costumes are allowed for adults, too. Wigs. Drag. Body glitter. It’s all a go as long as you’re not wearing a full-face mask for security concerns or a full-length cape for ride safety. You can even cosplay your favorite Disney character (but make it queer) with the caveat that you promise Disney not to dupe kiddos that think you’re the real deal. Posing with or signing autographs for kids isn’t allowed. There’s also a boilerplate statement on the park’s website that says, “Costumes or accessories that could cause offense in any way to our young guests or families, including any objects or imagery that are considered to be of an adult nature” are “forbidden.” I assume this is Disney’s subtle way of saying, “Please for the love of God, leave your banana hammocks at home.”
The highlight of course is Disney’s Colorful Pride Parade. I’ve been to some of the largest Pride parades on the planet, but nothing tops a healthy mix of Disney and Pixar characters and drag queens. Truly, where else on earth can you see Boy George and Mickey Mouse at the same event? The vibe is just so different and refreshing from any other Disney Park parade. There are no boy-girl-boy-girl dance sequences between floats and the cis-hetero princes and princesses are swapped out for characters that aren’t highly sexualized. This year’s celebrity guests haven’t been announced yet, but the park promises this year’s parade will be “louder, prouder and more colorful than ever” with “Disney characters dressed in rainbow colors” to “celebrate diversity in their magnificent sparkling vehicles.” That’s a nice upgrade from 2019, which only had Mickey and Minnie in rainbow costumes.
Once night falls, the party really starts with a massive Lollapalooza-esque stage right in front of a rainbow-clad Tower of Terror. This year’s headliners are MIKA, Bilal Hassani, and Becky Hill. And in addition to performances, most of the park’s rides will be open all night long, from Crush’s Coaster to Ratatouille: The Adventure. I’m most excited about the outdoor rides open in Toy Story Playland, like RC Racer and Toy Soldiers Parachute Drop. If I can keep my eyes open, the glowing rainbow view from up above should be pretty special. Tower of Terror will also be open, but you couldn’t pay me enough money to ride that again.
There’s also late-night clubbing. Yes, Disney clubbing. It’s family-friendly and honestly, some of the most fun I’ve ever had at a Disney Park is dancing with my family and friends. Could you go clubbing as a family somewhere else without paying $100+ each? Sure. But it’s more about being surrounded by fellow Disney queers and queer families. It’s a unique, loving vibe that, as an LGBTQ+ Disney fan feeling pretty disappointed with the American parks, I’m aching to experience this summer.
