Everything We Saw at Disneyland's First-Ever Vintage Theme Night

Throwback Nite was inspired by the famed "Disneyland After Dark" TV special, a charming 1962 episode of Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color. Think Dapper Day at dusk, but the whole park is in on it, staying open until 1 a.m., just like the old days. Louis Armstrong isn't going to host a private concert on the Mark Twain Riverboat like he did on the show, after all, but there were plenty of retro tunes to suffice.

I can't express how much the live music really, really set the mood at Disneyland After Dark's Throwback Nite. Watching guests dance to a big band outside It's a Small World or take in the tunes of the Atlantic City Boys from atop the Main Street Train Station was so special.

Even the DJs, dressed in full costume, fit the of-the-era vibe, making radio show announcements of other happenings throughout the park. The playlist was impeccable, with small groups of dancers stopping by throughout the evening. Put it this way: you'll never appreciate five hours of snap-happy '50s tunes in Disneyland until you see and hear it for yourself!

If you've ever wanted to go to "Disney prom," this was the night. Between the couples swing dancing and doing the jive throughout Disneyland, it had a romantic magic that couldn't compare to any other event it's ever thrown. High school dance vibes were on high — with a bit of a grad night feel — but with everyone dressed so nicely, it was more so a date-night take on Dapper Day.

Having a dress code transformed the night, making little things, like waiting in line for a photo op, a grand people-watching experience. The outfits! The accessories! The older couples dressed in letterman jackets! With everyone in on the theme, there was a joyous sense of camaraderie.

Upon entering, special event guests were given a lanyard credential styled like the old-school Disneyland ticket books as well as a vintage Disneyland map outlining the festivities for the night. Disneyland After Dark is a five-hour event, but ticket holders were able to enter two hours before it began.

Throwback Nite officially began at 8 p.m., but we gotta say — the switchover from day to night guests did not go so smoothly. Many experiences didn't begin right at 8 p.m. because cast members were still turning over the crowds, and decorations and props were still being added to some photo opportunity areas as late as 8:40 p.m. Credential checkpoints throughout the park were intended to make the evening's start smoother, but for the first half hour, it was somewhat chaotic.

We had high hopes for the almost-scary-looking throwback costumes of the '60s — we know, we know, totally never going to happen — but our favorites came dressed and ready for the party. Zorro Mickey, Minnie in her soda shoppe best, and Goofy wearing a letterman jacket all made appearances. (Note his letter, in particular. It's the Disneyland "D"!)

Disneyland After Dark also had a few rare character appearances by Merlin, the Blue Fairy, and penguins from Mary Poppins.

Another added bonus? Instead of lining up for endless family photos, characters were given the freedom to mingle and be silly, which is so unique. This photo is from a dance-off between the Queen of Hearts and Tweedledum and Tweedledee, as Alice and the Mad Hatter looked on — something you'd never, ever see during normal park hours!

The most old-school entertainment of the night came by way of Disneyland's "Fantasy in the Sky" Fireworks Spectacular, which debuted in 1958. It may have only been four minutes long — seriously! — but to see a fireworks show set to instrumental music without Pixar characters or familiar songs was unexpectedly refreshing and full of vintage feels. Short but sweet, it was one of the more magical moments of the night.

Even though diehard Disney fans have seen The Dapper Dans millions of times, there's nothing like wandering toward the end of Main Street, U.S.A., and seeing a private — and hilarious! — appearance with just 20 other people, all dolled up in vintage duds.

Disneyland promised "sips and snacks that were a hit in the park's early days," and, well, it didn't totally deliver. Items like hot fudge cake sundaes, Mickey cloud cakes, and Dreamsicle Mickey beignets sound more like Summer 2017 foods with slight changes, which is a shame, because Disneyland has been killing it in the Instagram-worthy snack department lately. As for the specialty Pepper Jack Mac and Cheese Chili Mac? It was apparently great but not very 'gram worthy.

It doesn't matter if you don't care about Disneyland After Dark's next theme — just go for the rides! You could easily treat this event as your nighttime free-for-all and cram in so many experiences you could never have in a regular day. There's no FastPass, and with a significantly smaller crowd, Mad Tea Party and Astro Orbiter were walk-ons, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad's line took four minutes, and even the wait for Space Mountain, which was posted as 35 minutes, was 18. If you are a roller-coaster nut or simply want to ride Peter Pan's Flight without it taking all day, this is the time to do it!

Tickets to Disneyland After Dark were announced to be sold out, but we have our doubts. There's no complaining here, though. Look how blissfully empty Main Street was!

There were a few photo opportunities throughout the park, including a makeshift malt shop and a Mickey Mouse clubhouse, but the two best were the 1961 Chevrolet Bel Air convertible perched in front of the old-school Disneyland marquee and a Skyway bucket. The lighting was subpar, making it tough to show off in all its glory on Instagram, but all PhotoPass downloads from the party were free, making for a helpful solution to all those dark iPhone photos.

The branding of Disneyland After Dark was so good — how cute was that lanyard! And those maps?! — that the specialty souvenirs, which are probably intended to be sold at more than just this event, felt mainstream and a little lackluster. We wish there were even more vintage touches here, like what Walt Disney World did with its retro clothing line, YesterEars. (Which, psst — still has a few things available!)

Don't forget the freebies for Annual Passholders — here, it was a complimentary button sporting the same nighttime design as featured on the event's exclusive t-shirts.

Another unexpected perk of a Disneyland party that goes past midnight? No kids! The majority of attendees were high school age and older, infusing the park with a definitively adult feel.

The historical displays throughout the park honoring the origins of attractions like Carousel of Progress and It's a Small World were confusing at best, especially considering the informative signs were strangely used as photo backdrops. Given that it was a ticketed event run by the park itself, Disneyland After Dark could have been better served with a collection of vintage memorabilia or props, which it surely would have access to.

I don't want the future betterment of Disneyland to bring a damper to the night, but aesthetics aside, the construction zones throughout the hub and Town Square areas of Main Street, U.S.A., made it logistically difficult to know what was going on during Disneyland After Dark. From the heart of Main Street, you couldn't see performers or characters right around the corner; in front of the castle, the DJs, though a few steps away, were completely hidden. I'm all for improving the front of Disneyland, but it really made it difficult to know what was happening, especially with so much going on in those areas.

It's difficult to deny that between Disneyland After Dark and Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party — Disneyland's other ticketed nighttime event — the holiday event is the better deal. Both are the same price and the same length, but Disneyland Park's Halloween festivities come with a more elaborate fireworks display, a special parade, and complimentary sweets in addition to themed entertainment and specialty food. Guests arrive dressed in costume for that event as well, but Mickey's Not-So-Scary is generally more immersive, with cast members wearing themed outfits and the park itself decked out with decorations.

Still, for Disney's first time throwing it back to the '50s, guests had a good time, even if it lacked a certain oomph. For the same price as a value ticket, you'll get seven full hours in the park, most of which is filled with special one-night-only occurrences — like this ode to yesteryear's Tahitian Terrace dinner show. It's a tougher buy for Annual Passholders, but conversely, these events are more interesting to Disney fans than fair-weather guests. And, for what it's worth, Walt Disney World's late-night event — which includes free snacks but is only three hours long with no entertainment — costs $25 more.

If you're curious, give Disneyland After Dark's next event a shot. With smaller crowds, special entertainment, and an undeniable buzz in the air, you're bound to have a memorable, magical night.