Disney v. DeSantis heats up: Amusement park announces 'Pride Night' amid feud

Disney announced on Monday its first-ever “Pride Night” event to take place at its California theme park, escalating its feud with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.

During Prime Month in June, Disney plans to host an after-hours special event titled “Disneyland After Dark: Pride Nite” to celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community, the company posted on its website. 

The special event will be held on June 13 and 15, costing $119 a ticket.

“This after-hours event includes themed entertainment, Disney characters, one-of-a-kind photo opportunities, specialty menu items, event merchandise, and more! It begins with a three-hour pre-party mix-in from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. PT, then the private party runs from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. PT when guests can ride some popular attractions after park regular hours,” said Disneyland Resort’s Public Relations Manager Valerie Lee in a statement. 

DeSantis and Disney have been battling each other since the company’s former CEO verbally opposed Florida’s Parental Rights in Education Act, known as the “Don’t Say Gay” bill, which limits the discussion of gender identity and sexual orientation in classrooms with students aged nine or younger.

The feud intensified when DeSantis ended Disney’s autonomy over the area surrounding its Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando—a measure that had been implemented more than 50 years ago—and appointed a new board to oversee the district.

However, the new board became powerless after its predecessors passed a restrictive development agreement one day before turning over their positions, reverting most of the special powers to the entertainment company.  

On Monday, the battle escalated again when DeSantis vowed to stop Disney’s efforts to avoid oversight by the state and suggested building a prison next to Walt Disney World.  

“You’re not going to have Disney have its government in Central Florida,” DeSantis said. “You’re going to live under the same laws as everybody else.”