Dapper Day started in 2011 as a way to show ones love of Walt Disney Parks by dressing up a bit. The original idea was to wear something fashionable as would have been worn in the 50s or 60s, and was represented so wonderfully in all the glorious concept art from artists like Herb Ryman.
Over the years it has expanded to include a more broader definition of dapper and a wider palette of creativity when it comes to outfits. Some of my favorite outfits are the Disney Bounding ones, where you wear clothes that evoke a Disney character, but fall short of out and out cosplay.
This event is all fan led and not an official Disney event. However various Disney divisions have thrown their support behind in in small and sometimes large ways in the past.
The next Disneyland Dapper Day is actually tomorrow – September 12. It will include most of the usual in park events. Dress your best while visiting one or both of the parks with an estimated 20,000 other event participants. Disneyland is scheduled to close at midnight* & Disney California Adventure at 10p*. The Mark Twain will be closed for refurbishment over the Friday Sept 12 event so alas no riverboat gathering is planned. Join in the “Dapper Derby” by riding King Arthur Carrousel anytime after sunset. Everyone is encouraged to bring their cameras and share photos using the hashtag #DapperDay
New for 2014 is a Dapper Day Expo. On both September 12+13 (Fri 12-9, Sat 11-8) there will be a free, 2-day marketplace inside Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel. You’ll find 30+ merchants celebrating “dapper” living with vintage and contemporary clothing plus accessories, beauty products, and more for men, women, and children. Also support Dapper Day buy picking up some Dapper Day merchandise debuting exclusively at the Expo!
The expo is free and open to the public. Take advantage of free parking first 3 hours at the Downtown Disney parking lot.
More information on Friday and Saturday’s events at DapperDay.com.
Can’t hop on a jet to Anaheim overnight? Dapper Day is coming to Disneyland Paris on September 20th and Disney’s Hollywood Studios on September 27th. So if you live near either of those locals, start getting your outfits together now.
(photo courtesy Myrna Litt – All rights reserved)