Dapper Day

Dapper Day is a semi-annual gathering that takes place at the Disney theme parks in Los Angeles, Orlando (spring and fall), and Paris (autumn only). The event is described as fashionable outings to Disney Parks that are intended to celebrate the tradition of "stepping out in style".^[1] First held in February 2011 at the Disneyland theme park in Anaheim, California, as a small function organized by Justin Jorgensen, it has since been held with additional related attractions, including the Dapper Day Expo, Folly: the official Dapper Day after-party, and the Dapper Day car show. "Dapper Day" is a registered trademark and Dapper Day events are not associated with The Walt Disney Company.^[2]

Dapper Day is intended to celebrate the idea of dressing up in any manner or style. Participants dress in fashions ranging from vintage inspired to contemporary chic.^[3] Dapper Day is not a private, ticketed event, but rather, an informal in-park meetup where sophisticated attire is encouraged. Although regular park-goers are allowed into the park on these days, participants are required to have either a park ticket or annual pass in order to enter. Active and retired military are encouraged to wear their service uniforms or dress blues; however, other costumes or cosplay are considered more appropriate for other events. Participants dress in a style that can be likened to the idea of "their Sunday Best", a concept popularized in the 1950s and 1960s. Dapper Day traditions include a group ride on the Mark Twain Riverboat which is referred to as the "Mark Twain Mixer", and a taking a turn on the King Arthur Carrousel, referred to as the "Dapper Derby" during the event.^[4]

History

Justin Jorgensen

Justin Jorgensen, the founder of Dapper Day at Disneyland, grew up in Fargo, North Dakota. The inspiration behind the name "Dapper Day" is connected to a childhood experience Jorgensen had, in which his family travelled to Winnipeg, and encountered a store called "Dapper Dan". After taking one of the free promotional pins from the store, Jorgensen asked his mother what the word "dapper" meant, to which she responded, "It means you’re well-dressed — smart and sharp."^[5] A self-proclaimed "eccentric" dresser, Jorgensen decided to name this idea of dressing up for a day at Disneyland "Dapper Day". Jorgensen currently works as a creative and brand consultant.

Additional reports note that Jorgensen recognized a trend among his friends to "dress down" when frequenting the park, where in other instances they dressed up as a matter of personal style. In an pushback against this relaxed park attire, Jorgensen imagined a day dedicated to "dapper" dress.^[6]

2011 to present

A man and woman showcase their style at the Fall 2015 Dapper Day event at Disneyland.

The first Dapper Day was held in February 2011 at the Disneyland theme park in Anaheim. Over a two-week period, Justin Jorgensen promoted the first Dapper Day outing using social media. Nearly 100 people showed up for that first Dapper Day, and the number of attendees has increased each year. Jorgensen's photographs from the event gained popularity on the Internet, and interest grew for holding another Dapper Day event. In response, Jorgensen decided on a biannual format that would take place in the fall and in the spring. Due to warmer weather conditions, the fall event was positioned as a nighttime event, whereas the spring event would take place all day. This model also lends itself to the fashion-centric nature of Dapper Day, mirroring the daytime and evening looks of a fall and spring collection.^[3]

The second Dapper Day event, which took place at Disneyland as well, drew an estimated 500 people. In spring 2012, Dapper Day had 1,200 participants, and more than tripled its size in the fall of that same year with a crowd of 4,500 people. Just two years after the first Dapper Day was held, over 10,000 people came to the park, donning their Sunday best to celebrate the event. Following this dramatic increase in participation in the spring, Jorgensen began running the semiannual event full-time. At the most recent Dapper Day event in the fall of 2015, an estimated 20,000 people participated.^[3]

Art that inspired Dapper Day

Herb Ryman's rendition of Cinderella Castle at Walt Disney World

Justin Jorgensen has said that he first thought of the concept of a Disneyland dress-up day a decade before the first Dapper Day took place. Jorgensen has said that he was inspired by the Walt Disney Imagineering concept design illustrations from the early days of Disneyland. In drawings by John Hench, Herbert Ryman, and other artists, the park's visitors appeared to be dressed in era-appropriate clothing for sophisticated entertainment, such as a night at the opera. The men were drawn in tailored suits, the women were styled in dresses and layered pieces, and the children donned formal jackets and dresses.^[7] Many of the attractions imagined in the original design developed into the rides and parks that stand today; Jorgensen wanted to see that full picture (guests included) come to life.^[8]

Herb Ryman's rendition of Disneyland Paris

Related events

Dapper Day Expo

Held exclusively at the Disneyland Anaheim location, the Dapper Day Expo is held in the Disneyland Hotel Exhibit Hall. A variety of vendors sell both vintage and contemporary clothing, as well as other products and accessories. Beauty demos are also offered to style guests in a particular period look. The hall also features a bar, a swing orchestra providing live music, and a pomade parlor for styled hair touch-ups. The 2015 expo also brought an authentic tintype photo booth to the site, so that in addition to a photo or a sketch, attendees could have their likeness printed in metal during the day. Tickets are not required for admittance to the two-day long event.^[9]

Folly: the official after-party

Following the day's festivities, participants 21 and older have the option to attend the official Dapper Day after-party, Folly. The 2015 Folly event took place in Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen in Downtown Disney, Anaheim, lasted four-and-a-half hours, and featured live music and DJ performances. Tickets were required for entrance into the event.^[10]

Dapper Day Car Show

In 2015, the first Dapper Day Car show was held in the parking lot of the Disneyland Hotel. Those who wished to register a vehicle for the show were encouraged to "arrive in style" by bringing cars defined by classic style and refined design from all time periods. Bare metal cars, rat rods, unfinished cars, "work in progress" cars, project cars, and motorcycles were not invited to participate in the event. Public viewing access was free, while food and refreshments were available from designated Disney vendors.^[10]

Charles Phoenix Retro Disneyland Slide Show

Dapper Day participants can opt to purchase tickets to a viewing of the Charles Phoenix Retro Disneyland slide show at AMC Theaters Downtown Disney, which features actual slides from guests who visited the park in the early days of Disneyland.^[11] The show includes pictures of park-goers dressed in 1950s and 1960s fashions, as well as attractions that have since been retired, such as The House of the Future, the Skyway, Skull Rock, Rainbow Caverns, the Flying Saucers, and Carousel of Progress.^[12] Charles Phoenix is an American pop culture humorist and historian whose work is associated with 1950s and 1960s kitsch and Americana.

See also

• Star Wars Weekends
• Gay Days at Walt Disney World
• Bats Day in the Fun Park

References

External links

• Paper Mag: "Disneyland Time Machine with Dapper Day"
• 365hangers: "The Best Dapper Style at Disney’s Dapper Day Spring 2015"
• LA Weekly: "Dapper Day at Disneyland 2013"
• laist: "Photos: Dapper Day Brings Old Timey Fun To Disneyland"