Students gathered across Memory Mall at the University of Central Florida on Thursday evening, filling the lawn with conversation, music and movement as “Disney at Dark” brought campus life outdoors.
Kicking off at 5 p.m., the event, hosted by the Campus Activities Board, celebrated Disney nostalgia and community engagement. Despite the cold weather, the space was filled with students participating in hands-on activities, socializing with peers and enjoying performances.
The event offered arts and crafts stations where students made flower crowns, leis and decorative slime. Another popular activity was constructing colorful jellyfish lamps using paper and shiny materials.
As night fell, attendees gathered to watch a staged performance, a luau showcase and an LED dancer presentation that illuminated the lawn. The evening concluded with a screening of “Lilo and Stitch,” bringing students together on blankets and lawn chairs.
Amelia Rodriguez, freshman undecided major, and Samantha Garcia, freshman kinesiology major, said they attended the event after seeing it on social media and hearing about it from their roommate.
“It gave us something to do instead of doing homework,” Rodriguez said.
Garcia said being able to make crafts was a major draw and the event provided a social environment distinct from other campus activities.
“You don’t have the supplies to make this stuff in our dorms,” Garcia said. “So coming here lets us get out and meet people.”
Both students highlighted the performances as a memorable part of the evening and described the event as unique compared to other programming offered on campus.
Emilia Tia, a senior health sciences major, and Yara Kiswani, a senior medical laboratory sciences major, said the Disney theme influenced their decision to attend.
Kiswani said the event felt relaxed and welcoming, especially in comparison to more traditional campus gatherings. Tia noted that the LED performance was exciting to watch and the Disney connection inspired feelings of nostalgia.
“With graduation approaching, it reminds you of childhood and gives a sense of comfort,” Tia said.
Aubrey Hunter, CAB’s concert director and a junior entertainment management major, said “Disney at Dark” was designed to foster student connection during the first week of the spring semester.
“That’s what CAB is about,” Hunter said. “Bringing people together at UCF and creating shared experiences where they can meet new people and find new friends with something that they’re also interested in.”