Originally Posted By magnet Is anyone planning to go to the Night of Joy event at WDW this year? I've been wanting to go for several years now, but September is typically a busy time for me and things didn't work out again this time. I am so bummed! This year's event looks like it will be awesome. There are so many participants that have really become big over the years like Third Day, Chris Tomlin, and Steven Curtis Chapman. I had the pleasure once of seeing Salvador sing at what I guess is their home church near Austin, TX. Their families were there and it was a really wonderful evening. Has anyone been to Night of Joy before? Is it as good as it seems it must be? If you go to the one this year (2007), please post here about what you did and what you thought about it. I'd also be curious to know how this event got started. Does anyone know the history of this event -- how it got started and how long it's been running? I'm also wondering how well of a job Disney does at not ruining the setting for the event. It's not something you really want to see Goofy or Mickey show up at, and the draw for the event is not so much the names of the participants but the meaning behind the music and the atmosphere created by what is being celebrated in the songs.
Originally Posted By -em < working it... thats the "perk" of being the new kid... Ive never been at the park for the event but Ive heard that while its billed as a "christian event" most of the people attending are uh to put it kindly are "far from christian" in their acts and behavior I havnt heard much from the guest perspective so ya may get other views but from what I know its not the inspirational evening that its billed to be... -em
Originally Posted By magnet Hmmm, well -- that's too bad. I guess I'm glad I've never made it there after all.
Originally Posted By twirlnhurl I went to Rock the Universe at Universal Studios (same idea as Night of Joy), and felt more uncomfortable due to the actions of the guests around me then I felt at Halloween Horror Nights. My friend, however, swears by both of these events.
Originally Posted By MPierce My curiosity meter is just clicking away. Exactly what were the guest doing that was making folks feel uncomfortable. That is if you don't mind sharing -em, and twirlnhurl.
Originally Posted By Friar Tuck and Roll I know this is a shameless plug but if you really want to see a history of Night of Joy check out my website at <a href="http://nightofjoy2000.tripod.com" target="_blank">http://nightofjoy2000.tripod.c om</a> To answer some of magnet's questions, Night Of Joy was started 25 years ago making it the second oldest of Disney's hard ticket events (after Grad Nite). It is a great event if you are there for the music. Yes the crowds can be quite rowdy mainly due to the fact that most of the crowd is unsupervised teenagers, many of whom on on their own for the first time. As for the setting and Disney keeping theming, well that issue seems to go back and forth. Some year's there have been no characters whatsoever while in others there have been unique character encounters, like the Dance Party held in front of Ariel's Grotto with Stitch, Baloo, Tigger, and a few others I dont really recall. The thing that takes away theming is the use of music in the park. Christian pop music is pumped through all of the outdoor speakers, both to the determent of theme and sometimes to the determent of the bands performing on stage. Overall, I personally really enjoying going to Night of Joy (and Rock the Universe depending on which bands are playing) and if you are interested in attending my all means go and do not be discouraged by the activitys of some guests. If you do want to go buy tickets soon as they do tend to sell out.
