Dateline Disney - September/October 2007
Families with Little Ones Can Bop Along with Zany Music and Fun During Playhouse Disney in Concert Series at Disney-MGM Studios
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Question: What do you get when you mix music, dancing, humor, games and skits -- all safe, fun and friendly for everyone from preschoolers to grandparents? Answer: Playhouse Disney in Concert presented by HUGGIES and PULL-UPS brands, which returns to Disney-MGM Studios at Walt Disney World Resort this fall.
Each Thursday through Sunday from Aug. 30 to Oct. 28, Coaster Courtyard Concert Stage comes alive with entertainment designed for Little Ones Travel Time, a special vacation period for families with young children -- and grandchildren. The Doodlebops, Johnny and the Sprites, and Grammy Award-winning Dan Zanes and Friends are on the marquee of the nine-week concert series (subject to change without notice):
Aug. 30-Sept. 2 -- Imagination Movers
Sept. 6-9 -- The Doodlebops
Sept. 13-16 -- Playhouse Disney Live!
Sept. 20-23 -- Imagination Movers
Sept. 27-30 -- Choo-Choo Soul
Oct. 4-7 -- Choo-Choo Soul
Oct. 11-14 -- Ralph's World
Oct. 18-21 -- Johnny and the Sprites
Oct. 25-28 -- Dan Zanes and Friends
Shows will be presented at 10 a.m., 11:15 a.m., 12:15 p.m. and 1:45 p.m. at Coaster Courtyard Concert Stage near Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith and The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror. For more information, visit disneyworld.com/PDiC.
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David Crowder*Band to Open 25th Night of Joy, Lifting Curtain on Star-Filled 19-Act Christian Music Event Sept. 7-8 in Magic Kingdom
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- David Crowder*Band will lift the curtain on the 25th annual Night of Joy with a 7:30 p.m. concert on Cinderella Castle Stage Sept. 7 ... and newsboys will have the honor of blowing a kiss and offering a final "God bless" from the same Magic Kingdom stage late in the night Sept. 8 as the last of 19 music acts performing during the milestone contemporary Christian event at Walt Disney World Resort.
David Crowder*Band and newsboys are among a half-dozen performers who will "play the Castle" during the two-night musical extravaganza that takes place after regular park hours (a special ticket is required for admission). Friday evening, 2006-2007 Dove Awards "Artist of the Year" Chris Tomlin and 2001 "Artist of the Year" Third Day will follow David Crowder to the landmark stage. On Saturday, Salvador opens the show at the iconic stage followed by Christian music's most-honored artist, Steven Curtis Chapman.
But that's just for starters. Three other stages throughout Magic Kingdom will also be alive with Christian music each evening -- and Night of Joy guests can also enjoy popular Magic Kingdom attractions during party hours. Here's the complete entertainment lineup (talent, show times and locations are subject to change without notice):
FRIDAY, SEPT. 7, 2007
Artist - Stage - Showtimes
BarlowGirl -Fantasyland - 7:30 p.m. & 8:45 p.m.
David Crowder*Band - Cinderella Castle Stage - 7:30 p.m.
Jessie Daniels - Cosmic Ray's Starlight Café - 9:15 p.m.
Leeland - Galaxy Palace Theater - 7:30 p.m. & 9 p.m.
Brian Littrell - Galaxy Palace Theater - 10:30 p.m. & 11:45 p.m.
Sanctus Real - Cosmic Ray's Starlight Café - 10:30 p.m. & 11:45 p.m.
Third Day - Cinderella Castle Stage - 11:30 p.m.
Chris Tomlin - Cinderella Castle Stage - 9:30 p.m.
Jaci Velasquez - Fantasyland - 10:20 p.m. & 11:35 p.m.
SATURDAY, SEPT. 8, 2007
Artist - Stage - Showtimes
Steven Curtis Chapman - Cinderella Castle Stage - 9:30 p.m.
Flyleaf - Galaxy Palace Theater - 7:30 p.m. & 9 p.m.
Rachel Hurt (GMA contest winner) - Cosmic Ray's Starlight Café - 9:15 p.m.
Kutless - Fantasyland - 11:20 p.m.
Mary Mary - Galaxy Palace Theater - 10:30 p.m. & 11:45 p.m.
newsboys - Cinderella Castle Stage - 11:30 p.m.
Smokie Norful - Fantasyland - 7:30 p.m.
Red - Cosmic Ray's Starlight Café - 10:30 p.m. & 11:45 p.m.
Salvador - Cinderella Castle Stage - 7:30 p.m.
Mark Schultz - Fantasyland - 9:25 p.m.
Advance tickets ($41.95 plus tax for one night, $71.95 plus tax for both nights) are available by calling 407/W-DISNEY or by visiting disneyworld.com/nightofjoy online. Tickets purchased on the date of the event will be $46.95 plus tax if available (Night of Joy is frequently sold out in advance).
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American Dreamers and Doers Celebrated in Epcot Pavilion
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Two exciting experiences offer Walt Disney World guests visiting Epcot's American Adventure pavilion a fresh new dose of "USA":
National Treasures, a most amazing collection of real-life Americana, debuts Sept. 28. Drawing on museums and foundations across the country, National Treasures features items such as the microscopes of George Washington Carver, items from the lives of Rosa Parks and Jackie Robinson and the Purple Heart medal awarded to Japanese-American World War II hero and U.S. Senator Daniel Inouye. Among many personal items of Abraham Lincoln: one of his stovepipe hats which has never been publicly exhibited outside the Lincoln Family Home in Manchester, Vt. The exhibition will be ongoing with displays changing-out periodically.
Updates have been made to the American Adventure show, a dramatic theatrical presentation that combines the magic of Disney Audio-Animatronics with innovations in film and special effects housed inside a 108,000-square-foot Georgian-style mansion. The American Adventure story represents great moments and inspired dreamers -- and their contributions -- that have helped shape the spirit of America. The show is anchored by the "Golden Dreams" film that depicts some of America's most moving events. New sequences include images from the tragic events of Sept. 11, 2001, Lance Armstrong's Tour de France victories and Oprah Winfrey's compassionate work with African children.
"These additional scenes portray the resilience and breadth of the American spirit," said executive show director and Disney Imagineer Rick Rothschild.
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Epcot Soarin' Fun Begins Even Before Guests Board the Attraction
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Epcot guests will discover something new, dynamic and huge to engage and entertain them as they await their turn to experience Soarin', one of the top-rated attractions at Walt Disney World Resort: Disney Imagineers, who have a legacy of engaging guests into the story during attraction queues, have used immersive graphics to provide a first-of-a-kind group game experience.
The interactive experience combines large video screens and leading-edge motion detection technology that encourages children and adults to move and play together, creating and manipulating different scenes from nature and other exciting settings. Guests can virtually fly a bird through a narrow river canyon and launch paint balls against a digital canvas to reveal hidden images. A series of five large video screens (each approximately 11 feet by 20 feet) showcase increasingly more challenging games as guests move through the queue.
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Spectacular Scenes Surround Audiences in Canadian Film
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- In September, Walt Disney World guests can glimpse today's Canada in a 14-minute motion picture presented in CircleVision 360 as a major feature of the Canada pavilion in Epcot World Showcase. Titled "O Canada!" the updated film includes new scenes highlighting Canada's natural beauty, cosmopolitan cities and diverse populace.
In addition, the film is now hosted by Canadian actor Martin Short, whose charm, warmth and wit add a distinct and authentic flair. Walt Disney Imagineers collaborated with the Canadian Tourism Commission to update the film, including new orchestration and images, and Canadian Idol winner Eva Avila singing the music of "O Canada!"
The motion picture takes guests from the far northeastern shores of Newfoundland's Bay of Fundy by railroad to the southwestern beauty and tranquility of Buchart Gardens in British Columbia. Canada's natural beauty is majestically displayed -- from the 800-year-old redwood trees of Cathedral Grove to the astounding splendor of Horseshoe Falls to the snowy mountains of Kananaskis Valley.
The film includes the nation's capital, Ottawa, with its Parliament buildings and Rideau Canal; the sophistication of Toronto, with its nightlife and film festivals; and Quebec City, the cradle of French civilization in Canada. Also mentioned: the not-so-famous but artfully named small towns of Moose Jaw and Medicine Hat. The people of Canada are featured in outdoor activities including skiing, whitewater rafting and hockey.
