(Hopefully) going to Night of Joy!

[Sirimiri]

Hi all!

I found out today that it's likely I'll be going to Night of Joy (haven't decided if it's both nights or not), and I am beyond stoked, because this will be my first trip back to Disney in a decade... I was wondering if there were any tried-and-true strategies you had for making the best of the weekend while there, like the length of performances, etc. If it ends up just being Friday or Saturday, knowing how to work the park would be good. I know about Fastpass+ a little bit, but I am not overly informed, so if you can give a newbie some tips, it would be greatly appreciated!

 

[OKW Lover]

It kind of depends on what you're going for. If its the parks, then you should probably not go on NoJ. If its the performances, you'll miss much of the park attractions while seeing the performances.

 

[Sirimiri]

It kind of depends on what you're going for. If its the parks, then you should probably not go on NoJ. If its the performances, you'll miss much of the park attractions while seeing the performances.

I will be going for some of the performances, but not all of them (it's definitely Saturday, confirmed). With the way it is now, when do the parks close to outside guests, and it is only open for those with the extra ticket? That would factor into my choices (my only "must" is Dumbo, has been my favorite for a while).

 

[mesaboy2]

I will be going for some of the performances, but not all of them (it's definitely Saturday, confirmed). With the way it is now, when do the parks close to outside guests, and it is only open for those with the extra ticket? That would factor into my choices (my only "must" is Dumbo, has been my favorite for a while).

I'm pretty sure it's 7:00p, like the Halloween and Christmas parties.

 

[Sirimiri]

Im pretty sure it's 7:00p, like the Halloween and Christmas parties.

Thanks! So, do the performances start right there and then?

 

[momof2n2]

Sirimiri - just want to say HAVE A BLAST. I would love love to do NoJ!! Someday, maybe. We have similar events near our home all the time - but WDW would rock.

 

[Sirimiri]

Sirimiri - just want to say HAVE A BLAST. I would love love to do NoJ!! Someday, maybe. We have similar events near our home all the time - but WDW would rock.

Thank you, momof2n2! I definitely will

 

[fla4fun]

Thanks! So, do the performances start right there and then?

Not immediately at 7:00, but maybe 7:30ish.

I used to go to NoJ every year, but lately it's been too crowded and the crowd control measures have taken away from the spontaneity and fun of just wandering from show to show. Although I love the music, I probably won't be going back for a while. They had us packed so tightly into a holding area in front of the castle that I came thisclose to passing out before the show ever started. They had a temporary stage set up behind where Buzz usually does his meet and greet in TL, and the line to get into that show stretched all the way back past Space Mountain!

Hope your experience is better!

 

[Sirimiri]

Not immediately at 7:00, but maybe 7:30ish.

I used to go to NoJ every year, but lately it's been too crowded and the crowd control measures have taken away from the spontaneity and fun of just wandering from show to show. Although I love the music, I probably won't be going back for a while. They had us packed so tightly into a holding area in front of the castle that I came thisclose to passing out before the show ever started. They had a temporary stage set up behind where Buzz usually does his meet and greet in TL, and the line to get into that show stretched all the way back past Space Mountain!

Hope your experience is better!

Thanks! You said something here....are all the shows going on at once, or is it like a rotation of 3-4? I want to make sure I am the right ones when I need to be, ha ha.

Bummer about that, I don't mind crowds too much, and hopefully it won't be too bad. Wow, that's ridiculous. As I said, I haven't been to a park in 10 years, so I can only imagine how much crowds have grown. Thanks, fla4fun!

 

[bochnikm]

For Night of Joy; there are three main stages, the Castle, Tomorrowland and back stage of Tomorrowland (Galaxy Stage). Each stage has performances going on so you have to hope your favorites are not playing at the same time. Starting times do stagger at bit so it is possible to see the beginning of one and the end of the other, but in that case you will not be close to the stage. Galaxy Stage has a limited capacity, so if you want to see that performer you must arrive extra early to guarantee a view. The other stages have more room and you can always see them from the back if you arrive late. Jumbotrons makes sure you can see the performers at a distance. The Castle stage was a little bit more crowded last year due to the construction at the hub, but that should be completed by September. Crowds are packed at the very front of the stages, if you need a little bit more personal space then be at the back of the crowd.
With the Night of Joy ticket you can enter the park at 4PM and get some rides in before the concerts start at 7:30. But this period has the highest crowds; so lines will be long. If there is a set where you don’t need to see a performer, lines are generally low at the open attractions.
To get a feel of what it is like read our trip reports at http://bochnik.com/disneysept2014/disneysept2014.htm

 

[Sirimiri]

For Night of Joy; there are three main stages, the Castle, Tomorrowland and back stage of Tomorrowland (Galaxy Stage). Each stage has performances going on so you have to hope your favorites are not playing at the same time. Starting times do stagger at bit so it is possible to see the beginning of one and the end of the other, but in that case you will not be close to the stage. Galaxy Stage has a limited capacity, so if you want to see that performer you must arrive extra early to guarantee a view. The other stages have more room and you can always see them from the back if you arrive late. Jumbotrons makes sure you can see the performers at a distance. The Castle stage was a little bit more crowded last year due to the construction at the hub, but that should be completed by September. Crowds are packed at the very front of the stages, if you need a little bit more personal space then be at the back of the crowd.
With the Night of Joy ticket you can enter the park at 4PM and get some rides in before the concerts start at 7:30. But this period has the highest crowds; so lines will be long. If there is a set where you don’t need to see a performer, lines are generally low at the open attractions.
To get a feel of what it is like read our trip reports at http://bochnik.com/disneysept2014/disneysept2014.htm

Thank you so much! This is exactly what I was looking for.

 

[dock]

Lines were not low for attractions last year. It was very busy but the shows were awesome. And plan on rain as we heard others say it had rained on them at NOJ for several years in a row including last year. Last year was our first time and we hope to go again this year.

 

[sdsatl]

I am so confused, because one review said it's a dream with no waits and another said it's "hell". Judging from the tag on Instagram, it looks like a crowded, miserable event. I just can't believe Touring Plans (rave review) would be so misleading.

 

[Candleshoe]

It's crowded but GREAT fun and very moving. I've only been one year, but caught Matthew West for the first time there. Lots of youth groups roaming from venue to venue.

 

[AlexFrost]

I went to NOJ once and the energy was amazing. However I wouldn't really plan to do many of the rides. When I went the lines were long(but fun to wait in, as people would sing popular songs together), especially popular rides like Space Mountain. I'd plan to do maybe 3 at most, but I'd really suggest spending time enjoying the music.

I can't say much for what it's like to join the crowds in front of the stages as I spent much of my time sitting out of the way as I can't handle the massive crowds in close contact. So I guess you can take that to mean that even if the spots in front get packed, you can still enjoy it.

Also if you can... keep an eye out for the youth there. NOJ has the highest rates of shoplifting and young teens getting.. caught in the bushes. I don't know what it is. Maybe it's the ones that have been dragged there, or them getting caught up in the strong feelings of freedom(as for many it's the first time they are allowed to roam free of their parental figures) and getting caught up with the bad crowds. Either way, it's happening and I hope that maybe if there are more eyes watching it wont happen as much :/

 

[sdsatl]

For Night of Joy; there are three main stages, the Castle, Tomorrowland and back stage of Tomorrowland (Galaxy Stage). Each stage has performances going on so you have to hope your favorites are not playing at the same time. Starting times do stagger at bit so it is possible to see the beginning of one and the end of the other, but in that case you will not be close to the stage. Galaxy Stage has a limited capacity, so if you want to see that performer you must arrive extra early to guarantee a view. The other stages have more room and you can always see them from the back if you arrive late. Jumbotrons makes sure you can see the performers at a distance. The Castle stage was a little bit more crowded last year due to the construction at the hub, but that should be completed by September. Crowds are packed at the very front of the stages, if you need a little bit more personal space then be at the back of the crowd.
With the Night of Joy ticket you can enter the park at 4PM and get some rides in before the concerts start at 7:30. But this period has the highest crowds; so lines will be long. If there is a set where you don’t need to see a performer, lines are generally low at the open attractions.
To get a feel of what it is like read our trip reports at http://bochnik.com/disneysept2014/disneysept2014.htm

What a helpful review! "That will teach you to keep your fingers inside the boat" made me laugh, and now I really want to try breakfast at The Wave.

 

[sdsatl]

Also if you can... keep an eye out for the youth there. NOJ has the highest rates of shoplifting and young teens getting.. caught in the bushes. I don't know what it is. Maybe it's the ones that have been dragged there, or them getting caught up in the strong feelings of freedom(as for many it's the first time they are allowed to roam free of their parental figures) and getting caught up with the bad crowds. Either way, it's happening and I hope that maybe if there are more eyes watching it wont happen as much :/

In the bushes! 0.0 I went to a similar event at Six Flags in the early 00s, and one of the Christian performers I met sent me some pretty ungodly AIM messages. A good, but disappointing lesson for my young self.

 

[bochnikm]

I am so confused, because one review said it's a dream with no waits and another said it's "hell". Judging from the tag on Instagram, it looks like a crowded, miserable event. I just can't believe Touring Plans (rave review) would be so misleading.

The disparity comes from on how the crowd ebbs and flows on a Night of Joy day at the Magic Kingdom.
The morning at Magic Kingdom will have incredibly low crowds since:
- September has the lowest crowds of the year
- It is morning
- Many people avoid this park due the park closing early

The afternoon crowd will build like any other day.

At 4PM people with Night of Joy tickets are let in. Crowds build rapidly and rides are packed and lines are long between 4:30 and 7:30 PM. Compared with any other typical September day, it really looks crowded.

The concerts start at about 7:30. Most of the day crowd is gone but most of the Night of Joy crowd are still on the rides with wait times moderate.

As the night progresses the bigger headliners are on stage and the attraction lines lessen. That is why it is hard to do both rides and the concerts. You have to choose between the bigger performances or the shorter lines.


My advice to Night of Joy ticket holders; expect to get on a couple of rides between 4 and 7, enjoy the performances, but not too close to the stage, catch a few rides if you don’t need to see any of the performances going on at the same time.

People with park hopper tickets; enjoy Magic Kingdom in the morning with rides being nearly a walk on, then leave for another park (make fastpasses for afternoon or evening at another park).

People without Park Hoppers – avoid Magic Kingdom that day, or head to the pool in late afternoon.

 

[Fantabulously Cherry]

I'll be arriving on the 2nd night of NoJ. I've debated on whether to go or not. But since TobyMac is on the first night, I think we're going to skip it.

 

[sdsatl]

The disparity comes from on how the crowd ebbs and flows on a Night of Joy day at the Magic Kingdom.
The morning at Magic Kingdom will have incredibly low crowds since:
- September has the lowest crowds of the year
- It is morning
- Many people avoid this park due the park closing early

The afternoon crowd will build like any other day.

At 4PM people with Night of Joy tickets are let in. Crowds build rapidly and rides are packed and lines are long between 4:30 and 7:30 PM. Compared with any other typical September day, it really looks crowded.

The concerts start at about 7:30. Most of the day crowd is gone but most of the Night of Joy crowd are still on the rides with wait times moderate.

As the night progresses the bigger headliners are on stage and the attraction lines lessen. That is why it is hard to do both rides and the concerts. You have to choose between the bigger performances or the shorter lines.


My advice to Night of Joy ticket holders; expect to get on a couple of rides between 4 and 7, enjoy the performances, but not too close to the stage, catch a few rides if you don’t need to see any of the performances going on at the same time.

People with park hopper tickets; enjoy Magic Kingdom in the morning with rides being nearly a walk on, then leave for another park (make fastpasses for afternoon or evening at another park).

People without Park Hoppers – avoid Magic Kingdom that day, or head to the pool in late afternoon.

Thank you! That makes sense.