Night of Joy

[DisLUV]

Getting a chance to attend the NOJ this year. Been to WDW numerous times but never been to this event. Anyone been before or have any advice?

 

[jamelynn24]

We are going for the first time this year!! I posted a thread last week about it. People said there were lots of youth groups but they seemed to be well behaved. Should be fun! Just saw the schedule for Friday...excited for NEEDTOBREATHE and Chris Tomlin! Doubt my kids will make it past 11 to see Casting Crowns.

 

[fla4fun]

Even with multiple performances, it's pretty much impossible to see a full set for each artist. I usually pick my top three that I want to see a full set, and then just pop in and out of the other shows to catch a few tunes.

Also, don't count on doing any attractions if you are really into the music. There isn't time for that either. You can spend the entire evening going from show to show and still miss some of the entertainment - without taking time away for rides.

Yes, there are a lot of youth groups there - they can be loud and energetic, but I've never had a problem with them. It seems like quite a few of them are as interested in the attractions as the performers - maybe because they don't get to WDW so often.

I wasn't as fond of it when they had it at the Studios. I'm glad it's back at MK where it belongs.

 

[andyman8]

Here's a concert line-up for Night on Joy 2012. There's also a bit of extra info in this post too.

http://www.disneyparksplanning.com/nightofjoy2012.htm

 

[gator girl]

I'm not going this year, but I will tell you that I'm terribly fond of Kyle Peek, the new drummer for Kutless. He's just a sweetheart, with a couple of adorrrrrrable kids. He used to play for David Cook, the American Idol.

 

[staxia]

Even with multiple performances, it's pretty much impossible to see a full set for each artist. I usually pick my top three that I want to see a full set, and then just pop in and out of the other shows to catch a few tunes.

Also, don't count on doing any attractions if you are really into the music. There isn't time for that either. You can spend the entire evening going from show to show and still miss some of the entertainment - without taking time away for rides.

Yes, there are a lot of youth groups there - they can be loud and energetic, but I've never had a problem with them. It seems like quite a few of them are as interested in the attractions as the performers - maybe because they don't get to WDW so often.

I wasn't as fond of it when they had it at the Studios. I'm glad it's back at MK where it belongs.

Lots of truth there... I've been going since 1989 and this will be my 20th year this year. I've been that youth group kid who didn't care anything about the music, to the die hard fan that camped out in front of the stage starting at 4pm, through rain and shine and every place in between, just like folks there, lots of different types.

It's a great night to be there, especially if you're into the music. They usually have some radio DJs who take over the park music, play music by lots of different artists throughout the night, as well as keep you informed as to who's playing when and where. Lately, they've done a bit more sponsorship of stuff than they had before, but whatever, it's all good.

I go cause I love the music AND I love Disney. It's the longest running "festival" or concert series that I've gone to, and for me, it feels like home. There's a certain finesse that's involved to navigating some of the crowds, but it's not bad. Know that if you want to be "up close" for the big shows, the ones at the castle stage... that's gonna take up most of your time. As soon as they let people into MK for NOJ, there will be some who will head directly to the hub. But they're prepared for this and will have barricades and ropes up. They WILL make you wait until a certain time before you can feed down into the front. If it's anything like last year, the accessible seating will be directly in front of the stage and then standing room only behind that (behind metal barriers)

If you want to ride some rides and see a few concerts, from a little ways back, then there shouldn't be any problems for you at all. For the price of admission, as well as the caliber of the artists, and that fact that even the "bad" places to stand are still better than some arena shows, PLUS it's at the Magic Kingdom, it's all in all a pretty good value!

 

[DisLUV]

Thanks y'all. I am a worship leader and I am bringing my team to the Experience Conference (a worship conference) held at the Contemporary resort. They conference also allows us to purchase rickets to Fri n Sat NOJ. We are just going Friday night. We can't wait!!!!!

 

[justgeorgi]

I went 2 years ago with high expectations after many years of wanting to go. My daughter and I went for her 18th birthday.

Primarily we wanted to see Chris Tomlin...the area in front of the stage was roped off for the 2nd concert of the evening (this was in front of castle) because at the first concert of the evening someone passed out from the heat and it was hard for EMT's to get to them because crowd was SO tight against the castle. The cast members decided to rope the area off and only let a pre-determined amount of people in. My daughter and a friend who was a cast member and myself were up against the rope. It was VERY crowded and the people trying to get through the rope were rude, disrespectful and downright vicious in my opinion. They would attempt lying to the rope cast members that their child, mother, friend, date were in the roped off area and that they had just left to get a drink or use bathroom. CM's would tell them to call their child, mother, friend, date and meet them at the rope. Let me tell you, Christian love was NOT flowing. We ended up leaving Chris Tomlin (one of the main reasons we flew from NY to do Night of Joy) early because the crowds were pushing and shoving.

The young adults and youth groups were sometimes quite rowdy but overall we are used to that. A lot of times youth groups (ours included) will invite children who have no connection to Jesus to Christian events and sometimes kids get riled up and act out. Thats ok with me...but its not ok for adults to act that way.

Would I go back to Night of Joy? Perhaps one day but it was just too much for me. I know many who have gone and loved it. I may have just had a bad experience and that DOES happen everywhere

 

[saturdaygirl]

whatever you do, go see needtobreathe. they are AMAZING

 

[jcriket]

I depends a bit on who it is, but one of my favorite spots to see a concert is Cosmic Ray's. They come up out of the floor, and if it's the right band they can make the glass shake. Kinda cool if your a fan of Sonny Eclipse.

 

[Talking Hands]

I went 2 years ago with high expectations after many years of wanting to go. My daughter and I went for her 18th birthday.

Primarily we wanted to see Chris Tomlin...the area in front of the stage was roped off for the 2nd concert of the evening (this was in front of castle) because at the first concert of the evening someone passed out from the heat and it was hard for EMT's to get to them because crowd was SO tight against the castle. The cast members decided to rope the area off and only let a pre-determined amount of people in. My daughter and a friend who was a cast member and myself were up against the rope. It was VERY crowded and the people trying to get through the rope were rude, disrespectful and downright vicious in my opinion. They would attempt lying to the rope cast members that their child, mother, friend, date were in the roped off area and that they had just left to get a drink or use bathroom. CM's would tell them to call their child, mother, friend, date and meet them at the rope. Let me tell you, Christian love was NOT flowing. We ended up leaving Chris Tomlin (one of the main reasons we flew from NY to do Night of Joy) early because the crowds were pushing and shoving.

The young adults and youth groups were sometimes quite rowdy but overall we are used to that. A lot of times youth groups (ours included) will invite children who have no connection to Jesus to Christian events and sometimes kids get riled up and act out. Thats ok with me...but its not ok for adults to act that way.

Would I go back to Night of Joy? Perhaps one day but it was just too much for me. I know many who have gone and loved it. I may have just had a bad experience and that DOES happen everywhere

I have been going for the last 10 years and was very glad to that area roped off. There is an area right in front of the castle where they provide Sign language interpretation for those who need it. Before things were roped of people would refuse to allow us to see the interpreters. They would try to push in front of us and walk between us and the interpreters. Now we can enjoy the performers the same as anyone else. I will be going again this year and have sent in my request for the performers I want to see but will not know until the week before which I will actually get to see. Usually 2 or 3 each night.

 

[brewhome]

My sister and I attended last year and had such a great time that we're going back again this year!

On Friday night, we were among the first let into the roped off area by the castle so we were about 6 rows (of people standing) back from the ropes. We watched the first and second acts, and by the end of the second act, it did get very crowded there because people were piling in behind us to get a spot for Skillet, which was the third act. We enjoyed it, but space was tight. People weren't being rude, but the very fact that there was a lot of people there just made it cramped. We left that area before Skillet started and went over to the other stages, which weren't as packed.

The second night, we decided to still go into the roped off area, but we stayed towards the back (near the circle in front of the castle), and we were much more comfortable there... we had room to move around a bit and the view was still great, without having people right on top of you. We watched TobyMac and Mercy Me that way, and really enjoyed it! Especially for TobyMac - the crowd was bouncing and I think being in the front for that would have been pretty tight.

Just be prepared for A LOT of standing - even in between acts the ushers don't want you to sit on the ground for fear that someone will get stepped on. We were able to sit a bit the second night in between acts when we were further back from the stage.

The ride lines are long, but we didn't want to ride anyway because we had been there all day, so that was no problem for us. The youth groups can get boisterous, but it's all in good fun and we didn't run into any rude kids.

All in all, it's a great experience... the castle and great music? It's a win-win!

 

[staxia]

I have been going for the last 10 years and was very glad to that area roped off. There is an area right in front of the castle where they provide Sign language interpretation for those who need it. Before things were roped of people would refuse to allow us to see the interpreters. They would try to push in front of us and walk between us and the interpreters. Now we can enjoy the performers the same as anyone else. I will be going again this year and have sent in my request for the performers I want to see but will not know until the week before which I will actually get to see. Usually 2 or 3 each night.

I didn't know you had to put in a request for interpretation. That's honestly, one of my favorite parts of the evening. Most concerts I go to don't really have sign language interpretation, but I can remember over the years, NOJ has. I took a semester of sign language in college, so I have a very limited knowledge of it, but some of the interpreters they get, in my opinion, are really cool. I've seen some who are simply interpreting and some who seem to really KNOW the song, and then it becomes a performance, but more than that, one guy in particular, I remember, it became like worship.. it was SO COOL!!

I really can't say enough about Night of Joy... It's by far my most favorite thing I do every year... it combines my faith and love of music with my adoration of all things Disney. The few years I didn't get to go were not fun.

 

[dragitoff]

whatever you do, go see needtobreathe. they are AMAZING

YES THEY ARE! Amazing talent in that band. I've seen them twice and when they play sans mics, it is unbelievable. You have to listen close in a big crowd, but those guys are great performers and immensely talented.

 

[poohgirl6]

Thanks y'all. I am a worship leader and I am bringing my team to the Experience Conference (a worship conference) held at the Contemporary resort. They conference also allows us to purchase rickets to Fri n Sat NOJ. We are just going Friday night. We can't wait!!!!!

My family will be at the Experience Conference too DH is actually teaching one of the classes there and me + my DSs will be volunteering throughout the conference. We are also volunteering at the NOJ both nights. We fly in to CR Sunday. Glad to know some DISers will be there too

 

[DisLUV]

My family will be at the Experience Conference too DH is actually teaching one of the classes there and me + my DSs will be volunteering throughout the conference. We are also volunteering at the NOJ both nights. We fly in to CR Sunday. Glad to know some DISers will be there too

We are driving in from Louisiana as we speak. We are stopping in Bonifay, FLA for the night. I am bringing my team from Ebenezer Baptist Church. Look forward to possibly seeing you guys.

 

[bytheblood]

Lots of people have been. If you do a Google search, you will find a crazy amount of information.

 

[DisneyCP2002]

Went 2 years ago and thrilled to be returning again this year. It is very crowded yes but an amazing worship experience.

 

[minnieandmickey]

This is one of the events that is on my list to do. My girls (both adults) would have loved the line up this year.

 

[DisLUV]

Just back from Night Of Joy. Loved 99% of it. It was raining but Disney did a great job adapting. I would have liked to have seen a few more rides open but then again it is supposed to be a music fest. Yes they were screaming teens everywhere but you kind of have to expect that. So it is now marked off my bucket list and we enjoyed it.