Who's going for Night of Joy?

[billwendy]

Hi,

Is anyone going to WDW for night of joy? has anyone been there before? could you describe it for me? we still have to get tickets, but have our plane and hotel reservations set!!!

 

[Straitlover]

I wish! Ever since Southwest came out w/ the $39 each way special from RDU, I have been fighting the urge to go. I need to be saving my $$ for home improvements and my trip to Las Vegas next year!

I've heard that it is very, very busy w/ crazy teenagers. Lots of local church youth groups go. Even so, sure would like to be there!

 

[mishoe01]

I'm going!!! I can't wait!!! It'll be my first time at DW for NOJ. I've heard about the crazy/noisy kids from local churches, but I've also heard that they're mostly there for the rides that are open not the music.

The musical lineup is great!!! I wish I knew who was playing where and at what time....I would love to plan this all out so that I don't miss those I really want to see.

Don't forget - you don't have to go to all 3 nights....just check out what night has most of the groups you want to hear and go that 1 night (I'm doing all 3).

Hope this helps!!

 

[Princess Michelle]

They have a fantastic line-up this year! I'm really hoping to go to at least the Thursday night event if not the others. 4HIM will be there on Thursday and they are my favorite! I haven't been to a NOJ in a few years. I always enjoyed them when I was a teenager. There were definitely some rowdy ones there but nothing too terrible. Like others have already stated, a lot of the kids only come for the rides and don't care about the concerts. This is the first year I've looked forward to going in a long time!

 

[billwendy]

we are hoping to do all 3 nights too!!! we are just running into a problem cause we dont have a credit or check card to order them...they wont do a money order for those tickets...bummer...i think we are going to try to get one of those prepaid credit card thingy's to give it a try...

which rides will be open? are any of the food places open? do all of the concerts happen from 7-12? do the concerts overlap each other or can we make it to all of them?

we love michael w smith and steven curtis chapman,,,,an although i only know of a few of his songs, im a bit interested in kirk franklin. the lineup for saturday at rock the universe is a bit better, but i dont want to have to take a taxi over there...

any advice for someones first NOJ??

 

[picantel]

004 Night of Joy to Showcase 24 Acts Over
Three Nights As Disney Plans Its
Biggest Christian Music Event Yet


Star-Filled Lineup Has Won 165 Dove Awards and 21 Grammy Awards

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla., March 11 /PRNewswire/ -- Walt Disney World Resort
has unveiled plans for an unprecedented Night of Joy in September 2004 that
will showcase the biggest, most-decorated lineup of contemporary Christian
music talent in the event's 22-year history.

The marquee includes 24 acts spread across three consecutive evenings Sept.
9-11 -- including a first-ever Thursday evening Night of Joy. The expansion
to a third night follows early sellouts in recent years.

"The demand for wholesome family entertainment like that provided by Night
of Joy increases every year," said Walt Disney World President Al Weiss.
"So we are expanding our offerings -- and we hope our guests will enjoy the
result."

The result is 24 acts that have amassed 165 Gospel Music Association Dove
Awards and 21 Grammy Awards. The star-studded lineup features three-time
and reigning artist-of-the-year Michael W. Smith, six-time
artist-of-the-year Steven Curtis Chapman, two-time female
vocalist-of-the-year winners CeCe Winans and Jaci Velasquez, king of
contemporary gospel Kirk Franklin, three- time and reigning
group-of-the-year Third Day, three-time group-of-the-year 4Him, and two-time
group-of-the-year winners Jars of Clay and Point of Grace.

But that's not the half of this year's Night of Joy lineup. They are joined
by Avalon, Rebecca St. James, Salvador, FFH, Mark Schultz, Skillet, Jeremy
Camp, Joy Williams, Stryper, 12 Stones, SONICFLOOd, downhere, Across the
Sky, Jump 5 and Warren Barfield.

Here's how they will line up in the Magic Kingdom at Night of Joy:

Thursday, Sept. 9
Michael W. Smith
Avalon
Jars of Clay
Point of Grace
4HIM
FFH
Mark Schultz
Across the Sky

Friday, Sept. 10
Steven Curtis Chapman
Third Day
Rebecca St. James
Skillet
Stryper
SONICFLOOd
downhere
Warren Barfield

Saturday, Sept. 11
Kirk Franklin
Jaci Velasquez
CeCe Winans
12 Stones
Salvador
Jeremy Camp
Joy Williams
Jump 5

Performances will take place at several stage locations between 7:30 p.m.
and 12:30 a.m. each evening (following regular Magic Kingdom closing).
Popular attractions will also be available for guests to enjoy during Night
of Joy hours.

One-, two-, and three-night tickets will be available beginning April 21 by
calling 407/W DISNEY or by visiting www.disneyworld.com/nightofjoy on the
Internet. Advance tickets are $36.95 (plus tax) for one night, $59.95 (plus
tax) for two nights and $79.95 (plus tax) for three nights. Tickets will
also be available at Florida locations of Family Christian Stores. One-day
tickets on event days -- if available -- are $41.95. The event has been
sold out in advance in recent years.

In addition, a special Disney's Dream Maker package will also be available
starting April 21. The package combines admission to all three evenings of
Night of Joy, hotel accommodations, and Ultimate Park Hopper ticket for
admission to all four Walt Disney World theme parks, Blizzard Beach and
Typhoon Lagoon water parks, and more. Information and reservations will be
available by calling 407/W-DISNEY.

Seventeen of the 24 Night of Joy acts are nominated for a total of 41 Doves
in 2004 -- including nearly half of the nominations for the prestigious
vocalist-, group-, and artist-of-the-year honors. The 35th annual Dove
Awards will be presented on April 28 in Nashville.

Michael W. Smith is nominated for artist-of-the-year. Third Day and Jars of
Clay are up for group-of-the-year, while Steven Curtis Chapman, Mark Schultz
and Jeremy Camp are among the five nominees for male vocalist-of-the- year.
Night of Joy songbirds CeCe Winans, Rebecca St. James and Joy Williams are
vying for female vocalist-of-the-year.

Jeremy Camp and Across the Sky are new-artist-of-the-year nominees.

Jeremy Camp and Across the Sky are also new to Night of Joy -- as are Mark
Schultz, FFH, Skillet, SONICFLOOd, Warren Barfield and 12 Stones. On the
other side, Michael W. Smith is making his ninth appearance (equaling Petra
for most Night of Joy appearances).

A total of 96 different acts have been showcased at Night of Joy since the
event's inception in 1983. A hallmark of the event has been the musical
diversity, and 2004 is no exception with Rock, Pop, Alternative, Gospel,
Urban and Latin styles showcased. A combined audience of nearly 800,000
people has enjoyed the musical variety over the years.

 

[Princess Michelle]

Originally posted by billwendy

are any of the food places open? do all of the concerts happen from 7-12? do the concerts overlap each other or can we make it to all of them?

I don't know if anything has changed since the last one I went to but there were always counter service restaurants and carts available the times I went. I don't recall any rides being closed, if there were we just got lucky and all the ones we wanted to ride were open. The concerts do overlap each other but the groups/artists do 2 sets each so it is possible to see quite a few of the shows. I can only think of two times that I didn't get to see someone I wanted to. Once White Heart couldn't go on because their stage wasn't covered and it was raining. Another time it was just a schedule thing. I wanted to see Susan Ashton but her showtimes conflicted with two others that I wanted to see more. It's nice to walk through the MK and hear it filled with such wonderful music too.

 

[N&B'smom]

I sure wish we were going to be there then. I would love it and I know my children would too! What a lovely atmosphere that must be!!! Hope those that are going REALLY enjoy it!

Shelby

 

[billwendy]

i think it will be so much fun...i love concerts and WDW so the combo is just awesome to think of!!!

we usually go to a big Christian concert event called Creation Festival in western PA but were unable to go this year so NOJ will be so awesome!!!