No More Night Of Joy (& my response)

First of all, I decided to post this here so I can have one place to send people who want to know my feelings about this topic.

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You may have heard today that Walt Disney World will no longer be hosting the hard ticket event NIGHT OF JOY.

Night of Joy was a celebration of Contemporary Christian Music that happened in the Magic Kingdom and in the last couple of years at the Wide World Of Sports complex.

I first heard about this on Facebook and not one to want to spread fake news, I immediately asked Walt Disney World Today (@WDWToday) via Twitter DM about this  and this is the response I got…

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ME:
Starting to hear grumblings of the fact that you guys are not putting Night of Joy on any more???? …….is this true?

@WDW TODAY:
Enthusiasm for Night of Joy has declined since we transitioned it out of our theme parks and, unfortunately, we are unable to accommodate this event given all of the other activities planned in our theme parks. Over the years we have hosted Night of Joy in different venues, and last year was our final event. This year, Christian music will be part of our expanded entertainment offerings during the Eat to the Beat concert series at Epcot International Food & Wine Festival. Contemporary Christian performers, including music legend Mercy Me and Grammy-nominated singer Tauren Wells, will be featured in early September.
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I will always have very fond memories of being in the Magic Kingdom during the Night of Joy event.   For many years in a row, my family and I would head up for the event to celebrate my birthday, which was the week before.   Memories of this event will include seeing Amy Grant and Michael W. Smith in the front of the castle and seeing Michael W. Smith on the same stage the Saturday before 9-11.

That being said I am not upset that there will be no more Night of Joy events at Walt Disney World.   The Disney Company is a business and as a business they have to look at the bottom line.  And as the response from @WDWToday said the numbers haven’t been there.

Now I do wish that they would have said last year’s event was going to be the last one but I have a feeling the decision was more recently.

It also sounds like they are willing to have Christian acts at some of their other events…and the only way they are going to keep them a part of the rotations is if fans go and see them when they are scheduled to perform.  So go and do that with a joyful heart.

 

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Unique Souvenir Can Be Found at Disney Springs’ CURL STORE

I am a fan of TOMS shoes and found this video from Disney Parks Blog and thought you guys might be interested in it.

All I know about this is what is mentioned in the video. If anybody goes and has this done I would be interested in knowing more about cost and time needed for the paint to be applied and dried 8(:-D

Disney Time Magical Mashup By DJ Steve Porter (from Disney Parks Blog) 8(:-D

20th Anniversary Walt Disney World Marathon Route (video from RunDisney)

All I Can Say Is WOW! (NBCNEWS.COM)

WOW to more of the purchase of Lucasfilm  then anything else..

Wonder how things will work with Lucasfilm and Pixar in the fold and  In terms of Episode 7 being released not sure I want to see Luke and Leah played by any other actors then Mark Hamill and Carrie Fisher…but who knows how things will turn out.  I wish Disney well 8(:-D

 

 

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Disney buying Lucasfilm, will release new ‘Star Wars’ movie in 2015

Phelan M. Ebenhack / AP file

Disney CEO Robert Iger, left, and “Star Wars” creator George Lucas, center, celebrate the opening of a theme park ride in 2011. Disney is paying $4 billion for Lucas’ film studio Lucasfilm.

By NBC News staff and wires

Updated at 3:48 p.m. ET: Walt Disney Co. is buying Lucasfilm in a $4 billion deal that brings the best-selling “Star Wars” franchise under the Disney umbrella, with plans to release Episode 7 of the long-running saga in 2015.

Disney has long had a close relationship with closely held Lucasfilm and founder George Lucas, including featured attractions at Disney theme parks such as Star Tours at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Florida.

“It’s now time for me to pass ‘Star Wars’ on to a new generation of filmmakers,” said Lucas, 68, in a statement.

The cash and stock deal is valued at about $4.05 billion, Disney said. Lucasfilm is solely owned by George Lucas.

“This transaction combines a world-class portfolio of content including Star Wars, one of the greatest family entertainment franchises of all time, with Disney’s unique and unparalleled creativity across multiple platforms, businesses, and markets to generate sustained growth and drive significant long-term value,” Disney CEO Robert Iger said in a statement.

Lucas will act as creative consultant on the new “Star Wars” film, with more feature films expected beyond Episode 7.

The six “Star Wars” feature films have earned a total of $4.4 billion at the box office alone and offer “a sustainable source of high quality, branded content with global appeal,” according to the Disney news release.

Related: ‘Star Wars 7’ will need The Force to be with it

The deal is subject to federal antitrust approval.

In early 2006, Disney struck a deal to acquire “Toy Story” creator Pixar, and in the summer of 2009 it bought the comic book powerhouse Marvel Entertainment.

Besides “Star Wars,” the Lucasfilm deal also includes rights to the “Indiana Jones” franchise, though Disney did not elaborate on any plans for that series.

“Because Lucas is private, I would assume most investors would be surprised (by the deal). My point of view is that Disney already has a great portfolio and this adds one more,” said Morningstar analyst Michael Corty. “They don’t have any holes, but their past deals have been additive” to earnings.

Besides “Star Wars,” the Lucasfilm deal also includes rights to the “Indiana Jones” franchise, though Disney did not elaborate on any plans for that series.

Information from Reuters was included in this report.

Happy 15th Anniversary to EPCOT’s OFF KILTER (Disney Parks Blog)

I was blessed enough to get to know the guys from OFF KILTER when they played the American Gardens stage (American Pavilion) when the acts for the summer concert series weren’t there in 2002.

And tho I don’t get to “hang” out with these guys much any more, I always make it a point to see at least one show whenever I visit EPCOT 🙂

CONGRATS OFF KILTER!!!

May you be blessed with 15 more years of playing your wonderful music!!!

KD 8(:-D

This is the DISNEY PARKS BLOG post….

This July 1, Epcot’s Off Kilter Celtic rock band will mark 15 years of performances at the Canada Pavilion in World Showcase.

Off Kilter founder Jamie Holton first started playing the bagpipes when he was 11, inspired by his family’s Scottish heritage and his father’s love for bagpipe music.

In addition to classic Celtic folk tunes, Off Kilter will often throw radio hits into the mix, like Bryan Adam’s “Summer of ’69″ or Bachman-Turner Overdrive’s “Takin’ Care of Business.” (Both Canadian bands, by the way.) If you’re lucky enough to hear Off Kilter play “Farewell to Nova Scotia,” don’t be surprised if it suddenly sounds a whole lot like “Mickey Mouse March (The Mickey Mouse Club March).”

Entertainment is subject to change. Check the park’s Times Guide for more.

 

Night Of Joy Tickets Available at WDW Resort (from Disney Parks Blog)

I have always been a HUGE fan of NIGHT OF JOY and have many great memories of this event.

In case you don’t know what Night Of Joy is it is a separate ticket event that combines the magic of the Magic Kingdom                                                                      with some of the best contemporary Christian music acts the weekend after labor day.

See below for more information about the acts and how to get tickets 🙂

Minnie and Yolanda Adams The countdown begins. We’re only five months away from this year’s Night of Joy at Magic Kingdom Park – our 30th year. So guess what? Tickets went on sale today! Tickets can be purchased in advance for $52.95 plus tax per ticket and on the days of the event (if available) for $62.95 plus tax. They can be purchased by calling 407-W-DISNEY or at www.nightofjoy.com. We’re so excited. Here’s the night-by-night Night of Joy 2012 lineup (entertainment and schedule subject to change): Friday, September 7, 2012: Casting Crowns, Chris Tomlin, NEEDTOBREATHE, Red, Francesca Battistelli, Brandon Heath, Royal Tailor, Disciple. Saturday, September 8, 2012: MercyMe, Third Day, Kutless, Chris August, Lecrae, Yolanda Adams, Thousand Foot Krutch and Dara Maclean. Newcomers to Night of Joy, Royal Tailor and Dara Mclean, bring the 30-year roster of artists to 150 acts. Night of Joy is an after-hours event that requires a special ticket. Event hours are 7:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. each evening. While artists perform at several stages, many popular Magic Kingdom attractions also are available for guests. In addition, there are special benefits for groups of 10 or more. Additional information about individual and group tickets is available atwww.nightofjoy.com. Night of Joy Tickets Are Now Available at Walt Disney World Resort by Charles Stovall, Public Relations, manager: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog

THIS IS A TEST

This is a test to see if my new set up on NETWORKED BLOGS works with FB 🙂

 

STORYBOARD: The Walt Disney Family Museum’s Blog – the blog – Celebrating Award Winners in February

STORYBOARD: The Walt Disney Family Museum’s Blog – the blog – Celebrating Award Winners in February.

Celebrating Award Winners in February

Tuesday, January 31, 2012 at 11:00PM

February is Awards Season, and The Walt Disney Family Museum is celebrating, with film presentations and visitor programs throughout the month.

The 84th Annual Academy Awards® will be presented on Sunday, February 26, 2012, at the Kodak Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center, to be televised live on ABC Television. The San Francisco Bay Area is home to several Oscar® winners, including Pixar and Lucasfilm, but there is only one place where you can get an up-close look at more than 20 of the famous statuettes—The Walt Disney Family Museum.

Walt Disney personally won 32 Academy Awards throughout his career. To this day, Walt still holds the record for the most awards won by an individual. (Frequent Oscar host Bob Hope once quipped, “The management has informed me that they’re not responsible for Oscars left over 30 days. After that, they’re automatically turned over to Walt Disney.”)

Screening this month in the Museum’s state-of-the-art digital theatre is a collection of Walt’s award-winning True-Life Adventures films. Produced between 1948 and 1960, these shorts and features won a cumulative 16 Academy Awards, and have inspired naturalist filmmakers and conservationists for decades (see below for a complete program). Among the films being screened in February will be the Best Documentary Feature winners The Vanishing Prairie (1954) and The Living Desert (1953); and the Best Short Subject winners Bear Country (1953), Water Birds (1952), Nature’s Half Acre (1951), Beaver Valley (1950) and Seal Island (1948, the first film in the series). Admission to film presentations is free with paid Museum Admission.

© Disney.SCREENINGS

February 1 through 7

Seal Island (27:00)

Beaver Valley (32:00)

Nature’s Half Acre (33:00)

February 8 through 14

Water Birds (30:00)

Vanishing Prairie (71:00)

February 15 through 21 (except the 18th)

Bear Country (33:00)

The Living Desert (69:00)

February 22 through 29 (except the 25th and 26th)

Mysteries of the Deep (24:00)

Secrets of Life (70 :00)

Film programs through February change weekly, with screenings daily at 1:00pm and 4:00pm (except Tuesdays, and February 18, 25 and 26). Further program information and tickets are available at the Reception and Member Service Desk at the Museum, or online by clicking here.

Voices Of Liberty 4th of July Concert (2011-You Tube)

This took place on the 4th of July 2011 at EPCOT’s American Garden Theater

My friend Tiffany is the soloist for the National Anthem (last song)