Grad Nite
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Disney's Grad Nite (sometimes in early years termed "Grad-Nite") is an exclusive event hosted in April, May, or June for graduating high school senior classes who can gather for an exclusive, all-night party at Disneyland and at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom (moving in 2009 to Disney's Hollywood Studios) featuring live performances by some of the most popular contemporary artists. There are also optional Blast Off Parties that begin prior to the main event, and create a full day of activities for students. Grad Nite originated at Disneyland in 1961 for local area students. Walt Disney World first held Grad Nite in the Magic Kingdom on June 9th and 12th, 1972.
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[edit] Grad Nite doings
With various pre-parties, Disneyland or the Magic Kingdom is generally open to seniors by 8:00 p.m. The park closes at 4:00 a.m.
The usual background music is replaced by loud contemporary music, which is played by a DJ who urges the seniors to attend the live shows (at the Magic Kingdom, in the courtyard in front of Cinderella's Castle).
There is a wide selection of parties for seniors to attend while inside of the park. While the parties vary from year to year, and from park to park, a "party boat" has had three departures and arrivals during the night which take the students aboard a steamboat which circles through the park's water interior partying for about 20-25 minutes. A foam zone party, with lasers, strobe lights, and techno music, and of course foam jets shooting out large amounts of foam into the crowd. The biggest party that night is in the heart of Magic Kingdom's Tomorrowland, one of the largest venues resembling a large "bumping" night club.
On Space Mountain at the Magic Kingdom, the usual sound effects are eliminated and loud music is also piped in. However, for the more technically advanced Space Mountain at Disneyland, which features on-board audio and advanced in ride effects, seniors are treated to the Rockin' Space (or RockIT) Mountain effects. These have been implemented since the 2005 redesign and rehab.
At least one dance floor is opened, with another DJ. At Disneyland this is the Tomorrowland Terrace. Most of the major rides are opened except for some smaller ones, rides that involve passage over water, and theaters. Special T-shirts and other merchandise is available. At Disneyland, prizes including new cars from event sponsor Honda and gifts are given away.
At midnight, there is a special fireworks show, set to top 40 hits replacing the current fireworks shows. As of 2008, the fireworks displays are Wishes at WDW and Remember... Dreams Come True at Disneyland.
In addition to the students, chaperones are also present in the park, together with a few privileged Disney employees and guests of the performers. Schools are encouraged to bring junior class leaders to "sell" the upcoming senior class on Grad Nite. Security is generally heavy, and the students are not permitted to leave early without making special arrangements.
[edit] Live performances
Each year, various performers have provided live entertainment for Grad Nite. In recent years, artists have included: Ryan Cabrera, Yellowcard, Ciara, Kevin Lyttle, Simple Plan, Fall Out Boy, The Fray, Cartel (band), and Cassie. For the 2008 events in Orlando, Ne-Yo was the headline attraction, joined by The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus,The Last Goodnight and Cheskob.[1] Disneyland events will be held May 15, 22 and 29 along with June 5, 11, 12 and 19.
By comparison, in 1963 at Disneyland, performers included The Elliott Brothers Orchestra, The Strawhatters, The Spacemen with Kay Bell, Jimmy Henderson and his Orchestra, Ward Singers, Young Men From New Orleans, Firehouse Five Plus Two, Gonzales Trio, The Yachtsmen, Royal Tahitans, Folk Singer, and Folk Duo.[2]
A similar event for graduates of middle/junior high schools, called "Disney's Eighth Grade Jam" is held at Disney's Animal Kingdom in Florida. The event is scheduled for May 2, 2008.
[edit] Blast Off Party
While the main event takes place at the park from 10:00pm to 4:00am, there are optional Blast Off Parties that begin prior to the main event. A meal voucher is included in the price of the Blast Off Party ticket.
One blast off party is Disney's California Adventure (5-8PM) for California and Disney's Animal Kingdom (7-9PM) for Florida. Select attractions (specifically Expedition Everest, Dinosaur, and Primeval Whirl) are open for the grads.
The other blast off party option is Magic Kingdom for Florida. (8-10PM). All attractions that will be open for the Grad Nite event are available at the Blast Off Party, which seamlessly merges into Grad Nite.
[edit] Dress Code
Grad Nite is considered a special school event and a dress code is enforced. Attendees of both the Blast Off Parties and Grad Nite must adhere to the dress guidelines or will be denied admittance. Offensive or revealing clothing along with school-related jackets, non-Disney hats and heelys (sneakers that have roller skate wheels) are not allowed, nor are weapons or drugs (excluding inhalers). Schools have gained notoriety for being excluded from Grad Nite for failure to follow the rules.
Dress code examples include, wearing polo style shirts, jeans (allowed as long as they are in good repair), and basically any other semi-casual nice clothing.
[edit] Problems
In the past, both Disney parks have seen their share of unfortunate events happen. Disneyland has seen three deaths from the carelessness of attendees (or in one case, a would-be attendee)[1], students have been turned away from the gate for possession of alcohol or drugs, students have passed out in attractions, shows, or around the park from lack of sleep, and students from an all-boys private school from San Diego have taken over attractions such as Tom Sawyer's Island at Disneyland. Disney has adjusted its policies on which rides to open. Attractions such as "Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln" have been closed, as students will use them for romantic getaways or to sleep. Generally, the rides that involve travel across water have been closed.
[edit] Competition
Universal Studios, Disney's rival, began their own similar program, Grad Bash. Grad Bash is more informal than Grad Nite and slightly cheaper, and because the two parks split the amount of students, both events are somewhat less crowded (although both events are quite popular). While the Saturday night dates for Grad Nite are more popular than Fridays, and attract schools from further away, both are relatively uncrowded by comparison with a normal weekend day. Space Mountain is especially popular with attendees, with lengthy lines.
In California, Six Flags and Knott's have tried to market parties for graduating seniors or teens and no longer do so, but with markedly less success than Disney. Six Flags Magic Mountain still holds Grad Nite for graduating 8th graders.
[edit] External links
[edit] References
- ^ Grad Night Website Accessed 9/25/2007
- ^ As taken from the eBay Auction: 3rd Annual Grad Nite Flyer-1963 Accessed 9/25/2007 Flyer Image
