Dateline Disney

Walt Disney World's Media Office publishes a monthly Press Release called Dateline Disney, which highlights WDW activities for that particular month.

September 2005

In This Edition:

Night of Joy: 23rd annual Night of Joy event features top Christian musical acts and a sneak peek at Disney's "The Chronicles of Narnia" film.

Labor Day Weekend Celebration: Tom Joyner Family Reunion is filled with theme park fun, concerts and special activities.

Magic Kingdom: Whimsical new play area for toddlers; Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party kicks off.

Epcot: Epcot International Food and Wine Festival begins, popular event features new offerings and a 10K race.

Walt Disney World Triathlon and Expo: Athletes swim, bike and run across Walt Disney World Resort.

Disney's 23rd Annual Night of Joy Features 21 Top Acts Performing Sept. 9-10 at Magic Kingdom

Night of Joy guests also get a sneak peek at the upcoming Chronicles of Narnia film

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- It's two nights, 21 acts and 28 performances of contemporary Christian music when the 23rd annual edition of Night of Joy unfolds Sept. 9-10 in Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World Resort.

The Night of Joy lineup for 2005 is musically diverse, with pop, rock, urban, Gospel and praise and worship. Mega-talent such as Christian music's reigning group of the year (Casting Crowns), its reigning female vocalist of the year (Nicole C. Mullen), its 2004 artist of the year (MercyMe) and its most-often honored performer (Steven Curtis Chapman) will perform.

During two evenings of music and theme park fun (after regular park hours), concerts will be performed on stages throughout Magic Kingdom. The complete show schedule follows:

FRIDAY, SEPT. 9, 2005

Artist - Stage - Showtimes
Audio Adrenaline - Cinderella Castle Stage - 7:30 p.m.
Mark Schultz - Galaxy Palace - Theater - 7:30 p.m.
Matthew West - Splash Stage - 7:30 p.m. & 8:45 p.m.
Gospel Music Association Winner - Cosmic Ray's Starlight Café - 8:30 p.m.
Vicky Beeching - Galaxy Palace Theater - 9:15 p.m.
Steven Curtis Chapman - Cinderella Castle Stage - 9:25 p.m.
Big Daddy Weave - Cosmic Ray's Starlight Café - 9:45 p.m. & 11 p.m.
Casting Crowns - Splash Stage - 10:20 p.m. & 11:35 p.m.
Nicole C. Mullen - Galaxy Palace Theater - 10:35 p.m. & 11:45 p.m.
MercyMe - Cinderella Castle Stage - 11:20 p.m.

SATURDAY, SEPT. 10, 2005

Artist - Stage - Showtimes
tobyMac - Cinderella Castle Stage - 7:30 p.m.
Stellar Kart - Galaxy Palace Theater - 7:30 p.m.
Kutless - Splash Stage - 7:30 p.m. & 8:45 p.m.
Superchic[k] - Galaxy Palace Theater - 8:40 p.m.
Kellogg's Contest Winner/Kierra "Kiki" Sheard - Cosmic Ray's Starlight Café - 8:45 p.m.
Donnie McClurkin - Cinderella Castle Stage - 9:25 p.m.
Further Seems Forever - Cosmic Ray's Starlight Café - 9:45 p.m. & 11 p.m.
Tree 63 - Splash Stage - 10:20 p.m. & 11:35 p.m.
CeCe Winans - Galaxy Palace Theater - 10:35 p.m. & 11:45 p.m.
newsboys - Cinderella Castle Stage - 11:20 p.m.

Times/Talent subject to change without notice.

Narnia Movie Event Sneak Peek
In anticipation of the Walt Disney Pictures and Walden Media's upcoming Christmas film release, "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe," Night of Joy 2005 will give guests a look inside the making of the movie and one of the movie's soundtracks.

* As an exclusive for Night of Joy guests, some of the top Christian Music artists performing at the event will debut live performances of music inspired by the film.
* There will be an "information station" where guests can get updates on the movie, watch behind-the-scenes footage and "sneak peek" movie clips, and preview Buena Vista Games console games inspired by the movie.
* Every Night of Joy guest will receive a complimentary CD featuring select Night of Joy artists, along with a bonus track, "The Chronicles of Narnia - Audio Magazine," and an "Official Narnia Passport" with special information on the movie.

Single-night tickets are $42.95 plus tax. Two-night tickets are $61.95 plus tax. (Guests can save $5 on single-night tickets by purchasing them in advance at Family Christian Stores and other select Christian bookstores in Florida or by calling 407/W-DISNEY.) For more information, guests can go online and check out disneyworld.com/nightofjoy.

Tom Joyner is Calling All Families for a Labor Day Weekend Celebration At Walt Disney World Resort

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- It's a family affair. Tom Joyner, host of the nation's No. 1 urban morning radio show, brings the nation's largest Labor Day family reunion celebration to Walt Disney World Resort -- The Tom Joyner Family Reunion.

The fun-filled weekend, scheduled for Sept. 1-4, features performances by some of the country's best-known musicians, comedians and gospel acts. Event attendees will have full access to the four Walt Disney World theme parks, special experiences, and parties hosted by Tom Joyner and his morning show crew. Disney's Coronado Springs Resort will let families stay in the middle of the magic.

The lineup includes comedian Damon Wayans of ABC-TV's sitcom "My Wife and Kids" and of "In Living Color" fame, pop music icon Lionel Richie, Grammy Award-winning songstresses Ashanti and Jill Scott, and five Scream Tour heartthrobs -- Omarion, Marques Houston, Bow Wow, Bobby Valentino and B5. The weekend's entertainment lineup also features R&B super-group New Edition, '90s hit-maker Hammer, Morris Day and The Time, C.O.C.O. Brown and several gospel greats including the legendary Shirley Caesar, Dr. Bobby Jones, Smokie Norful and Lil iRocc.

Tom Joyner Family Reunion guests will experience one-of-a-kind private parties at Disney-MGM Studios and Disney's Coronado Springs Resort, and a Sunday worship service and gospel extravaganza. Weekend activities will include family fitness workouts, book club discussions and a slate of family-oriented events to delight guests of every age -- adding up to the perfect family reunion.

For more information about the events and to book specially priced packages, log onto blackamericaweb.com or call 1-888/TJ-FAMILY (888/853-2645) 8:30 a.m.-7 p.m. EST Monday-Friday, and 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. EST on Saturday and Sunday. For more information about Walt Disney World Resort, guests may call 407/W-DISNEY or logon to disneyworld.com.

Pooh's Playful Spot at Magic Kingdom Offers Whimsical New Place for Children to Play

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Opening in September is a delightful new place where parents and children can play or relax together during a Walt Disney World vacation.

Called Pooh's Playful Spot, the whimsically themed area is located directly across from The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh attraction in Fantasyland and will immerse guests of all ages in the beloved tales of the Hundred Acre Wood.

The beautifully landscaped oasis created by Walt Disney Imagineering offers numerous fun features for littler guests, including spurting fountains of water, crawl-through logs and honey pots, a slide, a treehouse for climbing and log-style benches for grown-ups -- all themed to the stories of Pooh, Tigger and friends.

Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party Kicks Off 15 Nights of Magic Kingdom Fun on Sept. 30

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Grim grinning ghosts come out to socialize -- along with Mickey Mouse and his Disney pals -- for 15 nights of Halloween fun for the whole family beginning Sept. 30 at Magic Kingdom.

The lightly frightful fun begins at 7 p.m. (after regular park operating hours) and continues until midnight. Separate admission is required.

Each date features a spectacular new Halloween-themed fireworks display -- "Happy HalloWishes" -- featuring spooky music from family-friendly Disney attractions and movies including Haunted Mansion and "The Nightmare Before Christmas," as well as the voices of memorable Disney characters such as Madame Leota, Ursula, Jafar, Maleficent and Oogie Boogie.

The event also includes "Mickey's Boo-to-You Halloween Parade," Mickey's Mouse-Ka-Rade costume parties, Halloween storytelling, live entertainment, unique merchandise and opportunities for trick-or-treating throughout the theme park, including special "treat trails." Plus, all guests are welcome to wear Halloween costumes -- just like the Disney characters!

In 2005, the popular party has grown to 15 dates -- the most ever -- and often sells out in advance. Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party will take place on Sept. 30, Oct. 2, 6, 7, 11, 13, 16, 20, 21, 23, 25, 27, 28, 30 and 31; tickets for all dates are on sale now.

Guests can save $5 per ticket on all dates except Oct. 31 by purchasing tickets in advance by calling 407/W-DISNEY or visiting disneyworld.com. Tickets are $39.95 plus tax for ages 10 and above, $32.95 plus tax for ages 3-9. Children under 3 are admitted at no charge.

Epcot International Food and Wine Festival Kicks off Sept. 30 With New Marketplaces and Events, Including 10K Race

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- The exotic fare of Turkey, Chile, Singapore, Castilla y Leon, Spain and Puerto Rico will tempt Disney guests with inspired new tasting opportunities at the 10th annual Epcot International Food and Wine Festival Sept. 30-Nov. 13 at Walt Disney World Resort.

From tantalizing tapas and wines at the Castilla y Leon marketplace to traditional Turkish coffee and culinary delights at the Turkey marketplace and exhibit, the array of tasting experiences is vast at more than 25 locations around the park's World Showcase. In addition, winemakers from many regions join chefs from across the country for creative collaborations at dozens of dinner and pairing events during the six-week-long festival. The Odyssey Cooking School debuts this year along with new wine schools and themed Specialty Dinners.

Beer is on tap as well at weekend Oktoberfest keg-tapping ceremonies in the Oktoberfest marketplace and at International Beers of the World complimentary seminars. And Eat to the Beat! concerts play three times nightly at the America Gardens Theatre featuring popular acts kicking off with Kansas (Sept. 30-Oct. 2).

And on Oct. 9, those who participate in Disney's 10K Race for the Taste will take a course that finishes at Epcot in time to indulge their appetites.

Entrance to the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival, plus select wine and beer seminars and cooking demonstrations, is included with regular Epcot admission. Guests can call 407/WDW-FEST (939-3378) for information or to make reservations for special events and programs. Festival details will be posted on the web site: disneyworld.com/food.

Walt Disney World Triathlon and Expo Runs Its Course Sept. 23-25

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- The Walt Disney World Triathlon on Sept. 25 will include a 1.5K swim (1 mile), a 40K bike (23.9 miles) and a 10K run (6.2 miles) around Walt Disney World Resort. During the Walt Disney World Triathlon Expo at Disney's Contemporary Resort on Sept. 23-24, athletes can see the latest state-of-the-art products and talk to triathlon experts.

The triathlon starts at Disney's Contemporary Resort at 7:30 a.m. Participants will encounter a unique and challenging point-to-point format course. The swim will begin at North Beach and dive into Seven Seas Lagoon. The first transition will be staged under the shadows of the monorail beams just outside the theme park. The bike-run transition will be staged at Epcot, with the 10K run taking competitors around World Showcase Lagoon into Future World, past Spaceship Earth and finally outside the Epcot main entrance to the finish line.

Entry fees for the Walt Disney World Triathlon are $115 per individual and $190 per relay team. All participants must be 15 years of age or older on the day of the event and they must have a USA Triathlon card to compete. USA Triathlon memberships can be purchased during the Triathlon Expo on Sept. 23-24 at Disney's Contemporary Resort.

Event information and registration materials are available online at disneyworldsports.com.