Details on Summer Nightastic! “Tower of Terror” Enhancements & Fireworks

WDWNT on May 11, 2010

We finally have details on what guests can expect when the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror at Disney’s Hollywood Studios debuts a special ride experience for Summer Nightastic!, from the Mickey Monitor passholder publication:

As part of Summer Nightastic!, Walt Disney Imagineers came up with even more unexpected thrills in the Hollywood Tower Hotel! If you listen closely, you can hear the distant rumble of thunder, not to mention the giggles from the disembodied voice of a child. New lighting and sound effects will add to the new experience, bringing Guests into the eerie halls of the Hollywood Tower Hotel. Throughout the summer, you’ll find the eerie blue lights and lightning crashing around The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror. It’s your chance to take your summer fun to a whole new dimension!

Details have also emerged on the “Summer Nightastic! Fireworks Spectacular”, also from the latest Mickey Monitor newsletter:

“Summer nights are so special there’s no better word for them than ‘Nightastic!,’” said Chris Oyen, Show Director, Walt Disney Entertainment.
“Nighttime adds mystery, romance and magic. That’s what we hear Cinderella’s Fairy Godmother tell us when the Summer Nightastic! fireworks
spectacular begins.”

Drawn to the magic

“When they hear this, Aurora’s Godmothers— Flora, Fauna and Merryweather—are drawn to the magic,” Chris said. “They help the Magic Kingdom® skies burst with fireworks in perfect synch with great Disney songs.”

It all reaches the height of excitement when Captain Hook and his pirate crew try to capture Cinderella Castle and it may look as if they’ve blown off parts of the magical structure! Will Tinker Bell arrive in time to save the day, or should we say, the night?

Only for a limited time this summer!

“We’ve re-imagined new magic from something that only a select few were able to experience before,” said Chris, referring to the much-loved “Magic, Music and Mayhem.” From those sparkling roots, Chris is delighted that he and the Walt Disney Entertainment team are now able to bring Summer Nightastic! fireworks spectacular to a new level and to a larger audience, including Passholders like you.

“Night after night, there will be more opportunities to see our ‘perimeter fireworks,’ the ones that surround the Park. Those are usually limited to holidays and specially ticketed events. But they’ll all be there to see, hear and feel—especially for these special summer nights. Because like we said, they’re ‘Nightastic!’”

“Summer Nightastic!” Debuts Early!

WDWNT on May 8, 2010

According to park schedules released by Disney, “The Main Street Electrical Parade” and the “Summer Nightastic! Fireworks Spectacular” should be debuting early. The parade and fireworks are set to begin one night earlier than expected on Saturday, June 5th, with Electrical Parade at 9PM and the Fireworks Spectacular at 10PM. For those who wish to catch Spectromagic and Wishes! one more time before they “glow” away for the Summer, you can see them on June 4th at 9PM and 10PM respectively.

A strange note: the only night of “Summer Nightastic!” that is not scheduled to feature a Main Street Electrical Parade performance is Wednesday, June 9th. Other than that, the parade is set to perform every night through August 14th at 9PM (except 4th of July weekend where it will perform at 10:30PM).

For anyone who were afraid that Spectromagic or Wishes! might not return on time, fear not. Both are scheduled to return right on time August 15th. As usual, all of these dates and times are subject to change, but this is what Disney is saying at the moment.

“The Captain” returns to Epcot on July 2nd

WDWNT on April 28, 2010

From the Disney Parks Blog:

Yes, you read right…the classic 3-D film experience “Captain EO” is coming back to Walt Disney World Resortthis summer just months after it reopened to rave reviews at Disneyland park. The 17-minute musical space-fantasy adventure film is now scheduled to begin at Epcot on July 2.

I remember enjoying “Captain EO” during its original run at Epcot from 1986 -1994. But for some of you, it’ll be a new experience. The film features Michael Jackson as “Captain EO” and a crew of Disney-created space characters. During their journey, the group uses the power of dance, light and music to turn a colorless planet into a world of color and happiness.

And there’s more. “Captain EO” will be returning to other Disney Parks locations. It’s scheduled to open at Tokyo Disneyland on June 30 and Disneyland Paris on June 12. We’ll have more details on the film’s return to Walt Disney World in upcoming weeks but we wanted Disney Parks Blog readers to be among the first to know. Please check back for updates.

Summer Nightastic Heating Up

WDWNT on March 29, 2010

Disney has updated the press release for Summer Nightastic to include the “Rock N’ Glow Dance Party” and the rather generic name for the new fireworks show that will run at the Magic Kingdom:

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – Disney’s “Main Street Electrical Parade” will light up the streets of Magic Kingdom, headlining a season of after-dark excitement coming to Walt Disney World Resort in summer 2010.

Beginning June 6 and continuing through Aug. 14, “Summer Nightastic!” will light up the night with shimmering, shining Disney magic in Walt Disney World theme parks. Here’s a look at what’s in store:

  • Showcasing floats and characters appearing at Walt Disney World Resort for the first time, Disney’s “Main Street Electrical Parade” returns with its joyous sights and sounds. Direct from Disneyland Resort and marking its first engagement in Florida since 2001, the cherished parade will be led by Tinker Bell waving from the basket of a magical balloon aboard a new float. Pinocchio and Snow White join the parade this summer aboard bright new floats. Disney’s “Main Street Electrical Parade” is set for its summer-long nighttime premiere June 6 at Magic Kingdom.
  • The Twilight Zone™ Tower of Terror at Disney’s Hollywood Studios welcomes “drop-ins” this summer with even more pulse-racing surprises. New lighting effects created especially for “Summer Nightastic!” will bring unexpected frights to guests who step into that infamous service elevator … if they dare.
  • “Summer Nightastic!” also means music! In the courtyard of Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, “Rock N’ Glow Dance Party” will have guests wanting to “trip the light fantastic” to sizzling summer sounds being spun by DJs. And at Epcot, the Sounds Like Summer Concert Series returns (June 12-July 31) with bands playing musical tributes to artists who filled summers gone by with musical magic.
  • What could be more summery than fireworks on a star-studded night? Magic Kingdom will treat guests to “Summer Nightastic Fireworks Spectacular,” filling the night sky with vivid colors and brilliant visual effects while whimsical music fills the air.

Matt Paul’s 2/10-2/11/10 Media Event Video Coverage

WDWNT on February 16, 2010

“What’s New, What’s Next” – Walt Disney World Resort

“What’s New, What’s Next” – Interviews

“Celebrate Volunteers” Media Event

Epcot “Can Do” Cavalcade

“Disney’s Friends for Change” – Private Concert featuring Demi Lovato & Joe Jonas

Summer Nightastic Overview

WDWNT on February 11, 2010

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (Feb. 10, 2010) – The “Main Street Electrical Parade” lights up the streets of Magic Kingdom and headlines a season of after-dark excitement coming to Walt Disney World Resort.

“After the sun goes down, our Walt Disney World parks will light up the night with ‘Summer Nightastic!’, ” announced Meg Crofton, president of Walt Disney World Resort, at a media event Wednesday.

Disney magic will shine and shimmer in a whole new light. Here’s a look around:

  • With floats and characters appearing for the first time at Walt Disney World Resort, Disney’s “Main Street Electrical Parade” returns with its joyous sights and sounds. Direct from Disneyland and marking its first engagement in Florida since 2001, the cherished parade will be led by Tinker Bell waving from the basket of a magical balloon aboard a new float. Pinocchio and Snow White join the parade this summer, aboard bright new floats. Disney’s “Main Street Electrical Parade” is set for its summer-long nighttime premiere in early June at Magic Kingdom.
  • The Twilight Zone™ Tower of Terror welcomes “drop-ins” this summer with even more pulse-racing surprises. New lighting effects and the addition of a new drop sequence, created especially for “Summer Nightastic!”, will bring unexpected frights to guests who step into that infamous service elevator. If they dare.
  • What could be more summery than fireworks on a star-studded night? Magic Kingdom will treat guests to a special summer fireworks spectacular. The night sky will explode in vivid colors and brilliant visual effects as whimsical music fills the air.
  • Other fun! The return of the Sounds Like Summer concert series to Epcot and extended evening hours at Disney’s Animal Kingdom several times a week add up to summer fun as only Disney can do – at all four Walt Disney World theme parks.

Official Announcement of “Summer Nightastic” from Disney

WDWNT on February 10, 2010

From the Disney Parks Blog:

Big news today…we’re thrilled to announce that one of the most beloved attractions in Disney history, the Main Street Electrical Parade, is returning to Magic Kingdom Park this summer – and it’ll be better than ever. The classic parade will feature new LED lights and new audio technology when it begins its limited engagement at Walt Disney World in early June 2010.

Main Street Electrical Parade
Tinker Bell will lead the parade waving from the basket of a magical balloon aboard a new float. The parade’s return is part of Summer Nightastic! — an amazing lineup of new and enhanced entertainment planned this summer at Walt Disney World theme parks. For example, there will be new lighting effects and a new addition to Twilight Zone Tower of Terror. Also, Magic Kingdom will treat guests to a special summer fireworks spectacular.

Main Street Electrical Parade

There’s plenty more planned and we’ll have more details in upcoming weeks but we wanted to tell you what we knew first on The Disney Parks Blog. Check back here for more.