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.

“What’s New, What’s Next for WDW” Live Updates

WDWNT on February 10, 2010

In response to an overwhelming response from our followers, we are providing a number of ways to keep in touch with live updates from tonight’s announcements from the “What’s New, What’s Next for Walt Disney World” press conference from 5:30 PM through 6:45 PM ET. You can either follow the updates on Twitter by following us @wdwnt, by the special live interactive chat on WDWNTunes, or by refreshing this post that will be updated with information as it is provided. The updates will begin below shortly, we hope you enjoy our live coverage.

6:42 PM ET – Fireworks show at Magic Kingdom will be never seen before, not Magic, Music, and Mayhem.

6:29 PM ET – Summer Nightastic will also include extended hours at Disney’s Animal Kingdom seven days a week, Main Street Electrical Parade will be the version of the parade that performed at Disney’s California Adventure in 2009

6:20 PM ET – Presentation ended, more details coming from post conference events, so stay tuned

6:10 PM ET – Tower of Terror additions may be temporary for Summer Nightastic or permanent, not sure

6:07 PM ET – Wide World of Sports talk – http://twitpic.com/12h4e8

6:06 PM ET – Disney Cruise Line stuff, not our bag 😉

6:00 PM ET – Parks Blog has info already on June 2010 MSEP return: http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2010/02/main-street-electrical-parade-returns-to-walt-disney-world-resort-this-summer/

5:59 PM ET – Now on to Fantasyland Forest: http://twitpic.com/12h2tq

5:58 PM ET – Electrical Parade will have new floats that debuted at Disneyland in 2009 for WDW 2010 return

5:57 PM ET – Tower of Terror at Hollywood Studios to get new drop sequences and effects, Magic Music and Mayhem fireworks coming to Magic Kingdom

5:56 PM ET – MSEP officially returns for Summer Nightastic: http://twitpic.com/12h25z

5:55 PM ET – Main Street Electrical Parade to return to Magic Kingdom

5:54 PM ET – Talking about recent changes

5:50 PM ET – Talking about Give a Day, Get a Disney Day

5:48 PM ET – Crofton Begins Presentation: http://twitpic.com/12h0kz

5:46 PM ET – Still waiting: http://twitpic.com/12gznv

5:37 PM ET – Another look at the stage: http://twitpic.com/12gy1i

5:35 PM ET -Meg Crofton and Al Weiss have arrived and taken a seat.

5:26 PM ET – Banks Lee has a front row seat: http://twitpic.com/12gvnp, http://twitpic.com/12gvmx

5:04 PM ET – Matt Paul intimidated by Channel 6’s equipment 🙂

4:54 PM ET – Another pic from inside the grill: http://twitpic.com/12goob

4:50 PM ET – Blurry picture of new ESPN Grill at Wide World of Sports: http://twitpic.com/12gocx

4:45 PM ET – WDWNT is checked in: http://twitpic.com/12gndc

4:40 PM ET – The event is being held at the new ESPN Wide World of Sports complex, which will be dedicated as such later this month: http://twitpic.com/12ghsy, http://twitpic.com/12gigp

How Much Can You Endure for an Extra Medal?

WDWNT on May 7, 2009

Guests who participate in two select events during the Walt Disney World Fall Endurance Series will be eligible for an extra piece of hardware to take home:

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (April 29, 2009) – Disney Sports is creating a one-of-a-kind bonus medal for runners who complete the Fall Race Challenge, competing in two of Disney’s three fall endurance events at Walt Disney World Resort. Runners that record an official time for Disney’s Race for the Taste 10K and either the Expedition Everest Challenge presented by Champion or The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror 13K will receive the bonus medal in addition to individual race medals – a total of three race medals for running two races. Registration for all three fall events is now open.

“Disney is dedicated to providing guests with new, interactive features to make their race experience more fun, more exciting and more memorable,” says Disney Endurance Series Director Kathleen Duran. “We are always looking for new ways to differentiate our Disney events by creating unique, immersive experiences.”

Disney’s fall lineup includes expanded race options. The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror 13k event will feature a 5k and an exclusive post-race party. Disney’s Race for the Taste 10k event will include a new 3k race designed for casual runners and those looking to compete in their first endurance event.

The Disney Endurance Series fall lineup includes:

Expedition Everest Challenge presented by Champion (Sept. 26, 2009): This second-year event is the first urban adventure race in Disney’s Endurance Series. The two-person team competition features a 5k, scavenger hunt and an obstacle course designed to challenge runners physically and mentally. There is an exclusive post-race party at Disney’s Animal Kingdom for the finishers. A portion of all entry fees will benefit the Himalayan Youth Foundation and Disney’s Worldwide Conservation Fund.

Disney’s Race for the Taste 10K (Oct. 11, 2009): This race takes runners through Disney’s Hollywood Studios and around the 11 pavilions of Epcot World Showcase. Guests have access to a post-race picnic that includes food samples from the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival, live Disney entertainment, music, games and face painters.

The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror 13K (Oct. 24, 2009): This road race returns for its third year and the journey includes a haunting course through the vacant streets of Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The event includes an exclusive post-race party with family and friends.

To register for these and more Disney Endurance Series events including the Walt Disney World Marathon (Jan. 7-10, 2010), visit disneyenduranceseries.com.

Two New Endurance Events in 2009

WDWNT on December 29, 2008

Just a few weeks away from the 2009 Walt Disney World Marathon, Disney has released information on two new events coming next year:

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – Road-running enthusiasts will have new opportunities to run for fun at Walt Disney World Resort this spring as Disney’s Endurance Series introduces ESPN The Weekend 5K Feb. 28 and Disney’s Princess Half Marathon Weekend presented by Lady Foot Locker March 6-8.

The ESPN The Weekend 5K at Disney’s Hollywood Studios will include special appearances by ESPN talent, and a portion of every entry fee will benefit the V Foundation for cancer research.  Kids races are also offered.

The Princess Half Marathon Weekend will bring women of all ages together to participate in an event designed just for them – with the Disney Princesses as the inspiration.  The weekend includes a half marathon, a family 5K, kids races and an expo.

More information and registration for all events is available at disneyenduranceseries.com.

Registration for both events is open at the provided website above. We still do not have any confirmation that the Everest Challenge or Tower of Terror 13K will return this year, but we expect both to do so and details to be available in the not-so-distant future.