Each longtime Walt Disney World fan has an period (or three) they need they might flip again the clock to revisit–golden ages of rides, leisure, celebrations, and extra. If we’re being trustworthy with ourselves, that “and extra” is commonly the decisive issue. It’s about greedy on the sands of time which have slipped by means of our fingers; revisiting the locations of fond reminiscences with households and mates. Seeing the parks by means of the eyes of a younger baby earlier than they grew up, with dad and mom or grandparents as they grew previous, throughout a honeymoon section…you get the thought.
Certainly one of these eras for us was fairly actually throughout our honeymoon. Our “Disneymoon” to Walt Disney World was in June 2010, a few week after the beginning of the Summer time Nightastic celebration. If you happen to’ve learn current posts about our 2024 D23 Want Listing or How Walt Disney World Can Compete with Common’s Epic Universe in 2025, you’ve in all probability seen reference to Summer time Nightastic.
For this, we wish to dive a little bit deeper into what Summer time Nightastic was and why it behooves Walt Disney World to convey it again subsequent 12 months (or one thing prefer it). However we additionally wish to be clear and ‘disclose’ our biases up entrance, as we’ve a sure sentimentality for Summer time Nightastic that might be coloring our perspective. I doubt that’s the case–Summer time Nightastic was objectively good. A robust providing popping out of the Nice Recession that gave Walt Disney World an enormous enhance because it tried to compete with the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Islands of Journey throughout its opening season. We’ll allow you to choose for your self, although…
Since Summer time Nightastic occurred a decade and a half in the past effectively for simply over 2 months, most of you in all probability didn’t expertise it. In a nutshell, it was an leisure and evening-centric particular occasion occurring throughout all 4 parks (however largely Magic Kingdom) from June by means of August 2010.
The flagship leisure of Summer time Nightastic was the return of Primary Road Electrical Parade from Disneyland, which made its first engagement at Walt Disney World since 2001. The fan-favorite parade had a bunch of new-for-Florida floats that had been added for its runs in California, and there was lots of pleasure amongst Disney diehards to see it once more for the primary time in practically twenty years.
That is the place my rose-colored glasses come off. Whereas we appeared ahead to seeing Primary Road Electrical Parade throughout Summer time Nightastic for the primary time as adults, we shortly realized that–at the least for us–it was inferior to SpectroMagic. After a number of viewings, we had been “over” MSEP and prepared for SpectroMagic to return.
We turned bitter when its run was prolonged “by common demand” and downright cynical when it not directly precipitated the demise of SpectroMagic. It took me a very long time to recover from that and totally take pleasure in Primary Road Electrical Parade once more–even at Disneyland! No matter our private emotions concerning the parade, I can nonetheless admit Primary Road Electrical Parade was an enormous draw for Walt Disney World followers in 2010.
For us, the actual spotlight of Summer time Nightastic was the return of the Magic, Music & Mayhem Fireworks from the Pirate & Princess Events. Few individuals attended that arduous ticket occasion, so the fireworks had been merely renamed to the Summer time Nightastic Fireworks and marketed as new.
The present was hosted by the Fairy Godmother of Cinderella with the three good fairies from Sleeping Magnificence ‘preventing’ over the colours of the fireworks. Magic, Music & Mayhem additionally had lots of instrumental music medleys from these motion pictures, plus Magnificence and the Beast and The Little Mermaid, with dialogue to weave a story collectively.
The spotlight was when pirates stormed the Magic Kingdom, with characters from Peter Pan, music from Pirates of the Caribbean, and what appeared like a New 12 months’s Eve degree of pyro because the pirates attacked Cinderella Fort. That single scene could be the perfect within the historical past of Magic Kingdom fireworks.
In the case of this bombastic nighttime spectacular, our glasses usually are not rose-colored. The Summer time Nightastic Fireworks had been actually and unquestionably one of many best fireworks exhibits that Walt Disney World has ever produced, that includes perimeter bursts and different nice results. It’s our recollection that it was the highest-rated Magic Kingdom fireworks present of all-time on the time (which means it obtained higher visitor satisfaction scores than Needs; Fortunately Ever After wasn’t round but).
Whereas these two items of tentpole leisure in Magic Kingdom had been the highlights, Summer time Nightastic introduced extra to the desk.
At Disney’s Hollywood Studios, the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror added new results and a summer-only drop sequence – to the combination for visitors daring to step into the attraction’s notorious service elevator for a journey into the “fifth dimension.” On Hollywood Boulevard, the Rock n’ Glow Dance Social gathering featured a DJ and dwell rock band within the shadow of the Sorcerer Mickey Hat.
Over at EPCOT, the “Sounds Like Summer time” live performance sequence introduced common rock tribute bands to America Gardens Theatre in World Showcase each night at 5:45 pm, 7 pm, and eight:15 pm. (Very comparable concept to the EPCOT pageant live performance sequence–and an idea that continued till 2016.)
Animal Kingdom didn’t get something entertainment-wise, however it did have longer working hours. Remember that this was lengthy earlier than Pandora, at a time when Animal Kingdom often closed at 5 pm or 6 pm. Throughout Summer time Nightastic, it was continuously open till 8 pm.
Different parks noticed summertime extensions, though that was extra par for the course throughout this timeframe. Disney’s Hollywood Studios noticed later closings on Star Wars Weekends nights; EPCOT hours had been unchanged. Magic Kingdom was open till 11 pm or midnight each night time, with night Additional Magic Hours till as late as 3 am.
As for why Walt Disney World ought to convey again Summer time Nightastic, let’s begin with that final level–park hours.
Disney has realized that summer season is not peak season within the parks, and has decreased hours accordingly. This summer season, Magic Kingdom has had solely a handful of 11 pm closings. On the overwhelming majority of dates, it closed at 10 pm. No different park has closed later than 9 pm. Animal Kingdom is routinely again to six pm closings.
The issue with that is that sundown in Orlando through the summer season is round 8:30 pm. This implies Animal Kingdom is closing earlier than sundown each single night time, EPCOT and DHS are barely hitting nightfall, and Magic Kingdom has an hour or two of nighttime. Summers are scorching in Orlando, so to have so few hours that supply even a slight reprieve from the warmth is a doubtful resolution.
As a brief time period enterprise resolution, it is sensible that Walt Disney World has extra restricted hours given the dearth of summer season crowds, however it’s nonetheless wild that–with out paying further–there are so few dates when any park is open for greater than an hour of nighttime. That is exactly why Prolonged Night Hours are extra common through the summer season months and After Hours occasions have offered out regardless of decrease crowds. Visitors wish to spend extra nighttime hours within the parks. It’s apparent and unsurprising.
It’s additionally unsustainable. Visitors will go to throughout summer season, be caught with unbearably scorching daytime hours, decide it’s “not price it” and never return. Not solely that, however they’ll inform their mates about their poor experiences and warn them towards visiting through the summer season. It’s a vicious cycle, and the summer season slowdown received’t simply proceed–it’ll worsen.
As a easy matter of visitor satisfaction and intent to revisit or advocate metrics, Walt Disney World wants later closings through the summer season months. It’s the obvious solution to beat the warmth and make the parks extra enticing from June by means of August–and so they may as effectively make it right into a marketable level whereas they’re at it.
{The summertime} dynamic is mainly the reverse of what Walt Disney World has carried out for the remainder of the 12 months. Over the past decade-plus, Walt Disney World has made a concerted effort to redistribute crowds and enhance the recognition of as soon as low season dates. October went from gradual to conference season. Winter now has EPCOT’s Pageant of the Arts. Then there are the massive youth occasions on the ESPN Wild World of Sports activities, extra runDisney races, and a variety of different choices strategically scattered throughout the calendar.
Satirically, these all aimed to make different dates as common as summer season by including occasions to the months that weren’t June by means of August. Walt Disney World has been exceedingly profitable at this, however guess what? Now it’s the summer season season that has an empty calendar of occasions and is in want of help.
It’s not possible so as to add sporting occasions (for causes that needs to be apparent) and businesspeople seemingly have the great sense to not schedule conventions in Orlando throughout summer season for a similar motive. Nevertheless, diehard Disney followers like us are recognized to be unsensible infrequently. If there’s an enormous summer season celebration, we’ll flock to the parks for it. Even with all my current bellyaching about summer season warmth and humidity, I’ll be the primary to e-book extra summer season within the parks if Disney provides me compelling causes to take action.
As for what Summer time Nightastic ought to or would want to encompass past later park closing occasions, the plain factor is leisure to fill these night hours. Again in 2010, Walt Disney World decided that the tentpole leisure needs to be concentrated in Magic Kingdom, with Primary Road Electrical Parade at 9 pm and 11 pm, and the Summer time Nightastic Fireworks in between at 10 pm.
Loads has modified since then, and I don’t assume a brand new parade and fireworks are a good suggestion in Magic Kingdom. Simply seeing the group stream points brought on by such a dynamic through the vacation onerous ticket occasions, I feel the higher method is a brand new night time parade at Magic Kingdom plus smaller-scale leisure elsewhere within the park plus main counterprogramming within the different parks.
There are already robust rumors of a brand new nighttime parade coming to Magic Kingdom, however I’ll consider it once I see it. I’ve been burned too many occasions up to now, even through credible sources claiming an evening parade at Walt Disney World was a “carried out deal.” With that mentioned, I wish to consider.
It makes full sense for a brand-new night time parade to lastly debut at Walt Disney World in 2025. A brand new night time parade may anchor a summer season celebration at Walt Disney World and is the perfect card that may be performed at this stage within the sport as an “reply” to Epic Universe.
As for what the counter-programming in different parks might be, it’s conceivable that different night leisure involves Disney’s Hollywood Studios and/or Animal Kingdom. With regard to DHS, Fantasmic remains to be not too long ago reimagined, so it in all probability could be smaller scale. Perhaps a DJ and dance occasion and/or new projections present. Maybe an ‘After Darkish’ model of Tower of Terror a la Mission Breakout throughout Halloween. I’d love a return of Star Wars Weekends or one thing of that nature, however that appears like wishful considering and eager for a time that’s gone for good.
In the case of Animal Kingdom, I’ve droned on endlessly a few drone present. Suffice to say, I refuse to consider Disney Desires That Soar is the top sport for drone shows at Walt Disney World. There’s no method that the corporate spent all of that cash creating nighttime leisure for a present at Disney Springs. It’s simply too good to be the ultimate fruits of drone exhibits at Walt Disney World. It’s gotta be proof of idea–a take a look at of the know-how for one thing larger and higher in 2025.
Animal Kingdom is the plain touchdown place for a drone present at Walt Disney World. Modifications must be made for staging and to deal with authorized legal responsibility, however it might be carried out. And it is sensible, on condition that Animal Kingdom is in want of a lift and can seemingly be hit hardest by Epic Universe. Drones would resolve lots of issues for Animal Kingdom, and supply the counterprogramming to a brand new night time parade at Magic Kingdom that’s in all probability wanted.
At both Hollywood Studios or Animal Kingdom, I’d additionally like to see a nighttime stage present. I’d fortunately commerce that for the daytime stage exhibits which can be completely depressing in the summertime. Nobody desires to face round for 25+ minutes in direct daylight with no shade. (If the rumors are incorrect and there’s no night time parade at Magic Kingdom, the stage present makes essentially the most sense there–however logistics make a brand new parade + fireworks + stage present a horrible concept.)
Then there’s EPCOT. It’s method too early to exchange Luminous: The Symphony of Us, however I may see ‘enhancements’ added to that nighttime spectacular. Extra seemingly, Check Monitor 3.0 may function the massive draw for summer season (though it’ll exist past August). I’d additionally add a brand new summer season pageant at EPCOT, however I might’ve carried out that this 12 months–so I received’t belabor that time.
Whereas I’d anticipate all the above to be included within the worth of admission, I additionally wouldn’t thoughts seeing extra upcharge choices. The vanilla After Hours have grown stale, however what a few themed one at Hollywood Studios or EPCOT a la Jollywood Nights or Disneyland After Darkish Nites? DHS might be a enjoyable setting for ‘Disney Afternoon Evenings.’ (If Magic Kingdom is getting a brand new night time parade, I don’t assume it’s smart for it to have onerous ticket occasions–though a reprise of Pirate & Princess Social gathering or Villains After Hours could be superior.)
In the end, it makes an excessive amount of sense to not do Summer time Nightastic from Memorial Day by means of Labor Day (or thereabouts) at Walt Disney World in 2025. Summer time attendance is trending downwards at Walt Disney World–and has been since 2016 while you take away the closure and pent-up demand anomalies of 2020-2022.
It’s the one time of 12 months going within the ‘incorrect’ path for Disney, and they need to do one thing to reverse that. A limited-time seasonal celebration that may be marketable to informal visitors and trigger followers to flock to the parks. It will create a way of urgency and support a time of 12 months when many individuals in any other case would keep away from visiting.
Then there’s the necessity to have some semblance of an “reply” to Epic Universe (once more, counterprogramming might be the extra apt time period). Clearly, Walt Disney World will not be going to have something that may compete with Epic Universe in 2025 on a 1:1 foundation. That wouldn’t be potential, neither is it even the aim–the aim is peeling away visits from Common’s present gates (and capturing on-site lodge stays) from vacationers doing longer stays and planning to see extra than simply Epic Universe.
As needs to be apparent, this isn’t simply nostalgia speaking. No matter Walt Disney World does for Summer time 2025 will differ fully in substance from Summer time 2010. Heck, it in all probability wouldn’t even be referred to as “Summer time Nightastic,” as that’s not precisely a reputation with robust model consciousness amongst followers. (Even when it’s a good identify that succinctly conveys the when and what of the particular seasonal celebration.) Not solely is a Summer time Nightastic-like occasion precisely what Walt Disney World wants, however I’d be prepared to wager it’s what we’ll get. Right here’s hoping we discover out quickly–the D23 Expo is lower than two weeks away!
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YOUR THOUGHTS
What do you consider a Summer time Nightastic (or comparable) celebration at Walt Disney World? Would one thing like this persuade you to e-book a visit to WDW in Summer time 2025? How do you assume Walt Disney World will (unofficially) try and “compete” with Epic Universe subsequent 12 months? Agree or disagree with our evaluation? Some other ideas or commentary so as to add? Any questions we can assist you reply? Listening to your suggestions–even while you disagree with us–is each fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas beneath within the feedback!
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