Okay. I know. The news coming out of Orlando these days all seems to be about a certain boy wizard (As well it should be. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter really is spectacular. The next time you’re in O-Town, you should definitely make a point of swinging by Islands of Adventure and checking this new “land” out).
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Photo by Gene Duncan. Copyright Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved
This 10-weeks-plus program just got underway on June 6th with the return of the Main Street Electrical Parade. This Magic Kingdom classic – featuring 80 performers, 23 floats and more than half a million twinkling lights – hasn’t been seen inside of that theme park since 2001. But based on the enthusiastic response that Guests have given MSEP so far, this nearly 38 year-old parade remains a fan favorite.
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Of course, what helps here is that the Main Street Electrical Parade has been paired with a brand-new pyrotechnic display, the “Summer Nightastic! Fireworks Spectacular.” Which fills the night skies over the Magic Kingdom with cannon balls and pixie dust as Captain Hook and his pirate crew attempt to lay siege to the Castle. Only to then be driven back by Cinderella’s Fairy Godmother and a host of famous Disney Fairies.
Photo by Garth Vaughan. Copyright Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved
Meanwhile – over at Disney’s Hollywood Studios – there’s darker magic at work. Especially inside of the Hollywood Tower Hotel, where – thanks to a new drop sequence as well as some enhanced special effects – the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror is serving up a brand-new assortment of screams.
And if you survive your trip through the fifth dimension, then why not celebrate by dancing to the Fifth Dimension (or Pink. Or the Red Hot Chili Peppers) at DHS’s Rock n’ Glow Dance Party? Which will be held on Hollywood Boulevard 5 nights a week right in front of this theme park’s 122-foot-tall Sorcerer Mickey hat.
Speaking of music, look for Epcot to turn up the volume during WDW’s “Summer Nightastic!” with its “Sounds Like Summer” program. Which will turn World Showcase’s America Garden Theatre into THE place to be. Especially if you’re into rock music tribute bands.
The first group of the Summer – a Bee Gees tribute band, Stayin’ Alive – will continue at that park through June 19th. They’ll then be followed by performers who pay tribute to the Eagles (June 20th – 26nd), Janet Jackson (June 27th – July 3rd), the Rolling Stones (July 4th – 10th), Bon Jovi (July 11th – 17th), U2 (July 18th – 24th) and Chicago (July 25th – 31st).
Mind you, in addition to this amazing roster of rock music tribute bands, Epcot is also getting ready for the return of a real music legend. That’s right. “Captain EO” – featuring the late, great Michael Jackson – will soon be taking WDW Guests on a nostalgic trip back to the mid-1980s. Where they can first ooh & aah as Michael dances in 3D and then laugh at all the ridiculous hair styles you can spy on Jackson’s back-up dancers.
Mind you, if you’re looking to trip the light fantastic during Disney World’s “Summer Nightastic!,” you really need to get a move on. This 10-week-plus program only runs through August 14th. And after that, look for things to get Harry … er … hairy … I mean scary, as the Magic Kingdom transforms itself into spook central for Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. Which will be held on select autumn nights between September 14th and November 1st.
But Fall’s a long way off yet. And if you’re looking to get in on all of the after-dark fun that’s featured in WDW’s “Summer Nightastic!” program … Well, I think I know an outfit that can help hook you up with some tickets.
Disney is so out of touch its just sad. They have a fan base of cheaply bought annual passport holders who think anything as minute as the change of a clear bulb to a colored bulb is just fantastic since they are basically paying nothing to get into the park. Go out onto the streets and find people who haven't been to WDW or Disneyland in 10 or 20 years and ask them if a change in fireworks would lure them into buying a one day ticket. Universal has the right idea with Harry Potter but as you look at WDW's plan to counter you can see they are lost. Ive watched them beat Disneyland with an ugly stick in the last 30 years and then flood it with giveaway prices through the AP program just to give it attendance. Ask people who have been going to a park for 20 years or more what the best rides are, if they mention rides built 15 ,20, 25 years ago then your park is in trouble if its not the only game in town, go to Universal And ask people and i'm sure that will say Harry Potter, thats what you call a worthwhile attraction, thats what people who are willing to pay the price of a one day ticket want. When I think of WDW or Disneyland I think " This isn't the theme park we're looking for, move along, move along" shame since 5 of my 8 favorite attractions of all time are from Disneyland and over 30 years old, so very sad, the Mouse has lost his way.