Should graduating from the 8th grade really be a high point of someone’s life? A moment that’s truly worth celebrating?
The folks who run Disney Youth Groups (I.E. The branch of Disney Destinations, LLC that’s behind such hugely successful after-hours events as Grad Nite & Night of Joy) certainly hope that a lot of people think so. Which is why — on Friday, May 4th — they’ll be field-testing a brand-new hard ticket concept for the parks: The Disney 8th Grade Grad Jam.
Copyright 2007 Disney Destinations, LLC
Aimed at the 14-and-under set, the 8th Grade Grad Jam is actually based on a very popular pre-Grad Nite Blast-Off program entitled “Party on the Wild Side.” Which allows high school seniors who already have tickets to that night’s main event over at the Magic Kingdom to then spend the early evening hours enjoying the DinoLand U.S.A section of Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Where these soon-to-be-graduates can experience some of that theme park’s most popular attractions. Including Expedition Everest, Dinosaur and Primeval Whirl.
Given that thousands of high schoolers have already enjoyed having exclusive access to DAK’s rides, playing Chester & Hester’s carnival games and/or dancing at a DJ party … Disney Youth Groups wondered if they could re-invent this after-hours event as something that might then appeal to middle schoolers.
Of course, one of the very first things that they had to do was adjust this party’s running time. You see, unlike Grad Nite (Which typically runs from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m.), the Disney 8th Grad Grade Jam had to be aimed at an audience that has a much earlier bedtime. Which is why this middle-schoolers-exclusive event will only run from 7 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.
And keep in mind that this May 4th party is just a dry-run of the 8th Grade Grad Jam concept. To see if this new after-hours program actually appeals to its target audience.
So what exactly will the inaugural edition of 8th Grade Grad Jam include? Well, for a $38-per-person admission fee, each participant will then be able to enjoy (I’m quoting from the press materials here) a “delicious meal including burgers, dogs, chips, and dessert” as well as “Lemonade flowing by the gallon.” They’ll also be able to sample many of DAK’s signature attractions including Kali River Rapids.
Copyright 2007 Disney Destinations, LLC
So far, several Florida middle schools — including the prestigious Bolles preparatory school of Jacksonville, FL — have agreed to take part in this first field test of the Disney 8th Grade Grad Jam. And should this new DYG program prove to be a success … Well, I hear that Disney Destinations, LLC is already looking into scheduling additional nights of this event come 2008.
But — of course — that won’t happen until this proof-of-concept party wraps up on May 4th after 11:30 p.m. And after Disney Youth Groups then contacts various students & chaperones who actually attended this year’s festivities to see what they liked (More importantly, what they didn’t like) about the inaugural edition of Disney 8th Grade Grad Jam.
Still, one has to wonder … If this graduating-from-middle-school after-hours event proves to be extremely profitable for the Mouse, can Disney’s Kindergarten Graduation Celebration be all that far behind?
Your thoughts?