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News Walt Disney World will not host any further Night of Joy events
- Thread starter wdwmagic
- Start date
RobotWolf
Well-Known Member
Even back in my olden days (late 80s-early 90s), this event was a nightmare.
But one fun aspect was that if you were trained in ops, you could get extra hours. And rides like Mansion and Pirates have a couple of "utility" positions, scattered through the ride with radios and flashlights.
The Night of "Joy" was the only night I actually caught people smoking "imported cigarettes" and engaging in adult situations on the Mansion.
EDIT: To be fair, the Valentine Heartbeat event was a very close runner-up with regard to naughtiness.
But one fun aspect was that if you were trained in ops, you could get extra hours. And rides like Mansion and Pirates have a couple of "utility" positions, scattered through the ride with radios and flashlights.
The Night of "Joy" was the only night I actually caught people smoking "imported cigarettes" and engaging in adult situations on the Mansion.
EDIT: To be fair, the Valentine Heartbeat event was a very close runner-up with regard to naughtiness.
Lucky
Well-Known Member
EPCOTCenterLover
Well-Known Member
Why were my earlier comments removed? They were non-offensive. I'm pretty respectful on these boards.
Biff215
Well-Known Member
Not sure that’s possible. For a majority of NoJ’s run, it was held in the MK with large stages and top CCM artists brought in. Not really the same as “buying the park out”, and not a matter of commitment. This event needed Disney’s backing to happen as far as I can tell.
mm121
Well-Known Member
Lets keep this on topic. GD is nothing like NoJ.
GD at the parks is just an informal gathering of people, not a big concert infront of the castle like NoJ was before it was moved to WoS.
Sounds like from the comments here that NoJ, was long past its time and was ended for similar reason to why GradNights was ended. It's unfortunate that the actions of a few ruined these events for all those that behaved, but also sounds like the organizers could have and should have done more to ensure proper supervision.
If NoJ wanted to continue they would still need disney to be willing to sell the park out to them. There are very few organizations/companies who pay to buy out the MK as it is HUGELY expensive. And if the events were causing vandalism/"operational difficulties" its doubtful disney would want to rent it out to this organization.
Yes they could have their attendees just pay ticket sticker price and go all on the same night, but its doubtful that they'd want to do this as I'm sure it would cost more than the NoJ package deal that they had for 35 years. Also if your just "attending" a park that would mean no concert on site which was the core of the evening.
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mm121
Well-Known Member
prehaps the organization lost money last year and hasn't been able to recover, and are thus blaming disney for the shut down.
You are almost completely wrong. The organization which operates Gay Days plans a week of activities. While the daytimes are spent at the parks with normal day guests, the evenings are filled with private events and buy outs. One highlight for many revelers is an evening where they buy out Typhoon Lagoon, turning it into a big swim/dance party. Another is often a hard-ticketed event at the DHS, where big performers play (Kesha performed last year). The lineup changes every year, but the fact is they host a number of hard-ticketed events, with the difference being guests purchase their tickets from the Gay Days organization directly, rather than through Disney. It is the organization that then pays Disney, just like any company or convention would.
So, yes, if NoJ wanted to continue they could very easily do a buy out of the park when it would otherwise be closed. This happens way more frequently than you think. Miley Cyrus had a buyout of the Magic Kingdom for her and friends for a big birthday party once. Michael Jackson would frequently do a buy out as well.
mm121
Well-Known Member
I was talking in terms of buying out the MK which is where NoJ was held. And if NoJ has a history of being an operational problem its doubtful disney would want to close MK early for them no matter the price paid.
Yes I am aware the GD buys out Typhoon and last year was the first time they did an after hours event at DHS. In past years they did things at Epcot after hours as well, along with using the event space at epcot during park hours in the world showcase.
If we're going to get technical its "One Magical Weekend" company that does the disney events, not the Gay Days Company who does the expo and hotel parties.
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IMDREW
Well-Known Member
I was very excited to attend a few years ago. But was so embaressed and ashamed of the behaviour of others that it was a one and done for me. I felt so sorry for the castmembers working and was so angry cause it didn’t represent my religion at all. I totally understand its gone now.. 
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2016 was not the first time they did an after hours event at DHS. They have done it repeatedly in years past, usually under the "One Mighty Party" name. In 2007, for example, Kathy Griffin and Donna Summer hosted.
The point is that Disney will gladly sell "park time" after hours to any organization that wants to pay their rate. MK costs more than the other parks to operate, in addition to longer "public" hours, which is why these events tend to take place at other parks or within a specific land of MK. They do it all the time for conventions, companies and other entities. Guests just generally don't know about it.
Where did I say it had anything to do with religion?I respectfully disagree. I believe the CM’s who have shared the nightmare stories from these events. What I don’t like is that it is pinned on religion, when no one knows the beliefs of the troublemakers. They don’t check that at the front gate.
As others have said, it’s the lack of supervision and maturity that caused the problems. Plenty of well-behaved teens and adults enjoyed the concerts and attractions. It’s a shame that some couldn’t handle it.
Clearly Disney was ready to move on from this event when they moved it to WWoS, they had to know it would fail there. They simply don’t need this event anymore from a financial standpoint, I wouldn’t make any more of it than that.
WondersOfLife
Blink, blink. Breathe, breathe. Day in, day out.
That’s too bad, honestly. I remember my sister and I going During night of joy a couple of years ago at the Magic Kingdom. It was great! No lines for hardly anything at all!
Biff215
Well-Known Member
I was disagreeing with your “sheltered teenagers” edit, which is often part of the religious argument. If that wasn’t your intent then I apologize. I meant to speak more generally and not directly at you with the rest of my post.
Religion and politics are not allowed. Your comments were a bit too religious. I understand that a discussion of the cancellation of this specific event without turning into a religious/political/social "discussion" is difficult, but other posters have been able to do so. At least most of them, so far.
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Agree. it all comes down to $$$. It has become less profitable for WDW, and the groups holding/attending these events cannot afford to pay the cost anymore. Add in last year's cancellation (most outdoor events have a no refund policy if cancelled due to weather) and participants may have lost money and are reluctant to take that chance again, so there wasn't enough interest.
EPCOTCenterLover
Well-Known Member
I appreciate the response. My point was bad behavior is not limited to one demographic. All groups include bad apples.
I think he was talking about teenagers in general, many of whom are more sheltered from unsupervised social interactions than their parents were.