Grad Nite
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Disney's Grad Nite (sometimes in early years termed "Grad-Nite") is an exclusive event hosted in April or May for graduating high school senior classes who can gather for an exclusive, all-night party at Disneyland and, more recently, at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom, featuring live performances by some of the most popular contemporary artists. Also, there are optional Blast Off Parties that begin prior to the main event, and create a full day of activities for students. Grad Nite originated at Disneyland in 1961 for local area students.
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[edit] Grad Nite doings
With various pre-parties, Disneyland or the Magic Kingdom is generally open to seniors by 8:00 p.m. The park closes at 4:00 a.m.
The usual background music is replaced by loud contemporary music, which is played by a DJ who urges the seniors to attend the live shows (at the Magic Kingdom, in the courtyard in front of Cinderella's Castle) and plays contemporary music.
On the Magic Kingdom's Space Mountain, the usual sound effects are eliminated and loud music is also piped in. However for the more technically advanced Space Mountain at Disneyland, which features on-board audio and advanced in ride effects, seniors are treated to the Rockin' Space (or RockIT) Mountain effects. These have been implemented since the 2005 redesign and rehab.
At least one dance floor is opened, with another DJ. At Disneyland this is the Tomorrowland Terrace. Most of the major rides are opened except for some smaller ones, rides that involve passage over water, and theaters. Special T shirts and other merchandise is available. At Disneyland, prizes including new cars and gifts are given away.
At midnight, there is a special fireworks show, set to top 40 hits or current Fireworks program (Wishes, Believe, Remember...Dreams Come True, or Fantasy in the Sky)
In addition to the students, chaperones are also present in the park, together with a few privileged Disney employees and guests of the performers. Schools are encouraged to bring junior class leaders to "sell" the upcoming senior class on Grad Nite. Security is generally heavy, and the students are not permitted to leave early without making special arrangements.
[edit] Live Performances
For the 2005 Magic Kingdom Grad Nite, the performing artists were Ryan Cabrera, Yellowcard, Ciara, and Kevin Lyttle. In 2006, they included Simple Plan and Fall Out Boy. As of late-September 2006, Disney announced that The Fray, Cartel, and Cassie are scheduled to perform at the 2007 Grad Nite.
Past Grad Nite performing artists include;
- Brandy
- Britney Spears
- Backstreet Boys
- Destiny's Child
- Goo Goo Dolls
- Jessica Simpson
- Miami Sound Machine
- Petey Pablo
- Run DMC
- Tyrese
By comparison, in 1963, performers included The Elliott Brothers Orchestra, The Strawhatters, The Spacemen with Kay Bell, Jimmy Henderson and his Orchestra, Ward Singers, Young Men From New Orleans, Firehouse Five + Two, Gonzales Trio, The Yachtsmen, Royal Tahitans, Folk Singer, and Folk Duo.[1]
[edit] Blast Off Party
While the main event takes place at the park from 10:00pm to 4:00am, there are optional Blast Off Parties that begin prior to the main event.
One blast off party is Disney's California Adventure (5-8PM) for California and Disney's Animal Kingdom (7-9PM) for Florida. Select attractions (specifically Expedition Everest, Dinosaur, and Primeval Whirl) are open for the grads.
The other blast off party option is Magic Kingdom for Florida. (8-10PM). All attractions that will be open for the Grad Nite event are available at the Blast Off Party, which seamlessly merges into Grad Nite.
[edit] Dress Code
Grad Nite is considered a special school event and a Dress Code is enforced. Attendees of both the Blast Off Parties and Grad Nite must adhere to the dress guidelines or will be denied admittance. Offensive or revealing clothing is not allowed, nor are weapons or drugs. Schools have gained notoriety for being excluded from Grad Nite for failure to follow the rules.
Dress code includes wearing plain collared shirts (no logos allowed) and slacks. One contentious portion of the code forbids participants to wear sneakers. The stated reason for this was to avoid "gang problems."
[edit] Problems
In the past, both Disney parks have seen their share of unfortunate events happen. Disneyland has seen three deaths from the carelessness of attendees (or in one case, a would-be attendee)[2], students have been turned away from the gate for possession of alcohol or drugs, students have passed out in attractions, shows, or around the park from lack of sleep, and students from a school have taken over attractions such as Tom Sawyer's Island at Disneyland. Disney has adjusted its policies on which rides to open. Attractions such as "Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln" have been closed, as students will use them for romantic getaways or to sleep. Generally, the rides that involve travel across water have been closed.
Universal Studios, Disney's rival, began their own similar program, Grad Bash. Grad Bash is more informal than Grad Nite and slightly cheaper, and because the two parks split the amount of students, both events are somewhat less crowded (although both events are quite popular). While the Saturday night dates for Grad Nite are more popular than Fridays, and attract schools from further away, both are relatively uncrowded by comparison with a normal weekend day. Space Mountain is especially popular with attendees, with lengthy lines.
In California, Six Flags and Knott's have tried unsucessfully to market parties for graduating seniors or teens but have canceled them.
