Disney’s Monstrous summer kicks off bright and early tomorrow morning as three theme parks open their turnstiles at 6:00 a.m. at the start of 24-straight hours of Disney magic. The last time Disney hosted an all-nighter was with it’s “One More Disney Day” celebration on February 29, 2012 in honor of leap year. After Disneyland closed to capacity during that event, Disney decided to extend the Monstrous Summer party to Disney’s California Adventure park as a way to spread out the crowds. The all-nighter does coincide with one of Disney’s Grad Nite celebrations, and in order to accommodate the special events for that, a few parts of DCA, including Cars Land and Paradise Pier, will be reserved exclusively for the grads from 11:00 p.m. and 3:00 a.m. In an effort to reduce some of the traffic the Anaheim parks saw in 2012, Disneyland is offering special commemorative buttons to guests with annual passes who choose to carpool to the parks. Guest arriving in vehicles carrying 3 or more passengers will receive the buttons while supplies last.
For the celebration, Disney has lots of entertainment lined up throughout the day and night including a special Magic Kingdom opening ceremony, character appearances, dance parties, character meet and greets and more.
From the Disney Parks blog:
“At Magic Kingdom Park, Mike and Sulley from this summer’s new Disney•Pixar film “Monsters University” will pop in to “scare up” some excitement at the “Move It, Shake It, Celebrate It!” Street Party, and serve as Grand Marshals during a special pre-parade, complete with a cheer squad, flag corps and a marching band playing the MU Fight Song! You can catch this procession just ahead of each of that day’s two performances of the “Celebrate a Dream Come True” Parade. In Tomorrowland, the Rockettower Plaza Stage plays host to a “Monster Mania” DJ Dance Party from 4 – 9 p.m. and “Monsters University Movie Night” from 11 p.m. – 5 a.m., featuring back-to-back showings of the original “Monsters, Inc.” and an opportunity to meet Mike and Sulley! Finally, you can dance the night away at Disney’s Up All Night Dance Party at Cinderella Castle, keeping things lively from 2 – 5:45 a.m.
At Disneyland Resort, the fun spreads out across two Disney Parks! Disney California Adventure park is having a Hollywood Viewing Party, screening “Monsters, Inc.” inside Muppets Theater and hosting Mad T Party outside in Hollywood Land. Both start at 9 p.m. and continue through the night. Elsewhere, the “Monsters University” gang will be out and about with the new MU float from the Pixar Play Parade, happy to pose for pictures with you.
Disneyland park celebrates with a Disney Character Pajama Party, starting after midnight in Mickey’s Toontown with classic Disney cartoons, a Mickey Mouse Party Zone with DJ and activities for kids, plus goodies available for purchase, like hot chocolate, milk and cookies and other treats. Over in Tomorrowland, there will be Star Wars characters to meet and the TLT “Monstrous” Dance Club at Tomorrowland Terrace, where you can keep the party going from midnight to 5:30 a.m. During the All-Nighter, the Royal Theatre at Fantasy Faire hosts a Royal Swing Ball, with a live band from 10 p.m. – 1:40 a.m.”
In addition to all of these special events, guests can expect to find all sorts of commemorative merchandise and Monstrous Summer-themed treats. If you see something that you think you’d like to buy, I suggest doing so when you spot the item as much of this merchandise will sell out quickly.
So what can you do to survive your 24-hours in a Disney park? Here are a few tips:
1. Arrive EARLY! As I mentioned above, Disneyland reached capacity around 10:00 p.m. during the last all-nighter. With the addition of DCA to the event, that should help, but it will still be very crowded. Additionally, I expect the Magic Kingdom will also reach capacity this time as the event is taking place during an already busy Memorial Day weekend. If you want to get to the parks at opening (which is sure to be a truly memorable experience) do so, but if you take a break and plan to return to the park for the evening’s festivities, be sure to get back by mid-afternoon.
2. This leads me to my next tip–TAKE A BREAK. Especially if you are traveling with kids. 8-straight hours in a theme park is enough to do anyone in, I wouldn’t attempt 24! Take a break at some point if you arrive for park opening. Go back to your resort, take a nap, swim, relax and then come back refreshed in the afternoon to party the night away.
3. Take advantage of some of the entertainment and events that are being offered. This is part of the point of attending the celebration in the first place, isn’t it?!
4. Keep ahead of the crowds. If you have a smartphone I highly recommend downloading Disney’s Mobil Magic app. The app has information on all of the parks and entertainment venues at both the Disney World and Disneyland Resorts and using it will help you navigate wait times in the parks throughout your 24-hours of fun.
5. Bring your camera–especially if you arrive early. You’re going to have lots of great photo-ops.
And finally–HAVE FUN! I can’t wait to hear all about everyone’s experiences!
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