Night of Joys is Disney’s annual Contemporary Christian music festival held the first Friday and Saturday following Labor Day in the Magic Kingdom.  It features popular artists and has over the years hosted names like Michael W Smith, Stephen Curtis Chapman, Chris Tomlin, Casting Crowns, Third Day and even DC Talk.  The lineup changes year to year and now features 10+ performances a year in the two night event.

Magic Kingdom’s most popular attractions stay open during the event so you can add a few rides into your night. Very few attractions are closed during the party but may include Hall of Presidents, Carousel of Progress, Tomorrowland Transit Authority, Enchanted Tiki Room, Swiss Family Treehouse, and Country Bears. The lines are often very short as most guests are paying to attend the concerts. If none of the artists for a particular time are your cup of tea head to some headliners with a chance to ride with little to no line.  And don’t worry about dinner before you come several quick service eateries stay open for the entire event.

NOJ is a hard ticket even with separate admission. Your tickets will allow you access to Magic Kingdom starting at 4pm and some group tickets for both nights now include a day at a Disney waterpark or DisneyQuest. Prices for 2013 are $55 for one night, $99 for both nights.

2013 Schedule of performances is:
Friday, September 6

Cinderella Castle Forecourt Stage

• 7:40 p.m. – Steven Curtis Chapman/Michael W. Smith
• 9:50 p.m. – MercyMe
• 11:55 p.m. – Skillet

Galaxy Stage

• 7:30 p.m. – Audio Adrenaline
• 8:50 p.m. – Audio Adrenaline
• 10:25 p.m. – Mandisa
• 12:10 a.m. – For King and Country

Rockettower Plaza Stage

• 8:15 p.m. – City
• 9:40 p.m. – We As
• 11:20 p.m. – Moriah Peters

Saturday, September 7

Cinderella Castle Forecourt Stage

• 7:40 p.m. – Francesca Battistelli
• 9:30 p.m. – Gospel Music Association Winner Steven Musso
• 9:50 p.m. – TobyMac
• 11:55 p.m. – Newsboys

Galaxy Stage

• 7:30 p.m. – Matthew West
• 8:50 p.m. – Matthew West
• 10:25 p.m. – Group 1 Crew
• 12:10 a.m. – Building 429

Rockettower Plaza Stage

• 8:15 p.m. – City Harbor
• 9:40 p.m. – We As Human
• 11:20 p.m. – Plumb

Planning:
Based on previous experience at NOJ (my favorite event held at WDW) I would take a look over the schedule and pick your must do’s. As tempting as it is don’t try to pick more than one per time slot. The concert areas fill up well before show time and the good spots with a view will be gone well before start. If you leave one performance halfway thru to catch a second you won’t get much of an experience at either. Galaxy Stage is the hardest one to get into. Located backstage (in a parking lot, not very magical) the area is very tight and fills up. There is no squeezing in on the back of the crowd when its full, it’s full. They do often broadcast the performances on the screen at the Rocketower plaza stage if a concert is not playing there at the time. Be prepared to stand, alot. In tight spaces with lots of other fans.  It is hot and there is not much space to spread out while waiting on concerts. Wear comfy shoes and take a nice rest before the concerts begin, if you plan on maximizing your music experience you may go hours without sitting. Plan out your quick service dinner for a break during a concert time you don’t have a must do marked off for.  Plan to sleep in the next day, NOJ lasts past midnight with some great acts finishing the night. Your aching feet and legs will also appreciate an easier day of park touring the next day. If you are doing 2 nights of NOJ I recommend doing no park touring on day 2 before NOJ starts so you will be a little rested and refreshed and ready for another night of your favorite bands.

So what if you are not into Christian music? Night of Joy is an excellent time to visit the Magic Kingdom. The first time I attended NOJ I wasn’t into the music and just rode rides over and over. You can hit many of the attractions with no lines at all. During the more popular performances you may also be able to ride back to back without getting off a ride. If you do not already have a multi day ticket to Magic Kingdom $55 is a good deal for one night from 4pm-midnight of rides with little to no lines.  And if you happen to hear a song or two you are a fan of while there you can always stop by a concert and check it out.

One of the biggest myths about NOJ online in Disney fan communities is that they are overrun with unruly teenagers and a mess to be in. While many youth groups in the area do come, we have never seen bad or unruly behavior from large groups of teens in the parks during NOJ. Yeah they are loud, and excited and there are lots of them but they are not swinging from the spires of Cinderella’s Castle, ransacking the Emporium, or bathing in the Rivers of America.

Night of Joy is one of my favorite events held at Walt Disney World. September is a great time to visit for low crowds and if you time your trip right you can hit some of lowest crowds of the year, Night of Joy and  Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween party.