Disney will end Grad Nite for students

MARCH 09, 2011

It's the end of era. The Disney Parks Blog has announced that this spring will see the last Grad Nite celebrations at Magic Kingdom. The larger springtime crowds at the park have made it too difficult to schedule this separate-ticket late night event.

Is this news making anyone else nostalgic? My mid-1980s self couldn't wait for our turn at Grad Nite, when Kool and the Gang or Night Ranger might be playing in Tomorrowland.

It's been a rite of passage. Disneyland launched Grad Nite in 1961 (and the California park will continue to do so). Disney World, which has also held the annual after-hours party since 1972, with squeal-worthy big musical acts, from Katy Perry to New Kids on the Block.

Who played at your Grad Nite? The Times in 2008 ran this list of the entertainment going back to the beginning with Paul Revere and the Raiders.

Universal and Busch Gardens also have similar parties for high school kids. And as an alternative, Disney will offer Florida school groups a special one-day, one-park ticket for $55 that's valid any time during the year. But it won't be the same, will it?

What's your favorite Grad Nite memory?

--Sharon Kennedy Wynne

Posted by Sharon Wynne at 2:19:24 pm on March 09, 2011 in

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Sharon Kennedy Wynne has sunscreen in her blood. She may have been born in Buffalo but she got here as fast as she could, in time for kindergarten. She grew up in St. Petersburg, graduated from the University of Florida journalism school, and even got married at Sunken Gardens. She's one of the few adults we know who actually loves taking her kids to the beach. She has two sons and with 10 years of parenting under her belt, she's starting to feel a little less out of her league. She comes from a large family and loves to debate, so brace yourself when the hot topics come up.

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After six long years of trying to have a baby, Kate Brassfield was finally able to have one. And then, two minutes later, another one. Suddenly the lady who had never been around babies before was juggling two! Just as Kate felt she was getting pretty good with babies, the girls became toddlers, and now Kate is back to Square One, learning about the care and feeding of these strange, wonderful creatures. She spends her days working part-time from home and trying to keep up with the Twinosaurus Wrecks.

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Freelance writer Courtney Cairns Pastor wasn’t so sure about having kids and how she would balance child-rearing with her journalism career. It turned out that her journalism training went to good use. As the mom to a funny, active toddler, she learned to handle him like she did her sources. Never ask yes or no questions (the answer will always be no), get him to be specific (are you crying because you’re wet or your tooth hurts?) and be prepared for anything because no two days are the same. When she’s not playing trucks, Courtney crams for her book club, trains for races and occasionally bursts into showtunes. E-mail her at courtneyblogs@gmail.com.

Suzannah DiMarzio has it bad for the Mouse. Although she grew up outside of Boston, she took her degree in tourism management down to Orlando just to work at Disney and the travel industry. Of course, when she married her high school sweetheart, the reception was at Disney. She’s now a seasoned stay-at-home mom to two tweens and a toddler – and yes, that is as crazy as it sounds. Suzannah has her own blog, ZannaLand.com , and she's a member of the Walt Disney World Moms Panel in addition to being addicted to Twitter, iced coffee, and watching way too much Yo, Gabba Gabba.

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