September 2004

In This Edition:

Magic Kingdom: 'Night of Joy' Celebrates Largest Musical Line-up
Epcot: 'Echoes of Africa' on Display
Disney Dining: New Book Showcases Famous Disney Recipes
Downtown Disney: Dogs Play Dress-Up at Newest Shop
Across Disney World: Tom Joyner Hosts Star-Studded 'Family Reunion'; Disney Youth Groups Announce New Programs

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Jars of Clay, FFH, Mark Schultz Open Biggest Night of Joy Weekend in Disney's Magic Kingdom -- 3 Nights, 24 Acts, 50 Concerts Sept. 9-11

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Jars of Clay, FFH and Mark Shultz will open the biggest, most talent-laden Night of Joy ever with 7:30 p.m. shows on Sept 9 in Walt Disney World Magic Kingdom. When the last notes are played three evenings later, 24 artists will have presented 50 concerts during Disney's 22nd annual contemporary Christian music event. The Sept. 9-11 schedule also marks the first time Night of Joy has included concerts on Thursday evening.

The lineup is a veritable "who's who" of Christian music with names such as Michael W. Smith, Steven Curtis Chapman, Kirk Franklin, Third Day, CeCe Winans, Point of Grace and Jaci Velasquez. Among them, the 24 acts have amassed 174 Gospel Music Association Dove Awards and 21 Grammy Awards.

In addition to concerts, Night of Joy features an opportunity to enjoy favorite Magic Kingdom attractions during event hours, 7:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. each evening (following regular Magic Kingdom closing). There also will be character greetings in Town Square each evening beginning at 7:30 p.m.

One-, two-, and three-night tickets are available. Guests can get tickets or more information by calling 407/W DISNEY or by visiting disneyworld.com/nightofjoy on the Internet. Advance tickets are $36.95 (plus tax) for one night, $59.95 (plus tax) for two nights and $79.95 (plus tax) for all three nights. Tickets also are available at Florida locations of Family Christian Stores. One-day tickets on event days -- if available -- are $41.95. The event has been sold out in advance in recent years.

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Tickets Available for Tom Joyner Family Reunion Party Sept. 4 at Disney-MGM Studios Featuring Anita Baker, Alicia Keys, Big Boi from OutKast, Monica ... and More

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Tickets for a star-studded party at Disney-MGM Studios on Sept. 4 featuring such entertainment icons as Anita Baker, Alicia Keys, Monica and Big Boi from OutKast are now on sale.

Part of the Tom Joyner Family Reunion over Labor Day weekend at Walt Disney World Resort, the "Disney-MGM Studios Party" is a jam with some of today's top performers of urban, hip-hop and soul music. Beginning at 9 p.m. (after regular park operating hours), the theme park stages will come alive with acts such as Alicia Keys, Anita Baker, Big Boi (from the Grammy Award-winning group OutKast), Omarion, Oryan, Chingy, Monica, Twista, Hammer, New Edition and more.

Tickets are $60 plus tax per person and can be arranged by calling 407/W-DISNEY or online at ticketmaster.com (service charges apply for Ticketmaster online orders). Tickets can also be purchased in person at any Ticketmaster location.

In addition, specially priced packages for the entire Tom Joyner Family Reunion weekend featuring exclusive events Sept. 3-6 for package guests only are still available.

Weekend activities at Walt Disney World Resort include private parties, a Sunday worship extravaganza, family fitness workouts, book club discussions and a slate of family-oriented events to delight guests of every age.

For a family of four, a $2,500 package price includes hotel stay, tickets for exclusive theme park and Downtown Disney Pleasure Island parties with live entertainment and other special events. For more information and to book packages, call 1-888-TJ-FAMILY (888/853-2645) 8:30 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Friday, and 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday-Sunday or log onto blackamericaweb.com.

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Newest Epcot Gallery to Open 'Echoes of Africa' Exhibit

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Art lovers have a new reason to visit Epcot in September when the Walt Disney World theme park opens its sixth gallery, American Heritage Gallery, with an inaugural exhibition exploring the connection between historical African art objects and their influence and significance as interpreted by contemporary African-American artists.

The new gallery is located in The American Adventure pavilion in World Showcase.

"Echoes of Africa" features pieces from the Walt Disney-Tishman African Art Collection, considered to be one of the most significant and respected collections of African art in private hands. The collection was amassed over twenty years and spans the entire region of Africa, focusing primarily on Western Africa. During the three-year run of the exhibit, 15 to 20 pieces from the Walt Disney-Tishman African Art Collection will be on display at any one time, side by side with the works of approximately one dozen contemporary artists.

As the sixth World Showcase gallery, the American Heritage Gallery joins galleries in the Mexico, Norway, China, Japan and Morocco pavilions. Entry to all of the galleries is included with Epcot admission.

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New Disney Cookbook Features Most-Requested Recipes

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- The most-requested recipes from Walt Disney World Resort, Disneyland Resort and Disney Cruise Line are featured in the new Cooking With Mickey and the Disney Chefs, the first-ever cookbook to include recipes from all three Disney venues.

Some recipes have incredible staying power, like Tonga Toast from Kona Cafe at Disney's Polynesian Resort or the Monte Cristo from Blue Bayou Restaurant at Disneyland Resort. But newcomers like pork and polenta from California Grill at Walt Disney World Resort and the crème brûlée cheesecake from Disney Cruise Line are requested just as often. All the recipes have been adapted to family-size servings, and tested for home use.

Wine pairings accompany many of the recipes, with recommended vintages that are readily available in local wine shops.

Published by Disney Editions, the cookbook is edited by Pam Brandon with a foreword by noted food writer John Mariani. Price is $19.95, and the book is available at Walt Disney World Resort, Disneyland Resort and Disney Cruise Line retail outlets, or may be ordered by calling 407/363-6200.

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Dress Your Dog Like a Disney Character
At New Downtown Disney Shop

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Downtown Disney Marketplace has gone to the dogs (and cats) with the opening of a new pet-themed shop called Disney Tails.

Disney-inspired pet products perfect for the pampered pooch or finicky feline are offered at this palatial pet paradise, including a variety of collars, toys, beds, t-shirts, fragrances and personalized pet-tags.

And while it may sound a bit "Goofy," Disney Tails also features an assortment of Disney character costumes specifically designed for cats and dogs, allowing guests to dress their four-legged friends as their favorite Disney characters. Disney Tails is located at Downtown Disney Marketplace between Pooh Corner and Disney at Home.

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Disney Magic Music Days Joins National Anthem Project

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Walt Disney World Magic Music Days, featuring school, community and pre-professional music and dance groups, will join a two-year national flag project that debuts in September.

During Disney Magic Music Days--Celebrating America's Musical Heritage, guest groups will learn about The National Anthem Project, a two-year national project with Music Educators National Conference (MENC) and The Smithsonian Museum surrounding refurbishment of the Fort McHenry flag and its return to display at the Smithsonian Museum in 2006. The Fort McHenry flag inspired the writing of America's national anthem 190 years ago.

Magic Music Days visiting performing groups will be encouraged to include American music in their theme park performances. Special national anthem performance opportunities will also be created in the parks. For participating in the program, students will receive information about writing of the national anthem, a specially produced Disney recording and two new arrangements of the national anthem the groups can take home.

Disney Magic Music Days will officially launch the partnership the week of Sept. 14 in coordination with a national event to take place at Fort McHenry. More information about participation in Magic Music Days is available at disneyyouthgroups.com.

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Walt Disney World Launches Festivals to Showcase Musical Groups

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Walt Disney World Resort is launching student music festivals designed to showcase the nation's top high school concert bands, orchestras and choruses in performances beginning in April 2005.

Buoyed by the support of MENC: The National Association for Music Education, The Disney Honors Invitational Festivals will be four-day events during which the groups perform for a blue ribbon panel of music educators and participate in feedback clinics, master classes and specially created Disney Seminars. The inaugural National Concert Band & Orchestra Invitational is scheduled April 13-17, followed by the National Choral Invitational April 20-24.

In order to be considered for The Disney Honors Invitational, a group must have received a "superior" rating in a state festival and apply through a special review panel to receive a nomination. Applications must include nominations by two professionals and a recording of the ensemble that is evaluated for musical and artistic excellence. Such "premier" concert bands, orchestras and choral groups from across the country are presently vying for a slot in the 2005 event.

Application deadline is Sept. 30, 2004.

More information about The Disney Honors Invitational Festivals is available at disneyyouthgroups.com or by calling 877/833-9806.