Post by Shaene Carson
It has become tradition with Disney Parks to kick off the summer with a 24-hr party. This year was no different. Disney has dubbed this the “Coolest Summer Ever”, and to kick it all off, the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World & both Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure at the Disneyland Resort were open from 6 am Friday to 6 am Saturday. As part of the celebration at Walt Disney World, the Disney Parks had a sweepstakes. The prizes included admission to the Magic Kingdom for the 24 hour event, a special breakfast, and screening of “Tomorrowland” which also opened on May 22nd. Of course with Disney, they always throw some pixie dust in there as well. The sweepstakes ran May 19th from 1-3 pm and there would be 250 winners (you were also allowed to bring one guest if you won). Winners were notified by email. I was fortunate enough to be selected for this event.
The morning of the 24-hr event, all winners were asked to report to the Transportation & Ticket Center to get their park tickets and credentials for the event. At check in, we were given a wrist band to get into breakfast & the movie screening. We were also given Olaf selfie sticks and a Tomorrowland hat.
Photo credit: SC
Photo credit: SC
At 5 am we were the first to be able to board a ferry boat over to the Magic Kingdom. Once we arrived at the entrance, we were allowed into a roped off area in front of the Mickey floral arrangement. There were news cameras and reporters out covering the kickoff to the “Coolest Summer Ever”. Of course what party can start without the big cheese himself Mickey Mouse and of course Minnie was right by his side. They were decked out in their pajamas still because really who is ready for the day at 5 am? They took some pictures with a few people, but really were there interacting with the news reporters.
As 6 am approached and the start of the 24-hr event, the welcome show featured some “Frozen” guests. Anna, Elsa, Kristoff and the coolest snowman anywhere Olaf helped official get the party started.
Photo credit: SC
After the welcome show, we then headed to Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Café where the breakfast was being held. There were pastries, coffee, juice and water available for us to enjoy. Also there was an inflatable Orange Bird who is beloved by all and another photo opportunity that was centered around Tomorrowland. There was a person there modeling an actual outfit & jet pack that were in the movie. We were also given a photo pass card for a free download of out picture with the model.
Photo credit: SC
Photo credit: SC
After breakfast, we were bused over to Downtown Disney to watch Tomorrowland. I know people hate spoilers so I won’t go into the plot of the movie, but it was good and had a great message that you can never stop dreaming and believing in yourself. At the conclusion of the movie, we were all made “recruiters” (it will make sense once you see the movie), and given Tomorrowland pins to go out and find the dreamers during rest of the 24-hr party. Once we did we were to give them a pin. It was a cool twist and a way that we ourselves could spread pixie dust to others. We also were given posters of the movie that we could have.
Photo credit: SC
We were then bused back over to the Magic Kingdom where we could enjoy the rest of the day playing in the park.
This event was a lot of fun and I want to thank the entire Disney Parks Blog team for putting together a great event.
Photo credit: SC
Check out a video recap done by the Disney Parks Blog team!
