This year’s luncheon featured three artists, one of which was performing at Night of Joy. During the event the artists take turns visiting the different tables and chatting with the media present. I like this format because it isn’t a formal interview time, it is time to chat. Once everyone got seated we had a special visit from Mark Hall and Casting Crowns. They weren’t able to stay for lunch, because they had to do their sound check, but they said “Hi!” and posed for pictures.

The first artist at our table was Hannah Kerr. I had the pleasure of meeting Hannah last year at this luncheon. She also leads worship at her home church, and attends college! She is currently on tour with Casting Crowns and Matt Maher.

Next we had Brandon Heath. I was excited to spend some time chatting with Brandon because he is friends with my son Aaron. I met Brandon backstage when he was here in town for the “Brandisa” tour a few years ago. As soon as I told him we were Aaron’s parents he freaked out and wanted to take a selfie to send to Aaron. Brandon also wants to start blogging about his travels so we helped him with some ideas about how to get started.

Last up was Tim Timmons. This was the 3rd time I’ve met Tim at this luncheon. Honestly, the first time I met him, I didn’t like him. He was highly opinionated and off-putting. I am pleased to say, probably thanks to his publicist, he has mellowed some over the years and was more enjoyable to talk to. We spent a lot of time with him helping him beef up his social media presence. I also got to hear a few of Tim’s songs at Night of Joy in the Jostens Center on Saturday night.

I love this event and I am always honored to be invited by Disney. I can’t wait for next year!

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I am pleased to say that, in my opinion, moving the event to the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex was a wonderful idea. Holding the event at WWoS (Wide World of Sports) had some positives I hadn’t thought of originally. All 3 venues had seating available and 2 of the venues had air conditioning! On top of that, they were just better concert venues. As awesome as it is to worship in front of the castle, it isn’t awesome if you are in the throngs of people packed in all the way down Main Street USA.

The headliner concerts were held in Champions Stadium, a baseball stadium where the Atlanta Braves hold their spring training. Here we saw Chris Tomlin, Casting Crowns, For King and Country and Newsboys in a stadium concert setting with great audio and lighting effects. VIP floor seating was available for an additional $20 per person per night.

The HP Fieldhouse was home to concerts by Matthew West, MercyMe, Switchfoot, Red, and Thousand Foot Krutch. In this building the floor was open for standing and the arena seating was open. The Jostens Center was a multi-purpose venue holding concerts for up and coming acts like Tim Timmons, Veridia and Zealand Worship. Unfortunately, the audio in this venue wasn’t nearly as well done as at the other locations. It was very bass heavy and often downright painful to listen too. This stage was also used for some artist Q & As on Saturday night. This building was also home to character meet and greets, classic video games, Minute to Win It competitions and the first ever artist merchandise tables at Night of Joy.

Down on the “Fields of Joy” were food trucks for additional dining options, a great DJ and from 5-9pm there were fun athletic competitions. While the “Fields of Joy” activities couldn’t take the place of a ride on Space Mountain, it was nice to have some activity options for kids who wanted a break from the concerts.

It has already been announced that Night of Joy 2017 will again take place at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex and that there will be even more musical acts. Mark your calendar now for September 8-9, 2017. Event tickets aren’t on sale yet but its not too early to book your Walt Disney World Resort Stay. Just Email Me for more information!

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I’ve talked to several youth pastors, teens and young adults about the venue change and we’ve come up with a list of pros and cons with this change:

Pros:

• More of a festival feel
• Indoor and outdoor venues
• Seating at venues
• More affordable pricing

Cons:

• No Magic Kingdom attractions
• Less of an outreach event. Unsaved friends will come for a trip to Magic Kingdom but not to a Christian concert.
• No Dole Whip
• There is just something special about worshiping Jesus in front of the castle.

One youth pastor told me they won’t attend Night of Joy if it isn’t in a theme park. The kids like the mix of rides and concerts. Personally, I understand that a lot of people don’t like change and I too like attending in the theme park because you can catch a few rides with shorter than normal wait times! To help quench your need for rides Disney is offering  ticket options that include admission to 1 theme park and Night of Joy at a discounted rate.

2016 Night of Joy Ticket Prices

• A single-night, concert only ticket for Friday, Sept. 9 – $39 plus tax (in advance); $45 the day of the show (if available).
• A single-night concert and one-day Disney theme park ticket (valid for one of the four Walt Disney World Resort theme parks) for Saturday, Sept. 10 – $99 plus tax (in advance); $114 plus tax the day of the show (if available).*
• A two-night concert ticket (which includes Friday and Saturday nights’ concerts and one-day Disney theme park ticket (valid for one of the four Walt Disney World Resort theme parks) – $119 plus tax (in advance).*
• Group tickets are also available for groups of 10 or more.

* The one-day Disney theme park ticket is only valid for Saturday, Sept 10.

2016 Night of Joy Artists

Friday, September 9, 2016 – “Praise & Worship” Night

Champion Stadium

• Casting Crowns
• Chris Tomlin
• Francesca Battistelli

HP Fieldhouse

• MercyMe
• Matthew West
• Crowder

Jostens Center

• Stars Go Dim
• Zealand Worship

Saturday, September 10, 2016 – “Rock and Pop” Night

Champion Stadium

• Newsboys
• for King & Country
• Young & Free

HP Field House

• Switchfoot
• Red
• Thousand Foot Krutch

Jostens Center

• Tim Timmons
• Veridia

Please note: Artists and schedule are subject to change without notice.

photo courtesy of Disney

In addition to the concerts there will also be other activities lending to more of a music festival feel.

• Expo with a variety of vendors
• Tasty food and beverage options—including Food Trucks
• Talent Spotlight Competition
• Youth Leader Lounge with food and non-alcoholic beverages
• Family Activity Zone
• Premium reserved seating upgrade option with commemorative lanyard and pin

To plan your trip to Night of Joy to get started.

What are your thoughts about the location change? I can’t wait to see how things work out, I’ll be there and I hope you are too!

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As you may remember my son Aaron aka Hammy works at TheJoyFM a large Christian radio station heard throughout parts of Florida, Georgia and Alabama and worldwide with online streaming and their iPhone and Android apps. Last week Aaron called me to tell me when he finished the Alabama Chris Tomlin concert he would be headed to Atlanta for a few days. The Morning Cruise team would be meeting him there for an interview with Mark Hall. Mark just found out he has cancer and as a Joy FM artist, friend and listener he wanted to break the news with us first. I was floored. Aaron said I should start praying but I couldn’t share the need until it went public. I didn’t even tell my husband-I just said Aaron was going to Atlanta for a meeting with Mark Hall.

photo courtesy of TheJoyFM

This morning at 7:07am the audio of that meeting was aired on the radio. If you would like to hear the interview you can hear it on TheMorningCruise.com. While we are all heartbroken when we hear of a friend who has been stricken with cancer, Mark, Melanie and their family know that God is in control and He knew this was going to happen. God’s Word is true and it is in His strength that we walk through the difficult times. In the interview Marks says that while singing their last 3 concerts since his diagnosis, his songs have ministered to him in new ways. One of the songs he mentioned is “Just Be Held” here is the video.

Next Wednesday, March 11, 2015, Mark will be having his right kidney removed. The doctors say this surgery requires a lengthy recovery time, just below that of open heart surgery. Please join us in #prayingformark. He and his family have a long road ahead of them. The Bible says “If one member suffers, all suffer together.” 1 Cor 12:26a. Let’s lift Mark up to The Father in prayer. If you feel led to share on social media below is the graphic we are using to share our prayers for Mark.

Thanks for praying!

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Powerful huh? Now go see the whole movie…then come back here and let me know what you thought of it.

The post COURAGEOUS in Theaters Today! appeared first on The Mom Maven.

The post COURAGEOUS Tony Dungy Talks to Dads appeared first on The Mom Maven.

Thoughts? Leave me a comment and let me know.

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Welcome back So, have you heard it yet? The new song Courageous by Casting Crowns? Enjoy the music video!

What did you think? Leave me a comment and let me know.

The post COURAGEOUS Music Video appeared first on The Mom Maven.

This year’s line-up of Christian music all-stars that are performing include:
Friday, September 10 Chris Tomlin, David Crowder Band, Casting Crowns, BarlowGirl, Francesca Battistelli, Group 1 Crew, Tenth Avenue North, and Sidewalk Prophets

Saturday, September 11 mercyme, Third Day, Family Force 5, Smokie Norful, Red, LeCrae, Day of Fire

This post is part of the Disney
Blog Carnival. Go there to read more great Disney posts.

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