Behind the Magic of Raver Days at Disney

After EDM Identity’s coverage of Magic in the Making‘s Magic Kingdom Raver Day, we had an opportunity to have a sit-down chat with the man behind the magic, Vince Cotson. Magic in the Making has been organizing and hosting unofficial Raver Days at the Disneyland Park in Anaheim, California since 2002. Their mission is to bring ravers together as one from all over to have a day of just being kids at heart. Recently, Vince has taken a leap to the east coast organizing the First Annual Unofficial Raver Day at Magic Kingdom Park in Walt Disney World Orlando, Florida. With all this on his plate, we’ve snagged him for a few minutes to give you a look at the man behind the magic.

Good evening Vince, how’s your night going?

Pretty good man, excited about what happened to Summer Raverday in Orlando. I knew it will be small I predicted it in January but I’m happy!

Happy is always good! So, talking about that, we hear you’ve had a lot on your plate with the success of your original venture of raver day in Disneyland and the new addition of a Magic in the Making Magic Kingdom edition? What inspired you to start an east coast version of your work this year?

Yes! A lot! My old partner Matt and I always wanted to have one (2002), but we didn’t have the resources or info, so we decided to not do it. Many, many years later Matt went off his ways and couldn’t do it so it was just me…but last year we had one [Disneyland Raver Day] on Sunday, and it ended up being on the OC Weekly and Insomniac. We saw many requests so I was like, fuck it, I’m going to do it. But not say anything till January …around October my friends Adam & Jennifer told me they would help since they live out there I said perfect! Just text me what goes on that day etc. and send me pics and you saw the outcome.

Wow, Insomniac and the OC Weekly, that’s huge for an unofficial gathering. We’re so stoked you went for it with Florida! So we have it on record this has been a passion of yours since 2002, that’s quite a long time. How long were you in the rave scene before you started this endeavor?

Since late ’98/’99 I went to a few shows here and there, I was still in high school so couldn’t out as much but good grades got me to go out. Just to set the record straight, there’s some confusion with some ravers think I’m the guy that came up with Raverday. I am not, it’s been around in the ’90’s. I did meet some ravers that did a big one in ’98/’99 online and they gave me a big ups for keeping it going.

Awesome! So it could be said that as Magic in the Making you’ve kept their vision alive and running since 2002? Not to mention took it further by adding an East Coast Chapter?

Yep, I’m ready! Gotta show you guys some love (on the east coast), sorry took so long! Also a quote from Duncan Stutterheim said “Just do it, and if it goes wrong, do it again!” around the 30 sec mark he says it.

As Walt would say “Just keep moving forward.” And wow! Wide awake since ’98? I’m impressed! So being in the scene that long you have to have some favorite songs, care to share a few with us?

Rave songs? I could go on forever, lol. Let’s start with “Love is You – by Happymen”. This one always reminded me of this girl I used to like when I was 14.

Lost loves, yeah music has a way of taking us back.

Then there is “Out of the Blue – By System F”. This always reminded me being in the trance area and sitting on top of the speaker and dancing with glow sticks. And finally, (^____^) Just no words just close your eyes and listen. (“Mars & Mystre:: Electric Blue :: Frequency 8”)

That’s quite the collection! So we know that you still organize and run Raver Days, do you ever attend them yourself or attend other raves or events in the EDM community? What’s your favorite EDM event?

Yes of course I go to Raverdays, that would be mad I tell you mad! I just couldn’t do Orlando, but two of my friends who live out there helped! I go to everything, I haven’t been out this much this year because of school. If a good show happens I’ll be there! Favorite event? I would still probably say Nocturnal…EDC is cool and all but just something about going down the rabbit hole and into wonderland. But I also like going to small events where they play stuff you wouldn’t really hear.

I couldn’t agree more, the wonderland series is the biggest thing I miss being out on the east coast now. So, I’ve personally seen the fruit of your labor. Organizing that many people at Disneyland Raver days, which I’ve attended in the past. Not to mention organizing and supporting a Raver Day over 2000 miles away from you… that has to take some work. So what is the payoff to you? What is it that makes these events worth running?

For people to have a good memory when they went! Sharing memories with their friends or their kids later in in the future smile emoticon we like creating memories we love seeing ravers smile. A few ravers told me before they went to raves they accidentally went to raverday with their family and that got them into it. My friend Hailee told me before she went to raves she accidentally went to one with her family and her best friend in December 2005, she had no idea what was going on, her sister did because she raved back then. She told me she saw us taking a group picture in front of the castle and trading kandi by Thunder Mountain Railroad and fell in love with ravers right then and there and a year later she went to raves! She said I really do make magic happen.

I want you to know that I have been out here in Florida for 2 and a half years, it’ll be 3 years in November. In that time I have hit one show locally, other than my yearly trip to EDC Las Vegas with my SoCal rave family, and although I meet people who call themselves ravers, it wasn’t till I covered Raver Day in Magic Kingdom that I actually found the ravers that see more than a show when they go to a rave. Your Raverday in Orlando helped me find the Raver community, not just the rave. I can’t thank you enough for that, and for your time with us today, Vince! Before we go though, wanna let us in on your next few projects or any little secrets you want to drop we should be looking forward to?

You’re very welcome! My pleasure! I hope you guys (Orlando Raver Day) all hang out even more now! I might bring back the little Christmas bags for the Cali winter one. How I used to do back then! It had like blow pops, laffy taffy, skittles, and of course a candy cane. Sorry smiley faces are addicting! (Editor’s Note ~ I have deleted a good 50 “smile Emoticon” tags from his smiles.). We used to hand out about 40 of them. But ya that’s it man!

Awesome, so a chance at edible candy and Kandi at the next Disneyland Winter Raver Day! Any last words of wisdom or thanks you’d like to add in closing? The theoretical mic is yours!

Thanks to everyone that’s helped me throughout the years! people that’s through after parties. DJs who made exclusive mixes for us from DJ En3rgy & Megaman, it’s been a while since I’ve talked to them but thanks! Thanks to two people who through my bs with designing my flyers, just everyone who helped me keep throughout the way and supported me 120%! I know I said it before but thanks Insomniac for posting the summer recap on their wall which made me see Orlando really wanted one also which grew my winter and made more ravers aware of it! Also you too EDMID!

With a community full of people willing to sacrifice their time and energy just to see a smile on a stranger or two ravers make a new friend, I think it’s safe to say that PLUR is real, and still going strong. The Editorial staff would like to thank Vince Cotson with Magic in the Making for his time for this interview as well as his time and effort building our EDM community. We’re Lucky to have you! Check out Magic in the Makings social media pages and follow them to find out more information on a Disney Raver Day near you.

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Orlando Instagram: @mitmorlandoraverday

Southern California Instagram: @Summerraverday