The End of the Year As We Know It

Decisions, decisions...

Actually the only thing that made me think about it was the Adventurers Club reunion. But then, I don't know how it's going to be. Maybe Disney will do a half-assed job as they usually do at their up-charge events. On the other hand, I haven't done NYE at Epcot for almost 10 years now.

So, I'm going to Epcot NYE. If the AC reunion is good, they'll do it again.

And that's my final answer to the question no one was asking except me.

Just a quick report and pictures

This trip we experienced the best and worst of Disney.

We met a bunch of wonderful CMs and some really nice fellow guests. But, we also encountered some of the most obnoxious guests I can ever recall in WDW. We saw line cutters, litterers, and a lot of people who can't hold their liquor.

The weather started out beautiful, but turned cold and was miserable and rainy our last day.

We had some pretty good meals. I gave Tony's a try after years of shunning it. My wife had some of the worst Italian food I have ever come across (as I remembered it), but I was in the mood for a steak and the NY Strip was cooked to perfection.

Skipper's Cantina was completely a one and done, but I suppose I had to try it anyway.

Via Napoli was good. Yak and Yeti was good (except for the table next to us who couldn't control their kid). Le Cellier was very good.

Hollywood and Vile was as expected, but I was there for the characters.

The Plaza was the biggest bummer. I was really enjoying the burger there (with onions, pulled beef, provolone cheese, etc) and was just about done, when my wife discovered a long hair in her salad wrapped around an onion. I immediately lost my appetite. Sickening.

All the fireworks were great. Wishes, Fantasy in the Sky, Illuminations, the NYE Illuminations tag, Symphony in the Stars, ...all of them.

It was very, very crowded at times, but the parks stayed open very late and it would get empty. It was also much more empty after NYE.

Finally, NYE was pretty cool. It went pretty much as planned. We had late afternoon fast passes, then dinner and by that time it was party time. We jumped from pavilion to pavilion. Italy and China had DJs and Japan had a silent DJ.

All in all it was a very good trip. Not as magical as I remember from 10 years ago, but it's Disney World on New Year's Eve...still pretty freakin awesome.

No all the CMs we dealt with were great. Two were very special in fact. There were some guests that were a-holes.

Skipper Cantina. I had some banter with the waiter that was a lot of fun. But that was the best of it. The decor is nothing very special. And the food was not that good. We went for lunch because they said they could seat us in about 10 minutes. I had the noodle bowl and it was way too minty and lemony. I hated it. I doubt I'll be going back. I was sorry that I passed up the Cheeseburger Egg Rolls or Casey's Hot Dog nuggets to eat there. There is not that much on the menu for me anyway. Maybe you'll have more luck than me there.

Oh I forgot to mention we had lunch in the Tutto Italia wine bar. I've had lunch there twice and it was very good both times. We had cold antipasto and wine flights, but I saw people ordering hot food. I like that place.

Silent DJ Party in Japan

It was fun and odd. You walked in on one side and if there was availability you get your headphones. When you left, you gave them back and exited on the opposite side. I understand that the music was available to others via the internet, but I don't really know how.

There was a DJ in the American Gardens playing Latin music and speaking only in Spanish. I really didn't find that appropriate, but whatever. Mexico had no room I guess? A Country, Jazz, or Rock and Roll New Year would have been better in that pavilion IMO.

There was a DJ in Future World playing some pretty noisy house music.

I understand there was a Video DJ in the UK Pavilion. I saw The British Invasion play to an enormous crowd and then we left there and didn't return, so I missed that one.

Italy had a pretty cool DJ playing decent dance music with lasers.

My favorite was in China, where the DJ had a smoke spewing dragon and some awesome pyrotechnics that went with the music. I'll post pictures when I get a chance. it was very cool.

And Disney gave out hats and noise makers, and get this, don't fall off your chairs....no charge!

There was very long lines to get drinks which is just as well as there were too many drunken asses anyway. But I didn't get to indulge as much as I would have liked.

compliments of the Mouse

Italy before midnight

Italy after midnight

Here is a selfie of me and the Mrs. I look great in this picture.

7:37:30 PM 12-31-2015

The China Pavilion...woot, woot!

Illuminations over Italy

8:00:35 PM 2015-12-31

Happy New Year!