DisneyKidds
<font color=green>The TF thanks DisneyKidds for mo
- Joined
- Mar 30, 2001
We had a very enjoyable NYE in Epcot. We attended the Fantasia 2014 dining event held at the World Showplace. All things considered, I was very glad we booked it. While planning our trip it was difficult to find any reviews of the event from previous years, so I'm posting a comprehensive review for those planning trips in the future.
Our reservation was at 7:50pm. My desire was to have an event that would keep us fed, entertained and out of the crowds leading up to midnight. I was also hoping they might provide some kind of access to viewing for the midnight Illuminations, as the description of the event mentions 'making your way to the World Showplace Promenade to view illuminations at midnight'. Bottom line is that we hit on 2 out of 4 lof those. We were out of the crowds and fed, but the entertainment value was fairly low and there was no dedicated Illuminations viewing area. So on to the details.....
We arrived at the World Showplace about 7:40. There was a stand out close to the promenade where we waited to 'check in'. That was a waste of 10 minutes, as actual check in happens inside the building. No need to wait at the 'check in' outside. After we checked in at about 7:50 we got a buzzer and waited about 10 minutes to be seated. There was a bar in the waiting area (more on bars later) and I grabbed a drink. We were escorted to our table. Think typical reception seating. Round tables with numbers on them, table linens, fabric covered cushioned seats, festive New Years 2015 decor.
The theming......as advertised, Fantasia themed with a few movie themed 'sets'. Sorcerer Mickey and the brooms. Some freaky looking jester thing, stuff like that. A large ark thing with Donald Duck in robes. A Christmas tree set up. All of it was ok, but nothing spectacular. There were a number of huge video screens around the venue on the walls that displayed nothing but a white silhouette of Cinderella castle in the clouds.
The entertainment......or lack thereof. Fantasia music being piped throughout the venue. That's it. Would have been nice to have movie clips playing on those large video screens, perhaps something to entertain the kids, maybe a festive band on an evening when you are celebrating, maybe even a dance floor. They could have done so much more to make this a real NYE party......but in the end I guess that is not what Disney wanted. Had they provided some sort of actual entertainment then people would probably linger too long, and they would be able to cycle as many people ($$$$) through the venue.
Bars......many of them set up in the venue, never a wait. You bought a ticket from the register person next to each bar, then get your drink from the bartender. Selection of wines (by glass or bottle) and champaign, beer by the can (no draught), mojito in lighted glass, and a pretty full bar for mixed drinks. Can of Yeungling $7.00. Double call beverage $10.50. I had a double Jim Beam on the rocks, which is cheap at $10.50.
The food.......was good banquet good, although fairly basic. Mixed greens with 3 different dressings, antipasto salad, two kinds of soup (both good), pork shank, breaded lemon chicken, mahi-mahi and beef (these were so-so), decent veggies and mashed potato, typical kids buffet......you get the idea. Wait staff (a bit frazzled) to get you non-alcoholic beverages. Several dessert tables with decent stuff, coffee....etc. You want gourmet, go spend a couple hundred a person at Le Cellier....this filled you up with quality banquet food.
Overall impression......glad we did it. It isn't an exciting, fun NYE party, but you are out of the crowds and you leave satisfied. For those that want to drink you avoid the long lines for booze out on the promenade.
Our reservation was at 7:50pm. My desire was to have an event that would keep us fed, entertained and out of the crowds leading up to midnight. I was also hoping they might provide some kind of access to viewing for the midnight Illuminations, as the description of the event mentions 'making your way to the World Showplace Promenade to view illuminations at midnight'. Bottom line is that we hit on 2 out of 4 lof those. We were out of the crowds and fed, but the entertainment value was fairly low and there was no dedicated Illuminations viewing area. So on to the details.....
We arrived at the World Showplace about 7:40. There was a stand out close to the promenade where we waited to 'check in'. That was a waste of 10 minutes, as actual check in happens inside the building. No need to wait at the 'check in' outside. After we checked in at about 7:50 we got a buzzer and waited about 10 minutes to be seated. There was a bar in the waiting area (more on bars later) and I grabbed a drink. We were escorted to our table. Think typical reception seating. Round tables with numbers on them, table linens, fabric covered cushioned seats, festive New Years 2015 decor.
The theming......as advertised, Fantasia themed with a few movie themed 'sets'. Sorcerer Mickey and the brooms. Some freaky looking jester thing, stuff like that. A large ark thing with Donald Duck in robes. A Christmas tree set up. All of it was ok, but nothing spectacular. There were a number of huge video screens around the venue on the walls that displayed nothing but a white silhouette of Cinderella castle in the clouds.
The entertainment......or lack thereof. Fantasia music being piped throughout the venue. That's it. Would have been nice to have movie clips playing on those large video screens, perhaps something to entertain the kids, maybe a festive band on an evening when you are celebrating, maybe even a dance floor. They could have done so much more to make this a real NYE party......but in the end I guess that is not what Disney wanted. Had they provided some sort of actual entertainment then people would probably linger too long, and they would be able to cycle as many people ($$$$) through the venue.
Bars......many of them set up in the venue, never a wait. You bought a ticket from the register person next to each bar, then get your drink from the bartender. Selection of wines (by glass or bottle) and champaign, beer by the can (no draught), mojito in lighted glass, and a pretty full bar for mixed drinks. Can of Yeungling $7.00. Double call beverage $10.50. I had a double Jim Beam on the rocks, which is cheap at $10.50.
The food.......was good banquet good, although fairly basic. Mixed greens with 3 different dressings, antipasto salad, two kinds of soup (both good), pork shank, breaded lemon chicken, mahi-mahi and beef (these were so-so), decent veggies and mashed potato, typical kids buffet......you get the idea. Wait staff (a bit frazzled) to get you non-alcoholic beverages. Several dessert tables with decent stuff, coffee....etc. You want gourmet, go spend a couple hundred a person at Le Cellier....this filled you up with quality banquet food.
Overall impression......glad we did it. It isn't an exciting, fun NYE party, but you are out of the crowds and you leave satisfied. For those that want to drink you avoid the long lines for booze out on the promenade.
