The Oscars? Yawn.

The Grammys? A joke.

These are The Junkies!

I suppose we should start this awards extravaganza with a song and dance number.

Well thank you. Thank you. You’re so kind. Please – a standing ovation is unnecessary. As you can see, dance is my life.

Here we are at the end of 2011, another momentous year in the world of central Florida’s Disney theme parks. There were all kinds of announcements, changes and plusses all over Walt Disney World. The Junkie Awards – a long-standing tradition dating back to the dawn of our favorite vacation destination (or just now when the idea struck me) – honors some of the more noteworthy moments of the past 12 months.

I can’t think of anything funny to say, so let’s get started.

The Holy Crap I Could Not Have Been More Wrong award: The Magic the Memories and You.

When Disney announced, with great aplomb, that they’d be staging a new show where they project images on Cinderella Castle, I could not have been more underwhelmed. The build-up to the announcement was big, and it was broadcast live on the Web. The general consensus just after the announcement went something along the lines of “meh.”

I should just learn to trust Disney’s Imagineers. Seeing the show live left me speechless. I’ve found that you can get a little jaded if you travel to Walt Disney World often and you don’t take the time to enjoy the tiny details. If I had begun to take Disney’s magic for granted, The Magic the Memories and You chased that creeping ennui right out of me. The best part of Walt Disney World is that it can surprise you with unexpected emotional moments. This is certainly one of them.

And let me add – this video (by Disney reporter/expert extraordinaire Lou Mongello) is great. But nothing matches seeing it in person.

Here’s the Christmas version of The Magic, The Memories and You, shot by Mousejunkie (The King) Randy:

The Best New Tour Award: Wild Africa Trek.

This three-hour, expert-led trek through the wilds of Disney’s Animal Kingdom is a breathtaking walkabout through a totally immersive adventure. Expensive? Absolutely. But it’s also an unforgettable experience.

The I Can’t Believe What a Giant Chicken You Are Award: Me.

I still haven’t experienced Expedition Everest. Yeah, go ahead and mock me. I deserve it.

I know what will happen if I ride Everest.

I meet my untimely end.

The Tiny Detail I’m Sorry to See Go Award: The malt ketchup at the Rose and Crown Pub in the UK pavilion at Epcot.

Yes, seriously. It was that good. Besides, this is my list, and my palate knows it’s ketchups. Perhaps if I appealed to the chef in his own tongue: “Oy, tomato sauce, innit?” (My apologies to my UK friends. It’s the best I can do.)

The I Wish 2013 Would Just Get Here Award: The Fantasyland Expansion.

It seems like it’s been going on for a long time, and we’re still quite a ways away from completion, but I can’t wait to see the new Fantasyland expansion when it’s finished. It’s going to literally change the face of the Magic Kingdom. Fantasyland will be unrecognizable.

The This Guy Deserves a Salute, A Dole Whip and a Thank You Award: Drew Green.

Drew is a Walt Disney World fanatic, a fantastic photographer, a great guy and a member of the U.S. Air Force. He’ll be stationed in South Korea for the next year, so his frequent trips to Walt Disney World will be put on hold.

Drew as Scoop.

His wonderful wife will be holding things down back here in the states, so I just wanted to let people know about a great Mousejunkie who is sacrificing and serving our country proudly. Good luck, Drew!

Visit Drew’s site at Kingdompix.com.

The My Biggest Disney Thrill of This Year Award: Mousejunkies 2 hits bookstores.

For as long as I can remember I wanted to write a book – and now there are two. I’m blessed with great friends, old and new, who are incredibly kind enough to indulge me in this dream. If it wasn’t for all the Mousejunkies, it could not have happened.

And at the risk of sounding like a sales pitch, might I add that “Mousejunkies 2″ would make an amazing Christmas/Hannukah/Festivus gift. (There is a request from my publisher for a third book, so I gotta keep them happy.) ;-)

 

Here is a group pic of just some of the people that met up at the first Mousejunkie Meet at WDW this past fall.

We’ll be back after these messages from our sponsor. (Later.)

Who or what would you nominate for a Junkie award?