Share your experience/story about the 1st NDK New Years Eve!!

[ako pah]

Everyone in the NDK NYE ball had different experience, it maybe bad or good, share your story here.

Here some few question that you like to answer or not.

Did you like the event?

Did you find a date or new friends?

How is the music and food?

Any unforgettable experience you like to share?

Any feedback you like to share?

Will you return next year, if not why?

Sadly I need to leave at 10pm to go to my night job........ 
And spend my new year eve in cold dark spooky office......

[CO Redneck]

I enjoyed it. I wanted to stay up until the party was shutdown but had to go sleep after midnight. I have to work today (1/1).

Some ideas especially since New Year's is on Saturday for 2011. This should be a two day affair and have a "limited" con where we just have Anime viewing rooms and some social type of items like Japanese type of games, DDR but no items like Dealer's Room, panels, etc.

Now on last night, I would have liked to heard more J-Pop, techno type of music and less mainstream type of music.

[Carrot Glace]

Greetings, one and all of the NDK population!  I hope everyone who went to last night's shindig had an awesome time.  I know I sure did!  Probably had more fun last night than I had in quite a long time, as may be evidenced from the wear and tear that my feet took from all the dancing!

Now, onto the questions from the thread starter...


Did you like the event?

Of course!  I had a wonderful time last night!  The main events room had just the right amount of people--not too crowded, nor too few people--and while I was a bit surprised that there weren't more people in formal attire, I was pleased with the formal attire I did see.  Everyone did a great job representing the "classier" side of anime fandom last night.


Did you find a date or new friends?

I didn't find a date, but I did meet a couple of nice people that I got to dance with...and they were both very lovely company!  Too bad I wasn't able to be more outgoing (although I did get a name from one, which was a good ice-breaker...especially for someone who can be shy like I am).


How is the music and food?

While I didn't experience any of the food selections, there was plenty of water on hand, which was great for how hot my cherry-red zoot suit was!  The musical selection was nice, too.  A good blend of classic music and newer stuff, not to mention a lot of slower songs, of which I heartily approve.  I would have liked to hear more J-Pop music, though...


Any unforgettable experience you like to share?

Yes!  Just before the calendar rolled over into 2010, D.J. Bullock played Europe's "The Final Countdown"; while this was awesome in itself, seeing Jeremy rocking out to it on stage was really cool!  If the New Years celebration becomes an annual event, "The Final Countdown" should be played before midnight every year...complete with Rockstar Jeremy! ^_^


Any feedback you like to share?

Kudos to the NDK staff for putting on a wonderful show last night!  All of you make our fun possible and I'm glad to be a part of it.  It was a great idea to have the tables lining the dance area, and having some refreshments there was also a great idea.  I definitely think that this should be an annual event, since we all can't ever get enough NDK into our diets.  Also, I was wondering about maybe an honorable mention can be given out for people wearing exceptional formalwear or costuming interpretation, if that could be possible?

And if there was any doubt that I had fun last night...I could barely move after I got home this morning! ^_^

One more thing...just because I wore a cherry-red zoot suit does NOT automatically make me a pimp!  Yeesh... ^.^;


Will you return next year, if not why?

Well, sure, provided it's something that the NDK staff wants to put on again!  I'll don my zoot suit again and count down to another new year with the NDK faithful! ^_^

(Oh, and if anyone took pictures from last night, let's see 'em!)

[Nogardous]

Did you like the event?
Yesh Very much so X3

Did you find a date or new friends?
No but I met up with some friends and got a old friend to come to it.

How is the music and food?
a huge mixture could of used more JPop/Rock

Any unforgettable experience you like to share?
umm... didn't really have one

Any feedback you like to share?
Have it again next year

Will you return next year, if not why?
yesh I will

[The Pocky Pirate]

1. Did you like the event?:  Like?! I loved it!!!
2. Did you find a date or new friends? I had a date and made new friends
3. How is the music and food? Music: awesome, Food: I ate before I came lol
4. Any unforgettable experience you like to share? No, don't have any except, it was the moste fun event I've had in a while.
5. Any feedback you like to share? Bring it back next year!!!
6. Will you return next year, if not why? Of course!!!! Who wouldn't?!?!?!

[Lunara]

Did you like the event?
I had a wonderful time. It's always great to see everyone and the costumes. It sure seemed like everyone was having a good time and that made a very positive environment.
I think that if someone wasn't it was because they didn't want to. I dunno how it's possible to not have a blast in that atmosphere.

Did you find a date or new friends?
I did not find a date, but that was not really my goal. XD I saw some old ones again which is love, and also made some new ones. It's always so much fun to hang out in the atrium after everything has settled down and just socialize. You have such a wonderful opportunity to meet some cool people.

How is the music and food?
DJ B always rocks it. While I did not partake of the munch-age, the Marriott is always pretty fabulous. Wanna throw it at William. Thank this guy, seriously, because the prices were dropped for this event. That helps everyone.

Any unforgettable experience you like to share?
I'm just so happy that everything ran so smoothly! Everyone was very respectful and I think that's one thing that NDK is missing sometimes.  When you get swept into the crowd of so many people you lose the humanity. With this event everyone was just very elegant and wonderful. I can't thank everyone enough for that.

Any feedback you like to share?
I had so much fun watching Jeremy rock out to Final Countdown. That was just such a high to see everyone react like that. So much energy.

YOU, The Attendees:
*Copy Paste*
The costumes for this event were stunning. Some of the ideas that were spawned for formal cosplay were just mind blowing. Formal Rikku, Katara, fem Naruto, and Yoko were BEAUTIFUL. (I'm SURE I'm missing a few I loved, so forgive me. ^_^;)

I loved seeing some other Princesses too. <3
(I was so glad so many liked my costume as well. I totally loved doing it but it's so great to see a reaction too. )

Overall, LOVED the creativity of this group. Fabulous job.
*End Copy Paste*

Notice how we had an officer walking around? Yup. Poor guy was bored all night!! XD From what I've heard there was only a girl who got a little sick in the bathroom. Other than that, no unhappy and unwanted activity. Way to guys! I'm loving the respect.

Will you return next year, if not why?
Absolutely. As always I enjoy being on staff, so I don't think I'll be going anywhere as long as I'm needed.
I absolutely love my NDK NYE lanyard. Thanks guys. ^_^
My fellow staff, love you guys the most. You always make it worth it.

[Dodrio]

Did you like the event?
Loved it. Was pretty surprised it didn't crash and burn, to be totally honest. The number of people in that room was perfect. It was pretty empty at the end, though. (I was surprised more people didn't stay later.)

Did you find a date or new friends?
I had a friend who was posing as my date for the night, haha. My friend-date. It was a lot of fun. I also made friends with friends he had brought.

How is the music and food?
Music was decent. It was nice to hear some mainstream-radio music that wasn't hip-hop. It was nice to hear a variety of music, techno to rock. It was nice to hear all those dance-along songs like the Time Warp and Shout! and Electric Slide. (Although I was pretty surprised the Hare Hare wasn't played, seeing as it's an anime thing and this was and anime event. But I didn't mind.) It was nice to hear stuff from like, the 80s and 90s. And it was amazing to hear the Final Countdown song to midnight. I laughed. Loved all of that.
What I didn't like... the organization. We got in and they played a few slow songs at the start. Uhhh? Kind of kills the hyped up party mood doing that so early. The gong. At the very beginning, before the 108 ringing thing was announced... he just kept hitting it every minute or so. Trying to "get our attention" when there wasn't really many people in the room. It was very annoying... could have just gotten on the mic and said "Hello can we have your attention please?". I also... well I didn't mind, but I was expecting a bit more formal music. Not to say the music choice was bad. I loved it. But maybe just a few more songs. The event had been built up to "this will be a somewhat stuffy but still very awesome formal ball with lots of froofy dresses, costumes, and waltzing." I was just expecting a few more of those types of songs.
And no opinion on the food, as my friends and I ordered a pizza from out.

Any unforgettable experience you like to share?
My first somewhat more real slow dance. D'awww. I'd done that before, but it was like, ehhh... "ur doin it rong". I also brought a bottle of ramune down. And I opened it. And it wasn't so bubbly, but it was a little bit, so I put my mouth on it. But I guess it was a delayed reaction, because then it started spraying all over. While I had it in my mouth. So it kinda made me choke and cough and it came out my nose. And none really spilled, but... it came out my nose and that actually hurts. And it was really funny. xDD

Any feedback you like to share?
See the above music stuff, and also the thing with the hotel wrist bands. What was up with that? I was told this was a hotel-based policy for ALL, yet the bands clearly said NDK and had the logo and such and such, and the people also guarding the elevators were NDK staff and not hotel staff. Staff also wasn't watching the elevators around 1, when it seems like they still should if they're going to make us wear the wrist bands. Lots of people came in around 1, and many stayed out past such. I just feel like I was lied to when I heard that it was the HOTEL's policy, when it seems like it was specifically the NDK's policy. So if I was in charge of that... I would work on wording that better and setting stuff up a little bit clearer.
And oh, I was relatively disappointed by the costume vs. formal thing. The formal people. You guys looked AWESOME. I was almost jealous of how pretty all the girls looked, and for sure, the guys looked spiffy as well. The costumes were pretty good too, however, some just looked... ehh. Like, it seemed like people were being let in if they were wearing something different than "normal" clothes. Oh, you're wearing Tripp pants? Go on in. Oh, wait are those striped socks I see up to your knees? Of course, come join the party! Just stuff like that. It was pretty good overall, but it seemed like a lot of people either took advantage of the costume rule, or the people watching the door weren't strict enough at the whole dress code thing. Or both.
And not much of an issue, but make the balloons drop at midnight next year? xDD I'm sure that was all accidental.

Will you return next year, if not why?
Yes. Yes yes yes yes yes.
...Only thing I'm afraid of since it was such a success this year, there's gonna be a ton more people next time. Ah well. Hopefully it'll be awesome either way.

[CrownClown]

Did you like the event?
-Heck yes. I was a little skeptical about it first, but it truly was awesome hahaha

Did you find a date or new friends?
-Haha, I guess I had a date but not really hahaha. I went with my friend, we were doofusses and broke it down on the dancefloor as Allen and Lavi. O.o

How is the music and food?
-I didn't eat anything, but I thought the music was good. Hahaha. I have a weird thing with Lady Gaga, so I was a very happy camper when her stuff came one ^.^

Any unforgettable experience you like to share?
-Ahahaha sandwiching Nate
Any feedback you like to share?
I thought it was fun, the environment was awesome. The only thing I didn't appreciate (Which is out of NDK and the hotel's control) were all of the arrogant ignorant jerks who were just staying there. We passed a guy and his girlfriend, he started laughing and said, "What up anime b*itches?!" Not a big deal. He was just a jerk hahaha. I just laughed at him though,

Will you return next year, if not why?
I will definitely return next year, I had a great time ^.^

[Lemon Head]

Did you like the event?
I had a blast! It was a great way to spend the New Year.

Did you find a date or new friends?
Yes, my friends and I met some amazing people and we all had a lot of fun and ended up dancing together for hours.

How is the music and food?
The music was good, I would have liked to have more formal songs thrown in the mix though, because I saw many wallflowers in very elaborate costumes that couldn't take part in some of the more rambunctious songs due to their outfits.
And I didn't try the food, so I don't have an opinion on it, sorry ^^;

Any unforgettable experience you like to share?
I got an amazing card from my friends and their friends to congratulate me on graduating, it was great. (It's on my wall right now lol).

Any feedback you like to share?
I think everything was great, except the lack of formal music that I mentioned earlier, but other than that I wouldn't change anything.

Will you return next year, if not why?
I will definitely return next year.

[The irresponsible captain Jack Harkness]

Did you like the event?

I loved the event, it was the best New Year I have ever had.

Did you find a date or new friends?

New Friends !!!

How is the music and food?

I had an apple cobbler for dessert, it was good. The music was awsome. (I personally liked the lack of ballroom music)

Any unforgettable experience you like to share?

The final countdown. Jeremy and DJ Bullock I can not tell you how epic that was. That was just all-around amazing. That was unbeatable.

Will you return next year, if not why?

Definitely, because every second of the event was awesome and fun.

[toadstoolssecretluvchild]

Here some few question that you like to answer or not.

Did you like the event?
it was fantabulous

Did you find a date or new friends?
i met online friends for the first time, it was cool

How is the music and food?
the food i didnt get into, but the music was okay. some of it a lil cheesy, but there were some good hits. also, i hoped to have more ball/formal type of music like what was being optioned beforehand. wouldve been nice to have lovely slow dances around.

Any unforgettable experience you like to share?
just the good times being dumb with cool people. same as always

Any feedback you like to share?
do it again

Will you return next year, if not why?
depends, but if nothing is in the way i dont see why not. it was overall

[FeyMeggan]

Did you like the event?
I enjoyed myself thoroughly

Did you find a date or new friends?
Not really, just connected with all my cosplay buddies that came out for this.

How is the music and food?
I didn't touch the food, was all in white and really anything with color scared me LOL  As for the music I didn't mind it, but when I think 'Ball'(which is how it was originally 'sold' on the website) I don't think of rock music and all that.  I was sad there wasn't any variation to the music selections.  I would have loved a few classical songs to allow those of us in large formal dresses to show off on the floor since bouncing around to something rock really wasn't going to do anything but make us look like we were having convulsions.

My friends and I were debating outside in the atrium whether or not we would be able to call this a 'Formal' event, or if it was an 'Anime Prom'.  It was decided we would be able to tell by the music.  So, it definately came out to be an 'Anime Prom' more than a 'Formal'.  If they're worried about the dances for a truly formal event maybe arrange for there to be short classes prior to the start of the dance where basic steps can be taught.  I know many of us would go to them, if not offer to teach/assist with them in order to get a really nice dance in.

Any unforgettable experience you like to share?
Having a random woman outside volunteer to help a friend and I with photos.  It was terribly sweet for her to offer assistance considering it was 10pm+ and she probably was going someplace.  Getting a rose from a friend, and having a really good time all things considered.

Any feedback you like to share?
I think in the future I'd rather see this as a Ball and not a costume thing.  If the costume is a formal outfit then it would be fine, but the people running around in probably less clothes than the average club going teenager sorta killed the Ball event feel it could have otherwise had.  I think that there needs to be an enforced dress code and it needs to be decided what sort of feel the event should have.  If it's just a dance call it that and don't include formal costumes, stick with the general costume or club sorta clothing.  But if you want it to be a ball make the dress code fit the meaning.


Also, as far as the room wristbands go, I know for a fact it wasn't the hotels policy, as I have friends that work in the hotel business.  Yes they want to enforce room occupancy level, but this isn't the most advantageous way to do it.  It was pretty frustrating that I had a friend offer to let me change and use her room as my outfit was a beast, but I couldn't get access to the room since I wasn't staying in it.  I feel that that is just silly, and pretty harsh on those of us that wanted to look nice and have a friends who could help us with the whole 'I need more than a bathroom stall to change in/out of this'.  And then to top it off they were only enforcing it while the dance was going on.  The staff pretty much deserted the elevators as soon as 1am rolled around.  Wouldnt' that be the time that people that shouldn't' be in rooms be going to them?  Pretty poor planning IMO.  And if by some miracle this was a hotel policy shouldn't' they have been the one with staff here? or at least occasionally relieving the NDK staff?

Will you return next year, if not why?

Sure, I love an excuse to do a 'mini-con' sort of thing between my normal con schedules.  However if the dress code or naming of the event doesn't change I probably won't put as much effort into my costume.  It's not worth it IMO if only some of the people actually do dress up.

[Jinnie]

I'm really enjoying reading everyone's feedback. But I do want to clear up something: as Greg and LadySarabi (directors both) have stated repeatedly, the wristbands for hotel guests, and watching elevators during the duration of the event, were indeed requirements by the hotel. I'm not quite certain what the convention would gain from not being honest about the origination of those policies.

This event was also always a formal or cosplay costume dress code.

[nemisis47]

1.Did you like the event?
I did this year, I commend the NDK staff for making this the best new years I ever had and I do agree on making it a weekend long event next year due to the fact next new years eve is on a saturday and it'd be nice to have it as a weekend long event leading to 2011 with fun activities prior to the dance on NYE.


2.Did you find a date or new friends?
No date, but seen alot of my great con friends there (you know who you are)


3.How is the music and food?
Didn't do the food because me and several people I met up with prior to the event ate before hand. Music though good, needs more ballroom stuff and slow dancing as well as our Jpop and regular party music we had this year.


4.Any unforgettable experience you like to share?
The ramen Meetup I planned and arranged was awesome and fun was had by all and will do another dinner meetup like this next NDK NYE event. And seeing my dear con friends osias and sailor-sasuke for the first time in the flesh and seeing my other con friends as well and them unwrapping their gifts as well and seeing their reaction was worth it ^_^ and seeing Lemonhead's reaction to her card was great too (Glad you loved your card, you deserve it).

 
5.Any feedback you like to share?
See question 1's answer and it the dance ruled. Needs merch table for next year too.


6.Will you return next year, if not why?
As Paul Stanley says "Lemme hear ya say YEAH!!!!!!!" YEAH COUNT ME IN FOR NEXT NEW YEARS EVE!

[Boomerjinks]

This event was also always a formal or cosplay costume dress code.

Was it? Was it really?

[theMulti-Facets]

Did you like the event?
YES. There was just the right amount of people, and it was wonderful seeing everyone rocking out and having fun. There was a lot of positive energy. I missed some of the dancing due to needing a rest and a mild mix-up with my boyfriend and best friend, but we were there for the balloon drop and more dancing later.

Did you find a date or new friends?
No new friends, but it was a pleasure being there with my best friend and boyfriend. They had a lot fun too. I also spoke with some dancers whose moves I admired (like the swing partners, the young lady dressed as Hinata with the white contacts, and even Chef), and they were very pleasant. (To the guys dressed as a cossack, Data, and Chef, the guy in the red zoot suit, and the guy who did all the flex-dancing, you RAWK!)

How is the music and food?
The food was okay -I liked the brownies-, and my friends and I agree the music mix was a blast. Maybe a couple more slow songs or classic music and more stuff from Japan would've been nice, but for this time, it worked out really well.

Any unforgettable experience you like to share?
Finding the courage to jump into one of the dance circles and rock out, even though I didn't do well. I must have looked like a fat dork, but hey, no one laughed. ^n_n^ And kissing my boyfriend just after the countdown hit zero was a rush. XD

Any feedback you like to share?
Many thanks to the staff of the hotel and the dance. They kept everything going so well. Special shout-out to Ming, the coat-check lady for the party, for chatting us up and making little origami cranes for us. Hanging out with her and demanding a song or dance as a "toll" was a nice break from the noise, especially when a song that was way too sibilant came on and I had to leave the dance floor.

It'd be nice if we could extend invitations to con guests, but I guess they would be too afraid of fan behavior and not getting to dance and enjoy themselves.

Also, did anyone else get an early morning visit from the employee who was slipping hotel bills under the doors? She was knocking really loudly and saying "Checkout!" or "Time for checkout!" or something. Very rude. :-( It caused some confusion with my boyfriend and best friend; I had to remind them checkout was much later. My boyfriend wasn't able to go back to sleep after that. I hope the hotel staff was able to have a talk with her.

Will you return this year?
YES.

[FeyMeggan]

This event was also always a formal or cosplay costume dress code.

Yes, it clearly stated that but maybe there needed to be a better definition of 'costume' because some of the 'costumes' were not what anyone in my group considered something really appropriate for this sort of thing.  And as Boomerjinks posted it really didn't seem anyone was trying to make sure that there was any consistency in standards.  I think the ones that got me the most were the 'Lets put on a hat/animal ears with our street clothes and it's totally a costume' people.  And to think I was worried I woudln't be allowed to get my ticket earlier in the day because I was still in my street clothes, I could have tossed on my wig and been fine all night, that's how lax I felt the dress code really was.  I know you guys wanted a good turn out, but for those that put real, serious effort, into either a costume or a formal some of us felt a bit ripped off when just anything ended up being fine.

[Boomerjinks]

I think the ones that got me the most were the 'Lets put on a hat/animal ears with our street clothes and it's totally a costume' people.

THIIIIIS. Seriously, what was with dudes with untucked, unbuttoned, unironed shirts? Was this your first middle school band concert? The people who put least effort into their appearance that night were generally the same people who never shower at cons, end up shouting "I lost the game," and getting in trouble for conga lines and unwanted glomping, and should have been turned away. Skim the fat of the con-going population in Colorado and you'll create a far better experience. And I know a lot of people are thinking this is some sort of elitism, but really, if you feel I am being condescending then I am really only being condescending to people who are too stupid or lazy to tuck their shirt in.

[Hen(Tai)]

Did you like the event? Yes, it was a blast!

Did you find a date or new friends? Wasn't looking for a date, but did meet new friends! 

How is the music and food? Music was good. I would have liked more dance music and "slow dance" songs. Overall it was great!

Any unforgettable experience you like to share? The countdown was cool.

Any feedback you like to share? The dress code should have been more strictly enforced. The event is called a Ball, meaning formal wear. Tie and slacks, not rave wear.

Will you return next year, if not why? yeah, ill be there!

[Lunara]

This is just my own opinion speaking here, but:

I hope you're not too terribly upset about this. I think a GREAT amount of you put a lot of thought into your costumes and that was a thrill. Obviously there are going to be the slackers, and I do agree that it seemed a bit unfair that some didn't try while others SLAVED over their costumes. It shows the devotion to their efforts. However I understand the frustration for dropping $100 for the tux only to see people running in everyday $15 jeans. Not happy. o.O

Being the first event, I think we were all trying to get a real good feel for what was happening and how the overall event was going.

I am in agreement however that we might have expected this and funneled it a little better. It's never our goal to drive people away. We want you guys to have fun! I'm seriously betting that next year will be much stricter as far as dress code. As long as we make it crystal clear that you will be turned away if you don't dress, it's not your type of event anyway.

You might let it enter your mind too that sometimes what people have is all they have. Maybe formal is a dress shirt in the bottom drawer and black jeans that they're HOPING no one will notice.
Not to single Nogard out again, but I know things have been rough for him lately. (Sorry, sweetie. Hope I'm not embarrassing you. ^_^;)

Even with that, lines need to be drawn with permanent marker.