WDC Disney World Championships
On 3rd-5th December there was the big moment: the WDC and Disney Cup in Paris! A competition for the dancer with a heart for the art of dance, with a world class panel of adjudicators such as Marcus Hilton, Arunas Bizokas, Katusha Demidova, Massimo Giorgianni, Klaus Kongsdal, Donnie Burns.
For us this was the first time that we participated in this contest. There were two competitions on the program: Disney Cup Standard on Saturday and the World Open Amateur Standard on Sunday. Friday night we left by car to Paris. Luckily we had good weather and it was not busy on the road. We arrived on time, so we ate in the car and Anneke had the time to do her make-up in the hall of the New York hotel where the competition was.
The location of the competition was impressive: in the New York Hotel nearby the Disney Park. The doors opened at half past 8. The number of participants was higher than the last year.
At half past 9 the Disney Cup began which was divided into 3 heats with a total of 46 couples. Together with Oscar and Pauline we went for the ‘fight’. It was for us a heavy start and for our feeling it wasn’t our best dancing. Eventually we become 24th. Unfortunately for us, 20 went to the quarterfinal. But this was not a disappointment for us, we were very happy with the result! Oscar & Pauline danced the quarterfinal and became 19th. An excellent result , considering the high level in this dance field. The afternoon and evening we enjoyed watching all the other beautiful dancing or we went for a walk around the park.
On Sunday evening we danced the Open Championships. The level was a lot higher than the Disney Cup. There were 4 series with a total of 68 couples. Oscar & Pauline and we went on the dancing floor and for us all it went much better than the previous day.
We both danced the 2nd round. We became 33rd and Oscar & Pauline 30th. The rest of the evening we watched the Open Championships, Professional Latin and many other classes. Seeing the top of the professional latin dancing was a big enjoyment for Anneke!! In the evening the atmosphere got even more special with “samba balls” and solo/group dances on the floor for everyone. The organizers of the comp were the same as in Assen, so it was a big party! Really amazing how they do this! Chapeau!!
Besides our competitions there was enough time to walk around the Disney Park. For Anneke this was the first time that she was there, so she was very surprised about what she saw and felt like a child again. Sometimes she forgot that she was there for the competition. Mickey Mouse walked around in the New York Hotel. Anneke didn’t had to think twice and she walked to him for a picture. Mickey pointed to her dance-hair with Swarovski stones in it and showed with mime that he really likes the hair. Like a gentleman he gave Anneke an arm and they posed for the picture.
Anneke’s thoughts were gone: all these sorts of Disney shops and many restaurants, buildings, etc. We walked to the Disney Hotel near the entrance of the Disney Park. While we made a picture of the hotel with ourselves on it, I saw another couple behind us that wanted to make a picture. So I thought ‘let us not stand too long over here'. But Etiënne said to me that the woman behind us was making pictures of me… Hm, I got a lot of attention with my dance hair. Haha. Even in the dressing room someone secretly made pictures of me. It should not be getting weirder …
A visit to the Starbucks is a must, of course. While ordering, the employee asked for our names to write on the drink cups. When Etiënne said his name, we saw on the employee’s face that he was slightly surprised. A foreigner with a French name?!
It was a great experience to participate in these competitions and to be at that location!! An absolute must for every dancer!!
Written by Etiënne and Anneke
