Buzzy always heard guest chatter. Some people were excited for the new millennium. Others were worried about… Y2K, they called it.

Buzzy was blissfully ignorant about any of that.

Though the closer it got to the new millennium, the more he heard General Knowledge, Left Brain, Right Brain, and Hypothalamus talk about it.

When the big day finally came, Buzzy noticed that, well, pretty much every Cranium Command show that morning was fully packed. Wall to wall packed.

By afternoon, the shows were… a little less packed. But by the evening, the large crowds had resurged.

Was the Millennium really that big a deal? Or were people afraid of Y2K and they wanted to be around others?

Buzzy didn't know. But he was going to find out.

Wonders of Life closed for the evening a bit later than usual and Buzzy assumed it was a park capacity thing.

Though he knew the rule - no leaving the theatre during Park hours - Buzzy left anyway. He snuck out while everyone else was distracted.

Outside the pavilion, there were so many people that Buzzy didn't realise there were that many people in the entire world. But it meant he wouldn't be spotted while roaming.

It was excruciatingly difficult to move around as well. They were all just packed like sardines. Buzzy found himself ducking down between legs, under bags, and through railings just to pass people.

Things were no better at the Universe of Energy Pavilion next door - exhausted Cast Members we're handing out "2000" party hats and noisemakers. They clearly weren't noticing who got what, as Buzzy found himself with some.

He looked down at the hat and put it on. Why not get in the spirit of the holiday?

From there, Buzzy passed through Innoventions. It was closed for the night by now, but he used the Cast Member entrance to slip through and quickly bypass what felt like - and probably was - thousands of people.

Passing from one side of Innoventions to the other required crossing another river of people. That's exactly what he did.

He came out the other side, just as the fireworks were starting.

Buzzy stood intently, listening to the announcer.

"We are together here at Epcot. Each of us, a bold explorer, an individual, marking a moment in a new millennium."

Yes. Buzzy was a bold explorer. He had chosen to leave his spot at Cranium Command to be here.

"And, before this special moment escapes us here at the dawn of a new age, before we move on to pursue our separate paths of discovery, let us become a single spirit inspired by the innovations that have brought us to this moment, amazed by the promises of tomorrow, creating hope for a better world."

In that moment, Buzzy truly felt like he was part of something much bigger than himself, bigger than Cranium Command, Epcot - even the Disney corporation itself.

"Let us be brought closer together for all time by this simple truth; that there is nothing we cannot accomplish hand in hand."

Then, he realised what that feeling was; belonging. Buzzy was here because he was a part of the world. And the world was a part of him. Cranium Command was his story, but it was a story that was made up by a team of writers, animators, artists, engineers, maintenance workers, and sponsors, shown to people from around the world.

Everyone's stories were interwoven with everyone else's, and Buzzy was but a stitch in a bigger patch that formed the quilt of the Earth.

And that was just beautiful.

Buzzy saw the fireworks erupting from the back of World Showcase. They burst in the air, a beautiful red colour, as Celebrate the Future Hand in Hand began playing.

He didn't feel the need to move for a better look. He was happy just to be in the moment, surrounded by guests and Cast Members alike. This was a special moment, bigger than any one person. Or any one audio-animatronic.

As the fireworks burst around World Showcase, from behind all the countries, in all colours, the globe in the middle of World Showcase lagoon opened up, and Buzzy couldn't help but be in awe. It was breathtaking in spite of the cheesy music playing. And somehow, the entire scene made the song less cheesy. And more hopeful. It felt like a promise.

The world was united in these celebrations - or at least the World Showcase was. And everyone erupted in cheers and whoops as the fireworks ended - even Buzzy!

Then, the globe closed. And there was another announcement.

"Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls - the moment has arrived! Let us greet the new year hand in hand as we count down together to welcome the new millennium!"

Fireworks again burst from World Showcase.

"Ten!"

Everyone joined in the countdown as each second, a new lot of fireworks would burst, and each time with a new colour. The countdown was also displayed on the globe.

'Five!' Buzzy shouted in his excitement. 'Four! Three! Two! One! Happy New Year!'

Everyone cheered and clapped as the countdown on the globe turned to "Happy 2000", fireworks went off, and Auld Lang Syne began to play.

"We extend to you and yours happy, prosperous, and fulfilling days ahead in the year 2000, the dawn of a most promising millennium. Thank you."

Buzzy was grinning ear to ear. As guests began to leave the park, he headed back to the Wonders of Life Pavilion, where he found General Knowledge waiting for him.

'Where did you go?' he asked.

'World Showcase. To celebrate the millennium.'

'Were you seen?'

Buzzy shook his head. 'No.'

'Good. You know, we were watching too.' General Knowledge's demeanour softened. 'Happy new year, kid. Here's to a hopeful new millennium.'

It was at this point all the emotion of the night finally overwhelmed Buzzy. He was so elated, he just burst into happy tears. He truly was part of something bigger than anything he'd ever known before.

A/N:

I don't know if anyone remembers the Millennium. I don't remember panic from Y2K. I remember peace and love and unity. It's why New Years is my favourite holiday today - next to Halloween, of course. There's just something beautiful about New Year. You're an entirely different person leaving it than you are when you enter. All the bad goes away and it's time for a hopeful fresh start. And of course, it's a time to get drunk - but you can have the best time on New Year without getting drunk. I always do.

Yes, those were the announcements from Epcot's new millennium fireworks. Yes, that is what happened. From what I've read, it was very packed that day, because Epcot was the focal point of Disney World's millennium celebrations.

As for General Knowledge? Well, he's a hard guy, so what made him soften up? I imagine it was the hope and promise of the future, combined with a little bit of fermented grains, sugar, and ethanol.