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September 30, 2009

A Big Thanks to Art The Greeter At Disney's Beach Club Resort and Villas: The Everyday Adventures Of The Purple Van September 30, 2009

I think that if you look up the word "gentleman" in any dictionary, there should be a picture of Art, the greeter at Disney's Beach Club Resort and Villas.   Art has decided to retire next month and I'd like to pause and say thanks to Arthur Lark for making this world (and Walt Disney World) a better place.




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There are lots of advantages of driving a purple van and stopping at great resorts every day but chatting with Art at the Beach Club has always been one of my favorites. Art is a very kind, gentle man who has brought smiles to everyone who comes through the door for years.

There's usually a crowd around him...he's a bit of a magnet with that infectious smile.

I walk by him almost daily, watching him trading pins, greeting people going and coming and posing with guests for whom a visit to the Beach Club wouldn't be complete without a photo of Art.

I never interrupt him when he's at work but often, early in the mornings, when the lobby is almost empty, we'll talk...and I have treasured those conversations. Art is not only warm and caring, he's a very shrewd and has a great business head. He always asks about how Owner's Locker is doing and I know he has a genuine interest in our success.

I stopped by this morning to chat and he told me that he had decided to retire in October. It is his decision and he's going to hang up his uniform at the top of his game. Just have a look at that smile!

I know that life is full of change but this is one bit of change I could do without.

Good luck, Art; stay in touch and thanks for making us all smile.
john

click here for a high resolution version of this photo
j

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September 29, 2009

The Globe At Disney's Yacht Club Resort: The Everyday Adventures Of the Purple Van September 29, 2009

Do you have any idea how long I had to stand here to get this picture? People just can't leave this huge globe alone. Every time I walk past it (which is a LOT) there's always someone staring at it--or, more likely, spinning it.



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The globe is in the lobby of Disney's Yacht Club Resort and is right inside the front doors--you will literally walk right into it when you enter the resort. I passed by it this morning after dropping off Lockers and waited around until I could finally take this picture.

You can't quite appreciate how big it is from this photo--it's about 4 feet in diameter.

I really like the antique look of it and the rug it sits on with the points of a compass is pretty cool too.
john

click here for a high resolution version of this photo,
j

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September 27, 2009

Ostrich Lamps at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge Jambo House: The Everyday Adventures Of the Purple Van September 27, 2009

The lamp standards on either side of this staircase probably have an official name, but I just call them the ostrich lamps. This the the lobby of Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge Jambo House. There are several different birds featured, but the ostriches at the top are the most prominent.



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And, the lamps themselves are in the shape of ostrich eggs. Just more of the amazing detail in this resort.

The ostrich lamps are at he rear of the lobby and flank the staircase that goes down to the animal viewing area.

This photo was taken from the bottom of those stairs looking up into the lobby. You can also see some of the other design elements that make this resort special--like the bridge. Even if you aren't staying there, make sure you stop by for a drink or a meal or just to have a look. Yeah, there are lots of animals outside.but there are also some spectacular sights inside!
john

click here for a high resolution version of this photo.
j

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September 25, 2009

The Raven Totem Pole at Disney's Wilderness Lodge: The Everyday Adventures Of The Purple Van September 25, 2009

The lobby of Disney's Wilderness Lodge is one of those places wher you can sit for hours and just marvel at everything around you. Where, no matter how many times you've been there, you see something new.

Some things are a bit too big to miss--like those giant teepee lights you can see hanging from the ceiling.

And then there are two 60 foot totem poles to your left and right as you stand in the lobby.

That's the Raven Pole in the center of this photo with whispering Canyon Cafe behind it .

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There are a lot of things in Walt Disney World that look real but aren't.

This totem pole is not one of them. It's authentic, it's wood, it's hand carved by Native American artists and it, along with the Eagle Totem pole on the opposite side of the lobby, was commissioned by Disney just for Wilderness Lodge.

The pole gets its name from the figure at they very top. A brass plaque in the lobby floor explains that this is a "raven pulling the sun, moon and stars from a box to light the darkened world."

Wilderness Lodge really is worth a special trip on your next trip to Walt Disney World.
john

click here for a high(er0 resolution version of this picture.
j

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September 24, 2009

Maestro Mickey's At Disney's All-Star Music Resort: The Everyday Adventures Of The Purple Van September 24, 2009

The shop in Disney's All-Star Music Resort is appropriately named...

Maestro Mickey's



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All-Star Music is one of the three All-Star Resorts, each of which has over 1500 rooms. They are located just behind Blizzard Beach. Maestro Mickey's is located in the main check-in building, Melody Hall.
john

click here for a high resolution version of this photo.
j

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September 23, 2009

The Winner's Circle At Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa: The Everyday Adventures Of The Purple Van Spetember 23, 2009


You'll see lots of references to horses at Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa...including this one...a bronze statue of a thoroughbred racehorse in the winner's circle.



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Saratoga Springs Resort is modeled after the town of the same name in upstate New York which is famous as a thoroughbred breeding and racing center. Many of the names you see at Disney's version...like Carousel and Congress Park come from the town in New York.

This life sized bronze horse is right outside of the Carriage House where you check in. Just head right towards the pool and you can't miss it.
john

click here for a high resolution version of this photo.
j

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September 22, 2009

The Volleyball Court at Disney's Beach Club Resort and Villas: The Everyday Adventures Of The Purple Van Spetember 22, 2009


If I asked you to name the first thing that came to your mind when I wanted to know what sort of outdoor recreation was available at Disney's Beach Club Resort and Villas, I'd bet some pretty good money that your response would be "Stormalong Bay"--the best resort pool on the planet as best I can tell.

But what if I asked you if the Beach Club had a volleyball court? I'd also bet some pretty good money that you'd say "no."




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But you'd be wrong. Here it is. The Beach Club's very own powder white sand volleyball court.

And it's not exactly hidden away, either. It's right on the Boardwalk on what I would call a prime piece of real estate.

But how many of you have ever noticed it? I walk by it a lot and I'm always amazed at its location. And I'm always amazed that I've never ever seen anyone playing volleyball. So come on; check it out and give this court some use. Get a little sand between your toes!
john

click here for a high resolution version of this photo.
j

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September 21, 2009

Discovery Flies Over Walt Disney World: The Everyday Adventures Of the Purple Van September 21, 2009

Now, here's something you don't see flying over WDW very often. It's the space shuttle Discovery being ferried back to Kennedy Space Center atop a 747.



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The purple van was headed back to the warehouse around noon today after dropping off lots of Lockers and strollers when, up in the sky...there it was.

Discovery had to divert to land in California last week becasue of bad weather at Kennedy Space Center and today it was being ferried back home. What a sight!
you can get more details and see better photos at www.nasa.gov.
john

click here for a high(er) resolution version of this photo.
j

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September 20, 2009

The Library At Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge Kidani Village: The Everyday Adventures Of the Purple Van September 20, 2009

Geez, I'd love to have this room in my house!

This is the Library at Disney's new Animal Kingdom Lodge Kidani Village.



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I'm not quite sure why it's called the library because there aren't any books. But it sure is a great out of the way place to go if you want to read a book.

In addition to this neat seat in front of the fireplace, there are tables and chairs--and a great view of the animals on the savannah.

If I need to do some paperwork after dropping off Lockers, the library is a perfect place. It's quiet and there are seldom any people here in the morning. (probably has something to do with the parks being open!)

Kidani Village is the new Disney Vacation Club Resort that was recently added to Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge. Those tapestries hanging on the wall contain the names of the first purchasers of interests in Kidani--but that's another adventure for another day.

To get to the library, take the right rear hallway off of the Kidani Village lobby and you'll find it on the left.
john

click here for a high resolution version of this photo
j

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September 18, 2009

A Water Launch Docks At Disney's Polynesian Resort: The Everyday Adventures Of the Purple Van September 18, 2009

This may seem a bit weird, but when I look at this photo, it reminds me of a sound...the sound of the horn on this water launch pulling up to the dock at Disney's Polynesian Resort.



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The Walt Disney World Resort has an amazing array of transport options...and a lot of them are boats. These water launches serve the Magic Kingdom resorts and I think they are an attraction unto themselves.

But it's the sound that hits my radar screen. I'll bet you have favorite sounds from WDW. This is one of mine...what are yours?
john

click here for a high resolution version of his photo.
j

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September 17, 2009

The Penny Arcade: From Main Street USA To Disney's Boardwalk Inn and Villas: the Everyday Adventures Of The Purple Van September 17, 2009


How many of you long-time visitors to the Magic Kingdom remember the Penny Arcade on Main Street U.S.A.?

It's been gone quite a while but I do remember stopping by in the early days to play around with some of the neat old-time machines.

Ever wonder what happened to all of the contraptions in the Penny Arcade?



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A lot of the turn of the century machines are in the train station at the entrance to the Magic Kingdom. But several were relocated to Disney's Boardwalk Inn and Villas. They're on the walkway from the lobby to the Inn side of Boardwalk...and they all still work.

The next time you're in Disney's Boardwalk Inn and Villas, take a right at the lobby and you'll run into them.
john

click here for a high resolution version of this photo
j

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September 16, 2009

Towel Animals Are On the Loose At Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge Jambo House: The Everyday Adventures Of The Purple Van September 15, 2009


There was a small crowd of people toward the back of the lobby of Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge Jambo House this morning.

After dropping off Lockers, I was heading out and I couldn't resist checking out what was drawing everyone's attention.

It was a towel animal contest.



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In the glass case were entries made by the housekeepers at Jambo House and guests were voting for their favorite.

I'm not sure when or where on Walt Disney World property the tradition of towel animals started, but from the looks of these entries, it has graduated to fairly sophisticated art.

My family began seeing them periodically about 15 years ago at Disney's Old Key West Resort. Over the years they have become more widespread.

Even though there are lots of towel animals in lots of Disney resort rooms, I doubt that you'll see anything this elaborate waiting for you on your bed when you check in.
john

click here for a high resolution version of this photo.
j

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September 14, 2009

The Calypso Pool At Disney's All-Star Music Resort: The Everyday Adventures Of The Purple van September 13, 2009


It may be a value resort, but that doesn't mean Disney hasn't done a great job with theming. You've got to like the Calypso Pool at Disney's All-Star Music Resort....

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It's the Three Caballeros with guns blazing...well, actually shooting water.
john

click here for a hign resolution version of this photo.
j

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September 13, 2009

Puttin' On the Ritz At Disney's Grand Floridian Resort: The Everyday Adventures Of the Purple Van September 13, 2009


There's been lots of dust the past couple of months in the lobby of Disney's Grand Floridian resort--marble dust, that is. Here's a new addition to the lobby floor that was finished last week. Now you can see this big GF logo as soon as you enter the lobby,

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The Grand Flolridian has certainly been puttin' on the Ritz lately. Or should I say puttin' on the Waldorf, or the Hilton or the Four Seasons?

There are quite a few new luxury hotels opening up soon in the near future that will try to challenge the Grand Floridian--a Waldorf Astoria and Hilton in the Bonnet Creek area (between Caribbean Beach and Old Key West) and a Four Seasons resort (between Riverside and Fort Wilderness).

But even with these new hotels opening, it looks like Disney is going to make sure that the Grand Floridian is better than ever.

Have a close look in the lower center of the marble for pluto!

Click here for a high resolution version of this photo.
j

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September 12, 2009

Our Family Checks Into Disney's Boardwalk Villas: The Everyday Adventures Of the Purple Van September 12, 2009


Nope; this isn't one of those airport delivery services that stops at lots of hotels.

And if your second guess was a high school band, that would be wrong, too.

But it would be close. This is one family!




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I was picking Lockers up this afternoon at Disney's Boardwalk Villas when these folks were checking in and and I couldn't resist taking this picture.

Have a close look at the door and you'll see the name on the vehicle: "Our Family".

How many folks are in this family? Count the pairs of flip flops on the door!
Eleven...
john

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j

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September 11, 2009

The Riverboat Sassagoula at Disney's Port Orleans Riverside Resort: The Everyday Adventures Of The Purple Van September 11, 2009

I think I may have figured out where "Sassagoula" comes from! You see the word all over Disney's Port Orleans Riverside and French Quarter Resorts: It's the river, the food court, the ferry...but just where did Disney get the name "Sassagoula" ?



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And then this morning, after dropping off Lockers, I noticed this model sternwheel riverboat in a display case in the lobby of Disney's Port Orleans Riverside Resort.

Actually, the big brass "S" that is inlaid into the wood floor caught my eye...and then there it was--the "Sassagoula." A three deck, twin smokestack Mississippi River sternwheel riverboat.

So that explains it. That's where "Sassagoula" comes from.

Now the only question is whether there ever was a real riverboat named "Sassagoula" or whether this is just another example of an extremely creative Disney backstory.

Any details would be warmly welcomed!
john

click here for a high resolution versiuon of this photo.
j

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September 10, 2009

The Waterfall In The Lobby Of Disney's Polynesian Resort: The Everyday Adventures Of The Purple Van September 10, 2009


I wonder how many photos have had this waterfall in the background? I pass by this a lot--it's right across from the check-in desk--and it's rare not to see a family sitting on the stone wall you can barely see in the foreground of this photo.

I really enjoy asking folks if they'd like me to take the picture!



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This waterfall is in the lobby of Disney's Polynesian Resort.

The roof has huge skylights which let in lots of sunlight and makes this look like it's outside.

If you've been to the Poly before, you might recognize the boat suspended from the ceiling that you can just make out in the upper part of the photo. That's Kona Cafe on the second floor that you can see up there.
john

click here for a high resolution version of this photo
j

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September 9, 2009

The Bay Lake Tower Bridge: The Everyday Adventures Of The Purple Van September 9, 2009


Now, here's a view you're unlikely to see...unlesss you're in a purple van at the loading dock at the Contempary. We have all heard of the backside of water from the Jungle Cruise in the Magic Kingdom. How about the underside of the Bay Lake Tower bridge?



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This is the new walkway that goes from the 4th floor of Disney's Contemporary Resort to the 5th floor of Disney Vacation Club's recently opened Bay Lake Tower.

It's a very attractive piece of architecture but I swear this is the best view. And it's reserved for those of us who go to the loading dock of the Contemporary! You can tell it's an "S" curve when you see the walkway from the side but the curves are much more more visible from this angle. And you can also notice how the walkway seems to narrow and widen as it makes its way between the resorts.

It's covered but open to the air. From this angle you can see the frosted glass on part of the walkway--to keep you from seeing purple vans and other folks making deliveries.

Now, if I could just figure out why it starts on the fourth floor of the Contemporary and winds up on the fifth floor of Bay Lake Tower!
john

click here for a high resolution version of this photo.
j

Posted by JDVM at 7:45 PM | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

September 7, 2009

Murals At Disney's Coronado Springs Resort: the Everyday Adventures Of The Purple Van September 7, 2009


Disney's Coronado Springs is one of the resorts where I think the imagineers had a lot of creativity pent up and it just came flowing out everywhere...especially at the entrance and in the lobby.

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This is one of several murals on the walls behind the front desk at Coronado Springs. This is no wallpaper. In classic Disney style, these murals are hand painted. They are are Spanish-themed in keeping with the resort.

I couldn't help staring at this one as I was having the front desk make notes on our Members' reservations.

I'm sure there's a story behind this painting and if any of you know more details, I hope you'll share them.

Kinda makes you want to stand in line so you can take the time to appreciate it!
john

click here for a high resolution version of this photo.
j

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September 6, 2009

Community Hall At Disney's Old Key West Resort: The Everyday Adventures Of The Purple Van September 6, 2009


This building may not look very exciting but there's plenty of fun going on inside. This is Hank's Rent 'N Return where you can find tennis rackets, bicycles, ping pong equipment and more and Community Hall, an all purpose room that specializes in fun things for kids. It's at Disney's Old Key West Resort.



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My four daughters spent lots of time here while they were growing up and love this place and the folks who work there. In fact, they always wanted to know what was going on at Hanks before they planned their day. Nothing could get in the way of an "unbirthday party" or a tie-dye t-shirt session.

One of the nice things about visiting Walt Disney World frequently is that you have the time to do things other than race around the parks...and this just the place for it.
john

click here for a high resolution version of this photo.
j

Posted by JDVM at 10:46 PM | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

September 4, 2009

The Carousel At Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa: The Everyday Adventures Of The Purple Van September 4, 2009


Saratoga Springs is the largest of the Disney Vacation Club Resorts and it is located across from Downtown Disney on Lake Buena Vista. Saratoga Springs is named after the horse racing center of the same name in upstate New York. And you'll see horse references through the resort.

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The resort consists of 18 four story buildings and is divided into several areas and one of them is called The Carousel.

So it makes sense that the barbecue and picnic area would look like a carousel complete with--you guessed it--horses.

Now that's some picnic shelter!

The Carousel section of the resort is just to the left as you enter Saratoga Springs.
john

click here for a high resolution version of this photo.
j

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September 3, 2009

The Custom House At Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort: The Everyday Adventures Of the Purple Van September 3, 2009

The check-in area at Disney's Caribbean Beach resort is called the Custom House and this is it.

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I stopped in the Custom House this morning to leave a note for one of our Members that their Locker had been delivered.

This lobby is certainly attractive and quaint but it is not lavishly themed like a lot of the Disney resorts--but this is supposed to look like the Caribbean, where the buildings are simple and the real beauty is on the outside.

And, trust me, the landscaping around Caribbean Beach is some of the most beautiful you'll see outside of Adventureland in the Magic Kingdom.
john

click here for a high resolution version of this photo.
j

Posted by JDVM at 5:34 PM | | Comments (4) | TrackBacks (0)

September 2, 2009

Touchdown! At Disney's All-Star Sports Resort: the Everyday Adventures Of The Purple Van September 2, 2009

The word to use in describing Disney's All-Star Resorts is "big."



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Have a look at that footbal that's over 40 feet tall and you'll see what I mean.

There are three All-Star resorts: Sports, Music and Movies. And each resort is divided into 5 areas. Touchdown is the area of All-Star Sports you see here. The All-star resorts are classified as "value" resorts but that doesn't mean they aren't themed. It's hard to miss the football, but have a closer look at the goal post, yard markers and, of course, the helmet. And don't miss the crowd silhouettes on the railings.
john

click here for a high resolution version of this photo.
j

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September 1, 2009

The Entrance Canopy To Disney's Coronado Springs Resort: The Everyday Adventures Of The Purple Van September 1, 2009


Here's a great example of why you shouldn't rush in and out of the Disney resorts. A lot of people put a lot of work and materials into what you see here. And it would be a shame to miss the view they've worked so hard to create.



VFPV Coronado Springs canopyblog.JPG

There are lots of pretty scenes in the resorts in the Orlando area but the Disney resorts seem to be so very well thought out. You really can stand just about anywhere and imagine someone analyzing what your view should look like from that spot as the resort was being planned.

I have to tell myself to stop and just look around. And when I do, I notice things like this.

These columns and canopy are what you see as you walk out of the lobby of Coronado Springs toward the bus stop or parking lot. I've walked this way so many times after dropping off Lockers. I'm really glad I stopped today and noticed the detail, symmetry and colors.

Whichever one of you imagineers out there who dreamed this up...thanks!
john

click here for a high resolution version of this photo.
j

Posted by JDVM at 5:37 PM | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

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