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February 27, 2010

Mickey's Golf Cart: The Everyday Adventures Of The Purple Van February 27, 2010

If Mickey Mouse had a golf cart, I guess this is what it would look like...

VFPV Mickey golf cartblog.JPG

I took a break from driving the purple van today to have lunch at the Sand Trap Bar and Grill at Disney's Osprey Ridge Golf Course and look at what was parked in front of the clubhouse.

I've been there several times and have never seen it before so i don't know how long it will be parked out front.

Osprey Ridge is located next to Fort Wilderness. The Sand Trap Grill is a great lunch place, by the way!...
john

Disney's Osprey ridge Golf Course is located in Walt Disney World.

click here for a high resolution version of this photo.

The Everyday Adventures Of The Purple Van is brought to you by Owner's Locker and Magic Strollers.
j

Posted by JDVM at 4:31 PM | | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

February 26, 2010

Tea With Mrs. Potts At Disney's Grand Floridian Resort: The Everyday Adventures Of The Purple Van February 26, 2010

Disney has been installing lots of marble in the lobby of their flagship Grand Floridian Resort...including this rendering of Mrs. Potts from Beauty and the Beast.

How appropriate that Mrs. Potts is at the entrance to the Garden View Lounge where afternoon tea is served...

VFPV GF Mrs. Pottsblog.JPG

You can find the Garden View Lounge and Mrs. Potts at the very rear of the lobby at the Grand Floridian in the center. But take your time and look down. There are lots of panels in the new floor that feature characters. Some, like this one, are obvious. Others you'll have to look for...but that makes it fun...
john

Disney's Grand Floridian Resort is located in Walt Disney World.

click here for a high resolution version of this photo.

The Everyday Adventures Of The Purple Van is brought to you by Owner's Locker and Magic Strollers.
j

Posted by JDVM at 1:44 PM | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

February 24, 2010

"Welcome Home" Lights At Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge Kidani Village: The Everyday Adventures Of the Purple Van February 24, 2010

The proverb on the wall reads:

"One who goes back to his home
does not consider the night too dark.
He knows his way" -Uganda

This light standard is just inside the door of Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge Kidani Village.



VFPV Kidani light standardblog.JPG

Kidani Village is a new Disney Vacation Club resort and I think this saying from Uganda is an interesting twist to the usual "welcome home" you see at DVC resorts.

Though it looks like a candelabra that would be on a table, this light standard sits on the floor and is about five feet tall. It's one of a matching pair that flank the entrance to Kidani. The lights are covered with mesh that makes them look like candles. And, don't miss the tiny African figure wearing a ceremonial hat.

The saying about darkness is one of over 200 African proverbs that you'll see around the resort. After each is the African country it came from. They don't jump out at you but once you start looking for them, you'll find them around every corner.

You can't see it in this photo, but each proverb also has a small brass butterfly stuck to the wall which makes them easier to find...
john

Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge Kidani Village is a Disney Vacation Club Resort and is located in Walt Disney World.

click here for a high resolution version of this photo.

The Everyday Adventures Of The Purple Van is brought to you by Owner's Locker and Magic Strollers.
j

Posted by JDVM at 1:50 PM | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

February 21, 2010

Mail Box At Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge Jambo House: The Everyday Adventures Of the Purple Van February 21, 2010

Only Disney would theme a mail box...

VFPV Jambo mailboxblog.JPG

And when the imagineers do it, they do it right. Take this mail box at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge Jambo House with the hungry hippo ready to take your letter.

One of Disney's hallmarks is to have so many layers of theming that you'll always be able to notice something new no matter how many times you visit. We know they do it in the parks. But the same thing happens at the resorts and this mail box is an excellent example.

You really have to look for the hippo mail box. It's in the left rear of the lobby just as you head into the kudu trail of rooms.

Recently, someone asked me if I thought that I would run out of things to include in the Everyday Adventures...I don't think so!
john

Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge is located in Walt Disney World.

click here for a high resolution version of this photo.

The Everyday Adventures Of The Purple Van is brought to you by Owner's Locker and Magic Strollers.
j

Posted by JDVM at 10:15 PM | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

February 20, 2010

34 Star Flag In The Territory Lounge: The Everyday Adventures Of The Purple Van February 20, 2010

Yep, this flag looks a bit funny.
If you think it is missing a few stars, you're right...
...instead of having 50, it has only 34 stars...

VFPV Territory flagblog.JPG

The small brass plaque in the lower right had corners says it's from 1861...and it looks it!

This flag is hanging in the Territory Lounge at Disney's Wilderness Lodge. If you go to the left rear of the lobby, behind the huge fireplace, and head toward the restaurant, Artist Point, it will be on your left.

The Territory Lounge is my favorite bar at Walt Disney World...but that's another adventure for another day...
john

Disney's Wilderness Lodge is located in Walt Disney World.

click here for a high resolution version of this photo.

The Everyday Adventures Of The Purple Van is brought to you by Owner's Locker and Magic Strollers.
j

Posted by JDVM at 2:15 PM | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

February 19, 2010

The Lighthouse Sweetery At Marriott's Grande Vista Resort: the Everyday Adventures Of The Purple Van February 19, 2010

Here's a lighthouse you may not have seen...it's at Marriott's Grande Vista Resort near SeaWorld...

...and it serves ice cream!

VFPV Grande Vista lighthouseblog.JPG

Grande Vista is Marriott's largest resort in the Orlando attractions area with over 1600 rooms. A series of 5 and 6 story buildings are clustered around a large lake and golf course.

The Lighthouse Sweetery is a candy and ice cream shop near the main clubhouse...
john


click here for a high resolution version of this photo.

The Everyday Adventures Of The Purple Van is brought to you by Owner's Locker and Magic Strollers.
j

Posted by JDVM at 2:36 PM | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

February 18, 2010

Pineappleas At Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort: The Everyday Adventures Of The Purple Van February 18, 2010

Why is there a pineapple on top of this column at Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort?

And this isn't the only one...once you start looking for them, you'll find pineapples everywhere around the resort.

VFPV CBR pineappleblog.JPG

Pineapples were widely grown by the Carib Indians and were noticed by Columbus in one of his voyages. They became a prized delicacy in Europe and later in America and began to be featured in displays on dining room tables.

Gradually, the pineapple became a symbol of friendship and hospitality used by architects. And that's what you see all over Caribbean Beach Resort...the pineapple a subtle way of saying "welcome'.

Click here for a link to a fun history of the pineapple in the Caribbean...
john

Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort is located in Walt Disney World.

click here for a high resolution version of this photo.

The Everyday Adventures Of The Purple Van is brought to you by Owner's Locker and Magic Strollers.
j

Posted by JDVM at 10:02 AM | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

February 17, 2010

Minnie Mouse Welcomes You To Walt Disney World: The Everyday Adventures Of The Purple Van February 17, 2010

I'll bet you recognize this one...it's Minnie Mouse welcoming you to Walt Disney World.

Minnies like this one stand at each entrance to Walt Disney World. This one is on World Drive...the road thae ends at the Magic Kingdom entrance.

VFPV Minnie entranceblog.JPG

I don't know about you, but our kids were always excited to pass through an entrance like this. It was the proof that they needed that they were back in Disney. I smile each time I drive through one of these entrances because I remember my daughters counting down as we approached...10...9...8...7...6...
john

click here for a high resolution version of this photo.

The Everyday Adventures Of The Purple Van is brought to you by Owner's Locker and Magic Strollers.
j

Posted by JDVM at 4:22 PM | | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

February 15, 2010

Parterre Place At Disney's Port Orleans Riverside Resort: The Everyday Adventures Of The Purple Van February 15, 2010

Come on...tell the truth...how many of you would recognize this as a Disney Resort?
It's Parterre Place at Disney's Port Orleans Riverside.

VFPV Riverside parterreblog.JPG

Riverside is the larger of the Port Orleans resorts and has a little over 2000 rooms divided into two main sections: Alligator Bayou--which is rustic and Magnolia Bend which is made up of majestic buildings like this one.

Parterre Place is one of four huge manor houses in the Magnolia Bend area or "parish."
Each has about 250 rooms. As you drive into Riverside, you can see Parterre Place and its fountain off to your right.

A "parterre" is a formal garden usually associated with a large manor house...it looks like Parterre Place is appropriately named!...
john

Disney's Port Orleans Riverside Resort is located in Walt Disney World.

click here for a high resolution version of this photo.

The Everyday Adventures Of The Purple Van is brought to you by Owner's Locker and Magic Strollers.
j

Posted by JDVM at 9:26 PM | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

February 14, 2010

Drive-Thru Check-In At Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort And Campground: The Everyday Adventures Of The Purple Van February 14, 2010

OK,how many resorts allow you to check-in without leaving your vehicle?

There's only one that I know of: Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground.

VFPV Ft Wildreness checkinblog.JPG

In fact there's even a sign asking that you NOT get out of your vehicle!

This is the Reception Outpost at Fort Wilderness and this is where folks in campers and other recreational vehicles check-in.

It's hard not the like the outstanding theming at Fort Wilderness. Look closely at the amazing detail of the Reception Outpost and make sure you check out the high clearance for big RV's!

(There is a separate check-in area for the cabins where you do have to get out of your car.)...
john


Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground is located in Walt Disney World.

click here for a high resolution version of this photo.

The Everyday Adventures Of The Purple Van is brought to you by Owner's Locker and Magic Strollers.
j

Posted by JDVM at 7:31 PM | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

February 11, 2010

A Nautical Theme At Disney's Old Key West Resort? The Everyday Adventures Of The Purple Van February 13, 2010

This glass case contains the menu for Olivia's at Disney's Old Key West Resort. It sits atop posts from a pier and is flanked by a ship's telegraph and wheel.

VFPV Olivia's menublog.JPG

I've got to say that I've never understood quite what these items have to do with Olivia's or Old Key West.
Don't get me wrong, I LOVE Old Key West. The buildings with tin roofs and the lush landscaping definitely have a Key West feel. But there are a lot of things like this that seem a bit random...but maybe that's just the Key West look...
john

Disney's Old Key West Resort is a Disney Vacation Club Resort and is located in Walt Disney World.

click here for a high resolution version of this photo.

The Everyday Adventures Of The Purple Van is brought to you by Owner's Locker and Magic Strollers.
j

Posted by JDVM at 9:33 PM | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

The Fire Pit At Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge Jambo House: The Everyday Adventures Of The Purple Van February 11, 2010

A warm fire pit might seem like the last thing you'd want in hot, steamy Florida...
But when it's 37 degrees outside...like it was this morning...it can be pretty inviting...

VFPV Jambo fire pitblog.JPG

This is the fire pit just outside of Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge Jambo House lobby, which you can see in the background. In the evenings, this area is used for story telling around the fire. The fire usually isn't lit during the day...but it was this morning And you can just make out a mom and her trying to stay warm today.

To get to the fire pit, just head to the back of the Jambo House lobby and go down the steps that lead to the Arusha savannah. It's just on your right...
john

Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge is located in Walt Disney World.

click here for a high resolution version of this photo.

The Everyday Adventures Of The Purple Van is brought to you by Owner's Locker and Magic Strollers.
j

Posted by JDVM at 11:02 AM | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

February 9, 2010

The Murals in Disney's Contemporary Resort: The Everyday Advenures Of The Purple Van February 9, 2010

Way back in the dark ages of 1971, there was a new hotel that opened along with Walt Disney World called Disney's Contemporary Resort.

Burdened with the obligation to look...well..."contemporary", the hotel was always in a race to be cutting edge and has gone through transformation after transformation. Over the years every surface inside the Contemporary has changed at least once...except the ceramic murals.



VFPV Contemporary muralblog.JPG

This mural of ceramic tiles is one of several that begin on the fourth floor of the Contemporary and extend 90 feet up in what was originally called the Grand Canyon Concourse. The Pueblo Indian theme fit in well at the tme.

The mural was created by Disney Imagineer Mary Blair who was also the person who designed the "look" of Small World (see the resemblance?).

The murals may not seem too "contemporary" these days, but I'm glad they're still there...
john

Disney's Contemporary Resort is located in Walt Disney World.

click here for a high resolution version of this photo.

The Everyday Adventures Of The Purple Van is brought to you by Owner's Locker and Magic Strollers.
j

Posted by JDVM at 10:31 PM | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

February 8, 2010

Referee's Whistle At Disney's All-Star Sports Resort: The Everyday Adventures Of the Purple Van February 8, 2010

In case you are wondering, this giant red thing is a referee's whistle that is part of the theming at Disney's All-Star Sports Resort.

VFPV sports whistleblog.JPG

The barrel of the whistle is "see through" and you can see the not so little brown ball inside that you'd have to peek through the slot of a real whistle to see.

The All-Star Resorts feature huge icons like this whistle and I think it's fun to walk around them...you never know what you might seen when you round a corner.

To get a feel for its size, the building itself is about 30 feet tall and those basketballs are three feet in diameter.

In earlier posts, we've featured a larger than life Mickey sorcerer hat from the All-Star Movies Resort and jazz drum set from the All-star Music Resort.

Disney's All-Star Sports Resort is a "value" resort and consists of apprioximately 1900 rooms and is divided into 5 sections. You can find this referee's whistle in the Hoops Hotel section. All-Star Sports is located in Walt Disney World.

click here for a high resolution version of this photo.

The Everyday Adventures Of The Purple Van is brought to you by Owner's Locker and Magic Strollers.
j

Posted by JDVM at 1:54 PM | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

February 5, 2010

Mickey Mouse Racing Silks At Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort And Spa: The Everyday Adventures Of The Purple Van February 5, 2010

Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort is named after the horse racing town in upstate New York of the same name...and you'll find references to thoroughbred horse racing all around the resort.

The table service restaurant at Saratoga Springs is called the Turf Club...and the hallway leading back to the restaurant is lined with framed racing silks like this one.

VFPV Saratoga Mickey Silksblog.JPG

Since medieval times, riders in horse races have been identified by their colorful outfits...which were originally made of silk. Racing stables still choose special colors and now have special satin racing jackets designed for jockeys to wear when riding their horses.

So, if Disney had a racing stable, I guess this is what their racing silks would look like.

You can find these racing silks and several others in the Carriage House at Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort...just follow the signs to the Turf Club restaurant...
john

Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort is a Disney Vacation Club Resort and is located in Walt Disney World.

click here for a high resolution version of this photo.

The Everyday Adventures Of The Purple Van is brought to you by Owner's Locker and Magic Strollers.
j

Posted by JDVM at 2:07 PM | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

February 3, 2010

The Krewe Of Port Orleans At Disney's Port Orleans French Quarter Resort: The Everyday Adventures Of the Purple Van February 4, 2010

Port Orleans French Quarter has lots of references to New Orleans...and to Mardi Gras...like this jester guarding the rear entrance to the lobby.

VFPV French Quarter rearblog.JPG

On either side of this jolly fellow are sides of a coin...one with Bacchus labeled Port Orleans and the other side with a jester noting the year French Quarter opened (1991) labeled Krewe of Port Orleans. Krewes are the masking and parading clubs for which New Orleans is famous.

You might also note that there is no reference to "French Quarter"---the name that was later added to this resort...
john

click here for a high resolution version of this photo.

The Everyday Adventures Of The Purple Van is brought to you by Owner's Locker and Magic Strollers.
j

Posted by JDVM at 3:17 PM | | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (0)

February 2, 2010

Lanterns At The Entrance To Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge Kidani Village: The Everyday Adventures Of the Purple Van February 2, 2010

There's lots to like about Kidani Village, the new Disney Vacation Club addition to Animal Kingdom Lodge.

This wall of niches with lanterns is at the entrance of Kidani and I think sets the tone of what you'll find inside.

VFPV Kidani lanternsblog.JPG

While the main Animal Kingdom Lodge, now called Jambo House, is huge and majestic, Kidani is more intimate.

The wall looks like it's made of mud and has an informal, comfortable feel to it.

It's a great preview of what you'll find as you head into the lobby.

The new Kidani Village is a bit out of the way, but it's worth the trip just to see how well it is themed...
john

click here for a high resolution version of this photo.

The Everyday Adventures Of The Purple Van is brought to you by Owner's Locker and Magic Strollers.
j

Posted by JDVM at 10:16 AM | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

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