Inside John's Locker

The Kitchen Sink Fountain At Disney's port Orleans Riverside Resort: The Everyday Adventures Of The Purple Van July 29, 2010

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 09:53:50 -0500

That is indeed a kitchen sink in the center of this photo--spouting water up through the drain creating a fountain.

This could only happen at Port Orleans Riverside.

The main pool at Riverside (the resorts has 6 pools!) is part of the 3.5 acre Ol' Man Island complex that also includes a rustic playground and fishin' hole.

The imagineers have made the place look like something right out of Huckleberry Finn and Tom Sawyer...
john

Click here for a satellite view of Ol' Man Island.

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

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The Bridge At Stormalong Bay At Disney's Beach Club Resort And Disney's Yacht Club Resort: The Everyday Adventures Of The Purple Van July 26, 2010

Sun, 25 Jul 2010 17:54:09 -0500

Here's another bridge for you. This one is from Stormalong Bay, the fantastic pool complex shared by the Beach and Yacht Club:

Stormalong Bay is by far the largest pool at Walt Disney World, covering over three acres. It has a sand bottom and contains over 750,000 gallons of water...
john

Click here for a satellite view of Stormalong bay from Google Maps.

Disney's Yacht Club Resort, Disney's Beach Club Resort, Disney's Beach Club Villas and Stormalong bay are 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

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Pool Shower At Disney's Polynesian Resort: The Everyday Adventures Of The Purple Van July 24, 2010

Sat, 24 Jul 2010 16:48:35 -0500

This isn't one of the tiki gods you can see scattered around the Polynesian...look closely, it's a pool shower.

I'm always amazed at how the imagineers manage to constantly turn the ordinary into something special and this is yet another great example.

In case you needed any hints that this was the Polynesian (other than the building in the background) there is one of the many tiki gods in the bushes and you'll also notice one of the torches to the right.

You'll find this pool shower near the quiet pool at the Polynesian...
john

Disney's Polynesian 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

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Lobby Detail At Disney's Coronado Springs Resort: The Everyday Adventures Of The Purple Van July 23, 2010

Fri, 23 Jul 2010 20:11:56 -0500

Here's another example of the amazing degree of detail you'll find at Coronado Springs.

The main lobby/check-in building at Coronado Springs is called El Centro. As you walk in the front doors, you enter a rotunda featuring a large fountain. The main lobby is off to the right, the shop is to the left as is a hallway leading to a bar and restaurants. Above the fountain is a highly decorated dome.

My point is that there is a lot going on in this space...and then you have this feature in the right rear of the rotunda that can easily go un-noticed.

But, check out the level of detail that the imagineers have included: the small statue; the tiled floor; the colorful tiles behind the statue; and the frame around those tiles.

As often as i am in Coronado Springs, I continue to notice things like this that haven't caught my eye before.

You really should check this resort out on your next trip to WDW!...
john

Disney's Coronado Springs 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

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A Modern Chair At Bay Lake Tower At Disney's Contemporary Resort: The Everyday Adventures Of The Purple Van July 22, 2010

Thu, 22 Jul 2010 18:38:27 -0500

I wanted to share a photo of this really cool chair and this little girl and I played a waiting game over whether she was going to move or be in the photo. She won.

The wooden chair is in the lobby of Bay Lake Tower where everything is cool, sleek and modern. If you look closely, you can see that the chair is made up of numerous planks pressed together. I have no idea how they managed to curve the wood in the chair...I can tell you it is very heavy.

A few "Disney" references have been snuck into Bay Lake Tower with the artwork and carpeting...and the table sitting beside this chair...
john

Bay Lake Tower at Disney's Contemporary 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

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The Boardwalk Bridge: The Everyday Adventures Of The Purple Van July 21, 2010

Wed, 21 Jul 2010 21:34:59 -0500

Another bridge...this one is on the Boardwalk. The Beach Club Resort and Villas are to the left and The Boardwalk Inn and Villas are to the right.

The boat you see is one of the Friendships heading toward the International Gateway at EPCOT....
john

For a satellite view from Google maps click here.

Disney's Boardwalk, Disney's Boardwalk in and Villas and Disney's Beach Club Resort and Villas are 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

If you'd like to be notified by e-mail when a new Everyday Adventure Of The Purple Van is posted, you can subscribe here:

Mickey Welcomes You To Walt Disney World: The Everyday Adventures Of The Purple Van July 20, 2010

Tue, 20 Jul 2010 13:43:51 -0500

Unless you arrive at Walt Disney World by helicopter or parachute...or seriously know some back roads...you'll recognize this Mickey Mouse welcoming you to your favorite vacation place:

At each entrance to Disney World, you'll find a Mickey just like this one letting you know you have arrived.

There are five of these entrances. This one is the newest. It's on Western Way just off of the new 429 Highway. This entrance drops you off on Buena Vista Drive between Coronado Springs and Bizzard Beach...
john

If you'd like to see this entrance from Google Maps, click here

This Mickey 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

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The Serpent Slide At Disney's Port Orleans French Quarter Resort: The Everyday Adventures Of The Purple Van July 18, 2010

Sun, 18 Jul 2010 18:55:18 -0500

A post from a couple of months ago featured a sea serpent's tail sticking out of some bushes at Port Orleans French Quarter.

And if you've been wondering what was on the other end of the serpent's tail, now you know:

Port Orleans French Quarter has the neatest pool called Doubloon Lagoon. The centerpiece of the pool is this sea serpent slide with King Triton sitting atop the serpent's head.

Stroll straight out of the back of the French Quarter lobby and you'll be on the path to Doubloon Lagoon...
john

Disney's Port Orleans French Quarter 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

If you'd like to be notified by e-mail when a new Everyday Adventure Of The Purple Van is posted, you can subscribe here:

Wyoming State Flag At Wilderness Lodge: The Everyday Adventures Of The Purple Van July 16, 2010

Fri, 16 Jul 2010 20:23:50 -0500

This is a Wyoming state flag from 1890, the year Wyoming became a state. And when you check it out up close, it LOOKS that old. The current Wyoming flag has the state seal in the middle of the bison (I like this one better).

This flag in the Territory Lounge at Wilderness Lodge.

The Territory Lounge is my favorite bar in Walt Disney World. It's off the left rear of the lobby next to Artist Point. This flag hangs on the wall on the right hand side of the bar. An earlier Everyday Adventure featured its pendant, or mate, that's to the left of the bar.

Even if bars aren't your thing, the Territory Lounge is definitely worth checking out...
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.

The Territory Lounge and Disney's Wilderness Lodge are located in Walt Disney World.
j

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The Clock Tower At Loew's Portofino Bay Hotel: The Everyday Adventures Of the Purple Van July 15, 2010

Thu, 15 Jul 2010 19:28:47 -0500

There are three great hotels located on Universal Studios' property. This is the clock tower Portofino Bay. (The other two are the Hard Rock Hotel and the Royal Pacific).

Portofino Bay is Italian themed and has 750 rooms including 45 suites. Since it is connected to the Universal parks, there's complimentary transportation and guests have access to special ride access.
A lot of my Orlando friends say this is their favorite area hotel for a romantic getaway...
john

If you'd like to be notified by e-mail when a new Everyday Adventure Of The Purple Van is posted, you can subscribe here:

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

Bridge To Magnolia Bend At Disney's Port Orleans Riverside Resort: The Everyday Adventures Of The Purple Van July 13, 2010

Tue, 13 Jul 2010 16:25:29 -0500

OK, I'm into bridges now! Isn't this one impressive. It's at Port Orleans Riverside.

This bridge takes you across the Sassagoula River to the section of Port Orleans Riverside known as Magnolia Bend. The theming of this part of the resort is plantation style mansions.

Since you don't get a particularly good view of a bridge while you're crossing it, to get this view, you need to head towards the lobby of Riverside and look to your right...
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

If you'd like to be notified by e-mail when a new Everyday Adventure Of The Purple Van is posted, you can subscribe here:

A Gazebo At Shades Of Green On The Walt Disney World Resort: The Everyday Adventures Of the Purple Van July 11, 2010

Sun, 11 Jul 2010 19:00:37 -0500

Shades of Green is the U.S. Military resort located across from the Polynesian and between the Palm and Magnolia golf courses.

The resort has its own buses but a lot of folks heading to the Magic Kingdom walk to Ticket and Transportation Center. This gazebo is a great resting place along that walk...and the view isn't that bad either...
john

If you'd like to be notified by e-mail when a new Everyday Adventure Of The Purple Van is posted, you can subscribe here:

Shades Of Green 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

Leaping Horse Libations At Disney's Boardwalk Inn And Villas: The Everyday Adventures Of The Purple Van July 10, 2010

Sat, 10 Jul 2010 17:51:39 -0500

Now, THAT'S a pool bar.

I think you have to agree that Leaping Horse Libations, at the main pool at Boardwalk, is probably Disney's most elaborately themed pool bar!

The main pool at Boardwalk is called Luna Park Pool and it is named after an amusement park at Coney Island in Brooklyn, New York. The imagineers obviously weren't shy in theming Leaping Horse Libations to look like a carousel. It's not far off of the carousel in the Magic Kingdom...only this one serves a mean margarita!

Luna Park Pool is behind located in the Villas portion of the Boardwalk resort. As you enter the lobby, head to your left and go down a level...

john

If you'd like to be notified by e-mail when a new Everyday Adventure Of The Purple Van is posted, you can subscribe here:

Disney's Boardwalk Inn and Disney's Boardwalk Villas are 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

Tramp At Disney's Pop Century Resort: The Everyday Adventures Of The Purple Van July 8, 2010

Thu, 08 Jul 2010 19:21:20 -0500

A couple of months ago, in an earlier post, there was a photo of a huge Lady at Pop Century.
Well, if you've been wondering if Tramp was far behind, here he is--just opposite his sweetheart:

Tramp, of course, is from the 1955 film "Lady And The Tramp" and both of these 30 foot tall characters are in the 1950's section of Pop Century...
john

If you'd like to be notified by e-mail when a new Everyday Adventure Of The Purple Van is posted, you can subscribe here:

Disney's Pop Century 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

Torch Wall Sconce at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge Jambo House: The Everyday Adventures Of The Purple Van July 7, 2010

Wed, 07 Jul 2010 22:27:31 -0500

One of the things I enjoy noticing in the Disney resorts is the light fixtures. Resorts like Animal Kingdom Lodge Jambo House have spectacular lights hanging in the lobby.
But, there are also neat lights like this wall sconce throughout the resort.

I think these torches are an excellent example of the detail the imagineers go to in the resorts. Isn't it neat that you can pretty much guess that this is from Animal Kingdom Lodge as soon as you see it?

They are only about a foot tall but they really add to the atmosphere of Jambo House. There are lots of these sconces around. This one is by the elevators between Boma and Jiko...
john

If you'd like to be notified by e-mail when a new Everyday Adventure Of The Purple Van is posted, you can subscribe here:

Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge Jambo House 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