The Everyday Adventures Of The Purple Van

[jdvm]

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

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



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

[jdvm]

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.



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 because 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

[iluvwesties]

Originally Posted by jdvm

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.

Awesome

It's neat to see the "real" thing isn't it?
I was lucky to see a satellite launch go over when I was staying at WDW a few years ago, they did the countdown on the local tv news stations and within a minute or so the actual rocket like an orange star was shooting through the sky overhead.

It was a memorable moment at WDW

[jdvm]

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."



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

[jdvm]

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.



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

[jdvm]

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

Maestro Mickey's



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

[jdvm]

The lobby of Disney's Wilderness Lodge is one of those places where 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 tepee 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 Café behind it .



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

[jdvm]

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.



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

[jdvm]

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.



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

[jdvm]

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.





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



If you're into Facebook, you can follow this link to the Owner's Locker Facebook page where Art's photo is tagged and you can "friend request him."
j

[jdvm]

And you thought the only larger than life Sorcerer Mickey hat was at Disney's Hollywood Studios...

...Well how about this one?



This 40 foot sorcerer's hat is at Disney's All-Star Movies resort--in the Fantasia section, appropriately enough.

There are three All-Star resorts, each with about 2000 rooms. All-Star Movies has five differently themed sections which feature huge icons like this one. At the edge of the photo you can see part of a bucket which is carried by a broomstick from the same film...but that's another adventure for another day.
John

[jdvm]

High Rock Spring Pool is the main pool at Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa and features this Donal Duck fountain in the kiddie area.



The little boy in the photo has just about got the random jets of the fountain figured out...or so he thinks...
john

[jdvm]

Walt Disney World is pretty at any time of day. But I think it's especially pretty in the early morning light.



This is the entrance to Disney's Boardwalk Inn and Villas. I took this photo early this morning on my way to drop off Lockers when the sunlight was pretty much sideways. The gold lettering really stands out, doesn't it?

One of the advantages of delivering Lockers to folks before they arrive for their vacation is that I get to see scenes like this every day.

If you've ever been to Boardwalk, I'll bet you've never seen it with no cars or busses. There's a Magical Express truck on the left dropping off luggage but other than that, it's very quiet. And Food & Wine is going on in nearby EPCOT...the calm before the storm.
john

[My 2 princesses]

Originally Posted by jdvm

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.



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 because 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

Thanks for posting this picture. We were leaving that day and was just at DTD when we saw this. Everyone stopped to look. By the time I grabbed my camera it was gone. Very cool to see though.

[jdvm]

Before there was a Wedding Pavilion, there was this gazebo at Disney's Yacht Club Resort.




It's tucked away in a courtyard and became a very popular spot for weddings. Now it's a great spot to enjoy the sun and great view and perhaps read a book.

As you're walking along the boardwalk towards the Swan and Dolphin, it's to your right. But, look closely...it's easy to miss!
john