The Everyday Adventures Of The Purple Van

[jdvm]

The Food Court at French Quarter: the Everyday Adventures Of The Purple Van Aug 8

I've never been to a Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans--or a warehouse where they built the floats--but I'm guessing this is what it might look like.



This is the food court at Disney's Port Orleans French Quarter Resort and it's known as The Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory. "Floatworks" as in a place where they build the parade floats for Mardi Gras.

It was a very popular place early this morning as I dropped off a couple of Lockers. And it's yet another example of how Disney is very dedicated to making its resorts a pleasure to look at.

I've got to say that I feel a bit guilty about sharing so many photos of French Quarter. But The Everyday Adventures Of The Purple Van is all about things that catch our eye as we make the rounds delivering and picking up Lockers. And I can't help it if French Quarter is themed so well that I'm always pulling my camera out of my pocket because I've just seen something new. Even if you're not a huge fan of food courts but you gotta love this place.
john

[yxe dad]

Nice, the purple van comes to Canada! Welcome and I've been a fan of your adventures on the DVC boards.

[LittleFlounder]

I like the purple van adventures too... but why is this post on the Canadian board? Just wondering.

[yxe dad]

Why not???
Some of us Canadians use the service and enjoy the pics. Keep up the good work John, and we'll be looking forward to opening our locker in a couple more weeks.

[Debbie]

YEAH! I don't use the purple van (not DVC owner.....university parent instead ) but I love checking the thread out when I venture over to the resorts board. This makes it cool and easy for me! I hope it continues!

[Mr. & Mrs. Smith]

I love your adventures! Thanks for sharing one with we Canucks.

[dancin Disney style]

Ohhhhh...something new for me. I have not seen the adventures of the purple van. I'm going to have to find this.

[LittleFlounder]

Originally Posted by yxe dad

Why not???
Some of us Canadians use the service and enjoy the pics.

Oh, okay. Sounds good!

[jdvm]

I just love the way Disney puts little hideaways like this all around their resorts. This inviting spot is just to the left off the lobby at Disney's Old Key West Resort.




It's called a library but you won't see many books. It's just a quiet spot to chill out and relax. I'll often have a seat on this couch and answer e-mails or post on Facebook or Twitter after dropping of Lockers. I've even been known to have a meeting here. A lot of times you'll see someone curled up with a book. Just another example of some of the things that make the Disney resorts so special.
john

[jdvm]

I've got to tell you...I cringe an awful lot of the time at the quality of photos in this series...but not this one.

I'm usually on the run from one resort to another when something catches my eye. I pull the camera out of my pocket, take a quick pic and continue on my way. A lot of times I'll take the pictures from inside the van...and it shows!




I had just dropped Lockers off at the Contemporary and had run over to Bay Lake Tower and couldn't resist checking out the walkway from the new resort to the Contemporary.

Interestingly, the walkway starts out on the fifth floor of Bay Lake Tower and winds up on the fourth floor of the Contemporary. I was about to zoom down to the ground floor and head out when I saw this view...wow. This is what you see when you exit the walkway from Bay Lake Tower.

I know a good photographer could pick it apart, but I like this photo. The shop itself is neat but what I like is the way you get a feel for what the inside of the Contemporary looks like. The proportions and balance of that space just work, don't they? You can even see the original tile mural that doesn't look too contemporary these days.

I've always been fond of the Contemporary and this just reminds me of why.
john

[MikeJ]

Only 11 more days until we see our locker at OKW. Can't wait!

- Mike

[Mr. & Mrs. Smith]

Thanks for the CR pic, John! I think it's great and makes me want to be there.

[jdvm]

This is one of my very favorite pool bars at Walt Disney World. I know, I know, it seems like I'm always talking about pool bars. Hmmmmm. This is Hurricane Hannah's at Stormalong Bay, the fantastic pool shared by Disney's Yacht Club Resort and Disney's Beach Club Resort and Villas.




In the old days, Disney Vacation Club Members could "pool hop" and visit this pool. My family and I loved to hang out here. The kids loved the pool and I have got to say that the pina colodas from Hurricane Hannah's were the best.

Now you have to be staying at the Yacht Club or Beach Club to enjoy Stormalong Bay, But if you are, make sure you check out Hurricane Hannah's. I haven't tried the food but the pina coladas are dynamite.
john

[jdvm]

Walt Disney loved trains. That's a major reason one circles the Magic Kingdom. But did you know that he had imagineers build a small train for his back yard at his house in California? He most certainly did and two of the cars from Walt's backyard train set are in the Villas at Wilderness Lodge.



And apparently this was no ordinary model train set. It had a live steam engine that was big enough for Walt to sit on. Walt obviously had a very big back yard as the track was a half mile long. The cars you see in these plastic cases are each about six feet long.

Click here to learn a bit more about Walt's Carolwood Pacific Railroad.

These cars are located in a small room off the lobby of Disney's Villas at Wilderness Lodge. To get there, walk out of the Wilderness Lodge lobby on the right past the shop. You'll walk down a covered sidewalk about 100 yards to the entry to the Villas. There's a small lobby for the Villas and the room with the railroad cars (it used to be called the Iron Spike room) is off to the right, behind the fireplace. It's well worth a special trip.
john

[mommylo]

John, so glad for you to join us in the Canadian Board!! I look forward to getting my lockers in October for my Food and Wine Trip with my son.
May