Tuesday, Dec 9th
Hi Everyone,
I'm back from the DVC annual meeting which lasted 3 hours....YIKES!!! I'll have more on that in a minute.
I arrived n Orlando on time. The Orlando airport is in the Christmas spirit as well as Walt Disney World.
X-Mas Trees
An add near the luggage carasoul for the Osborne Specatcle of Dancing Lights at Hollywood Studios
I checked into SSR at 10:30AM and my room was not ready. So, I checked my luggage with Bell Services and drove over to the Boardwalk Resort. I parked my car next to the convention center and walked over to EPCOT via the International Gateway. I wandered through World Showcase and decided to grab a bite for lunch.
I actually had a craving for a Napoleon from the bakery in France...I love these things! With a Christmas napkin of course.
After I ate my Napeleon I continued my way through World Showcase. I must tell you that World Showcase was empty at Noon. I know World Showcase opens at 11:00AM, but it was still very empty. I almost felt like I was there myself. It was kind of eerie. There was no one in the France bakery except Cast Members which I've never seen.
Here are a few photos from my stroll through the World Showcase.
Candlelight Processional Stage
Candlelight Processional Schedule
Grand Marineaue and Grey Goose Slush great for drinking around the world.
After I left the World Showcase I headed over to the Boardwalk Convention Center for the DVC meeting. Before entering the convention center I checked out the Boardwalk Resort lobby Christmas decorations.
Here's a photo of the gingerbread carasoul. 100% gingerbread. It looks great and almost delicious enough to eat.
The DVC meeting was called to order at promptly 1:00PM. Votes were taken by the board headed by DVC Vice President Jim Lewis. After the voting took place and the approval of the 2009 budget Jim Lewis started taking questions and answers from the crowd. Some of questions ranged from why buses took so long at Saratoga Springs to why don't the Disney resorts have a Fox news channel...LOL! Most of the second half of the meeting was discussing DVC's newest resorts; i.e. Bay Lake Tower, Hawaii, Grand Californian Villas, the Treehouse Villas and the Animal Kingdom Villas. I would say about 300 people were in attendance; maybe a few more. There were no major DVC news announcements other than DVC continues to try and strive for 100% member satisfaction and that RCI is the new exchange company replacing Interval International.
Here are a few photos of the event.
Main lobby before the doors opened to the meeting. The crowd was building
Front stage area
Mickey and Minnie made a surprise appearance
As I mentioned the meeting lasted 3 hours with no intermission. If you ever want to attend this event in the future (next year) just know it will take a good chunk of your day.
I came back to the room and had my luggage delivered right away. I'm in the Grandstand section of SSR near the pool and the bus depot. The Carriage House (main lobby) is a short walk away. This is a great section of SSR. I even have a nice view of Lake Buena Vista golf course from my balcony.
Here's a photo I took of "Winners Circle" near the SSR lobby when I arrived earlier today
That's it for now. I'm getting ready to leave for EPCOT to catch Illuminations and get a bite to eat in World Showcase. It was rather warm today. I even felt some humidity in the air. No need for a jacket tonight. This sure beats the 0 degree wind chill we experienced in Indy last weekend.
Flash Update - I just got off the phone with my main man Chris (aka CrazyDisneyMan). He says it rained quite a bit in Indy and can't wait to get down here for Mousefest. See ya Saturday Chris, Kim, and Ginny!
I'll have another update later. Good Night Anna!
Are you there yet?!?
I'm here Aaron... and so jealous that you are escaping all of this miserable, cold rain. I'd much rather have SNOW!!
