RobDoc
DIS Legend
- Joined
- Aug 14, 1998
- Messages
- 34,195
We just returned from taking the Innovation in Action tour offered only to DVC members. It is provided by the Disney Insitute - no not the old resort replaced by SSR - this is a division of Disney (around even before DI was open) which offeres corporate training, special children's programming, self-help programs and a wide varitey of other programs.
Our guides for the tour were Jeanna and Bryan - two very knowlegeable CMs from the DI who were filled with information and were also eager to share their knowledge. We met at Epcot and also picked up some tour members at BWV. We were about 40 in total and they indicated that this program has been very well received by DVC members. This tour wil end in the next few weeks, but they hope to offer other programs in the future- possibly even a form of the popular Yuletide Fantasy tour.
Our tour started at 9:00am and we first stopped at the Textile Service building where 195,00 pounds of laundry is cleaned, pressed and returned to the resorts during each hour shift (they run 3 shifts weekdays and two on weekends).
Next stop was the Nursery and Tree Farm - near AK - where topiaries are prepared, understudy trees are housed and hanging baskets are maintained for all resorts and parks. If a tree was damaged in a park, they have the ability to replace most overnight. (Think of the Liberty Tree in the MK). On the way we rode past the Sewage Treatment plant where water is treated and recycled and some byproducts are prepared for use as fertilizer in the parks (Vista Green is the actual product, but also goes by other names like Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Doo among others.)
Our last stop was at Central Shops where ride vehicles are produced and maintained, trash cans are re-painted, signage is produced, CM Name badges are created and a wide variety of other services are provided for resorts and Theme Parks. Nearby is the roundhouse for the Steam Trains and monorails as well as the Holiday Services building, now is active preparation for decorating resorts and parks in a few weeks. We saw one of the Theme Park trees being loaded onto a semi-trailer for transport to it's home for the season.
The tour was 3 hours. Everyone was a DVC member and at least one is a DISer- we sat next to Kathleena on the bus!
Cost of the tour is $89 per person. Each participant received a special Mickey pin afterwards.
Information is available on the member's website for those who would be interested in trying one of the remaining tours in the next 3-4 weeks.
Enjoy!
Our guides for the tour were Jeanna and Bryan - two very knowlegeable CMs from the DI who were filled with information and were also eager to share their knowledge. We met at Epcot and also picked up some tour members at BWV. We were about 40 in total and they indicated that this program has been very well received by DVC members. This tour wil end in the next few weeks, but they hope to offer other programs in the future- possibly even a form of the popular Yuletide Fantasy tour.
Our tour started at 9:00am and we first stopped at the Textile Service building where 195,00 pounds of laundry is cleaned, pressed and returned to the resorts during each hour shift (they run 3 shifts weekdays and two on weekends).
Next stop was the Nursery and Tree Farm - near AK - where topiaries are prepared, understudy trees are housed and hanging baskets are maintained for all resorts and parks. If a tree was damaged in a park, they have the ability to replace most overnight. (Think of the Liberty Tree in the MK). On the way we rode past the Sewage Treatment plant where water is treated and recycled and some byproducts are prepared for use as fertilizer in the parks (Vista Green is the actual product, but also goes by other names like Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Doo among others.)
Our last stop was at Central Shops where ride vehicles are produced and maintained, trash cans are re-painted, signage is produced, CM Name badges are created and a wide variety of other services are provided for resorts and Theme Parks. Nearby is the roundhouse for the Steam Trains and monorails as well as the Holiday Services building, now is active preparation for decorating resorts and parks in a few weeks. We saw one of the Theme Park trees being loaded onto a semi-trailer for transport to it's home for the season.
The tour was 3 hours. Everyone was a DVC member and at least one is a DISer- we sat next to Kathleena on the bus!
Cost of the tour is $89 per person. Each participant received a special Mickey pin afterwards.
Information is available on the member's website for those who would be interested in trying one of the remaining tours in the next 3-4 weeks.
Enjoy!
