Hello from OKW

[YesDear]

Just checking in to say hello. We got here very late on Wed night, plane was over an hour late. Son already had us checked in so all we had to do was head straight to the room. we are in a studio in Building 45, and it is just delightful. It had been a while since we stayed in a studio here, and it is a lot brighter than I remembered. I just love staying at OKW.

This trip is to help son celebrate his 21st birthday, so we have done lots of really special things this trip, and I will post a trip report later with details, but one of them was having lunch with a Disney Imagineer today at the Brown Derby. We had a fabulous time and I leared something very special today. It appears that our newest DVC Resort was originally going to be named something like Jonestown, because Michale Eisner's wife is from that area and that was the plan. Our Imagineer is also from New York and he has spent a lot of time in the Saratoga Springs area. He talked to them about naming it Saratoga, but no go with the powers that be. Our Imagineer took a trip home and came back with lots of pictures of Saratoga. He gave them to someone and told them to try and get them on Eisner's desk. Evidently Eisner loved the pictures and then agreed to name the resort Saratoga Springs. Cool to think I had lunch today with the person responsible for name our newest resort.

So far this trip has been a blast. The schedule we had all worked out was tossed out the window when son's work schedule interfered, but we are still getting everything worked in, except for dinner at the Yachtsman.

The parks are crowded to me. I even thought that MNSSHP was crowded for a Thursday night event. My first time to this and I loved it. Also saw Mickey's Philharmagic and it was far better than I anticipated, and my expectations were very, very high.

Weather is great. Room in wonderful condition. Had a light out over the wet bar, and maintenance had it taken care of immediately.

Any questions I will try to answer. Tonight we are headed to the Haunted Hayride at Fort Wilderness.

Wish you were here

 

[Nick@ VB+OKW]

Thanks for checking in ......enjoy the rest of your stay at OKW!!

 

[dianeschlicht]

How did you get to do this imagineer lunch?

 

[rbuzzotta]

Glad to hear your trip is starting out good.

Have a wonderful time and keep us updated!!

 

[PamOKW]

Originally posted by YesDear
. It appears that our newest DVC Resort was originally going to be named something like Jonestown, because Michale Eisner's wife is from that area and that was the plan.

That's an interesting story. I'm guessing it was Jamestown (but Jonestown was darn close) New York. This would be the largest town near Chautauqua Institution (the place that inspired the whole Disney Institute idea in the first place). I think everyone is better off dropping the ties to the failed Institute and instead bringing in the "horsey" theming of Saratoga Springs. I just wonder how they were brave enough to politely "correct" Eisner.


Glad to hear you are having a good time......a very Happy 21st to your son!

 

[Niagara2]

Have a great trip. Now if it was to be Jamestown, isn't that where Lucille Ball was born and it has a musuem there for her. I much prefer Saratoga!! I have enjoyed that part of the state of NY and have been to the track in the club house many times for luncheon meetings and then an afternoon of the races. I was in awe of the women who wore the huge hats to the races like you see in the movies!! Maybe all the DIS women can wear big hats when we stay at SSR!!!

 

[MiaSRN62]

Thanks for the post from OKW and that interesting bit of inside information YesDear. Wish I was there right now !

 

[Pinnie]

Enjoy the rest of your trip!!!!

Keep us updated!!!

pin