Jimmy Carter at OKW

[Niagara2]

Well, I guess I should not of posted about the K-9 dogs at building 26 as Jimmy Carter and family got moved to building 30 or 31. He was here for three days. A very nice and personable man. He spent New Years Eve at the Pool here!! You would not recognize him off the bat as he has aged. His wife looks the same. He might of took the whole building as not many cars in the lots and the resort is sold out! Not sure where he rang in the New Year but seeing him at the pool and speaking about family and kids is one of the highlights of this trip. He is not a member - I asked!!!

 

[colleen costello]

Wow! That is really cool... One of my best friends went on the Disney cruise for New Year's 2002. Mr. Carter and his extended family were on the boat, and my friend felt safe because of all the special security people involved (it was soon after 9/11). Her husband heard a talk the ex-president gave to promote a book he had coming out, and Mrs. Carter spoke as well. They all got to meet them and saw them coming and going throughout the cruise. Evidently, New Year's with Disney is a tradition the Carter's enjoy!

 

[PamOKW]

That's great that you got to see him (and explains the high security). I had read somewhere else (maybe another thread here?) that he had been seen in the MK.

 

[WOW]

We saw him during the holidays at the Coral Reef (he was sooo nice and so was his wife), so it looks as if they are frequent WDW visitors!!!!!!! Maybe they are Disney Nuts too!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[babylisa4]

It must be their family tradition. They stopped all the people from going into the Safari at animal kingdom and then we saw him ane his family come by. I saw Amy for sure.

 

[Cris]

He was at Cirque for New Years!!

 

[Nick@ VB+OKW]

Originally posted by Cris
He was at Cirque for New Years!!

Thats why I always say it Cirque is "best show on WDW property".

 

[DebbieB]

Wow! We stayed in building 31 in May 2002. It was a nice area, facing a pond. 30 and 31 are small buildings, 2 stories only, they probably did take the whole building.

 

[Gillian]

That's cool!

I went to high school with Amy's husband. They have a son that is close in age to my son. Not that I talk to them, but you can find a lot on the internet these days!

 

[mickey7861]

On our first trip to WDW in 1987 we saw Jimmy, Rosalyn and Amy getting off the monorail at the Poly with their Secret Service entourage. One whole monorail train was dedicated just to their group and no one was allowed to board that train after they disembarked. We thought it was pretty cool.

 

[lenshanem]

This is funny. My hubby has a client who as a child went with the Carters to WDW along with secret service. His Dad held some sort of political position, don't recall the specifics. Must ahve been in the 70s? Hubby told me about this just recently. The Carters must love WDW like us!

 

[MikeBW]

Why is everyone in awe of the 2nd worst President in US history?
BTW, Clinton is number 1.

 

[perdidobay]

Because although Jimmy Carter was not a great President, he is a very good and admirable man ( unlike Clinton).

 

[MikeBW]

fair enough

 

[SCCaguioa]

It's fair to say that Jimmy Carter has done far more after his presidency than most can ever imagine. You don't hear alot (at least in a positive light) about the other former presidents.

Maybe Bush Sr.

 

[vgaskin]

Originally posted by babylisa4
we saw him about 9 years ago at Christmas too
It must be their family tradition. They stopped all the people from going into the Safari at animal kingdom and then we saw him ane his family come by. I saw Amy for sure.

I thought Animal Kingdom opened in 1998? Time flies when your not at Disney!

 

[vacationman]

Since he is not a DVC member, how did he get a whole building at the most sought after time of the year? Did DVC members have the same opportunity? Why couldn't he stay at a non-DVC resort so no members lose out. Maybe he stayed with some of the draft dodgers he pardoned.

 

[colleen costello]

Aren't there ALWAYS rooms available for cash, even when the "points" rooms are all taken? I thought that was the small percentage of inventory that Disney uses to rent out and not offer for points? Isn't this the case even at "the most sought-after times?"

 

[DebbieB]

According to Doc's survey, buildings 30 & 31 only have 10 units each, they are the smallest building type.

It's possible they were available for cash or maybe someone rented or donated their points to him.

I saw somewhere that average member occupancy at OKW is only 75%. So there must be alot of tradeouts.

 

[PamOKW]

I seem to recall reading about some connections between Jimmy Carter and the Disney Company. A quick Google search didn't turn up anything but it did bring up that he was among the first recipients of the Frank G. Wells Award that Disney gives out.

Tiffany, you're right. AK opened April 22, 1998.