Resort 'memory lane'

[Babsy]

Anyone else remember the "Disney Institute"? where you could actually take courses of study at WDW?

 

[dcassetta]

Anyone else remember the "Disney Institute"? where you could actually take courses of study at WDW?

I learned make chocolate truffles there. My recipe still says Disney Institute on the top of it.

 

[tinkerbesh]

The pull chain potties in the lobby restrooms at POR.

Thank you for helping me remember where this photo was taken! (July 1994)

 

[buzznina]

Anyone else remember the "Disney Institute"? where you could actually take courses of study at WDW?

Don't they still have the Disney Institute? I remember seeing a sign for it when we drove somewhere by DS just last year.

 

[karm12]

The one and only time I stayed in a Treehouse Villa was a random upgrade when I was a kid. The third bedroom was actually on the lower level and we called it the "rope bed."

 

[dansdad]

Don't they still have the Disney Institute? I remember seeing a sign for it when we drove somewhere by DS just last year.

The original Disney Institute was a resort that offered courses in all things Disney. The Disney Institute resort was closed and converted into SSR. I believe the Treehouse Villas were part of the original Disney Institute resort.

Not sure if there is still a separate Disney Institute without a resort tied to it.

 

[dcassetta]

The original Disney Institute was a resort that offered courses in all things Disney. The Disney Institute resort was closed and converted into SSR. I believe the Treehouse Villas were part of the original Disney Institute resort.

Not sure if there is still a separate Disney Institute without a resort tied to it.

The Treehouses were part of the Disney Village resort which opened in the late 70s, if I recall correctly. There were Fairway Villas also. Them there was a shift to the Disney Institute and then to SSR.

The Disney Institute still functions, but it focuses on corporate retreats and Disney management style, not casual courses for guests.

 

[Mollydolly334]

Anyone else remember the "Disney Institute"? where you could actually take courses of study at WDW?

My parents and older sister stayed at the villas when my mom was pregnant with me!

 

[JoWilly]

I remember towel animals and being welcomed home. In my last 5 trips they have both been absent.

 

[UncleMike101]

I remember towel animals and being welcomed home. In my last 5 trips they have both been absent.

The mousekeepers were told to stop making the towel animals because it takes too much time from their cleaning duties.
Never mind thousands of kids, and grownups, love to get those little animals because it personalizes their visit with a little Disney Magic.
Of course Iger The Ogre is more interested in saving a dollar on maid costs than allowing the customers, WHO PAY HIS EXORBATENT SALARY, feel a little special.

 

[sambuster]

I remember when the train ran at Fort Wilderness and the first resort we every stayed at was called Dixie Landings...

 

[Missymoe4]

The North Garden Rooms at the Contemporary. BLT had to ruin it all.

 

[Hopefully]

The mousekeepers were told to stop making the towel animals because it takes too much time from their cleaning duties.
Never mind thousands of kids, and grownups, love to get those little animals because it personalizes their visit with a little Disney Magic.
Of course Iger The Ogre is more interested in saving a dollar on maid costs than allowing the customers, WHO PAY HIS EXORBATENT SALARY, feel a little special.

It was more an issue of loudly complaining "guests". Not all Mousekeepers knew how to make towel animals. And when a family didn't get them they were complaining loudly. To the CM's, here on the DIS etc.
It was about unreasonable expectations.
It was another example of something nice being eliminated because of rude guests and unreasonable expectations - like the diver in the tank at Coral Reef. If someone couldn't have a sign held up they were furious. So now no one can.
Sorry to get off topic from the fun memories!!!!

 

[dansdad]

The mousekeepers were told to stop making the towel animals because it takes too much time from their cleaning duties.
Never mind thousands of kids, and grownups, love to get those little animals because it personalizes their visit with a little Disney Magic.
Of course Iger The Ogre is more interested in saving a dollar on maid costs than allowing the customers, WHO PAY HIS EXORBATENT SALARY, feel a little special.

My aunt just recently retired after being a housekeeper at WDW for 15 years. @Hopefully is spot on with the reason it was stopped below.

It was more an issue of loudly complaining "guests". Not all Mousekeepers knew how to make towel animals. And when a family didn't get them they were complaining loudly. To the CM's, here on the DIS etc.
It was about unreasonable expectations.
It was another example of something nice being eliminated because of rude guests and unreasonable expectations - like the diver in the tank at Coral Reef. If someone couldn't have a sign held up they were furious. So now no one can.
Sorry to get off topic from the fun memories!!!!

This.

 

[rcraw45425]

The North Garden Rooms at the Contemporary. BLT had to ruin it all.

loved the North garden wing rooms!

 

[happymommy]

I remember in 1993 staying at the GF on our honeymoon. No coffee makers (or fridges) in any rooms. We did call and get a loaner small fridge. So, every morning we ordered a pot of coffee from room service. The person delivering it would make up the small round table by the balcony door with a white tablecloth, set out two glasses of ice water, a flower in a little vase, and pour the coffee! He brought it to me in bed (with my robe on over my nightgown) calling me by name (and handing me the newspaper as well). Ah!

Also back then the GF didn't use maid carts. They would set a basket outside each occupied room with linens and such, ready to make up the room once we left. It was so personal and sweet.

And, the toiletries were amazing. They had little tins with sewing kits in them (I kind of, well, took them every time, so had a beautiful collection, as they made up the room twice daily, and we were in a regular room).

I also went to the top of the world dinner show with my mom once, when I was 19 or 20 I think.

I remember world of motion at Epcot! So much has changed there!

 

[buzznina]

The original Disney Institute was a resort that offered courses in all things Disney. The Disney Institute resort was closed and converted into SSR. I believe the Treehouse Villas were part of the original Disney Institute resort.

Not sure if there is still a separate Disney Institute without a resort tied to it.

Thanks, I learned something new

 

[rcraw45425]

I remember in 1993 staying at the GF on our honeymoon. No coffee makers (or fridges) in any rooms. We did call and get a loaner small fridge. So, every morning we ordered a pot of coffee from room service. The person delivering it would make up the small round table by the balcony door with a white tablecloth, set out two glasses of ice water, a flower in a little vase, and pour the coffee! He brought it to me in bed (with my robe on over my nightgown) calling me by name (and handing me the newspaper as well). Ah!

Also back then the GF didn't use maid carts. They would set a basket outside each occupied room with linens and such, ready to make up the room once we left. It was so personal and sweet.

And, the toiletries were amazing. They had little tins with sewing kits in them (I kind of, well, took them every time, so had a beautiful collection, as they made up the room twice daily, and we were in a regular room).

I also went to the top of the world dinner show with my mom once, when I was 19 or 20 I think.

I remember world of motion at Epcot! So much has changed there!

Our last stay at the GF (about 5 years ago) they still were using the baskets with linens.

 

[Babsy]

I remember resort bus drivers interacting with the guests onboard. (before automated announcements) It was great! Some of these had a great sense of humour and were a source of lots of Disney trivia. You would almost be sorry to arrive at your destination!

 

[Lisann]

Also back then the GF didn't use maid carts. They would set a basket outside each occupied room with linens and such, ready to make up the room once we left. It was so personal and sweet.

They still do to this day. It's one of the things I love about the Grand.