RaySharpton
Retired and going to Disney.
- Joined
- Oct 28, 2000
- Messages
- 6,974
Trip Report during the 2001 DIS Convention "A Gathering of Friends"
Day #1
November 27, 2001, Tuesday
Well, I am sort of new at this, but I'll try. This is my first trip report and I want to Dan Murphy and Patinmn (Patrick) for taking all the great photos since I don't own a digital camera, but I will by the next convention. I'm also about three months late posting...hahaha.
I just clocked out of work at 7:30 A.M., after my usual 12-hour shift. It is Tuesday morning, November 27, 2001. I usually work six days in a row, but I took a vacation day for Tuesday night.
I got home, showered and finished packing. I take the M.A.R.T.A. subway system to my flight out of Atlanta Hartsfield Airport travelling on Airtran Airways.
Security was not as tight nor as busy as I thought it would be, and I got on my plane in plenty of time.
I arrived in beautiful Orlando, Florida airport and while picking up my suitcase and waiting for the Mears Transport, I was looking for Barb-for-real and Towncrier and any green ribbons. I think that I saw that they might be arriving about the same time.
Mears dropped me off at the beautiful Walt Disney World Dolphin Resort. The resort is huge with beautiful, tropical, inviting colors. The lobby is huge with a great christmas tree made out of red poinsetta flower plants. It was built around the Dolphin fountain with a large, one foot tall, railroad train circling the christmas tree and wonderful music being played by a young lady at the grand piano.
<img src="http://wdwig.com/hol_dolp1.jpg">
<img src="http://wdwig.com/hol_dolp2.jpg">
Checking in was a breeze and the cast members are so very nice and helpful. To the left of the lobby christmas tree, is the luggage holding area, check-in, customer service.
<img src="http://www.wdwig.com/dolph18.jpg">
I headed up to my room and the view was breathtaking. I walked straight to the balcony that overlooked the lake and bridges to the Boardwalk and the Beach and Yacht Club Resort and just soaked in all that the Dolphin and Disney had to offer. I was at Walt Disney World for a gathering of friends that I had met here on the DIS forum boards.
I was supposed to meet Barb-for-real at Magic Kingdom at 2:30 P.M. to watch the afternoon parade, but I couldn't make it in time, so I layed down to rest for a couple hours. After all, I had worked all night...hahaha.
I made my way to the Wilderness Lodge Resort's Whispering Canyon Cafe and sat in the beautiful lobby waiting for the other DISers to arrive. Barb, our Host, said she would be waving a green glove...hahaha.
I had a great view of the Christmas tree.
<img src="http://wdwig.com/h_wl4.jpg">
And a close-up of the ornaments:
<img src="http://wdwig.com/h_wl7.jpg">
And the wreath on the huge, stone fireplace:
<img src="http://wdwig.com/h_wl3.jpg">
And the Whispering Cafe was not this empty for our group of DISers, but we did have a lot DIS friends gathering:
<img src="http://wdwig.com/whis.jpg">
Well, I was sitting anxiously and waiting to see someone from the DIS. I had never met anyone except Dan Murphy and lowellsdad (Frank). I was looking for anything green. I was wearing the official white cap with DIS-CON 2001 written on it that the DIS was selling. I didn't really want yo wear a ribbon.
I got there early, thinking that several people walking by might be from the DIS, but they said no.
Then to my left, on some sofa and chairs, next to the Whispering Cafe, I heard some laughter getting louder and louder...LOL.
That's the best way to locate fellow DISers...lol.
Then dvc_bwv (Norma) leaned over and said, "You must be RaySharpton." And then C.Dobbie (Debbie) introduced herself and Patinmn (Patrick) started handing out the lime-green buttons that he made. He did a great job. Then we headed to our tables all excited.
These pictures were taken by Dan Murphy.
To my left are my friends lowellsdad (Frank), DumboOrBust (Dayna), and Mickey Addict (?). I met Frank at my very first Atlanta DIS meet, and DumboOrBust was to take me on my first Dumbo ride. She is so very sweet:
<img src="http://www.wdwinfo.com/sites/wdwdec20012/DSCN8066.jpg">
Then rounding the table out is [dvc_bwv's son (?), dvc_bwv (Norma) and DH(?)], and Bellemom (Livia). Dvc-bwv (Norma) was so kind and Bellemom (Livia) came all the way from Brazil:
<img src="http://www.wdwinfo.com/sites/wdwdec20012/DSCN8067.jpg">
Patinmn took this picture me sitting at the other end of the table with my "emu" leg and "corn" ...LOL:
<img src="http://betatesters.com/patinmn/disconresortstour/images/whispering%20canyon%20-%20ray%20sharpton.jpg">
At the center table is Fostrmom2mny (Gerri), [Barry-DH, and Perfectmatch300 (Nancy)-DW]:
<img src="http://www.wdwinfo.com/sites/wdwdec20012/DSCN8068.jpg">
Here is our Host without her famous green glove, Barb (Barb) with Perfectmatch300 (Nancy) to the left:
<img src="http://www.wdwinfo.com/sites/wdwdec20012/DSCN8071.jpg">
Disneycub was a little late, but Patinmn got a great picture. He was sitting next to Barb:
<img src="http://betatesters.com/patinmn/disconresortstour/images/whispering%20canyon-%20disneycub.jpg">
Then there was Fostrmom2mny's (Gerri's) DD's Samantha and Vicky:
<img src="http://www.wdwinfo.com/sites/wdwdec20012/DSCN8069.jpg">
And DD, Kaitlyn of C.Dobbie (Debbie) and C.Dobbie (Debbie):
<img src="http://www.wdwinfo.com/sites/wdwdec20012/DSCN8070.jpg">
And at the third table, KarenNY (Karen), Sandra B. (Sandra), (Roger) and Patinmn (Patrick):
<img src="http://www.wdwinfo.com/sites/wdwdec20012/DSCN8073.jpg">
And around the table is msBrown (Leslie), and DD, Hanna and DD, Madeline and DH, Brian. Did you notice that someone at the table asked for a spoon...hahaha:
<img src="http://www.wdwinfo.com/sites/wdwdec20012/DSCN8072.jpg">
And this is what happens if you ask for catsup. All the kids at all the tables in the Whispering Cafe brings you their Catsup...hahaha:
<img src="http://www.wdwinfo.com/sites/wdwdec20012/DSCN8077.jpg">
We laughed and laughed and laughed during the whole dinner. It was so much fun. A bunch of strangers that have not met in person, but just in cyberspace on the DIS. What a wonderful way to start my day before the official convention. A real "Gathering of Friends" and so many, many more to meet.
And here is our group picture after dinner. Finally someone got Dan Murphy's picture. He's the tall one on the right side. Can you pick him out?
<img src="http://betatesters.com/patinmn/disconresortstour/images/whispering%20canyon%202.jpg">
Soon other DISers that were showing up for the resort tour started coming in and our Barb waved her lime-green glove to get everyone together. NancyIL Nancy) is to the right:
<img src="http://www.wdwinfo.com/sites/wdwdec20012/DSCN8089.jpg">
Luvdsny (Tia) on the right found Barb on the left:
<img src="http://www.wdwinfo.com/sites/wdwdec20012/DSCN8087.jpg">
Then the holiday tour began with many other fellow DISers showing up. Patinmn was one of the hosts. And here are the other two hosts. Mac-Key Mouse (Marsha), and her DH, Tommy, and glo (glo):
<img src="http://www.wdwinfo.com/sites/wdwdec20012/DSCN8088.jpg">
We all took the bus over to the transportation center and either walked or took the monorail to the Polynesian Resort. They really don't have much space for a large tree with all their other beautiful, lush vegetation, but it was pretty:
<img src="http://betatesters.com/patinmn/disconresortstour/images/resorts%20tour%20-%20polynesian%20resort.jpg">
We then took the monorail to the beautiful Grand Floridian Resort with there huge christmas tree like at WL:
<img src="http://wdwig.com/h_gf2.jpg">
and large gingerbread dollhouse:
<img src="http://wdwig.com/h_gfdoll.jpg">
We then took the monorail over to the Contemporary Resort. Their large tree was outside:
<img src="http://betatesters.com/patinmn/disconresortstour/images/resorts%20tour%20-%20contemporary.jpg">
I was pretty tired from all the walking by then and I had to leave the group as the some of the group continued.
I took a bus from the Contemporary Resort (which was a mistake...over an hour) to Downtown Disney then back to the Dolphin.
It was a wonderful evening with wonderful friends. And as I rested in bed, I saw the boxes of christmas lights that I brought on the desk. And I saw all the beautiful lights of the Boardwalk.
Soooooo...I put up my U.S.A. flag lights in one window, and then I started putting the multi-colored, blinking christmas lights on the balcony.
I was trying to untangle them and tape them to the balcony without dropping them over the edge.
I got have of them set up and plugged them in to see how they looked, and I had to retape them.
O.K., so I must have stepped on some of the light bulbs...and it hurt...so I jumped to the side and stepped on some more light bulbs. I mght have said a few things, because a group of people were clacking and cheering.
They thought that I was dancing and singing...in my Big Dog boxers.
Wow, was I embarrassed, but it was after 11:00 P.M..
So that is how the famous story got started of me singing...not...and...dancing...not...LOLROTF...hahahahaha!!!
Oh here's a picture from the outside that Dan took. Almost everytime that I rode on the boat launch, the drivers directed everyone's attention to me and my christmas lights. They left out the painful part of me jumping up and down yelling in pain. It might have looked like dancing, I know that it couldn't sound like singing....hahaha:
<img src="http://www.wdwinfo.com/sites/disstuff6/sharptonbalcony.jpg">
Well, I don't know if I can find enough pictures for the rest of my days.
Sorry for being so long, but I really enjoyed all the good times and good friends.
RaySharpton
Day #1
November 27, 2001, Tuesday
Well, I am sort of new at this, but I'll try. This is my first trip report and I want to Dan Murphy and Patinmn (Patrick) for taking all the great photos since I don't own a digital camera, but I will by the next convention. I'm also about three months late posting...hahaha.
I just clocked out of work at 7:30 A.M., after my usual 12-hour shift. It is Tuesday morning, November 27, 2001. I usually work six days in a row, but I took a vacation day for Tuesday night.
I got home, showered and finished packing. I take the M.A.R.T.A. subway system to my flight out of Atlanta Hartsfield Airport travelling on Airtran Airways.
Security was not as tight nor as busy as I thought it would be, and I got on my plane in plenty of time.
I arrived in beautiful Orlando, Florida airport and while picking up my suitcase and waiting for the Mears Transport, I was looking for Barb-for-real and Towncrier and any green ribbons. I think that I saw that they might be arriving about the same time.
Mears dropped me off at the beautiful Walt Disney World Dolphin Resort. The resort is huge with beautiful, tropical, inviting colors. The lobby is huge with a great christmas tree made out of red poinsetta flower plants. It was built around the Dolphin fountain with a large, one foot tall, railroad train circling the christmas tree and wonderful music being played by a young lady at the grand piano.
<img src="http://wdwig.com/hol_dolp1.jpg">
<img src="http://wdwig.com/hol_dolp2.jpg">
Checking in was a breeze and the cast members are so very nice and helpful. To the left of the lobby christmas tree, is the luggage holding area, check-in, customer service.
<img src="http://www.wdwig.com/dolph18.jpg">
I headed up to my room and the view was breathtaking. I walked straight to the balcony that overlooked the lake and bridges to the Boardwalk and the Beach and Yacht Club Resort and just soaked in all that the Dolphin and Disney had to offer. I was at Walt Disney World for a gathering of friends that I had met here on the DIS forum boards.
I was supposed to meet Barb-for-real at Magic Kingdom at 2:30 P.M. to watch the afternoon parade, but I couldn't make it in time, so I layed down to rest for a couple hours. After all, I had worked all night...hahaha.
I made my way to the Wilderness Lodge Resort's Whispering Canyon Cafe and sat in the beautiful lobby waiting for the other DISers to arrive. Barb, our Host, said she would be waving a green glove...hahaha.
I had a great view of the Christmas tree.
<img src="http://wdwig.com/h_wl4.jpg">
And a close-up of the ornaments:
<img src="http://wdwig.com/h_wl7.jpg">
And the wreath on the huge, stone fireplace:
<img src="http://wdwig.com/h_wl3.jpg">
And the Whispering Cafe was not this empty for our group of DISers, but we did have a lot DIS friends gathering:
<img src="http://wdwig.com/whis.jpg">
Well, I was sitting anxiously and waiting to see someone from the DIS. I had never met anyone except Dan Murphy and lowellsdad (Frank). I was looking for anything green. I was wearing the official white cap with DIS-CON 2001 written on it that the DIS was selling. I didn't really want yo wear a ribbon.
I got there early, thinking that several people walking by might be from the DIS, but they said no.
Then to my left, on some sofa and chairs, next to the Whispering Cafe, I heard some laughter getting louder and louder...LOL.
That's the best way to locate fellow DISers...lol.
Then dvc_bwv (Norma) leaned over and said, "You must be RaySharpton." And then C.Dobbie (Debbie) introduced herself and Patinmn (Patrick) started handing out the lime-green buttons that he made. He did a great job. Then we headed to our tables all excited.
These pictures were taken by Dan Murphy.
To my left are my friends lowellsdad (Frank), DumboOrBust (Dayna), and Mickey Addict (?). I met Frank at my very first Atlanta DIS meet, and DumboOrBust was to take me on my first Dumbo ride. She is so very sweet:
<img src="http://www.wdwinfo.com/sites/wdwdec20012/DSCN8066.jpg">
Then rounding the table out is [dvc_bwv's son (?), dvc_bwv (Norma) and DH(?)], and Bellemom (Livia). Dvc-bwv (Norma) was so kind and Bellemom (Livia) came all the way from Brazil:
<img src="http://www.wdwinfo.com/sites/wdwdec20012/DSCN8067.jpg">
Patinmn took this picture me sitting at the other end of the table with my "emu" leg and "corn" ...LOL:
<img src="http://betatesters.com/patinmn/disconresortstour/images/whispering%20canyon%20-%20ray%20sharpton.jpg">
At the center table is Fostrmom2mny (Gerri), [Barry-DH, and Perfectmatch300 (Nancy)-DW]:
<img src="http://www.wdwinfo.com/sites/wdwdec20012/DSCN8068.jpg">
Here is our Host without her famous green glove, Barb (Barb) with Perfectmatch300 (Nancy) to the left:
<img src="http://www.wdwinfo.com/sites/wdwdec20012/DSCN8071.jpg">
Disneycub was a little late, but Patinmn got a great picture. He was sitting next to Barb:
<img src="http://betatesters.com/patinmn/disconresortstour/images/whispering%20canyon-%20disneycub.jpg">
Then there was Fostrmom2mny's (Gerri's) DD's Samantha and Vicky:
<img src="http://www.wdwinfo.com/sites/wdwdec20012/DSCN8069.jpg">
And DD, Kaitlyn of C.Dobbie (Debbie) and C.Dobbie (Debbie):
<img src="http://www.wdwinfo.com/sites/wdwdec20012/DSCN8070.jpg">
And at the third table, KarenNY (Karen), Sandra B. (Sandra), (Roger) and Patinmn (Patrick):
<img src="http://www.wdwinfo.com/sites/wdwdec20012/DSCN8073.jpg">
And around the table is msBrown (Leslie), and DD, Hanna and DD, Madeline and DH, Brian. Did you notice that someone at the table asked for a spoon...hahaha:
<img src="http://www.wdwinfo.com/sites/wdwdec20012/DSCN8072.jpg">
And this is what happens if you ask for catsup. All the kids at all the tables in the Whispering Cafe brings you their Catsup...hahaha:
<img src="http://www.wdwinfo.com/sites/wdwdec20012/DSCN8077.jpg">
We laughed and laughed and laughed during the whole dinner. It was so much fun. A bunch of strangers that have not met in person, but just in cyberspace on the DIS. What a wonderful way to start my day before the official convention. A real "Gathering of Friends" and so many, many more to meet.
And here is our group picture after dinner. Finally someone got Dan Murphy's picture. He's the tall one on the right side. Can you pick him out?
<img src="http://betatesters.com/patinmn/disconresortstour/images/whispering%20canyon%202.jpg">
Soon other DISers that were showing up for the resort tour started coming in and our Barb waved her lime-green glove to get everyone together. NancyIL Nancy) is to the right:
<img src="http://www.wdwinfo.com/sites/wdwdec20012/DSCN8089.jpg">
Luvdsny (Tia) on the right found Barb on the left:
<img src="http://www.wdwinfo.com/sites/wdwdec20012/DSCN8087.jpg">
Then the holiday tour began with many other fellow DISers showing up. Patinmn was one of the hosts. And here are the other two hosts. Mac-Key Mouse (Marsha), and her DH, Tommy, and glo (glo):
<img src="http://www.wdwinfo.com/sites/wdwdec20012/DSCN8088.jpg">
We all took the bus over to the transportation center and either walked or took the monorail to the Polynesian Resort. They really don't have much space for a large tree with all their other beautiful, lush vegetation, but it was pretty:
<img src="http://betatesters.com/patinmn/disconresortstour/images/resorts%20tour%20-%20polynesian%20resort.jpg">
We then took the monorail to the beautiful Grand Floridian Resort with there huge christmas tree like at WL:
<img src="http://wdwig.com/h_gf2.jpg">
and large gingerbread dollhouse:
<img src="http://wdwig.com/h_gfdoll.jpg">
We then took the monorail over to the Contemporary Resort. Their large tree was outside:
<img src="http://betatesters.com/patinmn/disconresortstour/images/resorts%20tour%20-%20contemporary.jpg">
I was pretty tired from all the walking by then and I had to leave the group as the some of the group continued.
I took a bus from the Contemporary Resort (which was a mistake...over an hour) to Downtown Disney then back to the Dolphin.
It was a wonderful evening with wonderful friends. And as I rested in bed, I saw the boxes of christmas lights that I brought on the desk. And I saw all the beautiful lights of the Boardwalk.
Soooooo...I put up my U.S.A. flag lights in one window, and then I started putting the multi-colored, blinking christmas lights on the balcony.
I was trying to untangle them and tape them to the balcony without dropping them over the edge.
I got have of them set up and plugged them in to see how they looked, and I had to retape them.
O.K., so I must have stepped on some of the light bulbs...and it hurt...so I jumped to the side and stepped on some more light bulbs. I mght have said a few things, because a group of people were clacking and cheering.
They thought that I was dancing and singing...in my Big Dog boxers.
Wow, was I embarrassed, but it was after 11:00 P.M..
So that is how the famous story got started of me singing...not...and...dancing...not...LOLROTF...hahahahaha!!!
Oh here's a picture from the outside that Dan took. Almost everytime that I rode on the boat launch, the drivers directed everyone's attention to me and my christmas lights. They left out the painful part of me jumping up and down yelling in pain. It might have looked like dancing, I know that it couldn't sound like singing....hahaha:
<img src="http://www.wdwinfo.com/sites/disstuff6/sharptonbalcony.jpg">
Well, I don't know if I can find enough pictures for the rest of my days.
Sorry for being so long, but I really enjoyed all the good times and good friends.
RaySharpton
