I just returned from an international welfare conference at the Disney Coronado Springs Resort in Florida. For those of us interested in the subject, the conference itself was fantastic. There was a huge hall filled with exhibitors from Caesar Milan's rescue foundation (I LOVE to watch his show, the Dog Whisperer, on the Discovery Channel) to the latest in technology, shelter infrastructure, other welfare organizations and on and on. The workshops were first-class, run by leading experts on the subject. The food was great. The temperature was around 92F. The resort was enormous and we were happy when the desk clerk told us we weren't in the "back 40" but a short walk to our accommodations. We can't wait to start implementing the things we learned at our shelter.
The resort itself is Spanish colonial in design. Disney is, of course, everywhere but tastefully done. We loved to get food from a little cafe in the convention hall and take it outside to sit in these very comfy cushioned couches and tables by the water (lakes and ponds everywhere). I have to say thank you to Orlando, the young Mexican fellow who waited on us at the cafe for his outstanding customer service. He reminded me of my son-in-law in that he was so likeable, helpful, and friendly. He knows how to make the customer feel special. I hope someday you are running the place, Orlando (appropriate name for the location ;-)
We tried to get outside as much as we could in the evenings and actually had a free afternoon on the last day when we took a free shuttle ride to Downtown Disney. One of the theme parks would have cost us around $50 for a few hours, but since my companion has been there before I didn't want her to have to pay so I could look around. And besides, we hope to take Madie one of these days, so I'll share that experience with her. Still Downtown was very cool (despite the heat of the day :-) As everyone knows, Disney takes animation to the extremes and it must really be the happiest place on earth since we hardly saw or heard one crying child anywhere. I especially enjoyed watching the line of little girls at the Bibbity Bobbity Boutique where they were transforming each of them into Disney Princesses complete with updo hairstyles and costumes. Madie would have LOVED IT!
Choices for restaurants and shopping were overwhelming. And all the while, you never see anyone picking up paper, repairing or doing maintenance. One of the amazing ways Disney makes the experience magical.
I don't know any organization that does "organization" better! They have thought of everything... it blew my mind more than the Disney spectacle itself.
We left summer on Sunday and reached Toronto where the air strip personnel were in heavy coats and gloves (we still had on short sleeves but we were wearing jeans). As a shivered by them on the way to the Jazz bus that would take us to Freddy Beach, they looked at us kind of funny, I said, "Florida"! And they nodded and smiled understandingly.
Disney Days were delightful... come ON summer!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
2 comments:
Oh Susan you certainly have a flair for writing, there was a brief moment when I felt like I could feel the sun! I hope I get to go myself someday that would be so fantastic. I'm glad it was such a pleasant and magical adventure :)
Oh Susan you certainly have a flair for writing, there was a brief moment when I felt like I could feel the sun! I hope I get to go myself someday that would be so fantastic. I'm glad it was such a pleasant and magical adventure :)
Post a Comment