For the second year in a row, my company sent me to Disney World for leadership training.
This year I stayed at the Boardwalk Villas.
Its a great area right next to Epcot.
I arrived before my room was ready, so I grabbed a simple breakfast.
Molly let me borrow her really cool suitcase that has a removable battery.
Lunch time came, and I ran over to ESPN for some tofu.
The time had come for my training to start. This year’s topic, Disney’s Approach to Quality Service.
We were immediately put on a bus and taken offsite.
We were brought in from the backstag area, where no photos were allowed.
Inside of Epcot, we were given instructions on what to do…
And then sent off into the park to find examples of quality service.
After the training exercise, it was time for dinner in the private area of the Coral Reef Restaurant.
The action right next to the table.
It’s funny to think I did a scuba dive in that tank.
The private area.
Hidden Mickeys in the carpet.
After dinner we were led through Epcot…
To a private viewing area…
For the fireworks.
Treats were also available.
We left and headed backstage again.
My room was finally ready when I got back to the boarkwalk.
It was a really nice room.
Hidden Mickey.
Not being done for the night, I headed down to watch the Caps play hockey before going to bed.
The view from my room in the morning.
No pictures during the training…
So breakfast…
Lunch…
With some more hidden Mickeys…
And a good buffet.
Another hidden Mickey.
After lunch, another field trip.
This time we headed to the Magic Kingdom.
Walt Disney invented and popularized the trash can with the flap on the side to hide trash and keep it from blowing away.
I love coming here.
An example of quality. Not the time the park is CLOSING, but rather, the time the park is open UNTIL.
Maintaining quality while doing a renovation.
All the names on the upstairs windows are people important to Disney’s history.
A real bird just hanging out in the park.
Goofing off while waiting for everyone to finsh the trainning activity.
No pictures as we head backstage.
When we got back to the training room, there were treats waiting for us.
Hidden Mickey.
On our own that evening a few of us from the class went to Epcot.
The Epcot Flower and Garden Festival was going on at the time.
Trying to get the water to go through my arms…
And I missed.
We rode a few rides…
Then hopped on the monorail…
And headed back to the Magic Kingdom.
A quick bite to eat…
And then we did the Haunted Mansion.
Always a tough picture to get.
We stayed for the show and fireworks before heading home.
Morning breakfast…
And then lunch again…
I caught Ariel waiting to go in for a character lunch, and grabbed a quick selfie.
Lunch was good.
Another field trip.
Back to the Magic Kingdom. We went in the underground tunnels, so no pictures allowed.
Found this brick while walking back to the bus.
Found this guy while waiting for the bus after training was done for the day.
That evening we went to Hollywood Studios.
I was with some rollercoaster fans, so we rode the Rock’n’Roller Coaster.
From there we headed to the Animal Kingdom.
We grabbed some dinner…
And then heaed to the tree of life for the show, A Bug’s Life.
Back at the boardwalk that night, we caught some fireworks.
Hanging out with my new friends and having a drink.
The next morning had us at Hollywood Studios very early.
We dropped into the Brown Derby for breakfast.
We were the only ones in the park.
We had a quick breakfast…
And then it was back to training.
Of course, you need to have some fun.
It is Disney World, after all.
Lunch back at the training session.
The food was generally very good.
Woohoo!!! My second Disney course is now complete!!!
That meant it was time to head back to the airport…
And head home after a GREAT trip!!