Linda Mac's Orlando Adventures

I am interrupting my daily trip reports to bring this "Breaking Disney Vacation Club News".

I have always wanted to say that.

On Friday night, I attended the first DVC event held in California. A few weeks ago, I received an invitation to attend the Disney Vacation Club Getaway Days Travel Expo at the Paradise Pier Hotel. Due to the popularlity of the event, Disney added an extra date. Originally set for this Saturday, Sunday and Monday, by the time I went online to RSVP the only date available was Friday, May 23. Lucky for me they added the extra reception. According to my invitation, the event would take place between 7 and 8:30 pm.

About 150 DVC Members and their families attended the event held at the Pacific Ballroom inside Disney's Paradise Pier Hotel. We had a chance to enjoy light snacks that included cheese, vegetables, dips and crackers. Wine was also offered at no charge.

All attendees were given a small board to which we could attach pins as we collected them at different locations throughout the room. Arcade-like simulators were set up so we could try our hand at skiing, water rafting, jet skiing, etc.

We wandered around to different stations set up by Adventures By Disney, Disney Cruise Line, etc. to collect our pins. The final pin needed to complete the set would be given out at the presentation. Hmmm... what presentation I asked?

Disney had a much larger room set up right next door. A presentation on a Friday night, what had I gotten myself into? Well, I am glad I opted to stay. I found a seat in back so I could move about to take photos without bothering other people. There was a woman on stage that was already speaking to the audience about DVC membership. As I was settling in, the tone of her voice caught my attention. There was something so familiar about it. WOW, it hit me! The woman on stage was Casey. I mean this in the most respectful way -- this woman has put me to sleep on more nights than I can count. Casey is hostess of the DVC informational tape that plays on all the Disney resort hotels' TVs. I had the chance to briefly chat with her after the presentation.

The presentation turned out to be a lot of fun. Several "announcements" were made, including the name of the full service restaurant at Animal Kingdom Villas -- it will be called Sanaa. I'm not sure how "newsworthy" this announcement is since this information has been out for a while.

We were entertained by African musicans and dancers before the general information was given about the Animal Kingdom. Other entertainment included a country band right out of Frontierland with Chip and Dale and a strolling accordion player.

It didn't take me long realize why we were there of course. It was to add more points to our membership account. This was different from past events I attended such as Summer on the Savanna, which seemed more like a DVC Mingle. But that said, DVC had some terrific bonuses if you wanted to add points now. During the presentation all these incentives were listed as "event only incentives": Add 100 points - get an $8 off bonus per point (this discount is now called Dream Dollars), plus receive 130 one-time use bonus points. As the number of points increased (up to 500) so did the bonuses.

Next we were shown artist's renderings of future attractions at Disney's California Adventure, which included Carland and an Ariel ride. Again, this information has been public knowledge for a while now.

Following the California Adventure presentation, more incentives were offered that included Annual Passes, 3-day stays at a California Concierge Collection Hotel, confirmed 7-night stays at top Interval International destinations, one night stays in the Mickey Mouse Penthouse 7 night land and sea packages and my favorite, Adventures By Disney trips.

Several drawings was held and a few very lucky winners walked away with some of the bonus incentive packages.

A dessert party and meet and greet with Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Goofy, Pluto and Donald Duck followed the 'long" information presentation. The reception hours were extended until 10 pm so everyone had a chance to take pictures, dance to the DJ music and enjoy coffee and dessert. Pictures taken with the characters could be download to your computer free of charge.

All in all, I had a lot of fun and feel it was time well spent. I don't think I have mentioned this yet but the weather was just plain ugly here yesterday. It was cold, damp and rainy all day and night. Hopefully, the sun will shine today. I don't mind the cold but the rain and overcast skies make for really nasty looking photos.

Good-bye for now from Steakhouse 55 at the Disneyland Resort. BTW, the Steak and Eggs are the best! As is my server Chuck, who found a nice, quiet table for me so I could work on this blog over breakfast. Thanks, Chuck.