The Orlando Sentinel ran this article the other day in the paper. Sorry for the delay on posting it but its been busy around the labs these days, and I havent had time.... Enjoy the fine read
TOURISM
Passholders can relax at Epcot
By Robert Johnson
Sentinel Staff Writer
March 25, 2002
Annual Disney passholders are enjoying an experiment in beefed-up guest services that has become very popular.
A new private lounge for annual passholders opened Feb. 9. It's a little-known test. There are no signs directing guests to the comfortable, couch-laden spot located on the third floor of Nestle's agricultural pavilion, "The Land" at Epcot.
"It's a great place to relax and get away from the crowds," said Robert Pinkerton, who visited the lounge last week with his wife, Marlene, and their 10-year-old grandson. "The only way we know about this is because Disney mailed us a notice. We'd never have found it otherwise."
Passholders who enter "The Land" on the first floor and ask for directions are sent to an elevator tucked away in an obscure corner. Upstairs is a small lobby with a sign-in book and employees who check guests' annual passes to make sure they're current.
Around the corner is seating for about 25 people, a play area with Disney toys and a TV playing the entertainment giant's movies. There's free soda from a vending machine that measures small cups and doesn't give ice.
That shows Disney knowledge of how some guests get greedy about freebies, said Marlene Pinkerton. "We saw some people come in here with big cups and fill them up. If there was ice, that would just encourage them to take more."
Cookies were offered at the lounge's grand opening. "That was a nice touch," said Marlene Pinkerton. But the free cookies soon disappeared. Not surprising, since there's a bakery store two floors below.
Will the lounge remain open or be expanded to other Disney parks? Spokesman Bill Warren said, "We're gathering guest responses to be evaluated."
Festival blooms with new events
The annual Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival starting April 19 and running through June 2 is being expanded to include such new events as instruction for young gardeners in the right way to release plant-friendly ladybugs.
For homeowners who don't have the elaborate topiaries that are the Disney World parks' signature landscaping features, there will be lawn-care sessions called "Tip Top Turf."
Rollins honors Disney president
Walt Disney World President Al Weiss was inducted into the Alumni Hall of Fame at Rollins College's Crummer Graduate School of Business on March 14.
Only the sixth person to receive this distinction since Crummer's Hall of Fame was established in 1987. The others include Dennis Stults, former president of Scotty's Inc., and Charles Rice, vice chairman of corporate development at Bank of America.
Weiss is a 1981 graduate of the Crummer School, with a Masters of Business Administration. He began his Walt Disney World career nearly 30 years ago as an hourly employee.
Robert Johnson can be reached at 407-420-5664 or rwjohnson@orlandosentinel.com.
Copyright © 2002, Orlando Sentinel
TOURISM
Passholders can relax at Epcot
By Robert Johnson
Sentinel Staff Writer
March 25, 2002
Annual Disney passholders are enjoying an experiment in beefed-up guest services that has become very popular.
A new private lounge for annual passholders opened Feb. 9. It's a little-known test. There are no signs directing guests to the comfortable, couch-laden spot located on the third floor of Nestle's agricultural pavilion, "The Land" at Epcot.
"It's a great place to relax and get away from the crowds," said Robert Pinkerton, who visited the lounge last week with his wife, Marlene, and their 10-year-old grandson. "The only way we know about this is because Disney mailed us a notice. We'd never have found it otherwise."
Passholders who enter "The Land" on the first floor and ask for directions are sent to an elevator tucked away in an obscure corner. Upstairs is a small lobby with a sign-in book and employees who check guests' annual passes to make sure they're current.
Around the corner is seating for about 25 people, a play area with Disney toys and a TV playing the entertainment giant's movies. There's free soda from a vending machine that measures small cups and doesn't give ice.
That shows Disney knowledge of how some guests get greedy about freebies, said Marlene Pinkerton. "We saw some people come in here with big cups and fill them up. If there was ice, that would just encourage them to take more."
Cookies were offered at the lounge's grand opening. "That was a nice touch," said Marlene Pinkerton. But the free cookies soon disappeared. Not surprising, since there's a bakery store two floors below.
Will the lounge remain open or be expanded to other Disney parks? Spokesman Bill Warren said, "We're gathering guest responses to be evaluated."
Festival blooms with new events
The annual Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival starting April 19 and running through June 2 is being expanded to include such new events as instruction for young gardeners in the right way to release plant-friendly ladybugs.
For homeowners who don't have the elaborate topiaries that are the Disney World parks' signature landscaping features, there will be lawn-care sessions called "Tip Top Turf."
Rollins honors Disney president
Walt Disney World President Al Weiss was inducted into the Alumni Hall of Fame at Rollins College's Crummer Graduate School of Business on March 14.
Only the sixth person to receive this distinction since Crummer's Hall of Fame was established in 1987. The others include Dennis Stults, former president of Scotty's Inc., and Charles Rice, vice chairman of corporate development at Bank of America.
Weiss is a 1981 graduate of the Crummer School, with a Masters of Business Administration. He began his Walt Disney World career nearly 30 years ago as an hourly employee.
Robert Johnson can be reached at 407-420-5664 or rwjohnson@orlandosentinel.com.
Copyright © 2002, Orlando Sentinel