I was up bright and early and got away from home at 6:00 a.m.
As I approached the the US border there wasn't another car
in sight, just one single truck.
As I drove along beside the truck, he stopped and I didn't
understand why. Then I spotted the reason - A
PORCUPINE!
The trucker and I each sat in our vehicles for a few minutes while 'Porky'
slowly wobbled his way across about eight empty traffic
lanes and disappeared under a fence. The border is
sure a lot quieter than it was a year ago!
Before parking at the Syracuse airport, I
gassed up the car at Mattydale so I was all ready for the
trip home next Monday.
Check-in at Jet Blue went smoothly, as usual, and I
boarded the airplane at 10:44 for my 11:15 flight. We
were still sitting at the departure gate at 11:45.
The captain explained that they had a minor technical issue.
Apparently it wasn't so minor, because they
unloaded the plane and sent us all back to the departure
lounge. At 2:15 the flight was rescheduled for a 4:30
departure then at 2:35 it was rescheduled for an 8:30 departure.
There was another flight scheduled at 5:59 so I joined the
line trying to switch to that flight. While standing
in line I used my phone to go online and book a seat on that flight.
Soon I had a boarding pass . . . but no seat number.
So it was still uncertain!
I hate airport delays!
Halleluiah!
The 8:30 flight
was cancelled altogether while I waited in line to get my
seat assignment on the 5:59 flight!
Everyone else in the departure lounge was trying to make a hotel
reservation for the night, but that was impossible.
The New York State Fair was underway and every hotel for
miles around was fully booked.
Good news though, I got a seat on the 5:59 flight and boarded at
5:30. Hooray!
The flight, when we finally got away, was uneventful.
I was travelling with nothing but a carry-on so I bypassed
the baggage carousel and headed directly to the street.
I called Lyft and booked a ride from Orlando International Airport to
Disney's Coronado Springs Resort.
I was pooped when I finally settled in at the resort about
10:00 p.m.
It was a very long day!
Thursday
August 28th
Thursday we . . .
Picking up our
Annual Passholder magnets at EPCOT
Carrie, Susan, Carol and Susan
It was very hot at Animal Kingdom so we picked up our ?????
and headed back to Coronado Springs to cool off!
A special D23 event at Disney Springs.
Bill Farmer - voice of Goofy and Kevin Lima -
the movie director (in their
younger years)
There were three pick-up stations for
pre-purchased pins.
Bill Farmer, Kevin Lima and Jason Marsden -
the voice of Goofy's son Max.
Friday
August 29th
Registration and shopping! Pick up pre-ordered
merchandise.
The gang!
The 'Goody Bag' we all received at check-in.
The Mickey's of Glendale Store
Yes, Carol had to have the Orange Bird hat!
Dinner at City Works, Disney Springs.
Saturday
August 30th
First day of the event
The D23 Breakfast Club
An upcoming animated feature - Hoppers
In Zootopia 2 Patrick Warburton is the voice
of Mayor Winddancer.
After the morning break Michael Vargo
welcomed us back.
Disney Archivist - Becky Cline
Susan Egan
Michael James Scott
Danny Gardner
Jodi Benson
Michael James Scott and Joey Fatone sing 'What'Cha
Doin'
Movie Director Don Hahn and Disney
Imagineer Emo O'Brien
The last session of the afternoon.
Patrick Warburton and Don Hahn
Michael James Scott joined them.
Kuzcotopia, a special night-time D23 event,
at Typhoon Lagoon.
Sunday
August 31st
Second day comments
A panel discussion on how Disney Villains
experiences come to life around the world.
Imagineers Wyatt Winter, Carolyn May, Mark
Renfrow and Denise Case formed the panel
They looked at old classics and new projects
being designed.
There is villainy afoot in all the parks and
all the ships!
Disney Legend and voice of Ariel, Jodi Benson
and The Little Mermaid co-director Ron Clements shared
stories and reminisced about their work together at Disney.
Jodi Benson and Ron Clements . . . a few
years ago!
Walt's grand-nephew Roy Patrick Disney
Roy P. Disney and Becky Cline
Becky Cline dove into the archives and took
everyone down the rabbit hole!
Don Hahn and Bill Farmer, the voice of Goofy.
Don Hahn, Bill Farmer, Jason Marsden, the
voice of Max and Kevin Lima the director.
Young voice actors, back in the day!
Then the singing began . . .
Wow! Who knew that Bill Farmer could
sing! Gawrsh he was good!
Saying goodbye to the gang!
Monday
September 1st
7:25 a.m. - Jet
Blue Flight #656 to Syracuse
The Coronado Springs lobby was deserted at 4:35 a.m.
That domed ceiling is painted . . . it's very
dark outside!
