This past week, April 25-29, 2022, if you happened to be visiting Walt Disney World Resort you may have seen groups of our agents walking through the parks, or around the resorts, sporting their favorite MMV Shirts!!! 45 of our agents were honored to attend an "MMV Exclusive Diamond Conference". Take a journey with us as we tell you all about the fun... I mean learning, that was to be had during our week at the Walt Disney World Resort! Hold on tight because this is a jam-packed blog with lots of information!
THE RESORTS
While all of our agents had the pleasure of staying at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge during the event itself, many of our agents arrived a day, or two, prior while others decided they didn't want to leave... this meant agents got to explore more resorts!! Take a look at several of the resorts our agents experienced before, during, and after the AEP:
Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge Standard Rooms
This amazing deluxe resort was our agents' home for the duration of the conference! With views of various wild animals, including giraffes, zebras, and ostrich to name a few, this African-themed resort makes you feel part of the Lion King story! Check out some of the rooms and views various agents experienced during their stay. Savannah View rooms are a bookable category but many agents were able to see the wild African animals from the balcony of their standard view rooms!
Disney's Wilderness Lodge Club Level Room
Step into the wilderness of log cabins and bears at Disney's Wilderness Lodge!! This resort is located in the Magic Kingdom area and offers short boat rides to/from the main attraction! While bears may not be roaming around as the giraffes do at Animal Kingdom, Wilderness Lodge still offers an amazing array of amenities and enticements, including the option to book a Club Level room, with access to the Concierge Lounge, like some of our agents did for their pre-conference stay!
Concierge Lounge (Club Level) amenities:
Disney's Copper Creek 2 Bedroom Villa:
Located within Disney's Wilderness Lodge, this amazing 2-bedroom villa offers lots of space for up to 8 guests! The specific one our agents stayed in had a pool view and a balcony large enough to enjoy the cool evening air and pool view!
Disney's Beach Club 2 Bedroom Villa:
A group of our agents stayed an extra night and enjoyed Disney's Beach Club Resort. They were able to stay in a 2 bedroom Villa and enjoyed a Cabana at Stormalong Bay for the day!
Disney's Saratoga Springs Preferred 1 Bedroom Villa:
This resort is within a short walk (or boat) ride to Disney Springs giving you quick access to great dining and shopping! This resort's villas have recently been updated and offer guests space to spread out while in their resort room!
DAY 1 - WELCOME EVENT, EPCOT
Once we all checked into Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge for their 4-night stay, they headed out to EPCOT to get the party on... I mean training, started!!! First up, a private dining experience! As a Diamond-level agency, agents were treated to a meal where they were able to enjoy the company of Cast Member Brent who oversees the Disney Cruise Line's Groups Department! While watching a sunset view over Spaceship Earth we learned about the new Disney Cruise Line Groups offerings that will be released to us to book for clients!
Harmonious Dessert Party
Once dinner was over, we all headed out to the Showcase Lagoon to enjoy the Harmonious Dessert Party in front of The World Showcase Lagoon - totally amazing view of the show being front and center. Ask your agent about how to book this - who doesn't want great desserts with an awesome show!!!
Deluxe Guest Extended Hours
After Harmonious, many of our agents took advantage of the Extended Hours offered to guests staying at deluxe resorts guests and headed over to the Remy's Ratatouille Adventure in the France Pavilion of the World Showcase! Some even manage to take a spin on Test Track!
DAY 2 - CLASSROOM TIME & the MAGIC KINGDOM
The next morning we all gathered together first thing in the morning to head over to a Disney Institute Training!! The agents all enjoyed the hospitality of Disney's Contemporary Resort Convention Center! We were super excited to learn first-hand from Disney Cast Member Experts who talked to us about "Disney's Approach to Qualify Service." The bonus piece of this training was the tour through the backstage area of the Magic Kingdom's Main Street! We can't reveal the secrets of the Utilidors but you can book a "Keys to the Kingdom" tour to see them for yourself!
Lunch at Steakhouse 71 at Disney's Contemporary Resort
Excellent Service! Fantastic food!!!! Wonderful ambiance! A definite "must-do" to add to your Disney World Experience list!
Animal Kingdom Lodge's Starlight Safari
Some of our agents participated in the Starlight Safari! Here's what they had to say about it:
"It was a very cool experience. We were so close to the zebras we could’ve easily <have> touched them but of course, that is not allowed. Just warn clients to bring bug spray." This special behind-the-scenes tour is a bookable event for any guests!
DAY 3 - LEARNING IN A GALAXY FAR, FAR AWAY
Before the sun rose, we headed to Hollywood Studios to board Rise of the Resistance as the first guests of the day!!! After a quick group shot in front of Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway, we saved the galaxy from the First Order, then headed over to Battuu's Docking Bay 7 for a catered breakfast. Our agents spent the rest of the day learning how to use Genie+, exploring more of Hollywood Studios, and enjoying Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge resort amenities.
Even though Day 3 saw a super early start time... some of our agents "toughed it out" and took advantage of the Extended Hours at Magic Kingdom!
Beautiful views of Cinderella's Castle are to be had late at night!
Fun times on rides with super low waits during the Extended Hours offered to guests staying at Disney's Deluxe Resorts!
Our agents almost didn't make it out of the park awake!
DAY 4 - "See Ya' Real Soon"
Closing Dinner, Napa at California Grill at Disney's Contemporary Resort
Disney Destinations treated us to a super special event held in Disney's Fairytales & Weddings venue, Napa, located just off of California Grill on the top floor of Disney's Contemporary Resort. This special venue allowed us an amazing view of the Magic Kingdom's closing show, Enchanted. It was an amazing experience, especially when we had the opportunity to meet Mickey Mouse himself in his special 50th Anniversary suit!
From left to right:
Rob Cook, Disney Destinations Sales Business Development Manager, Travel Agency Sales
Jodi Bainter, Disney Destinations Director Travel Agency Sales
Mickey Mouse!
Jen Kistler, Owner Magical Moments Vacations
Mike Paradiso, Business Manager Magical Moments Vacations
Enchantment Viewing from the <almost> Rooftop
CANDID FUN SHOTS OF OUR AGENTS!
Closing out with the fun "Magic Shots" Disney offers via Genie+!
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