Beach Club

After two nights at the Polynesian, we checked out and moved to the Beach Club Villas. Bryan arrived on a red eye. 

We headed over to the Studios. It was nice to look down Hollywood Blvd and see the Chinese theater with the giant Mickey Sorcerer's hat removed that used to block the view. After a few hours of riding attractions and watching shows, Bryan was tired, so he and Susan headed back to the Beach Club.

Jennifer and I stayed for Fantasmic! We had great seats front and center.

The Beach Club is great because it's an easy walk into Epcot, and a slightly longer one to the Studios, or you can take a boat to both, and to the Boardwalk. It's also got a great feature pool and a couple of quiet pools.

Polynesian Village Resort

Tuesday morning we checked out of Saratoga and checked into one of the new DVC studios at the Polynesian Resort. These are former hotel rooms that were converted to DVC.

Jennifer arrived that morning on the Magical Express.

Our room was nice, with two showers, a kitchenette, a queen bed, a sleeper couch, and a murphy bed under the TV. It was an easy walk to the TTC, where we caught the monorail to the Magic Kingdom.

The new Fantasyland area was fully open and looking good.

That night, we watched the Castle projection/fireworks show.

Wednesday, I enjoyed an early morning swim in the pool. Susan and Jenn headed to Epcot while I picked up a rental car. Jennifer took pictures with the characters, and we checked out more of the Flower and Garden exhibits, besides enjoying the attractions.

WDW

To celebrate the end of the school year, we took a trip to Disney World. We were originally going to go in June and attend the DeMolay International Convention as well, but then Bryan found he had to attend summer school at the time to complete some classes he needed to graduate with a second major in Accounting. Susan and I headed out first, while the kids were finishing finals. Our flight landed late Sunday night, and we took the Magical Express bus to WDW.

We had a studio at the Saratoga Springs Resort the first two nights. Our room was in the Carousel section - the furthest away from anything, and the only section without a pool. I wouldn't recommend it, especially if you don't have a car, which we didn't for the first two days. 

Monday, our first day in the parks, we headed to the Magic Kingdom, where we watched the opening ceremony before riding on the new Snow White Mine Train roller coaster.

 

Over at Epcot, the flower and garden show was going on. There were topiaries of Disney Characters throughout the park, as well as booths with special food, merchandise, and activities.

Rainbow OV's

Jennifer is continuing to attend Rainbow events as Grand Faith. Earlier this month, she attended the official visit at the Metro East district.

Today was the Official Visit and Grand Officer Reception for the Willamette Valley West district. Jennifer gave a speech as Grand Faith.

The members of WVW posed for a picture after the OV.

California

Last weekend, Susan and I drove through California so she could attend a convention in Ontario. We stopped in the Bay Area and then for a couple nights in Grover Beach. I flew home Tuesday night.

This weekend, Jennifer was also in California, attending their Rainbow Grand Assembly. It was again held in Fresno.

She and the other Grand Officers from Oregon enjoyed visiting with their California sisters. Susan drove her home today.

DJR & Grand Court

The first Saturday of the month, Jennifer attended the annual DJR event. The Rainbow girls held their initiation at the West Salem Lodge.

They also had a reception for the State Dad & Mom, then joined members of Job’s Daughters and DeMolay at the Salem Scottish Rite for a talent show and dance.

Earlier this week, we went down to Salem again for the Grand Master’s visit to the Salem Masonic Lodge. Jennifer helped Cherry Assembly with dinner and then performed the Masonic Ribbon ceremony for the Grand Master and his officers. 

Last night we attended the installation of the Grand Court of Amaranth. This year it was held in a hotel by the Portland Airport. The State Dad went in as Grand Associate Patron. 

Dapper Days at Disneyland

This weekend was Dapper Days at Disneyland. Jenn and a friend from UP flew down Friday morning, and after checking into a DVC villa at the Grand Californian, headed into California Adventure to the Frozen Fun area to meet the characters. 

Saturday they headed into Disneyland, where they met more characters, did some rides, and watched Mickey and the Magical Map, as well as the Fantasy in the Skies fireworks show. 

On Sunday they hopped between parks, again meeting characters and other Dapper Day attendees. 

They finished the night by watching Fantasmic! They flew home this morning.