Welcome Reception at Epcot

Disney Welcomes Us in Style

Our 2012 Creating Magical Memories National Conference kickoff was a Welcome Reception at Disney's Epcot Center.  Disney Cruise Line buses picked up the 700 conference attendees at Coronado Springs and whisked us away the back way into Epcot.

We had a fantastic buffet meal and then were greeted by executives of various Disney Destinations organizations including Disney Cruise Line of course.

Wandering around the room, we wondered where they dessert was hidden.   We soon learned that we would have dessert outside in a private area of Epcot that had an excellent view of the spectacular nighttime highlight IllumiNations.

We had a short walk from the banquet room to the dessert stations.  The first table had various pastries such as eclairs.  Walking a little further we found two Epcot employees making fresh churros, sometimes referred to as a Spanish doughnuts.  Complementing the fried-dough pastries there was brown sugar coating and vanilla ice cream.  These soon became the hit of the party as more and more agents discovered them.

IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth


Seen from anywhere in Epcot with a view of the World Showcase Lagoon, IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth is a spectacular 14-minute, live pyrotechnic show that brings together the past, present and future of our planet and its colorful nations.

The show features breathtaking fireworks, brilliant bursts of fire, laserlight effects, dramatic fountain barges, a stirring musical score, first introduced in 1999 for the Millennium Celebration, and the world's first spherical video display system—the 350,000-pound Earth Globe.  The show can be intense for young audiences, so be sure to select a viewing location with that in mind.

It wasn't long before the announcements began, warning that the lighting would be dim during the show and encouraging everyone to find a location and plan on staying there for the duration of the entire show.

We've seen the show before, but never from this private vantage point.  This is a show that you never grow tired of seeing.


When planning your day at Epcot Center, we'd suggest that you conclude your visit in World Showcase, perhaps with dinner in one of the authentic restaurants of a country that you'd like to visit.  After dinner complete your visit to the other countries and head over to the lagoon to select your spot for the show.

Behind the Scenes

Have you ever wondered what it is like behind the scenes at Epcot Center?  Check out our album on Facebook to get a glimpse behind World Showcase as well as some images from the show.

Epcot IllumiNations Fireworks (Click to view Video)

Creating Magical Memories 2012

 Let The Memories Begin!

Each October, we attend our National Conference which is typically hosted by one of our partner cruise lines.  This year, Disney Destinations was our host.   Our conference began in Walt Disney World Resort and continued on Disney Dream.

As with any conference, there were general sessions, breakout meetings, opportunities to network, special events, and of course, opportunities to enjoy all the venue itself had to offer.   In the case of Disney Destinations, that is quite a lot.

Come along with us on a Magical Journey through Walt Disney World parks and then sail away with us to the Bahamas on Disney Dream.

Arriving for Conference

The closest airport to Walt Disney Worlds Resort is Orlando International Airport (MCO).  The airport is about 40 miles from the Disney resort.  Guests staying at Walt Disney Resort hotels can utilize Disney's Magical Express bus transportation from the airport to the hotel.   We didn't use their transportation because our son had driven to Florida and picked us up at the airport.

Coronado Springs Hotel & Conference Center

Once on Disney property, we headed towards our hotel to check in.  The conference headquarters hotel was Coronado Springs which also has conference facilities like many of the other hotels on Disney property.

Check in went smoothly as Disney is very organized.   The package we received at check in also included our cruise documents and baggage tags.   Next we stopped at the conference registration tables to get our badges, conference shirts, and other information before heading to our room.  (View more photos)

The first event for the conference would be in the evening.  Bus transportation was arranged to take us to Epcot Center for our private function (more on that in another article).

Meanwhile, we decided to get something to eat, so we headed to Downtown Disney to check out the restaurants there.  We selected one of their specialty pizzas with all the toppings.   We all enjoyed the pizza very much.