An absolutely excellent weekend – with many many thanks to George, who provided continuous friendship and transportation is his fabulously cute new Mini … and thanks also to Pedro (of MotoringFun), Alex, Barry and everyone in Sunshine MINIs!
Friday evening, after happy hour drinks at the hotel, there was a great dinner get-together with perhaps 80 people attending (sponsored by MinSpeed, previously MyMINI). The food was very good, and after prize presentations (including a hilarious one for best “hard luck” story on the way to the event), we ended with a group picture:
Saturday morning began at a sensible 10am, with a good drive that led us on twisty back roads looping around the Walt Disney World property (and back through it); we had regular stops for photos, and there’s lots and lots of pictures:
Back at the hotel parking lot, we could check out other MINIs (while George washed his Mini), including Jackie’s with a beautifully created Disney themed roof design, and Vladimirs with a stereo system to rival (or beat?) GPMINI, which included Bluetooth controlled equalization!:
On Saturday afternoon, George & I attempted a photo scavenger hunt – it was great fun but a bit frantic, especially since we non-locals didn’t know many of the “secrets” that the locals did know 😉 … then everyone re-grouped at Kitty O’Sheas for food (generously provided by Downtown MINI of Orlando), and drinks! Photo scavenger hunt results were announced, with Brandy & Amy taking first place … And then, it rained!
Thankfully, only for a while … so in the evening we were able to watch the original Italian Job movie, courtesy of the hotel (there was also a go-karting event, which we heard was excellent as well!). It’s quite amusing laying on sunbeds by the pool, in the dark, watching a movie – especially when you can’t really see the picture because all the lights are still on (but of course we all knew the movie anyway, and we could still hear it!)
On Sunday, a MINI golf event was organized at the Disney Winter Summer Land course; George & I sneaked in a game at Fantasia first … and that’s where I dropped my camera(!) and had to find the bit that dislocated from it 😦 so no more pics; but thankfully the camera is now re-assembled and appears to be still fully functional.
For more, visit Pedro’s MotoringFun website, George’s website, the Sunshine MINI club website, or the official Mickey & MINI website … and try to make it next year so we can meet up in Florida 🙂
M&I / GBMINI 
Ian – great recap of the weekend! I am processing pics as I type this ;). Glad you made it to Florida and looking forward to seeing you and more of your MINI friends from the Northeast at Mickey and MINI 4!
Nice write up Ian. I love the Mickey Logo! How many times did “GPGEORGE” wash baby?
I think George’s new “baby” only got washed three times over the weekend 😉
Not Possible. He [GPGeorge] had way too much time for only 3 times. Remember there’s the hours when all of you were sleeping!
WOW! George really got a FINE Classic Mini there! And this event looks like fun and something that Barbara and I will want to do next year. It’s great to read your BLOG and find out about these events all over the world. I am really working too much – 2008 will be less work and more MINI – see you at MOP Octoberfast!