Well it is Shareholder Meeting Eve and I have made it to my hometown of Oakland, California to be a part of my annual pilgrimage. BTW, it is going to freeze here tonight. Why is it that the meeting is always in a cold climate or a warm climate that just happens to be cold? Anyway, I thought I would lead you through my day as I got ready for one of my favorite days of the year.
5:47 ET: Got upset at the Orlando International Airport for replacing Jack Wagner as the voice of the airport tram. It was always a great way to get a little Disney before you get to the parks or as your on the way home.
6:02 ET: Picked up USA Today at the airport, which I think is one of the cardinal rules of going on a buisness trip, and was happy to see the top story in the Life section was for a Disney property. Dancing with the Stars made the front page (of section D).
6:22 ET: Now I am reading USA Todays review of ABCs new show Castle. Three out of four stars. Thats better than I expected.
6:30 ET: Boarded my flight to Kansas City. Not sure if it is Kansas City, Kansas or Kansas City, Missouri. But then I realized I dont care.
9:00 CT: Land in Kansas City. There is only a small area for me to hang out in without having to go through security again. Luckily, Disneys Live with Regis and Kelly is on the TV.
9:15 CT: The Rock is a guest to promote Race to Witch Mountain which Regis keeps calling Escape to Witch Mountain. He mentions his injury, but not his cinnamon allergy.
9:22 CT: Regis and Kelly keep promoting a big announcement they have. I wonder if they will unveil they are 23.
9:54 CT: Apparently the big announcement is that they will be broadcasting from New Orleans and Miley Cyrus will be a guest. She is on The View today, but they will be showing The Price is Right in the airport instead.
10:00 CT: The Price is Right has started and here comes Drew Carey. Time to find something to distract me from this train wreck of a game show host.
10:08 CT: ABC News has a new online series called The Fix. Here is the first installment. I like it. It even features Mickey.
10:17 CT: It looks like Susan Arnold is leaving Procter and Gamble, but she will remain on the Disney board.
10:45 CT: The announce my flight will be 5 minutes late. That is 5 minutes of Drew Carey that Ill never get back.
11:35 CT: Time to board my flight to Oakland
11:55 CT: I am now able to get in to my carry-on to read my copy of Mileys Miles to Go. While I expected to get odd looks, the flight attendant says that he picked it up as well and started talking to me about it. Out of this common bond, I get extra peanuts. Too bad Im allergic.
1:54 PT: As I land, all my devices start buzzing regarding Disneys Corporate Responsibility Report. We have known that this has been in the works for a while, but I am glad Disney stuck by its guns despite the economic challenges. You can really tell that Bob still wants Disney to be the most admired company in the world.
2:26 PT: Get to watch The View on ABC.com. I cant believe Whoopi hates the small world changes as much as the Disney fans. Maybe she is just upset that both of her DCA attractions have closed. Coincidence?
3:23 PT: Went to Hegen Burger. The best burger in Oakland.
5:18 PT: The local ABC affiliate is putting their support behind Woz on Dancing with the Stars. Something tells me, he might not win.
6:02 PT: I finally got to check Disney stock. Disney followed the Dow downward. Disney was doewn .24 points to 15.59. Not a good way to start your shareholder meeting.
7:59 PT: Settling in for a night of ABC with Dancing with the Stars and Castle. Two shows I will probably only watch tonight.
The excitement is building. I cant wait to go to the meeting. With the D23 Expo, we will now have two Disney pilgrimages this year. As I am in the hotel room I am watching CNBC giving me grim economic news. But Disney still has a lot of treats for us, despite the challenges to global economic environment is causing. Ill talk to you tomorrow.