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INTERCOT > Interactive > INTERCOT Insider Archive > February 2003

Intercot.com INTERCOT Insider
 February 2003 - Edition Two

Brought to you by INTERCOT's network of sites:
INTERCOT - Walt Disney World Inside & Out
INTERCOT West - Disneyland Inside & Out
INTERCOT's WebDisney - Guide to Disney on the Internet
INTERCOT's MousehutMail - Free Web Based Email
INTERCOT's Thrillride Experience - Thrill Ride Parks & Attractions

This newsletter and other past issues can also be read online at; http://www.intercot.com/interactive/insider/archive

6318 Subscribers & Counting!

<< Introduction >>

Spring is getting ready to bust out all over, right?  We're getting there, right?  No more cold, no more snow, no more ice.  Right?  Right?????  And we're only a day late with the newsletter this time! Things are really looking up!

For this installment of the Insider, we're going to look at planning at Disney World.  We have some great vacation specials to pass along, some new rates, experiences, staying in the lap of luxury, history, food and some wondering about a highly anticipated new attraction.

So, let's get to it and get those vacations planned!

<< Special Rates! >>

Radisson Resort Parkway is happy to announce that if you book a room between now and April you'll receive the amazing rates from $77!  Nestled on beautiful, lush grounds only 1.5 miles away from Walt Disney World, the majestic Radisson Resort Parkway is the perfect place to relax.  With two magnificent pools, hot tubs, two restaurants, a Kids Eat Free Program and scheduled shuttles to most area attractions, the Radisson is one Orlando's Best Kept Secrets!

Visit http://www.radissonparkway.com/offers/index.asp?adsvc=02INTER today and take advantage of this amazing offer!

<< Vacation Specials >>

Walt Disney World has announced a new special for guests vacationing from 4/27/03-7/03/03. Room reservations must be booked by April 15, 2003 to benefit from the savings. Examples of rates are $84 per night at the All Stars, $104 per night at the moderate resorts. The deluxe resorts will vary as usual. To name a few, Wilderness Lodge and Animal Kingdom Lodge standard room is $149 per night, Animal Kingdom Savannah View is $225 per night, Boardwalk, Beach Club, and Yacht Club standard rooms is $239 per night and a Polynesian garden view room is $254 each night. (Tax not included.)

The number of rooms available at these discount rates is limited. Visit INTERCOT's Official Travel Agency, Magical Journey's web site today and fill out a quote form or call (570)785-3283 for more details. Don't forget to mention that you saw the special on INTERCOT! Ask for code AXA. http://www.yourmagicaljourneys.com/

Visit INTERCOT's Accommodations forum to read how other members are saving. http://www.intercot.com/boards/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=3;t=007300

<< Members Memoirs >>

This month Dan, aka Wedway Peoplemover, is sharing exactly what it is like to be in the right place at the right time.  From "How I stumbled into a FREE night @ the Grand Floridian"

"Now THAT's what I call GRAND!!

I just got back from a WHIRLWIND weekend stemming from a FREE room in the Concierge 3rd floor of the Grand Floridian's Royal Palm Club in the main building.

I couldn't believe this was happening.

My wife and I were eating dinner with our friend @ the Chili's outside of Disney property. His brother (an actor/director who will remain nameless) had flown into town from California to visit the family. He had booked a Concierge room @ the Grand Floridian ($750 a night, WOW!) Our friend gets a call from his brother. His brother had decided he just wanted to stay at their parent's house instead. Now, it was 10 pm, and the room could not be cancelled. Our friend looks to us and says.

"How would you feel about staying the night at the Grand?" 

WE COULDN'T BELIEVE IT!!!!

We rush over to the Grand.... to check in. No bags, no clothes.....just us.

This is no ordinary Disney room.. This is one of those octagon "Corner" rooms.. (underneath the red cones on the roof) It was HUGE!! There were windows on 3/4 of the wall, with a view from the Seven Seas Lagoon, Polynesian, around to the Monorail. There is a full living room set, couch, chairs, table.. wet bar, huge closet, etc.

Now we had relaxed in the outer building concierge "Sugar loaf" before.. and concierge @ the Polynesian, but the Upstairs concierge in the Main building is a completely different experience. It is much more "exclusive" not 45 people fighting over scraps of cheese.

What a view of the Lobby!!!! What a view of the Magic Kingdom! FREE WINE!!!!!!!

Talk about "Big timing" it. This is the definition of "The good life"....

What an unbelievable room. What an unbelievable weekend. What an unbelievable experience.

Let's just say... we owe our friend Juuuuuuust a little!!!!

The only problem, I feel, Is now.. a room at the Polynesian, Yacht Club, or EVEN regular rooms @ the Grand Floridian... is now... just a "Standard Room."

NAAAAHHHHHHHH I LOVE DISNEY RESORTS!!!!!!"

To see a review of  Dan's concierge experience visit Info Centrals "What in the *World* is Concierge?" Page.  (Thanks, Dan!)

Once there, you can also read member feedback for the other Disney resort concierge levels.  http://www.intercot.com/infocentral/accomodations/concierge.asp

<< Wacky's Dining Review
Nine Dragons Restaurant >>


If you're looking for a unique dining experience, with good food and an inviting atmosphere, look no further than the Nine Dragons Restaurant at Epcot's China Pavilion. I had the opportunity to dine there on a recent trip and I came away more than impressed!

The restaurant itself is very elegant, with lots of tapestries and polished wood. Even the place settings are custom designed with the Nine Dragons logo on them. I started out my meal with an appetizer of the Mongolian Beef Sticks. Another member of my party opted to try the Spicy Hot and Sour Soup. Both of them got rave reviews. The Mongolian Beef was very tender and the dipping sauce had just the right amount of tang to it. The Hot and Sour Soup was slightly toned down from some of the more spicy offerings out there, but made up for it with its unique flavor.

For the main course I ordered my personal favorite, General Tso's Chicken. The other two members of my party ordered the Honey Sesame Chicken and the Rainbow Kung Bao Chicken. I have to admit I was a little worried that the portions might be a little on the small side, but that turned out to be unfounded. They were HUGE! I mean I can eat my friends, but this monster portion was a challenge even for me! We were also served a family-style dish of sticky rice that was out of this world. I sampled each of the offerings and I have to say that when I go back I'm not sure which I'll order. The General's chicken was just terrific, with the perfect "kick". The Sesame Chicken was quite tasty as well, and even though I'm not a big fan of Kung Bao Chicken, I have to say this one made me a convert.

In addition to the great food, the wait staff was very attentive and polite. Our glasses never went unfilled for more than a few moments and everything was handled with the utmost efficiency and service. Overall I was very impressed with Nine Dragons and I highly recommend it the next time you visit Epcot.

That's all for now . Tune in again soon for another Wacky dining experience!

<< WDW History with WDWDriver >>

What's The Name of That Island?

When Walt Disney first saw Discovery Island from the air, he probably didn't know that the island had been occupied for many years. From 1900 to 1937 it was called Raz Island, named for the family that lived and farmed on the Island. Later it was owned and occupied for more than 20 years by Delmar Nicholson, known locally as Radio Nick. He was Florida's first radio disc jockey. He called the island Idle Bay. Eventually Nick sold the island to a group of local businessmen who purchased it as a hunting retreat. Disney bought the island in 1965, and gave it the name Blackbeard's Island. Nothing was done with it until 1974 when it was transformed with a pirate's hideaway theme and renamed Treasure Island. In 1976 the island was closed for the construction of the Thirsty Perch snack bar and the Avian Way walk-through aviary. When the island reopened it had a new name - Discovery Island. And now there are two Discovery Islands, the original one in Bay Lake and the new one under the Tree of Life at Disney's Animal Kingdom.

<< Tomorrow's Horizons
Are They Here or Gone Forever? With dpamac >>


Every time I hear the phrase "If you can dream it, you can do it" I'm transported back to May of 2000 as I passed Horizons for the last time.  Bits of metal were hanging off the roof.  Insulation was piled on the ground outside and a giant wall had been erected around my beloved ride promising something amazing for the future.

I already knew what that ride was.  In my geeky little heart, I knew I should be excited.  But I felt nothing but sadness and dread.  My beloved Horizons lay dying and I knew that my favorite vision of the future had hopelessly been consigned to the past.

You can spot us Horizons lovers from the distance.  We're the ones who want to be able to choose our own endings for everything.  We're the ones who look wistfully at every Omnimax screen and wish we could be drifting by as the beautiful music swelled.  Our minds get lost in all of our possible futures.  We're the ones who look off at the sunset and say, "Someday."

Horizons was special for me, and for most of us.  It truly represented what EPCOT was all about.  Not just the future.  But all of our possible futures.  Horizons showed us what we could accomplish if we just tried.  If we just dreamed.  The best part was, after you chose your ending and you walked out of the darkened ride building into the bright Florida sunshine, you were greeted with a vision of that future.  It sat there, gleaming in front of you as if you had stepped through time.  As you walked down the walkways past all of EPCOT's glorious rides you felt as though someone did dream it.  And you were the one doing it.

That ride is gone and, for some of us we feel that EPCOT's heart is gone as well.  And yet, we hear amazing tales of what Mission: Space will be.  There are rumors of pulling 2 gees and experiencing moments of weightlessness.  We hear amazing stories of pitching and yawing this way and that in a simulation of space flight that gets real astronauts as excited as children.

But . . . it's just not Horizons, is it?

Mission: Space has a huge legacy to live up to.  It's not just replacing a simple roller coaster or "Mojo the Monster" at your local amusement park.  No, Horizons was a true Theme Park adventure with a story and a progression and a point.  When you walked out of Horizons you felt the true wonderment of the future.  You were brimming with excitement.

Will Misison: Space fill us with that sort of awe and wonder?  Will it intrigue us and leave us quoting lines to our friends and associates?

But, in my heart, I know the idea of Mission: Space is a fitting tribute to Horizons.  After all, mankind's quest for the stars is the living illustration of the tenets of Horizons.  It is the embodiment of those ideals. 

We all await the debut of Mission: Space.  And we anxiously await the first-hand reports our intrepid INTERCOT pals who brave the first trial runs will give us.

But I now we all hold a special place in our hearts for that old, hopefully not forgotten ride.

"Have you ever dreamed the dreams of the children?
 Just imagine the magic their minds can see
 If we can dream it
 Horizons, all shining and new
 Shining and new
 Horizons, where dreams do come true
 They do come true"

<< Conclusion >>

That's it for us this month (which officially became next month, but we won't talk about that).  We'll be back next month with more tips, tricks and ideas to help your Disney vacation be as magical as possible.  Remember, to plan your personal magical journey to the World, contact Magical Journeys Travel (http://www.yourmagicaljourneys.com/) and put the experts to work for you!

See you real soon!

<< INTERCOT Would Like To Thank>>

The INTERCOT Insider and INTERCOT.com are supported by the following sponsors who in turn, help us bring the Magic to you!

Magical Journeys
Magical Journeys is your Disney Vacation specialist. Start planning your Vacation Discount Dreams today!
Website: http://www.yourmagicaljourneys.com/

Radisson Resort Parkway
Right in the heart of action! Only 1.5 miles from Walt Disney World is an oasis of ponds, beautiful landscaping, serene waterfalls and relaxing options hiding in every corner.
Website: http://orlando.guestselectresorts.com?pid=INTERCOTN

All Star Vacation Homes
When you need a home away from home, look no further. From comfort to luxury, All Star Vacation Homes has it all in four series of homes to fit any taste and any budget just moments from the magic of Walt Disney World!
Website: http://www.allstarvacationhomes.com?ovchn=OTHER&ovcpn=Listing+Sites&ovcrn=intercot&ovtac=AD

Happy Limo
Providing ground transportation to the entire state of Florida.
Website: http://www.quicksilver-tours.com

The Official Ticket Center
Walt Disney World’s, Universal Studios and Sea World’s #1 guest service provider for the last 3 years. The Official Ticket Center has been servicing vacationers for more than 7 years now and sells tickets only, at a discount price.
Website:
http://www.officialticketcenter.com/default.aspx?affid=TC21LBC

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The INTERCOT Insider
Copyright © 1997-2005 Levelbest Communications - All Rights Reserved
Comments or questions may be sent to [email protected]

 

 
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