<<
Introduction >>
March may be
coming in like a Lion in your neck of the woods, but we're not ly'n'
when we tell you that this is another great edition of the INTERCOT
Insider. In this edition we catch you up on the latest dollar saving
deals, learn how to save big at Disney, get some transportation tips,
round-up the latest Disney news, get up-to-date on the the latest buzz
around info central, get some tips on a cool treat, and learn what's
about to bloom at the 2009 Epcot Flower festival. Hang on to them hat's
and glasses, cause this here's the most informative ride on the
Internet!
<<Disney Deals>>
Brought to you by Magical Journeys Travel
Agency
-Passholder
Discounts-
Disney has
released Annual Passholder rates for the travel dates 4/19/09 - 6/6/09.
Stay at the All-Star Music for $64a night or Port Orleans-French Quarter
for $94 a night. Go rustic at the Fort Wilderness Cabins for only
$189 a night. Stay in luxury without breaking the bank by staying at
the Animal Kingdom Lodge for $164 a night, the Contemporary for $249 a
night or the Polynesian for $289. Discounts vary by day of week and are
available on only certain views.
>>
Details & Discussion
-Spring
Savings-
Disney has
released a Spring Magic Your Way special for travel Dates 4/12/09 -
6/6/09. Enjoy a Magic My Way package with discounted accommodations
cost. Stay at a Value resort for $68 per night, a Moderate Resort for
$104 per night or select Deluxe resorts for $179 - $304 per night. Tax
will be applied to room rate. Discounts vary by day of week and are
available on only certain views. Packages must be booked by 4/18/09.
>>
Details & Discussion
Magical Journeys is dedicated to
finding the best pricing for your next Magical Journey. They work hard
to save you money, and still give you the quality service you
deserve. They find their clients deals like the ones above and add them
to qualifying reservations, saving their clients both money and the
hassle of watching for the deals themselves.
>>
Magical Journeys
<<WebDisney Round-Up with Mel>>
Disney News
Headlines Around the World -- February 11th through March 13th, 2009
Raytheon Company Announces New Disney World Projects
Raytheon Company recently celebrated the grand opening of The Family
Technology Center at the Shades of Green on Walt Disney World Resort,
and also announced 'The Sum of All Thrills' interactive, math-based
experience to open at INNOVENTIONS in Epcot in fall 2009.
American Idol Experience Attraction Opens At Disney World with Blue
Carpet Premiere
With the largest-ever gathering of "American Idol" winners joining in
the celebration, Walt Disney World Resort recently raised the curtain on
"The American Idol Experience", a new attraction capturing the energy
and excitement of the hit TV show.
Karl Holz Returns As Disney Cruise Line President
Tom McAlpin is being replaced by the same man he succeeded as Disney
Cruise Line president: Karl Holz, who is currently president of New
Vacation Operations, where he oversees the Adventures By Disney tour
operation. In his new role, Holz will run both the cruise line and the
new-vacation division.
ESPN The Weekend Returns to Disney World
ESPN and Walt Disney World Resort again offered fans the opportunity to
see and hear ESPN personalities and current and legendary athletes
during the annua ESPN The Weekend.
Walt Disney World Resort Debuts New Online Check-In Service
Walt Disney World Resort has launched a new Online Check-In Service,
designed to simplify and streamline guest arrivals. The new service is
complimentary and available to guests staying at select Walt Disney
World Resort hotels and Disney Vacation Club resorts open as of February
2009.
Updated "Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln" Returning To Disneyland
A
longtime favorite of Disneyland guests will return as "The Disneyland
Story, featuring Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln," an enhanced version of
the show which appeared, in various forms, in the Main Street Opera
House at Disneyland park from 1966 through 2004 . The attraction will
reopen later this year in celebration of the 200th anniversary year of
Abraham Lincoln's birth.
'High School Musical' Franchise To Return In 2010 With New Cast
East meets West in a classic love triangle set against the cross-town
school rivalry between the East High Wildcats and West High Knights, in
"High School Musical 4," the fourth story in the celebrated franchise.
Disney Cruise Line Begins New Ship Construction
Disney Cruise Line recently began construction on two new ships with a
steel cutting ceremony at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg,
Germany. The ships are scheduled for completion in 2011 and 2012.
Disney Company Announces Long-Term Environmental Goals
The Walt Disney Company has announced a landmark set of strategic
environmental goals and challenging 3 to 5 year targets to reduce
emissions, waste, electricity and fuel use, and its impact on water and
ecosystems.
Disney Announces Launch of D23
Disney has announced the launch of D23, the first official community for
Disney fans in the Company's 85-year history. Through D23, fans will go
backstage and behind closed doors to get the inside scoop from every
part of Disney, while experiencing the nostalgia, adventure and fantasy
of Disney as never before.
Disney Names New Cruise Ships 'Disney Dream' and 'Disney Fantasy'
At
the 2009 Annual Meeting of Shareholders of The Walt Disney Company,
Disney announced the names of the company's two new cruise ships.
Tampa Bay Bucs Leave WDW Training Camp Behind
The new-look Bucs, led by Coach Raheem Morris, will shift training camp
to their $36 million team headquarters this summer, according to NFL
sources, leaving their luxury accommodations at the Celebration Hotel
and facilities at Disney's Wide World of Sports for the first time in
eight years.
Shareholders Re-Elect Disney Board of Directors
Shareholders of The Walt Disney Company at the 2009 Annual Meeting
Tuesday elected all 12 members of the Board of Directors and supported
Board recommendations on the Company's auditor and stock and executive
compensation plans, based on preliminary results.
>>
Stay tuned to WebDisney for the
latest company-wide Disney News
<<Ways to Save>>
Brought to you by The Walt Disney World
Swan & Dolphin
Looking to save some dough on
breakfast at Disney's Hollywood Studios? Look no further than the
Starring Rolls Bakery. This often overlooked location may serve the
baked goods of the stars, but they do it at more terrestrial price.
Guests can find an assortment of mini-baked goods priced $0.99 - $1.79,
assorted muffins priced $2.29, bagels with cream cheese priced $2.29,
croissants priced $2.29 and chocolate croissants priced $2.39. These
quick breakfast bites are easy on the wallet and easy to digest while
dashing to the Tower of Terror, Rock'n' Rollercoaster, or Toy Story
Mania!.
To save even more on your vacation,
book a stay at the Walt Disney World Swan & Dolphin on select dates
through-out 2009 or enjoy a free night's stay on your Birthday!
If you are
a member of our military, a teacher or school support staff member,
nurse,
or Florida resident, the Walt Disney World Swan & Dolphin has
additional discounts
available just for you!
>>
Walt Disney World
Swan & Dolphin
<<Getting Around the World>>
Brought to you by Quick silver Tours &
Transportation
The Hoop-Dee-Doo Review is a popular
dinner experience for many Guests, but getting there can be a bit
confusing. Since the dinner show is at the Fort Wilderness Resort, it
is easiest to get there from one of the four Theme Parks. Guests
spending the day at Epcot, Disney's Animal Kingdom, or Disney's
Hollywood Studios can take the Disney Transportation bus to Fort
Wilderness, then switch to the internal campground bus. Once on the
internal bus Guests need only to tell the driver they are going to the
Hoop-De-Doo Revue and they will be taken there. Guests spending the day
at the Magic Kingdom can take the Disney transportation boat to Fort
Wilderness and can walk a short distance from the boat dock directly to
the Hoop-De-Doo Revue.
A great way to travel between the
Walt Disney World resort and the airport is with Quicksilver Tours &
Transportation. Quicksilver goes to great lengths to ensure that your
trip is exactly how you imagined it at rates lower than standard taxi
rates.
>>
Quicksilver Tours & Transportation
<<
Inside info Central>>
Park Calendar
Released for June 2009
The Walt Disney
World Resort has released it's Extra Magic Hours, Operating, and Event
schedules for June 2009. For guests visiting during this time, you will
want to visit the Park Hours and Events pages to aid in planning your
trip. Remember, all times and schedules are subject to change, so check
back often.
>>
Extra
Magic Hours Schedule and Info
>>
Current Park Hours
>>
Fireworks, Parades, & Event Schedules
What's Updated?
INTERCOT info Central has recently updated the following
sections to keep you up-to-date as you plan your Disney World Vacation.
>>
Closing & Refurbishment Schedule
>>
Historic Temp Averages by Day
>>
Disney Dining Plan
>>
Night
of Joy
>>
Epcot's Annual International Flower & Garden Festival
<< Staying Cool >>
Brought to you by The Clarion Resort &
Water Park
The Magic Kingdom is a place
filled with fun and whimsy, but in the heat of the day it can also be a
place filled with exhausted families. A great place for a cool treat to
pick up the whole group is the Main Street Ice Cream Parlor. While this
location may be familiar to many who have grabbed a sundae or ice cream
cone, it is less known that Guests can also get a cool gourmet treat.
The Main Street Ice Cream Parlor offers Guests the ability to make an
ice cream sandwich from any ice cream flavor in the shop and two freshly
baked cookies from the adjacent Main Street Bakery. Similar ice cream
sandwiches made from large scoops of ice cream and freshly baked cookies
can also be found at Sleepy Hollow in the Magic Kingdom, Fountainview
Cafe at Epcot, and DinoBites in the Animal Kingdom. These delectable
treats are fairly large and may be considered a snack to share between
two people (or one really hungry one!).
Another great way to stay cool is
with a stay at the Clarion Resort & Water Park. Conveniently located in
Kissimmee, the Clarion Resort & Water Park is a full-service Orlando
area hotel and a state-of-the-art water park that's perfect for kids of
all ages.
>>
Clarion Resort and Water Park
<< Epcot in Bloom >>
The 16th annual Epcot International
Flower and Garden Festival kicked-off March 18, 2009 at Walt Disney
World Resort. This festival, included in theme park admission,
transforms the Epcot landscape into vibrant gardens filled with popular
Disney character topiaries. Here's some highlights to look for during
this year's festival:
~ As part of this year’s Celebration theme, guests can enjoy a
commemoration of Cinderella’s coronation day as a “Cinderellabration”
featuring royal guests including Prince Charming, Sleeping Beauty and
Belle – all as intricately designed topiaries. Other topiary merriment
includes: Simba’s Birthday Celebration in a classic scene based on the
Disney animated film “The Lion King” and Be Our Guest featuring the
entertaining characters from “Beauty and the Beast.”
~ More than 50 Disney character topiaries include Aladdin, Lady and the
Tramp, and Snow White and the seven dwarfs. Classic Disney characters
Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Pluto and Goofy strike topiary
poses doing their favorite outdoor activities in the new, garden-themed
playground Let’s Get Moving.
~Little princesses can come dressed up and show off their costumes in
the all-new daily Fairy & Princess Procession in the new Pixie
Hollow-themed play area.
~More than 500 native butterflies representing up to 10 species reside
in Minnie’s Magnificent Butterfly Garden, a gazebo-type enclosure filled
with lush plants and measuring more than 40 feet in diameter. Guests can
stroll through the screened habitat to view the colorful butterflies.
Among the garden’s two dozen nectar plants are Cape Royal plumbago,
passion flower, coral honeysuckle, blazing star, butterfly bush, scarlet
milkweed and canna lily.
~Two butterfly topiaries are on display.
~Doc, Grumpy and the rest of the
seven dwarfs appear at the Epcot entrance with intricate topiary detail
that includes beards of palm fiber.
~Perfume bottle topiaries represent
Guerlain perfumes in the Fragrance Garden at the France pavilion.
~ More than 15 floral, herbal and spice ingredients of 10 popular
perfumes are revealed in the Fragrance Garden presented by Guerlain at
the France pavilion. Guests can sniff the enduring fragrance Shalimar to
discover botanical notes that include lemon, Arabian jasmine and
vanilla. Some components of nine other Guerlain fragrances include
mimosa, magnolia, rose, nutmeg and vetivergrass.
At the Green Garden exhibit, guests can learn tips on how to create
their own environmentally safe garden, including information about
low-water-use, native plants and recycling.
~ Forty-five “flower towers” of impatiens line Innoventions Plaza.
~ 100 floating mini-gardens, each three feet in diameter, of multi-hued
impatiens provide splashes of color on two ponds that border the walkway
between Future World and World Showcase. There are also 15 large
gardens, each eight feet in diameter.
These amazing displays will be showcased until the festival concludes on
May 31, 2009.
<<
Conclusion >>
That wraps up
this edition filled with travel tips, money saving tricks and all the
latest news and info to keep you up-to-date on planning a trip. Hopefully
the preview of the Epcot Flower & Garden Festival has gotten you into
the Spring mood. If not, don't fret, there's more coverage of the
festival to come. We'll be back in a few weeks with another edition
blooming with information on the concerts and other special events
taking place at the festival. See ya real soon!
<< Thank You To Our
Sponsors! >>
The INTERCOT Insider and INTERCOT.com
are supported by the following sponsors who in turn, help us bring the Magic
to you!
All Star
Vacation Homes
Website:
Vacation Home Details Here
Choose from the finest selection of vacation homes and condos in the
closest locations to Walt Disney World.
Clarion
Resort & Waterpark
Website:
http://www.clarionwaterpark.com
The perfect hotel for your
family's next vacation. Conveniently located in Kissimmee, yet convenient to
many Orlando attractions, the Clarion Resort & Water Park is a full-service
Orlando area hotel and conference center with four restaurants, a spa, a
teen activity area, a children's playroom and a state-of-the-art water park
that's perfect for kids of all ages.
The
Official Ticket Center
Website:
Buy & Price Tickets Now!
The Official Ticket Center
is Walt Disney World’s, Universal Studios and Sea World’s #1 guest service
provider for the last 3 years. The Official Ticket Center sells tickets
only, at a discount price.
Magical
Journeys
Website:
http://www.yourmagicaljourneys.com
INTERCOT's Official Travel Agency. An unconventional Travel Agency for the
unconventional client, Magical Journeys is dedicated to finding the best
pricing for your next magical journey. We work hard to save you money, and
still give you the quality service you deserve.
Mandara
Spa - WDW Swan & Dolphin
Website:
http://www.mandaraspa.com
The spectacular Mandara Spa creates an unforgettable guest experience within
a magical setting surrounded by the paradise that is the Walt Disney World
Swan and Dolphin.
Quicksilver Tours & Transportation
Website:
http://www.quicksilver-tours.com
Our drivers are the first personal contact you have when you arrive in
Orlando. No other transportation company goes to the lengths we do to
ensure that your trip is exactly how you imagined it. At Quicksilver, we
truly believe there's no such thing as going "above and beyond" for our
clients. Instead, it's all part of doing our jobs correctly.
Radisson
Resort Orlando - Celebration
Website:
Resort
Details Here
Conveniently
located just 1.5 miles from Walt Disney World with free shuttle service.
roomy guest accommodations and a Starbucks and Pizza Hut right on property!
The Walt
Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort
Website:
http://www.swandolphin.com
In the heart of the Walt Disney World® Resort, the award-winning Walt Disney
World Swan and Dolphin Resort is your gateway to Central Florida’s greatest
theme parks and attractions. Come discover our 17 world-class restaurants
and lounges, sophisticated guest rooms with Westin Heavenly Beds®, the
luxurious Mandara Spa, and many special Disney benefits.
The
Timeshare Store
Website:
http://www.dvc-resales.com
This Disney Vacation Club resale site offers the largest selection of DVC
Resale's anywhere! They are the number one Disney Vacation Club Reseller in
the world. See how easy and affordable it is to purchase your very own piece
of the "MAGIC".
Comments or questions may be sent to
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