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<<Introduction>>

Spring has sprung, and this edition of the INTERCOT Insider is bursting at the seams with exciting news and helpful tips. Whether it's the new entertainment at the Universal Orlando Resort, the opening of Storybook Circus at the Magic Kingdom, or saving big on a Disney vacation this Fall; excitement is filling the Spring air. In this edition we check out the latest deals, learn how to buy the Disney Vacation Club from the re-sale market, round-up March happenings at the Magic Kingdom, see what new entertainment is in store at Universal Studios Florida, and check out the latest Disney calendars. Hang on to them hats and glasses, cause this here's the most informative ride on the internet!

<<Disney Deals>>

with Magical Journeys Travel Agency

-- Free Dining Returns for Early Fall 2012 --

Guests can get the free counter service package when staying at value resorts and free basic dining package when staying at moderate or above resort levels. Travel Dates are 8/25-9/29/2012 and the package must be booked by 5/18/2012. The package requires a 3 night minimum stay and the purchase of a 2 day base ticket. For more details, contact INTERCOT's official Travel Agency-- Magical Journeys!

>> Contact Magical Journeys Today!

<<DVC Do's & Don'ts with Faline>>

-- Buying Disney Vacation Club in the Resale Market --

Around the summer of 2007, we began to look at whether or not a Disney Vacation Club (DVC) purchase might be a good decision for us. We read what we could including the information we could glean from other members on INTERCOT's site. We made the decision to buy but also decided we would not make a financed purchase and would only purchase on a cash basis. To this end, we opened a bank account specifically to save for this. On two different Disney World trips, we took the Vacation Club tour. The first time we took the tour, Bay Lake Tower was a “rumor” and Saratoga Springs was the featured site. We took the tour a second time just so we could get a look at the Bay Lake Tower model. For a while, we considered purchasing directly from Disney but, ultimately, decided there was very little incentive for us to do so and determined the resale market would provide us with more points for less money. We thought we had settled on wanting to purchase at Wilderness Lodge but, ultimately, decided that it didn’t really matter where we stayed. Plus, the timings of our vacation are usually pretty flexible which also makes staying at resorts other than our home resort a possibility. From 2007 through 2010, we continued to save and to watch the listings posted by the Timeshare Store. Here's some tips we learned:

Spotting the Listing: In early June of 2010, I perused the listings as I did pretty regularly. On this evening, I found an Old Key West listing that was reasonably priced and also included the full component of points from the prior year. Thus, if it purchased this listing we would not only get all of 2010’s points but also all of 2009’s points as well. That evening, we picked up the phone and called The Timeshare Store. We had a long discussion with a representative who answered all of our questions about the process and the particular listing we were interested in.

The Offer Is Made: That very evening, we made an offer on the listing. The owners countered and we accepted their counter-offer. We were on our way to becoming DVC owners!

Paperwork and Deposit: The following day, we received our Contract for Sale and Purchase. The day after that, we sent in the in the required paperwork along with our deposit which equaled 10% of the sales price. The Timeshare Store received the deposit three days after we mailed it.

Right of First Refusal: On all DVC resale's, Disney has the Right of First Refusal. What this means is that Disney gets to see all offers for resale's and Disney can purchase the property at the agreed upon price if Disney wishes to do so. This is probably the most nerve-wracking part of the entire process. The day after receiving our deposit, the contract was sent to Disney for their review and decision on whether or not to exercise their right of first refusal. We were told that Disney had 30 days to make a decision. In the interim, our deposit was placed into an escrow account. Twenty-one days after the contract went to Disney, we received an e-mail stating that Disney had waived the right to purchase! The DVC would be ours!

Closing: We received a number of documents we needed to process and sign. One month to the day after we had made the offer on the DVC property, we sent in all of our paperwork and the check for the balance of payment. That same day, the sellers signed over their rights to the DVC to us.

We’re Now DVC Owners: Approximately three weeks later, we received our Disney Vacation Club Member ID cards in the mail from Disney. We were also supposed to receive information on how to access the Disney World DVC web site which we did not get. I ended up calling Member Services and our ability to access the site was quickly squared away. Although we expected it take quite a bit longer, we received our Deed and Title Insurance Policy in the mail around the end of the month. From start to finish, it took us about 2 months to complete the process.

In conclusion, we had a terrific experience with The Timeshare Store. Everyone we dealt with was professional and very responsive. We would not hesitate to use them again and, in fact, we are considering adding on a bit more within the next few years! And, now that I’ve actually had my first stay as a DVC owner (at Bay Lake Tower), we’re very happy with our ownership status!

>> Check out INTERCOT's DVC forum
>> Contact the Timeshare Store

<<Ears on the Ground with Melanie>>

INTERCOT's intrepid park reporter Melanie has been storming the Kingdom, Magic Kingdom that is, and has had her camera in-tow. She experienced the One More Disney Day celebration on Leap Day 2012 where the Magic Kingdom stayed open for 24 straight hours. She also was there when the new Storybook Circus section of Fantasyland opened for public previews. Check out the great pictures she took in INTERCOT's Facebook Photo Albums:

-- One More Disney Day - WDW 2/29-3/1/12
-- Storybook Circus Soft Opening 3/13/12

Be sure to keep up with Mel and our other INTERCOTees on the ground by following the INTERCOT Twitter feed.

>> @INTERCOT on Twitter

<<Beyond the Berms>>

with Universal Orlando Resort

There's lots of new fun springing up this Spring at the Universal Orlando Resort. Here's a look of the exciting entertainment opening this Spring:

--Universal’s Superstar Parade at Universal Studios Florida--

Some of today’s most beloved characters and stories will bring new adventure to the streets of Universal Studios during Universal’s Superstar Parade – an all-new daily parade that features larger-than-life floats, state-of-the-art technology and hundreds of energetic street performers. Guests will sing and dance along with characters like the minions from Despicable Me, E.B. from the hit comedy, Hop, Nickelodeon’s Dora & Diego and SpongeBob SquarePants during the interactive experience. Guests will have the opportunity to enjoy performances and character meet and greets prior to the parade at select locations throughout the day.

--Universal’s Cinematic Spectacular: 100 Years of Movie Memories at Universal Studios Florida--

Narrated by award-winning actor and recent Golden Globe - Cecil B. DeMille honoree, Morgan Freeman, Universal Orlando’s brand-new nighttime show, Universal’s Cinematic Spectacular, will celebrate the most powerful and emotional moments from Universal Pictures’ most iconic films – all on cutting-edge waterfall screens within the Universal Studios lagoon and surrounded by colorful fountains and pyrotechnics. The experience will take guests on a journey through epic cinematic moments filled with heroes, horror, laughter, good vs. evil and triumph. The new show opens this spring, runs all summer and then on select nights through the end of the year.

>>

<<Calendar Corner>>

-- September & October 2012 --

Extra Magic Hours, Operating, and Event schedules have been released through October 2012. 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.

>> Current Park Hours
>> Extra Magic Hours Schedule and Info
>> Fireworks, Parades, & Event Schedules

<< Conclusion >>

The Easter Bunny is on his way, but this edition is out. Look for the next edition to be filled with flowers and fantasy, as we check out the Epcot Flower and Garden festival and the first voyages of the new Disney Fantasy cruise ship. We'll be back in a few weeks with more great tips, news, and deals. See ya real soon!

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