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INTERCOT
Insider June 2009 - Edition 2 |
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<<Introduction>>
June's busting out all over and
this is another edition of the Insider busting into your mailbox. In
this edition we kick-off the official start of summer with some reading
suggestions as you plan your next Disney vacation. We also take a look
at the chatter around the boards and see what INTERCOTees are saying
about some of their recent dining and resort experiences at Walt Disney
World. It's Insider time!
<<Resort Round-Up>>
Here's what some of the insight and
info INTERCOTee's shared around the Accommodations forum throughout June
2009:
"I just got back from Animal Kingdom
Lodge. I had requested a standard view, but I think I got an upgrade to
pool. I had a view with the pool to the right and the savannah to the
left. Before when I had requested pool I got a room on the 4th
floor--great view, and a room on the 3rd floor--tree's were in the way.
With all the rain we got last week I got tired of being wet all the time
and took time out to fully check out the resort. The place is cool. I
also discovered that one great advantage that Jambo house has is a
covered walkway from the buses to the rooms."--goofygirl67
"I do know that there are bunked
rooms at the Wilderness Lodge with a woods view on the Magic Kingdom
side of the resort with a great view of the castle through the trees. At
night, you can look out your window and see the castle lighting up all
night. We've had the courtyard bunk bed room before and I didn't think
the view was worth the extra cost. We got that view because that was all
that was available. I think saving the $30 a night and requesting a
woods view room on the Magic Kingdom side would be a good thing to do.
That's saving over $200 for a 7 night stay!"--buzznwoodysmom
"You can find Honeymoon Suites at the Wilderness Lodge ($425), Grand
Floridian ($690), Polynesian ($610) and Boardwalk Inn ($630). Rates
shown are 2009, value season. I don't think you'll go wrong with any
choice. Each resort offers something very unique and the honeymoon
suites come with concierge service. I've stayed in a Grand Floridian
honeymoon suite. They have 2 different styles and ours was one of the
larger, turret suites in the main building. Over at the Boardwalk Inn,
they have what are called "garden suites". These are sort of like
townhouses, with a little garden out front and a white picket fence. The
unit is 2 levels with a king bed and Jacuzzi tub."--TammiMcMan
"We waited less than 5 minutes to check-in on our recent stay at the
Grand Floridian. When we got to the front desk, the Cast Member informed
us that they had a surprise for us - upgrade from a Garden View room to
a Corner room. I cried. We have never received an upgrade before and I
was so grateful that this was the vacation that we were to experience
our first. The Cast Member (I think her name was Penny) was wonderful.
In addition to being a corner room, it was also a dormer room. The
ceilings were vaulted making the room look even larger. We had 2
balconies - one facing the MK and one facing the marina. We could watch
the fireworks from the balcony as well as hear the happenings at the
Magic Kingdom. There is nothing like having the train whistle wake you
up every morning. The room amenities were great - love the H2O products
- will definitely be ordering some at a later date. And what is it with
the smell of the room? We loved opening the door every night after a day
at the parks and being welcomed with that wonderful aroma. Wish I
could've bottled it and brought it home! Loved the pools - especially
the courtyard pool, which seemed to be significantly warmer than the
other. We did rent a cabana for a day. Was it worth the $100 - I would
say yes, but it not something I would do more than one day. There are
lots of activities at the beach pool to keep the kids occupied.--"llamaface
"I have stayed at Pop Century quite a few time and all I can suggest is
this. I have been in the 50's, 60's, and 70's sections. None of the
rooms were a bad location. I have heard that the top floor is quieter
since you do not have anyone walking above you. There is only one bus
stop and that is at the main hall. If you want a room close to the food
court you will need to request a preferred room. Although, when we were
there in February ,we were in a room in the 70's building that was close
to the food court and buses; but was not a preferred room. You can
always ask at check in for a room close to the main hall although they
cannot guarantee your request."--Itchy
"We stay at Port Orleans-Riverside every year and we absolutely love
it...The grounds are beautiful and it is very laid back and relaxed and
not to mention, quiet...I have read on several sites that their food
court has the best food and I agree...The pools are great and the bus
rides are not that bad...There have only been a few times that we have
had to actually stand on the ride back and that was when the parks were
closing...We were there in December for New Years and it is considered
the busiest week of the year and it did not seen crowded...I can't
imagine staying anywhere else...It is truly our home away from home...We
will be there in 67 days...I will also mention that the boat ride from
Port Orleans Riverside to Downtown Disney is great...Its very relaxed
and gives you a good break from all of the craziness of Walt Disney
World.--"elmjimmlm
"Stayed at the Caribbean Beach Resort this past December and fully
enjoyed it. We were in Trinidad North, I think Bldg 32, which I think is
considered a "preferred" location. We just happened to receive the room
without requesting a preferred anything. Trinidad North is very close to
Port Royale and the large swimming pool. Rooms are nice--two beds, table
etc. I did like that there was a curtain around the sink/closet area
that I could close so I didn't wake the dear husband and dear daughter
while I was getting ready. The resort is huge, but I really liked it.
"--SallyMcQueen
<<Summer Reading List
with JPL>>
As summer gets
into full swing and we have time to sit out in the sun and enjoy the
finer things the season has to offer, we have lots of time to read about
our favorite places, Disney Theme Parks. I have put together a selection
of books that I have read or am planning to read over the summer and
thought my fellow INTERCOTees might enjoy. If you follow the provided
links, it will take you to the book on INTERCOT Affiliate Amazon.com and
help out INTERCOT at the same time.
Walt Disney's
Imagineering Legends and the Genesis of the Disney Theme Park by Jeff
Kurti
Click here to order from Amazon
Imagineering
Field Guide to Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World by The Imagineers
Click here to order from Amazon
Imagineering
Field Guide to Disney's Animal Kingdom at Walt Disney World by The
Imagineers
Click here to order from Amazon
Imagineering
Field Guide to Epcot at Walt Disney World by The Imagineers
Click here to order from Amazon
I hope those are enough to get you
started learning more about Disney Parks. Look for part 2 with more
books coming soon
<<Restaurant Round-Up>>
Here's what some of the insight
and info INTERCOTee's shared around the Dining Forum throughout June
2009:
"No reservations for Beaches and
Cream. We have eaten there on Saturdays and many other days without any
problems getting seated (though we have not eaten there during a very
high volume season). Sometimes we have had a short wait for a
table/counter to open up. The food sizes are plentiful so splitting the
food before you tackle the kitchen sink is a good idea (dear husband and
I always do this). Not hard to find. You enter from the outside where
Stormalong Bay is located (rather than from inside the resort) on the
way towards the Yacht Club."--MinnieMommie
"We ate The House of Blues last August and it was in our top 5 meals. We
shared a plate of ribs and there were really good. I would say the
atmosphere is sort of like a Hard Rock Cafe but focus on the "Blues".
There was no band playing when we were there, but they did have music
playing over the loud speakers. It was a nice experience and we are
eating there on our 1st night again this coming August."--JavaDuck
"We had a reservation for 'Ohana for 5 minutes after the restaurant
opened and were able to get right in. This has been one our must do
reservations over the last handful of trips and we continue to enjoy it.
The quality and selection of food is exceptional and cooked to
perfection. We especially enjoy the bread pudding for dessert. The
service here is also second to none. We are already looking forward to
our next meal here. Very highly recommended."--Vinny
"Best place to get coffee at Walt Disney World would be at the
Polynesian Resort. Kona Cafe offers a pressed pot of Kona coffee. You
can also get a cup at a counter set up in the lobby. I've heard that you
can also request a pressed pot at 'Ohana, but haven't done it myself.
There is an extra charge for the pressed pot of coffee. Another place to
get good coffee is at the Animal Kingdom Lodge Resort restaurants where
you can also get a pressed pot of Kenyan coffee. Like at the Polynesian,
the pressed pot comes with a price. In the parks, I've gotten good
coffee at a stand outside of the Italian pavilion at Epcot (and you can
get a nice piece of something to accompany it there too ). I also spent
a quiet time chatting with a friend over a cappuccino at the Writer's
Stop in Disney's Hollywood Studios."-- ElenitaB
"We eat at Tepan Edo (formerly the Teppanyaki Dining Room) at least
twice a trip - very comparable to Benihana, Osaka, or Ichiban....I
worked at a Hibachi restaurant for a while and Disney's will always be
my favorite - and we ALWAYS order a sushi appetizer...yummy!!!-"--PixieMagic
"The bar at Jiko is very small. There's not that many seats at the bar,
then a few small lounge tables. A lot of people have a drink there while
waiting for their reservations. You'd probably be better off dining at
Jiko if you want to try the food there (excellent by the way). The
Victoria Falls bar upstairs in the hotel is much larger."--DVC2004
"We've been going to the Crystal Palace for breakfast every year for
years and the menu doesn't seem to change. Cereal, Danish, bagels,
toast, fruit, bacon, sausage, grits, potatoes, eggs, made to order eggs,
and omelets, stuffed breakfast lasagna, Mickey waffles, breakfast pizza
(at the kid's section but I also like it ), I'm sure there are things
I'm missing, but this is our favorite breakfast in Walt Disney World.
"--KAT1811
<< Conclusion >>
There's a lawn chair and a
lemonade with your name on it, so grab one of the books JPL mentioned or
another great Disney book at enjoy a mental trip to Disney's parks
during this beautiful Summer weather. We'll be back in a couple of
weeks with more ways to spend your Summer planning a great Disney trip
and how to enjoy a great Disney trip this Summer. See ya real soon!
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