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<<Introduction>>

It's that time of year when we spring the clocks forward one hour, grumble about lost sleep, and look forward to longer days and warmer weather.  In this spring forward edition of the Insider we take a look forward at the new Summer Nightastic! event recently announced, learn how to spring into some savings on your next trip, find out how the Wide World of Sports has jumped into a new identity, take a peek at what's blooming at the Epcot Flower and Garden Festival, learn what happened when a brave INTERCOTee took a leap of faith on their dining plans, and check out the latest park calendars released.  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

--Last Chance for Spring Savings--

Save at least 25% on the room rate at select Disney Resort hotels. Depending on where you stay, you can save even more. Stay more than 4 nights, and your savings increase too. Stay One to Four Nights most nights now through -3/27/10 and 4/11-6/3/10 and save 25% to 40% on select Disney hotels.  Stay Five or More Nights most nights now through -3/27/10 and 4/11-6/3/10 and save 30% to 45% on select Disney hotels.  The number of rooms available at these rates is limited, so hurry book before the promotion ends on March 27, 2010.

--Spectacular Summer Savings--

Stay at least one night when you travel in the summer from 6/3-8/14/10, and save! Save 25% at select Disney Value Resort Hotels, save 30% at select Disney Moderate Resort Hotels 30% Savings, save 35% at select Disney Deluxe Resort Hotels 35% Savings, and save 40% at select Disney Deluxe Villa Resorts 40% Savings.

>> More Details on Spring Savings and Discussion

>> More Details on Summer Savings and Discussion

>> Contact Magical Journeys Today!

<<When the Summer Sun Sets ...>>

... the Walt Disney World resort will unveil new entertainment offerings and a new way to enjoy a favorite attraction.  From June 6 through August 14, 2010 the Walt Disney World resort will present the Summer Nightastic! event.  The “Main Street Electrical Parade” lights up the streets of Magic Kingdom and headlines a season of after-dark excitement that also features new fireworks at the Magic Kingdom and a new experience on the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror at Disney's Hollywood Studios. With floats and characters appearing for the first time at Walt Disney World Resort, Disney’s “Main Street Electrical Parade” returns with its joyous sights and sounds. Direct from Disneyland and marking its first engagement in Florida since 2001, the cherished parade will be led by Tinker Bell waving from the basket of a magical balloon aboard a new float. Pinocchio and Snow White join the parade this summer, aboard bright new floats.  What could be more summery than fireworks on a star-studded night? Magic Kingdom will treat guests to a special summer fireworks spectacular. The night sky will explode in vivid colors and brilliant visual effects as whimsical music fills the air.  The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror welcomes “drop-ins” this summer with even more pulse-racing surprises. New lighting effects and the addition of a new drop sequence, created especially for “Summer Nightastic!”, will bring unexpected frights to guests who step into that infamous service elevator. These two new entertainment offerings and new attraction experience will compliment many of the annual summer events and offerings at the Walt Disney World resort like the Sounds Like Summer concert series to Epcot and extended evening hours at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

<<Exclusive Tweets>>

INTERCOT's own John and Gary were present for the grand opening of the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex late last month and tweeted much of the excitement to their fellow INTERCOTee's.  The Wide World of Sports Complex was re-christened the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex on February 25th, 2010.  Our intrepid travelers even caught exclusive video of the grand opening "kick-off".

>> Grand Opening Video

In addition to tweeting this exciting event, they also gave followers a sneak peak at the topiaries at this year's Epcot Flower and Garden Festival.  

>> Disney's Oceans Topiary

>> Mickey & Minnie Topiary

>> Captain Hook & Peter Pan Topiary

>> Cinderella & Prince Charming Topiary

>> Belle & Beast Topiary

>> Aladdin Topiary

The 17th annual Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival kicked off March 3, 2010 and continues for 75 days through May 16, 2010.  In addition to whimsical topiaries and floral creations dotting Epcot's green spaces, the festival boasts a wide array of activities, events and exhibits.

To keep up on exclusive coverage of the latest events at the Walt Disney World resort and news as it breaks, stay tuned to INTERCOT on Twitter!

>> INTERCOT on Twitter

<<A Leap of Faith with Ian>>

With the recent increase in popularity of the Disney Dining Plan, the online Disney community has been abuzz with discussions on the pros and cons around the increased need for Advanced Dining Reservations (ADR) that has come along with it. Most people seem to feel that you can no longer travel to Walt Disney World without having every meal planned out in advance (180 days in advance, to be specific) lest you risk having to dine on cheeseburgers and french fries for every meal.

So, on our recent January 2010 trip, we decided to put that theory to the test. Don our “Mythbusters” hats, if you will, and learn for ourselves whether or not a “wing it” style trip to Disney was still possible. We made not a single ADR for our entire stay. Not one. We decided that we were just going to fly by the seats of our pants and hope for the best. Tired of being slaves to our dining reservations and having to say things like, "Sorry kids. You don't have time to meet Mickey, because we just have to get to Epcot or we'll miss our ADR!", we were going to boldly go where no family had gone before … an ADR-free trip to Disney. Can it be done? “Ridiculous”, you might say. “I bet they ate cold chicken fingers and greasy fast-food fish and chips the entire trip!” Well … not so fast … 

So what was the result of our myth-busting? Was it myth confirmed or myth busted?

Well let me assure you that our testing showed this myth to be well and truly busted! In fact, what if I told you that we were able to eat breakfast at Ohana, Hollywood & Vine, and 1900 Park Fare, dinner at Teppan Edo, Le Cellier and Chefs De France, lunch at Rainforest Cafe and The Plaza Restaurant, and even have ice cream and snacks at Beaches & Cream? All without a single ADR. Would this shock you? Would you cry foul and think we simply must have called ahead at least once or twice, right? I mean who gets into Le Cellier for dinner with no ADR? It’s unheard of!

Well we did. You can check my cell phone log. Not one call to 1-407-WDW-DINE. And boy was it really great not having to worry about being in a certain place at a certain time. We ate when we got hungry and picked a place close by and we were never turned away. Not once. And best of all we never had to say to the kids, “Sorry! You don't have time to meet Mickey, because we just have to get to Epcot or we'll miss our ADR.”

One thing I should point out, though, is that January is historically a pretty slow month in terms of crowds. I’m not sure yet if I would try this approach during the summer or over Christmas. But from now on, when we go during a slow, time we are definitely passing on the ADR's and winging-it all the way!

<<Calendar Corner>>

-- September 2010--

The Walt Disney World Resort has released it's Extra Magic Hours, Operating, and Event schedules for September 2010. 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 >>

Things are shaping up to be an exciting Summer at the Walt Disney World resort! While flowers may just start to be peeking out from the winter hardened ground in your neck of the woods, but things are in full bloom at Epcot.  We'll be back in a few weeks to take an in-depth look at the annual Epcot Flower & Garden festival.  See ya real soon!

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