Webmaster John's Note: Yes,
this is the March Edition - consider it an April Fools. I was at the
Walt Disney World Resort and thought I had sent out the newsletter and
actually hadn't. So, without further delay - read on and enjoy this
edition - a little bit late. Sorry Jason!
Spring has officially sprung! While
spring weather may have not yet arrived in you neck of the woods, another
edition of the INTERCOT Insider has arrived in your mailbox. In this
edition we check-out the latest deals, get some great tips for Star Wars
Weekends, learn about a great deal for big groups, and take a look at this
year's Epcot Flower & Garden Festival. Hang on to them hat's and glasses,
cause this here's the most informative ride on the Internet!
<<Disney Deals>>
with Magical Journeys Travel Agency
--Spring into
Passholder Savings--
Annual Passholder discounts have been
released and are valid for the following dates: April 25 - June 2, 2011.
Discounts include 20%+ off at Value Resorts, 30% off at Moderates, 30%+ off
at Deluxe and 35% off at Deluxe Villas. Rooms are limited and subject to
availability. For details contact INTERCOT's Official Travel Agency, Magical
Journeys at 1-570-785-3283, or visit their web site and fill out a quote
form.
As posted on the boards early last month,
Disney has officially announced Star Wars Weekends at Disney’s Hollywood
Studios. They will be held every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from May
20-June 12. To get you ready for the event, here are a few early planning
tips to make your trip to a galaxy far, far away an enjoyable one!
~ If you have not currently scheduled an Advanced Dining Reservations for a
Table Service lunch, check on-line dining or the Disney Dining Line to see
what’s available. Table Service walk-ups will be nearly impossible to get,
and Counter Service dining locations will be very crowded. A nice Table
Service lunch at Sci-Fi, Mama Melrose or Hollywood Brown Derby can be a
welcome break from battling those Jawas and Tusken Raiders.
~ May can be HOT. Ensure that while your Padawans, Jedi, and Sith are
waiting in line for character meet-and-greets, that they have water to keep
hydrated. Many of these locations are in uncovered areas, and the sun and
humidity can quickly take their toll.
~ Have those cameras ready at every turn – you never know which Star Wars
character may decide to create that magical photo opportunity around the
next corner!
~ Get to Disney’s Hollywood Studios early before the gates are scheduled to
open. You can enjoy some wonderful antics from certain Star Wars characters
while awaiting park opening, and it’s much more fun if you’re closer to the
gates. Also take a moment to stop by Guest Services to the left of the
turnstiles and pick up a Star Wars Weekends schedule that will post the Star
Wars Motorcade parade time, high-profile autograph locations, special
celebrity host talk show locations & times, Padawan Mind Challenge sign-up
information, Hyperspace Hoopla! details and other good-to-know tidbits that
you’ll want to be part of.
~ If you’re looking for a specific Star Wars character or meet and greet
location, don’t hesitate to ask a Cast Member wearing a Star Wars Weekend
shirt. If they don’t have a detailed schedule, they should be able to find
someone who does. Characters often rotate, and it’s always good to know who
may be following a character who is currently greeting guests.
~ Jabba’s Hutt has the most amazing Star Wars Weekends merchandise. While
the lines will be huge in the morning, unless you have your heart set on a
specific collectible, hit it in the later afternoon. Lines may be out the
door in the morning but taper off as the day wears on.
~ Of course, Star Tours 2.0 will officially be unveiled the opening weekend.
A definite timesaver will be to grab a few FastPasses for this
much-anticipated attraction reopening.
Be sure to stay tuned to the boards, where more details will be posted as
Disney releases them. May The Force Be With You!
<<The More the Merrier>>
with ALL STAR Vacation Homes
--
Spring Savings at
Lighthouse Key --
Lighthouse Key Resort & Spa is pleased to announce special savings for
travelers planning a Spring 2011 Orlando vacation. Vacationers reserving
Lighthouse Key’s Orlando vacation condominium rentals for three nights
during Spring 2011 travel dates will receive a fourth night free worth up to
$200 or more in Orlando vacation savings. Travel dates for the special run
now through April 16 and April 29 through June 10, 2011.
Accommodation choices include Disney area vacation condos with 2 to 4
bedrooms, fully equipped kitchens, dining and living areas, private patios,
complimentary wireless Internet access and Plasma TVs. During their stay,
guests can enjoy Lighthouse Key Resort & Spa’s on-site Orlando vacation
resort amenities, such as a full-service European style spa, fitness center,
swimming pools, deli and complimentary Disney theme park transportation.
Guests will also receive a coupon redeemable for savings on combined Orlando
spa services at The Spa at Lighthouse Key and are eligible for discounted
Disney and other Orlando attraction tickets with any reservation.
Located four miles from Walt Disney World Resort, Lighthouse Key Resort and
Spa features 1, 2, 3 and 4 bedroom villa style vacation condominium rentals
in four distinct floor plans that range from over 1,100 to over 2,100 square
feet and include fully equipped kitchens, living and dining areas, and
spacious covered patios. Resort amenities include: a full service European
style spa, two heated swimming pools, fitness center, game and billiard
rooms - plus on-site food and beverage, a gift shop, a 52-seat movie
theatre, a business center with Internet cafe, complimentary Disney park
transportation and meeting space.
A constellation of HGTV design stars
lights up the 18th Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival March 2
through May 15. Genevieve Gorder, Vern Yip, and nine other HGTV design
gurus appear for the first time at the Walt Disney World Resort festival
during weekend presentations that cover a wide range of lawn and garden
topics. This year’s 75-day festival showcases more than 100 expertly
crafted topiaries featuring the cast of Toy Story 3 and two upcoming films.
Woody, Buzzlightyear, and even Lotso can be found in floral form, marking
the first time that “Toy Story” characters have been featured at the
festival. The brand-new “Cars 2” topiary display at the World Showcase plaza
features large floral topiaries of “Cars” characters Mater and Lightning
McQueen beneath a black-and-white checkered arch. Winnie the Pooh, Tigger
and pals also appear in topiary splendor among a Hundred Acre Wood
wildflower display between Future World and World Showcase.
We hope this edition
has got you excited about the Flower & Garden Festival and Star Wars
Weekends. Stay tuned to the discussion boards and the INTERCOT Insider Live
Podcast for more information on these awesome annual events. Will be back in
a few weeks with more news, tips and deals. 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.
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.
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".
Universal Orlando® Resort
Website:
Universal Orlando Resort Universal Orlando® Resort is more than a theme park. It's an entire universe of action and thrills featuring TWO spectacular theme parks unlike anything else in Orlando.