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INTERCOT Insider
November 2005 - Edition Two

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<< Introduction >>

Hello, Everyone. The holiday season is upon us and that hustle and bustle can sure get crazy. Let's put that "to-list" down and clear our brains of stress and responsibilities. We cannot do your shopping and decorating for you, although we do offer a store online (hint-hint), but we can help take your mind elsewhere for a bit. Put your feet up and let's talk Disney!

Ever wonder why Old Key West is the most coveted Disney Vacation Club location? Are you pondering where to eat on your next trip to Magic Kingdom? Or have you thought about how cool it would be to meet Marty Sklar? If so, you’ve come to the right place! In this edition the Timeshare Store addresses your questions regarding Old Key West and the Disney Vacation Club, Jamie and Nigel visit the Liberty Tree Inn and WDWacky gives us a sneak peek into his evening with Marty Sklar. And be sure to check out the great specials being offered by two INTERCOT sponsors, the Radisson Resort Parkway and Happy Limo.

Here we go!

<< Radisson Resort Parkway Rate Exclusive >>

The Radisson Resort Parkway, a Disney Good Neighbor Hotel, is offering visitors of INTERCOT an exclusive room rate of $59.95. The rate is available;
12/4-12/8, & 12/11-12/22.
The resort is located only 1.5 miles from Walt Disney World and provides free complimentary scheduled shuttles to Disney, Sea World and Universal Studios. 718 remodeled guest rooms (with free high speed Internet access), 3 sparkling pools with waterfalls, 2 whirlpools and a 40' water slide, 5 on site food and beverage outlets (kids eat free!) and all situated on 20 acres of beautiful, tropically landscaped grounds. The resort is the perfect vacation within a vacation destination. Call today and save!

Resort Information
Book a Room

<< Happy Limo Offering Transportation Special >>

Happy Limo is offering a free upgrade to their 7-Passenger Excursion SUV for guests booking a Van roundtrip. Reservations must be made by 12/31/05. Restrictions apply. This is a special offer for INTERCOT visitors only. Make reservations by calling 1-888-394-4277 or click the link below. Mention discount code INT8573. Happy Limo is a member of the National Limousine Association and provides timely transportation 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Make Reservations & View Discounts

<< DVC Question of the Month >>

Our clients always ask us, "Why do so many people want their Home Resort to be at Disney's Old Key West Resort?" Here's the #1 reason...you get more bang for your buck!

The villas at Old Key West (OKW) are the largest on property and the point chart is the lowest. The points needed nightly when staying at OKW are lower than any other resort; on top of that the Annual Dues are only $3.86 per point.

Disney's Old Key West Resort is located on the beautifully landscaped fairways of Disney's Lake Buena Vista Golf Course near the Downtown Disney area. It is a tropical retreat! Take in the surrounding scenery with a bicycle ride, curl up in a cozy corner of Papa's Den with a paperback, round up your kids and Disney neighbors for a game of volleyball, stock up on goods at Conch Flats General Store, or sit down to a scrumptious slice of Key Lime Pie at Olivia's Cafe. The whole world is just outside your doorstep at Disney's Old Key West Resort. Nearby features include food and beverages at Good's Food to Go, The Gurgling Suitcase, Olivia's Cafe and Turtle Shack Snack Bar. Members and guests can also have pizza delivered to their villas by ordering from Disney's Port Orleans Resort.

Old Key West has 4 swimming pools, a Community Hall, the Electric Eel Gameroom, a fitness center, Hank's Rent 'N Return, Papa's Den and Slappy Joe's massages. There is also the Conch Flats General Store with all the necessities as well as Disney Vacation Club (DVC) and Walt Disney World souvenirs. Activities for young and old alike include arts and crafts, basketball, foosball, Goofy bingo, landscaping tour, playgrounds, shuffleboard, table tennis, tennis, Unbirthday Parties and volleyball. Disney's Old Key West Resort features 531 Vacation Homes, including studios, one- and two-bedroom homes and three-bedroom Grand Villas. At OKW one of the nicest features is being able to park directly in front of your building.

The Timeshare Store has close to 100 DVC listings on any given day including ones at Old Key West, Boardwalk Villas, Villas at Wilderness Lodge, Beach Club Villas, Saratoga Springs, Hilton Head Resort and Vero Beach Resort. Check out our website below or call and talk to one of our knowledgeable associates. We're never too busy to answer any of your questions or assist you in the purchase of one of our listings. The toll-free number is 800-550-6493 and the office is open 7 days a week.

Visit the Timeshare Store

<< Member Memoirs with WDWacky >>

One of the highlights of our IAAPA experience was the chance to hear Marty Sklar, Vice Chairman and Principal Creative Executive Walt Disney Imagineering, give his presentation Mickey's 10 More Commandments - The Leader's Bible. If you want to know more about Marty before reading on, you can see his bio here:

The presentation began with Marty providing some background on his original Mickey's Ten Commandments, which is pretty much considered the foundation for theme park design in the industry today. They are:

1. Know Your Audience
2. Wear Your Guests' Shoes
3. Organize the Flow of People and Ideas
4. Create a "Wienie" (Visual Magnet)
5. Communicate with Visual Literacy
6. Avoid Overload - Create Turn-Ons
7. Tell One Story at a Time
8. Avoid Contradictions - Maintain Identity
9. "Ounce of Treatment - Ton of Treat"
10. Keep It Up (Maintain It)!

He described briefly what each of these means and went into some detail on how Walt had influenced his belief in these 10 concepts. There were quite a few great stories mixed in here with some great "Walt moments", including a discussion of how Marty and Walt had collaborated on the now-famous Florida project videos.

It was interesting, because he showed us two versions ... the one made for the general public and the one made for industry. He pointed out how Walt closely tailored his message for each audience and how well he "sold" his concepts based on to whom he was selling (this reinforced point #1).

After this introduction, he moved into Mickey's Ten More Commandments, which he called a "Leader's Bible for Managing Creative People." These ten are:

1. Create and Maintain a Climate of TRUST
2. Be Responsive and Make Decisions - That's What Leaders Do!
3. Empower Your Teammate - It Takes Many Hands to Bake a Success
4. Create Opportunities for New Birds to Fly
5. Remember: Experience is NOT a Negative
6. Make Sure Yours Is Not the Only Voice You're Listening To
7. Celebrate Diversity and Different Points of View
8. Never Rest on Your Laurels - The Next at Bat Is Your Most Important
9. Take a Chance - Support Risk Taking
10. Provide Plenty of Blank Paper

The last point was supplanted with two additional slides that showed how you can look at a blank piece of paper either as, " ... the most frightening thing in the world." or "... the greatest opportunity in the world." His point here was that a blank piece of paper can be scary if you're the one expected to fill it in with something of value, but it's also an outstanding chance to show what you can do.

Marty concluded this segment by talking about what he called Walt's Fabulous Five, or the five Walt quotes or principles that most strongly speak to his philosophy on leadership:

1. Be OPTIMISTIC! If YOU are not positive, who will be?
2. Quality is job one!
3. The 4 C's of Creativity: Curiosity, Confidence, Consistency, and Courage
4. If you can dream it, you can do it!
5. It's kind of fun to do the impossible.
This segment was followed by a brief question and answer session where Marty talked a little bit about his past and his work with Walt.

To be honest, he mostly dodged any real substantive answers in this segment. For example, when asked about his greatest accomplishment he said it was marrying his wife (cop out!). When he was asked about his biggest mistake he used also used a pretty weak example. During this part John and I turned to each other and at the same time went, "Journey Into Imagination!"

After the speech segment was over, Marty was available in the Convention Center book store for autographs, so John and I made a beeline over, quick picked up some Disney Imagineering books, and got in line.

Now I have to preface this by saying that I am an admitted geek when it comes to Disney history. I was turned into a gushing fool when I met Roy Disney at the shareholder convention in 2004. Marty Sklar has always been a pretty mythic figure in my life ... I have so much respect for him and I am just fascinated by his career and his accomplishments. I mean this is a guy that hung out with Walt Disney! So suffice it to say I was a tad awed being in his presence ...

I was able to shake his hand, have him sign two books for me, and then he posed for pictures with John and I. I had some conversation with him (mostly me babbling like an idiot and him looking like he was about to call for security ), but it was quite an experience! Definitely one I will remember for a long, long time.

Here's hoping he's back again at IAPPA in 2006!!

<< Dining with MickeysGirl and Dr_Nigel_C >>

Hello, and welcome to an All-American version of Dining Out! Here in the states we just celebrated Thanksgiving and with that comes a sense of patriotism as well as thanks. In this issue we’re breaking out the red, white and blue – we’re dining at the Liberty Tree Tavern, located in Liberty Square in the Magic Kingdom. Liberty Tree Tavern provides that sense of being in colonial America; complete with Chip and Dale in their best dressed!

Both Lunch and Dinner are served at the Liberty Tree Tavern. The lunch menu features down-home goodies: Appetizers include clam chowder and salad, and dinner choices include traditional roast turkey, rotisserie chicken, salmon, turkey sandwiches and even a burger. For children, macaroni and cheese, corn dog nuggets, and turkey with mashed potatoes and gravy are available. This meal is traditional table service, in other words you order from the menu. Also, the Characters do not appear at this meal. But from what we’ve read, the food makes up for the lack of entertainment. Adult meals at lunch range an average $10-15, with children’s meals around $5 each.

Starting at 4 p.m., Minnie, Goofy, Pluto and Chip N Dale visit the Liberty Tree for dinner. Service become family-style, and includes salad, roasted turkey breast, carved beef, ham, mashed potatoes, vegetables and macaroni and cheese. Cherry cobbler with vanilla ice cream is included, but other items are available for an extra fee. As with any other Family style establishment, if you want any more of any particular item, all you have to do is ask your server. Never know, Goofy may start to serve you if you’re not watching! The dinner costs $24.99 for adults, $10.99 for children ages 3 – 9.

For those looking to save a few pennies, Liberty Tree Tavern participates in both the Disney Dining Experience program as well as the Magic Your Way with Dining Package. Advanced Dining Reservations are accepted for this location and are highly recommended as it is not only a Character meal, but one of only a few sit down restaurants in the Magic Kingdom. As an added bonus, this is one of the featured restaurants available for dining during Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Parties and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Parties! The characters come dressed for the occasion while the rest of the park gets transformed for the special celebration. Please note that if you are interested in this establishment for either party, you should mention it to the Cast Member as an “add on” to your Party Ticket purchase.

But as if the characters weren’t enough, Liberty Tree Tavern offers even more uniqueness to share! You never know who you will end up sitting next to… well sort of. Each room is themed to a historical American figure, so you might find yourself rubbing elbows with Benjamin Franklin (or his picture at least) or even have Susan B. Anthony looking over your shoulder (but don’t worry her eyes won’t move, this isn’t the Haunted Mansion!). You’ll find detailed information about each person all around the room. Also, when you get called to your table, the Host or Hostess will also call out where you are from. So that all can celebrate your hometown!

As Sam Eagle would say, not dining at Liberty Tree Tavern is very un-American, so be sure to display your patriotism with pride! Happy Dining and Happy Holidays!

<< Conclusion >>

That concludes this edition of the Insider! Thanks to all of our contributors and readers. All of your favorite regulars will be back in your inbox in just a few weeks. Until then, happy planning!

<< INTERCOT Would Like To Thank >>

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
When you need a home away from home, look no further. From comfort to luxury, All Star Vacation Homes has it all in four series of homes to fit any taste and any budget just moments from the magic of Walt Disney World!
Website: http://www.allstarvacationhomes.com?ovchn=OTHER&ovcpn=Listing+Sites&ovcrn=intercot&ovtac=AD

Happy Limo
Providing ground transportation to the entire state of Florida.
Website: http://www.quicksilver-tours.com

Magical Journeys
Magical Journeys is your Disney Vacation specialist. Start planning your Vacation Discount Dreams today!
Website: http://www.yourmagicaljourneys.com/

Official Ticket Center
Walt Disney World’s, Universal Studios and Sea World’s #1 guest service provider for the last 3 years. The Official Ticket Center has been servicing vacationers for more than 7 years now and sells tickets only, at a discount price.
Website: http://www.officialticketcenter.com/default.aspx?affid=TC21LBC

Radisson Resort Parkway
Right in the heart of action! Only 1.5 miles from Walt Disney World is an oasis of ponds, beautiful landscaping, serene waterfalls and relaxing options hiding in every corner.
Website: http://orlando.guestselectresorts.com?pid=INTERCOTN

The Timeshare Store
The #1 Disney Vacation Club Reseller in the World. See how easy and affordable it is to purchase your very own piece of the MAGIC!
Website: http://www.dvc-resales.com/

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