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<< Introduction >>

Extra, extra - did you hear the news? That’s right, you can be a part of the Imagineering of INTERCOT! We need your assistance in helping improve the best Disney source of information on the internet. If you’ve been on the discussion boards or received the special edition Insider, you’ve seen the details of our server drive. Of course, there is something in it for you! Have you seen those custom avatars? They are the talk of the boards! And who wouldn’t love an exclusive “Imagineering INTERCOT” t-shirt? A little or a lot, every bit contributed helps and is appreciated. Join us in making INTERCOT even bigger and better – which means an easier time planning those Disney vacations!

Now back to our regularly scheduled edition of the Insider. There is so much going on!


<< Coast to Coast Disney with Mel  >>

- New Preview Dates Announced for Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor Comedy Club   -
After a delay and rescheduling, Disney has announced Annual Passholder preview dates for Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor Comedy Club, at Magic Kingdom's Tomorrowland. The previews will take place during regular park hours March 30 through April 1. Passholders, and up to three guests, are invited to join "Monster of Ceremonies" Mike Wazowski and his wacky friends at the hysterically funny new attraction inspired by Disney•Pixar's "Monsters, Inc." Annual Passholders must present their valid Pass, a photo ID and accompany their guests. Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor Comedy Club officially opens on April 2, 2007. As of 3/17/07, the Laugh Floor appears to have started an indefinite period of regular public previews.

Details & Discussion

- Doubling the Disney Cruise Magic  -
President and CEO Bob Iger announced today, the Walt Disney Company plans to expand its successful cruise business by adding two new ocean liners. Scheduled to launch in 2011 and 2012, the ships will more than double the passenger capacity for Disney Cruise Line to meet the sustained demand for Disney's family cruise vacations. Specific design plans and itineraries for the yet-unnamed ships are still in development and will be unveiled at a later date.

"My family heard about two new ships being built this past january when we cruised on the Disney Wonder. I am even more excited now that it has been officially announced!" – Eros980

"Awesome news! I think I know the first cruise my kids will be going on!" – Mr. Brass Bonanza

"YAY! I'll hafta try a new ship out!" – DisneyDudet

 Details & Discussion

- Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros -
This April Donald Duck will debut in the "Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros" at Epcot's Mexico pavilion. Replacing "El Rio Del Tiempo", The "Gran Fiesta Tour" offers a new storyline and film starring Donald Duck, José Carioca, and Panchito. It will feature an animated overlay of the caballeros being reunited for a grand performance in Mexico City. Along the way, Donald disappears to take in the sights of the country, leaving José and Panchito to search for their missing friend. In addition to the new film, the boat ride's props, set facades and sound system are being refurbished and enhanced.

"Awesome news about Three Caballeros being added to El Rio. Glad to see they'll keep the meet and greet going." – Surfer Stitch

"I really cannot believe they are placing a Three Caballeros overlay on El Rio del Tiempo. That just seems incredibly commercial." – Andrew Jackson

 Details & Discussion

- Alfredo di Roma Ristorante Closing!  -
Walt Disney World has announced that Alfredo di Roma Ristorante, a fixture at the Italy Pavilion in Epcot for over 20 years, is closing permanently at the end of August, 2007. There will be a replacement Italian restaurant opening in the same location, but at this time Disney has not released any further details. Guests who have advanced dining reservations beyond the closing date will be contacted by Disney in order to make alternate arrangements.

"I'm shocked as well. I liked the food at Alfredo's but I do agree they need a more "Authentic" Italian restaurant as a replacement." – SHORTY

"I'm about to cry. I got engaged at Alfredo's! We were just there last weekend - it was wonderful. I don't get it." – dixielandings

"Arrivederci and good riddance! Looking forward to a better Italian dining experience coming soon."
– GoinGoofyPlanninThisTrip

Details & Discussion

- Muppet Mobile Laboratory Roams Disney's California Adventure -
Walt Disney Imagineering has debuted its latest creation. A free roaming, interactive audio-animatronic Muppets Laboratory capable of "seeing" and "talking" to tourists. In their first appearances at Disney's California Adventure this week, Dr. Bunsen Honeydew and his sidekick Beaker joked and chatted with park visitors. The Muppet Mobile Laboratory will be roaming the streets of California Adventure through Sunday, before heading back to the shop for more tweaking.

"Beaker rocks! Can't wait to see this out at the parks." – Paradise Pier Pinocchio

"This sounds and looks very cool. It may help me convince DH that we need to make a trip to DLR as he is a Muppets fan." - Lacy

"That is beyond amazing, one giant leap for imagineer kind." - Fantasmic

Discuss this News

- "Inspired by Disneyland" Debuts at the Disney Gallery in March  -
Beginning March 10, 2007, be sure to visit The Disney Gallery in New Orleans Square where Disneyland will be featuring an array of Disney inspired Artists including Jody Daily, Elisabete Gomes, Kevin Kidney, Maggie Parr, SHAG, Jane Tivol, Michelle Valigura, Amada Visell, Tom Wilson and Yakovetic, among others.

"Some of those pieces are so GREAT!! I love it." - *tinker_belle*

Discuss this News

- Pirates are Invading Disneyland’s Tom Sawyer Island   -
Beware! Beginning May 25, pirates will be taking over Tom Sawyer Island at Disneyland Park and the scallywags will have their own Pirate’s Lair. When you visit, you’ll cross paths with the swashbuckling pirates and lots of fun, interactive surprises. Guests will also be able to explore “Pirate’s Den” on Castle Rock and venture into “Dead Man’s Grotto” in the island caverns.

Full Story


<< Across the Boards with Figment! >>

Welcome Back to Across the Boards. As I’m sure you have noticed, the boards have undergone another upgrade. While this wasn’t quite as extensive as the one they went under in the Fall of ’05, there have still been a good number of enhancements and changes. Over the next few editions we’ll cover all of the effects of the upgrades, but for this edition we’ll just get our feet wet by looking at 2 very useful new features.

- Multi-Quote Feature -
A great new feature of the boards is the ability to automatically quote more than one post in a single reply. To use this feature click the multi-quote buttons in the bottom right hand corner of the posts you want to quote, then you click the reply button. Your reply will have the selected quotes automatically quoted in the reply field.

- New Basic Edit Mode -
To edit a post of your own, you still click the edit button (found in the same location) of the post you want to edit. However, you’ll find a very different result. Rather than being taken to a new screen, you will find an edit field appear directly in your post. This is the new in-line Basic Edit Mode. This new feature allows you to see the rest of the thread while you are editing your post for reference sake--the previous edit mode did not allow you to do this. One limitation of this new edit mode is that not all of the posting options are available. To be able to fully edit your post, you will need to click the “Advanced Edit” button which appears in the bottom right hand corner of the in-line edit field. Upon clicking this button you are taken to a new screen and have all posting options available—this mode is identical to the previous edit option.

Until next time, happy browsing around the boards and see ya real soon!


<< Carol's Communicore   >>

- Pirate & Princess Party Returns in August -
Due to the popularity of the Pirate & Princess Party held this Winter, the event is returning late Summer. Guests will embark on a quest for beads and chocolate treasures, be witness to a Pirate and Princess parade, character greetings, fireworks spectacular and some of the most popular attractions. Experience Pirate Coves and Princess Courts filled with treasures and special themed entertainment. The party will be held on August 11, 15, 18, 21, 24, 28, 31 and September 3. Tickets go on sale June 1, 2007. Call (407) W-DISNEY.

- 2007 Star Wars Weekend Guest List Released -
Disney has released the celebrity line up for the 2007 Star Wars Weekends. Celebrity guests appearing during the event are Warwick Davis, Kenny Baker, Jeremy Bulloch, Peter Mayhew and more. Star Wars Weekends blast into orbit June1 and will be held four consecutive weekends (Friday, Saturday and Sunday) through June 24, 2007. The festivities are included in regular theme park admission.

Discussion Here

- 2007 Disney's Night of Joy Details Announced -
The Marking the 25th anniversary of Disney's Night of Joy, on September 7 & 8, a total of 18+ acts will present concerts on stages throughout the Magic Kingdom. Christian music lovers from all over the globe will be gathering for a celebration with top-name music artists, theme park attractions and Disney characters. The long-running series has played to a combined audience of over three-quarters of a million people. Top Artists include; Third Day, Chris Tomlin, newsboys, Steven Curtis Chapman, Salvador and many more. Night of Joy advance tickets are on sale now.

Park Hours, Events and Extra Magic Hour schedules are currently posted through September. Visit Info Central to fine-tune your upcoming vacation plans. Also check out the Rehab & Closing page to see what will be closed during your travel dates.

Park Hours, Events & Extra Magic Hour

See you next month. Happy Planning!


<< Off Topic with ChipDale >>

The Mardi Gras beads have all been tossed, the chocolate hearts devoured…let’s look back at the February happenings in the Water Cooler. Hopefully we can bid goodbye to Old Man Winter once and for all this year – Punxsutawney Phil did not see his shadow so we’re on the right track!

The Main Event in February of course is Valentines Day and we didn’t lack for topics about it in the Water Cooler. Which candy heart color is your favorite? Tiggerlovr9000 asked our members what their plans were. Tinkermom: “Tomorrow I do plan on leaving my kids a trail of Hershey kisses from their bedrooms to the kitchen table. I set the table with red place settings and leave a small gift for each of them and then make chocolate chip pancakes for breakfast. My kids get excited about this every year.” Mscholl13: “I'm cooking for the guy I'm currently seeing. I'm going to make an Italian entree, although I haven't decided what I want to make yet. I'm also making some molten chocolate lava cakes for him too.” MNMINNIE: “DH came home with a Dairy Queen heart-shaped cake along with supper from Applebees restaurant, and chocolate covered strawberries and chocolate truffles, just think about the calories in that!!! It was nice though!” Whatever your plans were, I hope that you all had a nice Valentines Day!

As you all know, INTERCOT’s members are spread far and wide. offwego’s topic about regional food names brought up just how diverse a group we are. Is your sandwich a hoagie, a grinder, a sub, a hero or a po boy? What do you call a carbonated beverage: “soda”, “coke”, “pop” or “soda pop?” What’s your regional name for pizza? Pie or pizza pie? How about fries, chips & crisps? Thanks for a fun and interesting topic Natalie!

Jamie’s Friday parties for February included the Let Get Sprung Groundhog Day Party, the Love is in the Air Everywhere Friday Party, the Annual INTERCOT Mardi Gras Ball, and the Faith, Trust and Pixie Dust Party. Even though it was a short month we certainly didn’t lack for fun – thanks Jamie!

Piglet822 shared America Heart Month, Black History Month, Return Shopping Carts to the Store Month (a.k.a. February) celebrations with us Cooler Dwellers. Included on the list were Thank a Mailman Day, Laugh and Get Rich Day, Chocolate Mint Day, Single Tasking Day, For Pete’s Sake Day, Curling is Cool Day and Do a Grouch a Favor Day. Thanks Jeanne for keeping us in-the-know!

February posting milestones were reached by: disneydeb – 9,000 posts, five all-the-way – 7,000 posts, alpro2 – 5,000 posts, Natazu – 4,000 posts, Mickey’sGirl – Senior Team INTERCOT Cast Member, NASCfan – Senior Team INTERCOT Cast Member, disneydrmr – Senior Team INTERCOT Cast Member, DizNee143 – 2,000 posts, KylesMom – 2,000 posts, Jeremy – 2,000 posts, pogo –1,300 posts, aprilisis – 1,000 posts, BronxTigger – 800 posts, Caroleh – 800 posts, Ms.Disney – 700 posts, Fairy Grandmother – 700 posts, BrerSchultzy – 600 posts, jilwil – 500 posts, Riri529 – Senior Cast Member, Jenemmy – Senior Cast Member, JMTStone – Cast Member, ibrowse17 – 200 posts, sneezyone – 100 posts, cubbie – 100 posts, and scottgr – 50 posts. Congratulations to all of you and keep in mind that it’s not the quantity that counts, but the quality!

That about wraps it up for February. See you next month!


<< Conclusion >>

Talk about sensory overload! There’s just so much going on at INTERCOT and at all your favorite Disney destinations. Visit INTERCOT often and don’t miss a beat! Watch out for another Disney-filled edition of the Insider in just a couple of weeks.  Happy INTERCOTing!

 
<< INTERCOT Would Like To Thank>>