INTERCOT Insider January 2006 - Edition Two

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<< Introduction >>

Welcome to the latest edition of the INTERCOT Insider. So what’s the hottest thing going at Walt Disney World right now? That’s right, Expedition: Everest! With Cast member, Disney Vacation Club and Annual Passholder previews in full swing, we have your (yes you, our members) first-hand accounts of encountering the fearsome Yeti. Ever considered becoming a Disney Vacation Club member, but still may have some lingering questions? If so, the Timeshare Store has the answers to those questions, and more! And finally, MickeysGirl and Dr_Nigel_C take us to one of the most popular restaurants at Epcot, Germany’s Biergarten. We have an issue full of information, so let’s get started!

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<< Are You Ready to Face the Yeti? >>

With the previews for Cast Members, Annual Passholders and Vacation Club owners, many INTERCOTees have had the opportunity to ride Expedition Everest. The attraction is getting rave reviews. Here’s what our members have to say;

Kelly;
"IT WAS AWESOME! We got to go on it twice. The theming in the queue line was incredible! Somewhat similar to Kali River Rapids, but better. Very solid, fast coaster. Like said before, it's not exactly going to be called "extreme" by coaster buffs, but it's definitely a decent ride. The Yeti animatronic was incredibly detailed.

The 80ft drop didn't feel that long. This coaster is kind of like a mix of Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.

joelkfla;
"I rode Thursday. At about 4 p.m., there was a wait of 2 or 3 trains for standby, but I chose to wait about 20 minutes so my first ride could be in the front seat. There is a separate queue for the first row after you reach the loading area. Be sure to tell the cm at the head of the queue before you are dispatched to a row that you want to wait for the front row.

Second ride (about 4:30), I took first available seat and it was a walk-on.

As has been said, the main lift gives a great view. I was surprised at how high up it seemed.I actually felt a bit nauseous after the 2nd ride, and I'm not usually prone to motion sickness (except Teacups.) The ride was a bit more intense than I expected, and I think it was the backwards curves that got to me. Much of the backwards portion is (or at least seemed to be) in near total darkness."

Evan52;
"I was lucky enough to visit Animal Kingdom yesterday, Friday. Expedition Everest was simply amazing! We were able to ride it a grand total of NINE times! I have to say, I was really impressed by the entire ride. Let me start off by saying the beginning of the ride is great. I love the fact that you don't immediately go right into the chain lift. You actually do those two brief turns prior. The view from the chain lift was breathtaking. I had no idea we were actually that high up. I looked to the left and saw Spaceship Earth and Tower Of Terror off in the distance.

The backwards part of the ride was really great and fun. I've never experienced anything like this before. I have to admit, this was the part of the ride I was the most concerned with before riding but it was so fun. The backwards drop is great too. After we got off the ride there were actually so many people who thought it felt like we went upside down during the backwards part. I don't really see how it felt that way to them, though I figured I would post their opinion as I found it interesting.

The big drop is so fun! I have to say, we rode both in the front of the train and in the back and there's nothing like sitting in the back, especially on the big drop. I found the back of the train to be the most thrilling. Finally there's the Yeti. He was so amazing. He looked very real and he's huge! I love how when you first entire the tunnel you're a bit far away from the Yeti and then you actually move very close to him, to the point where it looked like he was actually going to touch me. Seriously, I remember there was one time when the Yeti reached out and I actually ducked because I'm fairly tall and it looked like he was really going to get me."

Poohluv85;
"Awesome, just awesome. We got to go on Everest Saturday. We got there at 8 am thinking we would beat the crowds. Well we all had to go to the bathroom last minute (ride jitters I think) and wound up losing our spot. We did finally get in and over to Everest at about 9:15 am. I was terrified I have to admit lol. The line for us wasn’t long at all, in fact once we were given our fast pass looking prize voucher there was no line at all. We walked right on. Would have loved to seen more of the line, but that gives another reason to ride later."

SallyP;
"So once we were let into the real queue area it went pretty quickly - maybe 30 minutes tops before we rode the train. Awesome detail. Even the soffits on the temple roofs were the Yeti image. Bells everywhere and people were ringing the heck out them. Should be interesting to see how long they last.
I found the train seats comfortable but DH did not. Thoughts-
Going up the Mountain -STEEP -SCARY (and I ride the coasters - at WDW, KI, Cedar Point)
Maybe it was because it was the first time but the anticipation while waiting at the broken track, knowing that the backwards portion was coming up, just about did me in - the mind just reeled with possibilities.

The Yeti portion was over so fast that you have a hard time really seeing him - you see him but not to study and see all the detail.

Coming down the mountain and taking the curve at a tilt was extreme and the best for me.
I did get off feeling nauseous and a little off balance. I don't know what caused this; maybe going backwards for a bit in the dark with the fast curve and then the long tilted curve? Haven't experienced it on other coasters except the ones that loop. Doesn't matter, I'll be climbing the mountain again!"

TiggTigg5;
"We rode EE twice on Friday, the first day of Cast Member previews. I've got to say that I was very impressed. I like roller coasters, and the wilder the better. I can't rate this one as "wild" but it is definitely a very good ride. It's smooth and quiet enough that you can talk in a normal tone of voice. No "neck snapping" acceleration or sudden directional changes, and the theming is quite good."

gonk12;
"Finally got over to the preview today and rode 4 times (with no wait at all)! Holy cow, Expedition Everest far exceeded what I was expecting! My friends were telling me that it was no worse than Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (BTMRR), but I have to say it was much more intense. Like others were saying, not extreme compared to other coasters, but definitely more than BTMRR. The yeti was absolutely INCREDIBLE. I think I'm going to have nightmares about it tonight. Great job Walt Disney Imagineering!"

atruma;
"Well, I rode today, as an AP holder.The ride was great. The one thing I was surprised by was a lack of music, or narration or something. For a ride that seems to tell such a story, I would have thought something like that would have seemed natural, at least at the beginning as you build up to the ride, and at the pauses when you are waiting for the track to shift.

However, overall, this was an amazingly fun ride. Sadly, I had to work in the afternoon, so only got to ride it once, but I am REALLY glad I did. And, everything everyone else has said about the theming of the queue, and of the ride in general is 100% true. I was amazed by the level of detail. Also amused by the sign in one place that said simply "8 1/2 X 11 Expedition Map." Obviously, the ride is not completely ready for prime time, but it is still amazing, all told."

SubNET3;
"Let me start by saying......WOW. .. This ride is probably the best thrill ride that Disney has to offer. The Queue for the line was Beautiful..... It had many temples with what looked like Yeti Warship statues. Then there was also an area with some statues where guests were trying to get pennies and dimes in the gold and silver cups on a stone. The queue also comes complete with a Yeti Museum. Which seemed to hold the line up at times... but well worth it.

The ride system was also completely different from any rollercoaster I have ever been on before, with a few surprises that will catch you off guard. Also the lift hill gives you a complete view of Disney World and surrounding areas. I don’t wanna give away any spoilers but I will say this ride was well worth the wait. I went on a few times as the line was only long when the park first opened. Oddly enough there were more people in line just to get the pin then there was to actually go on the attraction."

WEDTOPIA;
"First off, the ride is huge. Everything about it makes the other Disney rides seem small by comparison. The queue area is my new favorite. Lot's of authentic props, including the Yeti museum. My best description of the ride itself is that it's a cross between Big Thunder and Rock and Rollercoaster, on steroids. With a tad of Dinosaur (without the roughness) thrown in. Without a doubt the number 1 coaster in WDW. The good part is that it's still a coaster done the Disney way.

Probably the best part is the total smoothness of the ride. No jerkiness, no stomach churning, just a fast and thrilling ride. The Yeti, though only seen briefly, is already an Audio-Animatronic legend in my mind. And you absolutely have to check out the view at the top of the lift. All of WDW's landmarks can be seen. Very impressive!

We were lucky enough to do it 3 times on Sat. The 2nd 2 times with " gifted" Fast Passes. This will be the ride you will have to rush to, first thing in the morning to get Fast Passes for, then ride it immediately after, to get 2 guaranteed rides. No doubt there will be a lot of people coming to AK in the next few months (maybe years), just to ride EE then leave the park.

Can't wait to do it again!!!"

Attraction Information & Photos
More Reviews, Discussion & Spoilers


<< WDW History & Trivia with WDWDriver >>

Ron is enjoying some time away this month, but he’ll return in February with more interesting facts and tidbits about our favorite vacation destination.
 

<< Dining Out with MickeysGirl & Dr_Nigel_ >>

Guten Tag, and welcome to another edition of Dining Out! Where in the “World” can you find great beer, great entertainment, great food and meet lots of new people right at your table? In Germany, that’s where! This issue we're in Biergarten, which is located inside the Germany Pavilion at Epcot. This is definitely a fun, family-friendly place, so be prepared to grab your drink and start singing!

At Biergarten, you can experience both lunch and dinner in pure Oktoberfest style! Lunch is served from 12:00PM until 3:45PM, with the entertainment starting around 1:15PM, while dinner is served from 4:00PM till 8:30PM. Both meals feature an all-you-can-eat buffet, stocked with traditional German foods including sausage, rotisserie chicken, roasted pork, schnitzel, red cabbage, potatoes and much more! A full menu can be found here. Children can order macaroni & cheese, hot dogs and chicken nuggets. And let’s not forget the Adult beverages. There are several selections of German Beer to be had, coming in both small and large (1 liter!) and perfect for raising those glasses in song. PROST! And there are also plenty of desserts, if you have room left when all is said and done.

Biergarten is very reasonably priced, especially being located in World Showcase. Also, being a buffet, you are guaranteed to leave satisfied and stuffed! Lunch is $8.99 for children and $16.99 for adults, while dinner is $9.99 for children and $21.99 for adults. Sodas and German beers are available in addition to the price of the meal. Advanced Dining Reservations are highly recommended. Biergarten also participates in the Magic Your Way with Dining Plan as well as the Disney Dining Experience for your dining convenience, and park admission is required to dine here.

Along with the buffet style food, the seating at Biergarten is banquet-style, meaning that the tables seat up to 8, so smaller parties are typically grouped together, also in true Oktoberfest style. Don’t be afraid to start talking to your tablemates! And be sure to keep an eye out to the stage and dance floor, as the entertainment can’t be beat! The tables are arranged so that each has a great view of the main stage, and the Oktoberfest shows occur every hour or so. A lively 4-member band puts on a wonderful show, which is completely interactive. And be sure to get involved, you never know whom you will meet; some even get married! (Ask our own DisneyWizard about that one!) Be prepared to dance and sing your way throughout and stay as long as you like. We’ve been known to make through 2 or 3 shows at one sitting! You can truly find here a relaxed, easygoing atmosphere, which is great for a party of 2 to a party of 20! We hope you enjoy your dining experience here and GUTEN TAG!
 

<< DVC Most Frequently Asked Questions  >>

Presented by THE TIMESHARE STORE, INC.

WHY SHOULD I BUY MY DVC MEMBERSHIP THROUGH THE TIMESHARE STORE?

The reason is simple....SAVINGS and SELECTION. On average, our customers save $5 to $10 per point when buying a resale rather than purchasing directly from Disney Vacation Club. Also, the real estate interest (Membership) that you purchase through The Timeshare Store is exactly the same as if you purchased directly from Disney Vacation Club (DVC). You'll even receive a welcome package that includes your Member ID Card, Member Handbook and Vacation Planner. Buying from DVC direct limits your ownership resort choice to one location, Saratoga Springs Resort. The Timeshare Store has availability at all seven locations including Beach Club Resort, Villas at Wilderness Lodge, Boardwalk Villas and more!

WILL I RECEIVE THE SAME TREATMENT AND BENEFITS AS DVC MEMBERS WHO PURCHASE DIRECTLY FROM DISNEY?
Absolutely. Our clients receive the same first rate treatment and DVC Member Benefits as those members who purchased direct from the Disney Vacation Club. You will even receive a new member kit directly from Disney.

HOW DO I KNOW HOW MANY DVC POINTS TO PURCHASE?
IT really depends on your personal vacation habits. There are a number of options available to you when you join Disney Vacation Club. Your points can be used at any DVC Resort (Old Key West, Disney's Boardwalk Resort, Hilton Head Island, Vero Beach Resorts, Beach Club Villas, Villas at Wilderness Lodge and Saratoga Springs Resort). You can also use your points for member getaways through Interval International, which offers timeshare resorts all over the world. Disney has recently
added the Disney Cruise Line to the long list of choices that DVC members have.

CAN I USE MY POINTS TO STAY AT RESORTS OTHER THAN WALT DISNEY WORLD?
Yes. Your Disney Vacation Club Membership allows you great flexibility to enjoy resorts all over the world. You can view the DVC Point Charts at www.dvc-resales.com to anticipate how many points you would use at different times of the year, and at different DVC resorts. This is especially useful in helping you determine how many points you may need to purchase.

HOW LONG HAS THE TIMESHARE STORE BEEN IN BUSINESS?
The Timeshare Store sold its first DVC resale in 1993 and had two employees. Today, we have five full-time licensed real estate associates - Pat, Jerry, Jason, Kristie and Jamie - and 4 administrative assistants - Leslie, Yamilin, Rose and Emily.

You will never talk to a machine when calling The Timeshare Store during business hours. We are open 7 days a week and pride ourselves in always being available to answer your questions and present offers.

WHEN CAN I MAKE MY FIRST DVC RESERVATION?
About 7 days after closing. DVC enters you into the database as a DVC Member and you may begin making reservations by calling Member Services at 1-800-800-9800.

WHAT DOES USE YEAR MEAN?
The use year is the month you receive your points each year. It has nothing to do with when you can make your reservations, however.

Example: If you have a June use year, you can call Member Services in February (or even earlier) to make a reservation for August. (You may book up to 11 months in advance at your home resort and up to 7 months in advance at any of the other Club locations.) Or, if you want to vacation before your use year begins, you may borrow points from the upcoming allotment.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO CLOSE?
Approximately 7 weeks. After we receive both Buyers and Sellers signed contract, everything goes to Disney for ROFR (Right of First Refusal). Disney has 30 days to review the contract and decide whether to exercise their right or not. They generally make that decision in 3 weeks. Once approved, Disney forwards everything to the title company and they prepare final documents. After the final documents have been executed and returned (along with the monies due from the Buyer), the contract closes and Disney is notified of the transfer of title.

WHEN WILL I RECEIVE MY MEMBER ID CARD, NEW MEMBER HANDBOOK AND VACATION PLANNER?
Approximately 30 days after closing. You do not need to have your ID card in order to make a reservation. Just call Member Services and they will look your name up alphabetically.

CAN DVC MEMBERS HAVE MORE THAN ONE USE YEAR?
Yes. If you have the same use year for all of your packages, you will have one ID card for all of them. If you have more than one use year, you will receive an ID card for each one

DO I HAVE TO BUY A MINIMUM OF 150 POINTS?
Not when buying a resale through The Timeshare Store. You may purchase as few as 25 points and Disney Vacation Club will consider you a Member with full benefits. You will receive your ID card, DVC Member Handbook and Vacation Planner just as though you had purchased 150 points directly from DVC.

ARE THERE ANY HIDDEN COSTS WHEN BUYING A DVC RESALE?
No hidden costs. When you purchase a DVC resale through The Timeshare Store, you will have your purchase price, closing costs and applicable Annual Dues. Thats it.

HOW DO I KNOW WHAT THE CLOSING COSTS WILL BE?
The closing costs average between $400 and $760 based on the purchase price. Your agent can give you an exact amount on each of our listings.

ARE PRICES NEGOTIABLE?
Some Sellers are negotiable and some are firm at their asking price. Well always be happy to present an offer for you. The agents at The Timeshare Store will advise you if your offer is in danger of not passing ROFR so you may make an informed decision about the price you'd like us to present.

WHAT IS ROFR?
Right of First Refusal is the option Disney Vacation Club has to purchase any resale package after a sales price has been agreed upon and a contract has been drawn up. Each contract must be forwarded to DVC for review. If the price is too low, Disney will step in and purchase the property themselves at the terms agreed upon by the Seller and original Buyer. DVC then becomes the Buyer.

DOES DISNEY EXERCISE ROFR VERY OFTEN?
Not if the Buyer presents a reasonable offer or asks The Timeshare Store for advice before presenting an offer.

Some Buyers are willing to take a risk and make low bids just to see if they can sneak one through. For example, if a Buyer wants to offer $79 per point for a Beach Club listing, the Timeshare Store agent will advise that Buyer that the low price is going to raise a red flag for DVC (even if the Seller is willing to accept that amount). When and if DVC exercises their ROFR, the Buyer is notified immediately by The Timeshare Store and their deposit is refunded in full.

IF DISNEY EXERCISES ROFR, CAN I COME BACK WITH A HIGHER BID?
No. Disney has advised us that once they have exercised their ROFR, the bidding process is over.

HOW DO I KNOW HOW MANY YEARS ARE LEFT ON EACH LISTING?
All of the Vacation Club Resort listings except those at Saratoga Springs end the same day - January 31, 2042 (Old Key West, Boardwalk Villas, Beach Club Villas, Villas at Wilderness Lodge, Vero Beach
Resort and Hilton Head Resort.) Saratoga Springs memberships end on January 31, 2054.

IS FINANCING AVAILABLE?
Yes. The Timeshare Store works with Tammac Financial Corp. You may be pre-approved for a loan by applying online at http://www.tammacfinancial.com or by phone at 1-800-640-6753.

AFTER I'VE BANKED MY POINTS, CAN I GET THEM BACK IF I DECIDE TO TAKE A VACATION THIS YEAR?
Once points are banked, they cannot be returned to the current year. However, if you decide to take a vacation after banking this years points, you may always borrow up to 100% of next years allotment.

WHY DO SOME LISTINGS SAY CANNOT CLOSE UNTIL XX/XX/2006?
If a Member has an outstanding reservation, the sale cannot close until that vacation has been taken or the Sellers reservation will be cancelled when the deed is transferred to the Buyer. If the vacation is for May 30th -June 6th, then the sale cannot close until June 6th but all of the paperwork can be prepared, signed and ready prior to that. On June 6th, the title company will close the sale, transfer title and notify DVC.

HOW MANY YEARS CAN I BANK MY POINTS?
Your points may be banked every year, but the same points cannot be banked more than once.

In other words, if you have a June use year and bank your points from June 2006 into June 2006, those points may be used until the last day of May, 2007. They cannot be banked again. However, the June 2006 points may be banked into June of 2007 and are good through May 31, 2008.

HOW CAN I ACCUMULATE POINTS FOR MORE THAN 2 YEARS?

By banking and borrowing. Bank your 2006 points into 2007. In 2006, borrow your points from 2008. You now have 3 years' points available all at once.


<< Conclusion>>

We hope you’ve enjoyed this issue, and we’ll be back in the next few weeks with another issue of the Insider. Until then, stay warm and Happy INTERCOTing! 
 

<< INTERCOT Would Like To Thank>>