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<< Introduction >>

Summertime, and the livin' is easy.  We may be half way through the Summer, but all the info stuffed into this edition of the Insider is no Mid-Summer Night’s Dream.  In this edition we cover Disney Park events coast to coast, stay up-to-date on the latest deals, welcome a new INTERCOT sponsor, check out the latest updates to info central, review some signature related FAQ’s and cover the latest chit chat around the water cooler.  Hang on to them hats and glasses, cause this here’s the most informative ride on the Internet!
 

<< Coast to Coast Disney with Mel  >>

Epcot Wand Coming Down
 
Many Epcot purists will read with great delight that Epcot Vice President Jim MacPhee announced that the "Mickey Hand and Wand" above Spaceship Earth since the 2000 Celebration would be removed beginning Monday, July 9^th.  This includes the Epcot script and stars as well.

This is great news! Spaceship Earth will be itself again. – Horizon93

It will be so nice to have Epcot and Spaceship Earth, back to the original design, and they way I remembered it when I walked through the gates in 1985. – 2Epcot

I am really bummed. The hand & wand never bothered me like it so bothered others. I liked the festive, sparkly greeting and it gave the ball that exciting and interesting preview for the greatness that is Epcot. – Roo Girl

>> Details & Discussion Here

Festival of the Masters Returns to Walt Disney World

Downtown Disney is the canvas for more than 150 artisans to display their creations during the 32nd annual Festival of the Masters. Sculpture, jewelry, painting, photography, glass, and digital art are just some of the art genres showcased at this year's event. It also includes live entertainment, children's activities and culinary treats. The event takes place November 9-11, 2007 from 9:30am - 5:30pm each day of the festival. Admission is complimentary.

It is a wonderful, relaxing way to end a vacation. Our favorite part is all the sidewalk chalk drawings. – Mary Pop’s Mom

I've never been to Festival of the Masters before. I think I'll make this year my first visit to it. – Piglet822

>> Details & Discussion Here

All Disney World Hotels to Go "Green" in 2008

The Walt Disney Co. has taken the lead in greening its hotels In Florida. The State certified Green Hotels typically have low-flow fixtures, energy-efficient appliances, provide guests with recycling containers in each room and automatically shuts off air conditioning units with sensors that detect when the room is unoccupied. Disney expects to certify all 18 of its Florida hotels by Earth Day 2008.

Walt Disney was always promoting responsible use of our resources, and protecting the environment.  Good for Walt Disney World to continue to promote this. - AndrewJackson

I always reuse towels, recycle everything, take public transportation and do my part the other 50 weeks of the year. When I am paying $300-$400 a night for a vacation, I want a fresh towel EVERY DAY and a cool room. Sorry. – GrumpySue

>> Discussion Here

 
Magical Beginnings Concert Details Released

From August 6 through October 28, 2007 Walt Disney World Resort will host "Magical Beginnings". During these dates, families can dance and sing with Playhouse Disney in Concert. Youngsters can bebop  with Disney Channel favorites; The Doodlebops, Johnny and the Sprites, Imagination Movers, Ralph's World, Choo Choo Soul, and Dan Zanes and Friends. All entertainment is scheduled to appear at the temporary venue adjacent to the  Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Courtyard. Times: 10:00, 11:15 am and 12:15 & 1:45 pm.

>> More Information

Halloween Dreams Come True Beginning September 21 at Disneyland

Following up on the success of its inaugural season last year, Disney’s HalloweenTime will return to the Disneyland Resort this fall with a lively mix of Disney characters in seasonal costumes, whimsical décor, decked-out attractions, themed shows and tasty treats designed with the whole family in mind. This inviting interactive Halloween experience at Disneyland and Disney’s California Adventure will begin a week earlier this year starting Friday, September 21, and continuing through Wednesday, October 31.

>> Full Story...
 

<< Across the Boards with Figment! >> 

Welcome back to Across the Boards.  In this installment let’s review some FAQ’s regarding signatures.

Q: What is a signature?
A: A signature is a set of text that appears at the bottom of your posts. This is can serve as a send off, your favorite quote or a list of all the trips you have taken to Disney World. Making a signature allows you to have the desired text appear at the bottom of each post with out having to re-type it every time you make a post.

Q: How to I make or change a signature?
A: To make a signature or to change an existing one the processes is essentially the same. First click on “User CP” on the top left corner of the blue bar on the main forum page. From there click on the “ Edit Signature” option at the top of the menu on the left hand side of the screen. Once here you will find a page that looks like a reply form. All of the features like font color, font style, bold, italic and underline work the same way when making a signature as they do when making a post. Simply fill in the field and then click the ‘Save Signature” button when you are finished.

Q: Can I use smilies in my signature?
A: No, Smilies will not show up in signatures.

Q: Can I post a link or my e-mail address in my signature?
A: No, hyperlinks and e-mail address are not allowed in member signatures per the terms of service agreement. The only exception are links to other parts of INTERCOT and INTERCOT sponsors.

Q: Is there a limit on how big my signature can be?
A: Yes, signatures cannot contain more than 300 characters (spaces are counted as characters). In addition, please be courteous in the visual length of your signature. It is not good board etiquette to makes others scroll through excessively long signatures to simply get to the next post.

Q: Can I post pictures in my signature?
A: No. In order to keep INTERCOT a family friendly site images have been disabled in member signatures.  The disabling of this feature also means that countdown-timers can not be inserted into signatures.

Q: Can I control if signature appears in some posts, but not in others?
A: Yes. Underneath each reply form there is a check box labeled “Show your signature”; when this box is checked your signature appears, when it is unchecked your signature does not appear.

Until next time, happy browsing around the boards!

<< Disney Deals >>

The Walt Disney World resort has released additional specials for guests vacationing July 29 - September 29, 2007. Create a perfect vacation with a Room-Only discount or Magic Your Way Package at select Walt Disney World hotels. These offers must be booked by July 28, 2007. Availability is extremely limited. For details on these and other vacation specials contact INTERCOT's Official Travel Agency, Magical Journeys at 1-570-785-3283, or visit their and fill out a quote form.

>> Details & Discussion Here

>> Magical Journeys
 

<< Carol's Communicore >>

Park Calendar Released for January 2008

The Walt Disney World Resort has released its Extra Magic Hours, Operating and Event schedules for January 2008. 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.

What's New?

INTERCOT info Central has recently added the following sections to better help you plan your Disney World Vacation:

Walt Disney World Hotel Smoke-Free Policy

Single Rider Line

What's Updated?

INTERCOT info Central has recently updated the following sections to keep you up-to-date as you plan your Disney World Vacation:

Walt Disney World Dining Guide

Disney Restaurant Dress Codes

Character Meals

Buffets

Fantasmic! Dinner Package

Closing & Refurbishment Schedule

Historic Walt Disney World Discounts

Pleasure Island

Magical Beginnings

Historic Temp Averages by Day
 

<< A Picture Perfect Partnership >>

The Insider takes great pride in welcoming Stan Kelley Photography to the INTERCOT Family!

Ever wish you could be in the picture? Stan Kelley Photography takes quality family portraits of your Orlando dream vacation that you'll treasure forever. He will meet you at your resort hotel (or wherever) for relaxed and fun photos. Visit Stan's website now to reserve a portrait time slot or see some of his work.

Stans pricing is VERY reasonable (check the site and see what we mean - you may have thought a service like this was out of your league - but it's not) and the pictures speak for themselves.

As he says on his site "Your portrait session with me could be one of the least expensive things you do on your Orlando vacation, but have the highest long-term value."

>> Stan Kelley Photography
 

<< Off Topic with ChipDale >>

I hope that you’re all having a great summer and enjoying the great outdoors while you have the chance.  Let’s take a look back at June in the Water Cooler:

The June Friday parties kicked off with Dr_Nigel_C’s Summer Cele-Brrrr-ation, and continued with the Banarama Slip and Slide Friday Party, Jamie & Rob’s Rehearsal Party (in preparation for their wedding day), the Friday Beer Blast, and we rounded off the month with the Early Independence Day Party.  Thanks Jamie and Rob for ending our weeks in style!

Bibbidiboo3 wanted some gift ideas for Father’s Day and got some good input from fellow INTERCOTees.  Kenny1113: NASCAR tickets, RedSoxFan: a new grill and outdoor speakers, KODABEAR: DVDs of the World Series, Momof2Boys: a shirt from her husband’s favorite TV show and JanetMegan: “I sat down and wrote them each a letter thanking them for teaching me everything I know, all with specific examples of how they have influenced my life etc. Hopefully they will appreciate it more than any knick-knack I could have purchased.”  So dads, whatever you received, I hope you all had a great Father’s Day!

Piglet822’s celebrations for June included Dare Day, Kitchen Klutzes of America Day, Name Your Poison Day, Pop Goes the Weasel Day, Banana Split Day, National Pink Day, Hand Shake Day, World Sauntering Day, Chicken Wings Day, National Splurge Day and Stupid Guy Thing Day.  So, the next time you’re looking for a reason to celebrate something, just look up Jeanne’s list for the month in the Water Cooler!

Are you a coffeeaholic?  Mscholl13 asked INTERCOTees what their favorite Starbucks drink is and received lots of responses.  Seems like the favorite drink is a Frappuccino with such fans as Lorraine444, snifflesmcg, Marilyn Michetti, Mickey 101, Belle-86, DREAMADREAM93, and DMApixie.  The Frappuccino lovers were followed closely by Latte fans jennbunn, SBETigg, Ian, DizNee143, Chic-a-pin, MsMin and Mscholl13.  So what’s your favorite?

Congratulations to harlowandthemermaid on the birth of baby girl Vivien and to scottgr on the birth of a new daughter!  Special congratulations go out to newlyweds MickeysGirl and Dr_Nigel_C on their wedding.  Best wishes, Jamie & Rob!

June posting milestones were reached by: alpro2 – 7,000 posts, mrsgaribaldi – 5,000 posts, disneydrmr – 4,000 posts, Mickey’sGirl –4,000 posts, Dsnygirl – 3,000 posts, hoop de do – 2,000 posts, DisneyorBust – 2,000 posts, PAYROLL PRINCESS – 2,000 posts, Caroleh – 2,000 posts, RedSoxFan – 1,500 posts, BelleBeauty – 1,000 posts, mtown71 – 1,000 posts, Fairy Grandmother – 1,000 posts, indytraveler – 1,000 posts, Riri529 – 1,000 posts, ibrowse17 – 900 posts, Jenemmy – 400 posts, snifflesmcg – Senior Cast Member, tinktude – Senior Cast Member, disneyfan369 – Senior Cast Member, pshokie – Cast Member, MickeyandTink – Cast Member, princessimagineer – Cast Member, mdearmas – Cast Member Trainee, and DisneyDreams09 – Cast Member Trainee.  Congratulations to all of you and remember, the posts that really count are the ones that are helpful and benefit the INTERCOT community!

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

<< Conclusion >>

That wraps up this edition, we’ll be back soon with even more great tips and information.   As we round the Mid-Summer hump we can only assume even more excitement is heading the way of Disney vacation planners, and the Insider will keep you up-to-date with each development.  See ya real soon!

<< INTERCOT Would Like To Thank>>

Stan Kelley Photography
Ever wish you could be in the picture? Stan Kelley Photography takes quality family portraits of your Orlando dream vacation that you'll treasure forever.
Website: http://www.flmemories.com/

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/

Garden Grocer
GardenGrocer.com allows you to spend more time doing the things you want to do on your vacation and less time at the supermarket.
Website: http://www.gardengrocer.com/

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