News Archive - March 2003

March 24, 2003


New Interactive Toy Debuts at
Walt Disney World
He has the inside scoop at Walt Disney World.  He's cuddly and offers great touring advice and park tidbits. He'll keep guests entertained and informed by recommending theme park attractions, offering reminders about parades and show times, sharing stories, playing games and helping locate Disney characters within the parks. Who is he?  Pal Mickey!  Pal Mickey is a new talking Mickey Mouse plush toy available for rental or purchase beginning in April. Guests can rent Pal Mickey daily for $8 per day and a refundable deposit. Mickey can also be purchase at merchandise locations in each of the Walt Disney World resort hotels starting in April for $46.94.  Pal Mickey will also be offered at select locations in Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney-MGM Studios and Disney’s Animal Kingdom beginning in May. 
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March 22, 2003


2003 Night of Joy Lineup
The 2003 lineup for the festival celebration of Christian music has been announced.  Held on September 5th and 6th, performers this year include Petra, Jars of Clay and Kirk Franklin.  Tickets sell quickly for this very popular event.  The long-running series has played to a combined audience of almost three-quarters of a million people. This year marks the 21st anniversary of Disney's Night of Joy.
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March 21, 2003


Disney CEO Michael Eisner Unofficially Announces New Animal Kingdom Attraction
"We have on the boards,” Michael Eisner  said at the annual shareholders meeting, “an approved (I don't know whether or not we've announced it so I'm always in difficult territory here) but an attraction called something Climbing Everest or . . . Mount Everest is in the title. It is the biggest and the best and the most amazing ride through the Himalayas ... consistent with the topography and the spirit of the Animal Kingdom."  According to Mr. Eisner and several cast members, the ride is under construction as we speak. Our sources tell us that they are starting to widen the entrance to Asia to allow better traffic flow through the area and that there will be a new bridge as well, but that work won't start for several months. The photo at right is an artist's mock-up of the ride site, viewed from inside the park.

Update:  Our sources tell us, "(The ride) starts outdoors where people have all been frightened away by the yeti from the mountain. The trains will be similar to Disney's Big Thunder Mountain Railroad attraction. Trains enter the mountain, and  travelers are harassed by the yeti. At one point the trains will run backwards. They are looking to open the ride in the summer of 2005."

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March 18, 2003


Walt Disney World Announces Resort Specials
Disney has released a new special for travelers vacationing at Walt Disney World between 4/27/03-7/03/03. Rates range from $74+ per night for Value Resorts, $94+ per night for Moderate Resorts and $139+ per night for Deluxe Resorts. Rooms are subject to availability and must be booked by April 26, 2003. For details on how you can save call INTERCOT's exclusive travel agency, Magical Journeys at 1-570-785-3283, or visit their web site and fill out a quote form. Ask for code AEF and tell them you saw the special on INTERCOT.
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March 7, 2003


Epcot International Flower & Garden 2003
Marking its 10th anniversary, the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival will be held April 25 - June 8 at the Walt Disney World Resort. The 2003 Festival focuses on a Topiary Salute to Art, Love, Music and features over 100 Disney topiaries, many horticultural displays and millions of flowers. New this year is Disney's "Dog Gone" Maze, located on the rose walkway. It’s an interactive maze showcasing many of your favorite Disney canine stars in topiary. Visit INTERCOT’s Info Central for full details on the event, including guest gardeners, special tours, and the Flower Power Concert line-up.
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