News Archive - July 2009
July 29,
2009
Fantasyland
Re-Do Plans Leaked?
Plans
are circulating on the internet that show a Re-Imagineered Fantasyland in
store for Walt Disney World. Disney themselves haven't commented on the
validity of said documents and like many things that make their way to the
net, it could be close to the truth, a plan that was in the works long ago
but now has changed or just a creative individual with too much time on
their hands. We'll leave that to you to decide - with the note that we've
been hearing rumblings for quite some time now that Fantasyland was indeed
in the pipeline for a re-do of some sort.
INTERCOT Enhanced Blueprints
Leaked Original Blueprints
Details & Discussion
July 24,
2009
Fall Discounts for Disney Visa
Cardholders
Disney
has released discount rates on Magic Your Way packages for Disney Visa
Cardholders vacationing at Walt Disney World between September 27 - December
17, 2009. Ask for code EVN for
Magic Your Way or code RGV to upgrade to Magic Your Way Plus Dining. Rooms
and Resort selection is very limited.
For details on
these and other special rates call INTERCOT's Official Travel Agency,
Magical Journeys at 1-570-785-3283, or visit their
website and fill out a quote form.
Details & Discussion Here
July 22,
2009
Annual Passholder Discounts Announced
Disney
has released room-only discounts, at select resorts, for Annual
Passholders vacationing between October 4 - December 24, 2009. Discounts
for value season include select Value Resorts for $69+, Moderate Resorts
from $99+ and Deluxe Resorts from $139+ per night. Ask for code JYF. The
number of rooms offered at these rates is limited. For details contact
INTERCOT's Official Travel Agency, Magical Journeys at 1-570-785-3283, or
visit their
web site and fill out a quote form.
Discussion Here
July 20, 2009
Sounds Like Summer
- Supremes & U2 Tributes
Sounds
Like Summer musical revival at Epcot: The whole family will be rockin’ and
rollin’ to legendary music through Aug. 9 at Epcot when popular tribute
bands take the stage at America Gardens Theatre. Seven tribute bands will
recreate classic hits from musical icons under the stars as part of the
Sounds Like Summer concert series. Concerts, which are included in regular
Epcot admission, are nightly at 5:45, 7 and 8:15 p.m.
Playing this week (subject to change):
July 24-26 – The Sounds of the Supremes – Supremes Tribute
July 27-Aug. 2 – 2U – A Tribute to U2
July
18, 2009
Disney Vacation
Club Offers New Adventures
Three
resort developments are expanding the Walt Disney World vacation experience
and continuing the rapid growth of Disney Vacation Club, Disney’s innovative
vacation-ownership program: The African-inspired Kidani Village opened May
2009 with additional villas scheduled to open fall 2009. The Treehouse
Villas at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa opened last month and the
15-story Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort is scheduled to join
the Disney Vacation Club family of properties next month.
Visit Vacation Club Forums
July 8,
2009
NTSB Issues
Preliminary Report On Crash
The
National Transportation Safety Board has developed the following factual
information from its investigation of the collision of two trains on the
monorail system at Walt Disney World in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, that
occurred early Sunday morning and has released their report to the public.
Of note - there are indications that the operator of the Purple train had
brought the train to a stop and had attempted to put the train in reverse
prior to the collision.
Discussion Here
July 6,
2009
Monorail System
Re-Opens With New Sensors
Walt
Disney World will re-open the monorail system today. Changes include new
safety sensors added to monitor track switches. In a note to employees,
Disney said that investigators with the Occupational Safety and Health
Administration have "released" the monorail system allowing it to be
operated again. "We have completed a thorough safety inspection and system
checks to verify that it is safe to operate the monorail for our guests and
cast," Disney said. "We've added additional verifications of these track
switch positions, supplemented our safety procedures and protocols for these
operations, and communicated these changes to our Transportation partners."
July 5,
2009
Monorail Crash
Kills Driver - Closes System
A
Monorail at Walt Disney World crashed into the back of another Monorail
early Sunday, killing one driver, according to an amusement park spokesman.
The crash occurred about 2 a.m. at Epcot track of the Transportation and
Ticket Center, as guests were leaving the park following a Fourth of July
fireworks show.
"Today we mourn the loss of our fellow cast member," said a
statement by Mike Griffin, Disney's vice president for public affairs. "Our
hearts go out to his family and to those who have lost a friend and
co-worker." The statement said the monorail was shut down, "and we will
continue to work closely will law enforcement to determine what happened and
the appropriate next steps." Witnesses said one Monorail rammed into the
back of a stationary Monorail. Video from Click Orlando below shows shocking
footage just moments after the two Monorails collided.
Austin Wenneberg, 21, a Disney employee who was piloting one
of the monorails died at the scene of the accident, the Orange County
Sheriff's Office said. One other employee was transported to Florida
Hospital Celebration. The second driver's injuries were not serious, Griffin
said.
Discussion Here
Video
Moments After The Crash (May Be Disturbing To Some)
July 4,
2009
Happy Birthday
America!
In
our hearts, in our minds and in our actions, we work daily to uphold the
principles on which this great nation was founded. Liberty: for no one can
constrain or remove our belief in our government by the people, for the
people and of the people. Freedom: freedom from fear, freedom from strife
and freedom to continue to build a nation in which democracy, debate and
truth will always reign. On this, our 233rd Independence Day, the staff of
INTERCOT wishes The United States of America a Happy Birthday, and we salute
each and every American who fights to uphold those ideals which we hold so
dear.
July 3,
2009
Park Calendar Released for October 2009
The
Walt Disney
World Resort has released it's
Extra Magic Hours, Operating and Event schedules for October 2009. 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.
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