Spring has sprung, and this
edition of the INTERCOT Insider is bursting at the seams with
exciting news and helpful tips. Whether it's the new entertainment
at the Universal Orlando Resort, the opening of Storybook Circus at
the Magic Kingdom, or saving big on a Disney vacation this Fall;
excitement is filling the Spring air. In this edition we check out
the latest deals, learn how to buy the Disney Vacation Club from the
re-sale market, round-up March happenings at the Magic Kingdom, see
what new entertainment is in store at Universal Studios Florida, and
check out the latest Disney calendars. Hang on to them hats and
glasses, cause this here's the most informative ride on the
internet!
<<Disney Deals>>
with Magical Journeys Travel
Agency
-- Free Dining
Returns for Early Fall 2012 --
Guests can get the free counter
service package when staying at value resorts and free basic dining
package when staying at moderate or above resort levels. Travel
Dates are 8/25-9/29/2012 and the package must be booked by
5/18/2012. The package requires a 3 night minimum stay and the
purchase of a 2 day base ticket. For more details, contact
INTERCOT's official Travel Agency-- Magical Journeys!
-- Buying Disney Vacation Club
in the Resale Market --
Around the summer of 2007, we
began to look at whether or not a Disney Vacation Club (DVC)
purchase might be a good decision for us. We read what we could
including the information we could glean from other members on
INTERCOT's site. We made the decision to buy but also decided we
would not make a financed purchase and would only purchase on a cash
basis. To this end, we opened a bank account specifically to save
for this. On two different Disney World trips, we took the Vacation
Club tour. The first time we took the tour, Bay Lake Tower was a
“rumor” and Saratoga Springs was the featured site. We took the tour
a second time just so we could get a look at the Bay Lake Tower
model. For a while, we considered purchasing directly from Disney
but, ultimately, decided there was very little incentive for us to
do so and determined the resale market would provide us with more
points for less money. We thought we had settled on wanting to
purchase at Wilderness Lodge but, ultimately, decided that it didn’t
really matter where we stayed. Plus, the timings of our vacation are
usually pretty flexible which also makes staying at resorts other
than our home resort a possibility. From 2007 through 2010, we
continued to save and to watch the listings posted by the Timeshare
Store. Here's some tips we learned:
Spotting the Listing: In early June of 2010, I perused the
listings as I did pretty regularly. On this evening, I found an Old
Key West listing that was reasonably priced and also included the
full component of points from the prior year. Thus, if it purchased
this listing we would not only get all of 2010’s points but also all
of 2009’s points as well. That evening, we picked up the phone and
called The Timeshare Store. We had a long discussion with a
representative who answered all of our questions about the process
and the particular listing we were interested in.
The Offer Is Made: That very evening, we made an offer on the
listing. The owners countered and we accepted their counter-offer.
We were on our way to becoming DVC owners!
Paperwork and Deposit: The following day, we received our
Contract for Sale and Purchase. The day after that, we sent in the
in the required paperwork along with our deposit which equaled 10%
of the sales price. The Timeshare Store received the deposit three
days after we mailed it.
Right of First Refusal: On all DVC resale's, Disney has the
Right of First Refusal. What this means is that Disney gets to see
all offers for resale's and Disney can purchase the property at the
agreed upon price if Disney wishes to do so. This is probably the
most nerve-wracking part of the entire process. The day after
receiving our deposit, the contract was sent to Disney for their
review and decision on whether or not to exercise their right of
first refusal. We were told that Disney had 30 days to make a
decision. In the interim, our deposit was placed into an escrow
account. Twenty-one days after the contract went to Disney, we
received an e-mail stating that Disney had waived the right to
purchase! The DVC would be ours!
Closing: We received a number of documents we needed to
process and sign. One month to the day after we had made the offer
on the DVC property, we sent in all of our paperwork and the check
for the balance of payment. That same day, the sellers signed over
their rights to the DVC to us.
We’re Now DVC Owners: Approximately three weeks later, we
received our Disney Vacation Club Member ID cards in the mail from
Disney. We were also supposed to receive information on how to
access the Disney World DVC web site which we did not get. I ended
up calling Member Services and our ability to access the site was
quickly squared away. Although we expected it take quite a bit
longer, we received our Deed and Title Insurance Policy in the mail
around the end of the month. From start to finish, it took us about
2 months to complete the process.
In conclusion, we had a terrific experience with The Timeshare
Store. Everyone we dealt with was professional and very responsive.
We would not hesitate to use them again and, in fact, we are
considering adding on a bit more within the next few years! And, now
that I’ve actually had my first stay as a DVC owner (at Bay Lake
Tower), we’re very happy with our ownership status!
INTERCOT's intrepid park reporter
Melanie has been storming the Kingdom, Magic Kingdom that is, and
has had her camera in-tow. She experienced the One More Disney Day
celebration on Leap Day 2012 where the Magic Kingdom stayed open for
24 straight hours. She also was there when the new Storybook Circus
section of Fantasyland opened for public previews. Check out the
great pictures she took in INTERCOT's Facebook Photo Albums:
There's lots of new fun springing
up this Spring at the Universal Orlando Resort. Here's a look of the
exciting entertainment opening this Spring:
--Universal’s Superstar Parade
at Universal Studios Florida--
Some of today’s most beloved
characters and stories will bring new adventure to the streets of
Universal Studios during Universal’s Superstar Parade – an all-new
daily parade that features larger-than-life floats, state-of-the-art
technology and hundreds of energetic street performers. Guests will
sing and dance along with characters like the minions from
Despicable Me, E.B. from the hit comedy, Hop, Nickelodeon’s Dora &
Diego and SpongeBob SquarePants during the interactive experience.
Guests will have the opportunity to enjoy performances and character
meet and greets prior to the parade at select locations throughout
the day.
--Universal’s Cinematic Spectacular: 100 Years of Movie Memories
at Universal Studios Florida--
Narrated by award-winning actor
and recent Golden Globe - Cecil B. DeMille honoree, Morgan Freeman,
Universal Orlando’s brand-new nighttime show, Universal’s Cinematic
Spectacular, will celebrate the most powerful and emotional moments
from Universal Pictures’ most iconic films – all on cutting-edge
waterfall screens within the Universal Studios lagoon and surrounded
by colorful fountains and pyrotechnics. The experience will take
guests on a journey through epic cinematic moments filled with
heroes, horror, laughter, good vs. evil and triumph. The new show
opens this spring, runs all summer and then on select nights through
the end of the year.
>>
<<Calendar Corner>>
-- September & October 2012 --
Extra Magic Hours, Operating, and
Event schedules have been released through October 2012. 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.
The Easter
Bunny is on his way, but this edition is out. Look for the next
edition to be filled with flowers and fantasy, as we check out the
Epcot Flower and Garden festival and the first voyages of the new
Disney Fantasy cruise ship. We'll be back in a few weeks with more
great tips, news, and deals. See ya real soon!
<< Thank You To Our
Sponsors! >>
The INTERCOT Insider and INTERCOT.com
are supported by the following sponsors who in turn, help us bring the Magic
to you!
All Star
Vacation Homes
Website:
Vacation Home Details Here Choose from the finest selection of vacation homes and condos in the
closest locations to Walt Disney World.
The
Official Ticket Center Website:
Buy & Price Tickets Now!
The Official Ticket Center
is Walt Disney World's, Universal Studios and Sea World's #1 guest service
provider for the last 3 years. The Official Ticket Center sells tickets
only, at a discount price.
Magical
Journeys
Website:
http://www.yourmagicaljourneys.com INTERCOT's Official Travel Agency. An unconventional Travel Agency for the
unconventional client, Magical Journeys is dedicated to finding the best
pricing for your next magical journey. We work hard to save you money, and
still give you the quality service you deserve.
Quicksilver Tours & Transportation
Website:
http://www.quicksilver-tours.com Our drivers are the first personal contact you have when you arrive in
Orlando. No other transportation company goes to the lengths we do to
ensure that your trip is exactly how you imagined it. At Quicksilver, we
truly believe there's no such thing as going "above and beyond" for our
clients. Instead, it's all part of doing our jobs correctly.
The
Timeshare Store
Website:
http://www.dvc-resales.com This Disney Vacation Club resale site offers the largest selection of DVC
Resale's anywhere! They are the number one Disney Vacation Club Reseller in
the world. See how easy and affordable it is to purchase your very own piece
of the "MAGIC".
Universal Orlando® Resort Website:
Universal Orlando Resort Universal Orlando® Resort is more than a theme park. It's an entire universe of action and thrills featuring TWO spectacular theme parks unlike anything else in Orlando.