{"id":1001,"date":"2005-12-19T08:00:15","date_gmt":"2005-12-19T13:00:15","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/blog_ms_news\/?p=1001"},"modified":"2022-05-05T00:15:16","modified_gmt":"2022-05-05T04:15:16","slug":"whos-up-for-mousefest-i-am-i-am","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/blog_world\/whos-up-for-mousefest-i-am-i-am\/","title":{"rendered":"Who’s Up for MouseFest? I am, I am!"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Erica Colmenares with contributions from various MFL MouseFest attendees<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

I got back from Disney World last week. Since then, like a good Disney theme park enthusiast, I\u2019m planning my next visit. I flirted on the edges of MouseFest this December and had a ball. So next year\u2019s event is definitely in my plans, and I want it to be in yours, too.<\/p>\n

As part of MouseFest, a group of MouseforLess list members, led by list mom Binnie and organizer Gracie, planned ten meets for MouseFest 2005. These meets were open to anyone who was interested in meeting old cyber-friends or making new ones. MFL list members as well as folks from other Internet communities attended this year\u2019s MFLFest meets. We think it was a success, and are already discussing how to improve the MFL offerings for next year.<\/p>\n

This brings us to you. Now, go get out your 2006 datebook. Got it? Next year, MouseFest is officially from December 3-12, starting with a cruise on the Disney Wonder from December 3-7, followed by the Walt Disney World events from December 7-12. The December 9 Mega Mouse Meet is your opportunity to meet authors like Jennifer and Dave Marx of Passporter fame, or exchange trivia with Lou Mongello, author of The Walt Disney World Trivia Book.<\/p>\n

You are probably writing this all down, lightly, in pencil, so that you can erase it later when your spouse objects or your innate shyness rears its head. \u201cWhat if my family isn\u2019t interested in meets?\u201d you ask. \u201cWhat if no one talks to me?\u201d you worry. \u201cWill my child be welcome?\u201d you wonder? \u201cCan I afford to add all these meets to my budget?\u201d you fret.<\/p>\n

Never fear! I had all these challenges, and none were insurmountable. The easiest is the last concern, as most of the meets cost nothing. Yep, zip! People meet to ride big attractions together or to find Hidden Mickeys, that kind of thing. Any costs are clearly identified upfront, like for the Wishes Fireworks cruise or the Grand Gathering event.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

As for how to fit Mousefest into your holiday, I had planned my family vacation before I decided to also attend some of the MouseFest meets. As my husband was not (at all) interested in coming along, he and our son toured a park during one of my meets, and during another, my son joined me while his dad went and got a massage. My son had a ball during the two meets he attended; there aren\u2019t many kids, but those who came were welcomed, even pampered. And as for worries about being a wallflower or not having anyone to talk to, this is one friendly group of people. At my first meet, I was made to feel right at home. Couples attended, as did single folks, younger adults as well as older, parents, grandparents, and people without kids. Everyone fit in.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

The organizers of MouseFest create a pocket guide of all of the activities sponsored by all of the groups. I\u2019ll use the term \u201cpocket guide\u201d loosely, because you would need big pockets to fit it. There are just that many activities. The great thing, though, is that you can decide what you attend. Some make the trip to Walt Disney World just for MouseFest and try to attend as many meets as possible (like our own Mike Corbo, who amazingly attended all of the MFLFest meets). Some just try to include one meet into the plans they already have for their trip. And some, like me, do a mix of the two. Participants can attend almost any event, whether they are members of a particular community or not. Some events were a small extra cost; some were in the parks and some in the resorts. All of that was clearly mapped out in the planning stages.<\/p>\n

Carol, another Magically Speaking editor, traveled to Florida with her husband just for MFL Fest. Normally, meets aren\u2019t a part of their vacations and her family doesn\u2019t get as interested in meeting people she knows online. But they quickly found out that this isn\u2019t work to attend the meetings. They were welcomed, even the husband who doesn\u2019t spend hours a day talking about the Mouse. Her husband is already coming up with plans for the 2006 MFLFest, since he enjoyed meeting so many new people at this one.<\/p>\n

Now, to give you a better idea of what goes on at MouseFest, here\u2019s the run-down of the meets sponsored and co-sponsored by theMouseforLess.com.<\/p>\n

Festivities began on Thursday, December 1, with a Soarin\u2019 Meet and a Welcome Meet. You won\u2019t be surprised to learn that the Soarin\u2019 Meet was crowded, with MFLers and other Disney guests alike. But who can argue with the aerial tour over California and its sites and smells? Not me!<\/p>\n

The Welcome Meet came next. We gathered at the Contemporary Resort with the goal of seeing the decorative highlights of all three Monorail resorts. Hostess Joyce gave all attendees original handmade tags, sporting our names in letter beads and a handsome Mickey Mouse. At the Contemporary, we spotted hidden Mickeys in the holiday workshop, then we hopped on the monorail to the Poly where we were so busy chatting we forgot to look at gingerbread longhouse, complete with encircling monorail. The Grand Floridian wowed us all with just how elegant and beautiful a hotel can be. The life-sized gingerbread house looked and smelled amazing. Everyone left this meet much better acquainted, and in the holiday mood.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

We asked a number of the attendees of the Wishes Fireworks Cruise meet how it went. Cold seemed to be the operative word, followed by beautiful, fun and cold. The cruise left from the docks of the Wilderness Lodge, which is a treat in itself to visit during the holidays. Once on the boat and covered up in an appropriate amount of blankets, we were off on a jaunt around Bay Lake. Then we stopped in front of the Magic Kingdom. The music from Wishes was piped in so we could hear the whole thing along with see the fireworks from an amazing vantage point. What a great way to spend an evening with new and old friends \u2013 and not have to fight the crowds after the fireworks!<\/p>\n

Meet guests at the Good Morning Grand Gathering weren\u2019t affected by the cold- they just had to battle the crowds that were there for the annual filming of the Magic Kingdom Christmas parade. Once inside Tony\u2019s Town Square Restaurant, food was abundant, characters were everywhere, and Tony himself joined in the fun.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Saturday afternoon was the biggest meet of them all \u2013 the Mega Mouse Meet. Here, gathered in a large meeting room in the Dolphin hotel, are people from all over the Disney community. There are guidebook authors and webmasters. Even the woman from whom the original Tinkerbell was modeled attended and signed autographs. There is pin trading, an area for the kids to hang out, and lots of giveaways. As with all of the meets, everyone is friendly and lots of hugs were given and pictures were taken. This is the place where the most online communities gather at once, so if you want to meet and greet a diverse group of Disneyphiles, this is the place. Other meets may be more intimate, but this one is the place to see everyone together.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

It\u2019s hard to top the Mega Mouse Meet, but Beccy and Tia succeeded with the Give Kids the World meet that followed. Give Kids The World (GKTW) Village is a non-profit resort that creates magical memories for children with life-threatening illnesses and their families. Wish-granting organizations (like Make A Wish) coordinate transportation to Orlando, then GKTW provides accommodations at its whimsical resort, with donated attractions tickets, and meals for a week-long fantasy vacation. Mike Corbo from The Magic for Less Travel described the meet in glowing terms: \u201cI just returned from our GKTW MouseFest Meet, which was a tour of the village, with our very own Beccy, her 3 wonderful sons (my new best buds in Florida, hey guys!) and several others from the MouseforLess list. Words and pictures really can not describe it. The looks on the faces of the children as Beccy\u2019s son Michael was handing out the gift bags that our very own Wendy made and Beccy filled with donations from the list was just amazing. The facilities they have available, if I were a \u2018wish child,\u2019 would make me never ever want to leave. It’s amazing what they do there for such deserving children and their families.\u201d For more information on GKTW, see https:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/community\/givekidstheworld.shtml<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Bright and early Sunday morning, a group met for the Virtual Magic Kingdom meet, completing the Fantasyland quest and finding the hidden 20,000 Leagues submarine in the process (hint: go to the new Fantasyland playground, Pooh\u2019s Playful Spot). Sunday also saw a group of adventurers at Epcot\u2019s World Showcase, for the \u201cEat and Drink Around the World\u201d Meet. No one could remember what they did. Just kidding, as eating figured more centrally than drinking during this meet which took MFLers and friends around Epcot\u2019s World Showcase. Organizer Grace summed it up succinctly: \u201cDrinks good, food great, very happy.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sunday night\u2019s host, Heather, went all out for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Meet at the Magic Kingdom, bringing holiday gifts for all attendees. Partygoers watched the second showing of Mickey\u2019s Very Merry Christmas parade. Everyone ate cookies, drank hot chocolate, and enjoyed those cute marching toy soldiers.<\/p>\n

All good things come to an end, and MouseforLessFest ended with a Final Farewell Breakfast at Animal Kingdom Lodge\u2019s Boma. We met at the original (and beautifully) decorated AKL tree. By now, we saw mostly familiar faces and had stories to share. The food at Boma was excellent as always. One of the guests lead us in a rousing chorus of Happy Birthday to Walt Disney, whose birthday falls on December 5. Souvenir goody bags were provided for everyone (Thanks, Arlen!).<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

OK, to summarize. MouseFest is a great time to meet people of similar interests (Disney). It brings the whole online Disney community together. If you are at all thinking of attending in 2006, be assured that you will have a great time. You and other participants may walk into a meet as strangers, but you will always leave friends. Remember, the dates for the Walt Disney World meets are December 7-12. Maybe you are interested in the preceding cruise on the Wonder from December 3-7. For help arranging travel, consult your travel agent or http:\/\/www.themagicforless.com<\/a>. Any questions?<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Magically Speaking Featured Article
\nLibrary of Congress ISSN:1556-3863<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By Erica Colmenares with contributions from various MFL MouseFest attendees I got back from Disney World last week. Since then, like a good Disney theme park enthusiast, I\u2019m planning my next visit. I flirted on the edges of MouseFest this December and had a ball. So next year\u2019s event is definitely in my plans, and…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":202,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"wprm-recipe-roundup-name":"","wprm-recipe-roundup-description":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1001","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-walt-disney-world"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/blog_world\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1001","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/blog_world\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/blog_world\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/blog_world\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/202"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/blog_world\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1001"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/blog_world\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1001\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":82046,"href":"https:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/blog_world\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1001\/revisions\/82046"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/blog_world\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1001"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/blog_world\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1001"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/blog_world\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1001"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}