MOUSEFEST NEWSLETTER

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Feature Article: Strangers Like Me
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by Eric King, Mouse Guest Weekly Podcast Co-Host


This year will be my first to attend MouseFest, and I couldn't be more excited. Sure, at first the event can seem like a daunting one, with all the different meets scheduled and planning to do. The task becomes even more intimidating when considering my first time heading to MouseFest is coupled with being a participating community. However, I'm learning that those involved with MouseFest, from the organizers to the visiting guests, are more than willing to lend a hand or offer some advice to help.

I've come to terms with the fact that I won't be able to participate in every meet that I would like. There simply aren't enough hours in the day, and a few hours of sleep would be nice. This stark realization may be a downer to some, but not me. It just means that I'll have to come back next year for MouseFest 2008! (Yes, I'm already thinking about next year.)

It's odd to think that our community will be hosting meets and will have a table at the Mega Mouse Meet alongside some of the Disney "celebrities" that I've admired for years. Webmasters who run sites that I've checked every morning for years; authors whose books sit near my computer desk, ready to be accessed easily (and often); podcasters that I listen to each and every week, so much that I feel that I know these people that I've never met.

It seems like all of the communities coming to MouseFest are all fans of each other's work, and we're all just as thrilled to meet each other as the other MouseFest guests are. There is a common bond between all of us that will be there, meet organizer and meet attendee, and that is the magic of Disney.

Outside of the gates of the Disney resorts (you know, in the "real" world) we may get strange looks when we tell our co-workers that we're going to Disney for vacation ("Yes, again."). We may have trouble explaining to our family members just what is so exciting about getting our pictures taken with some college kid in a mouse suit.

But, at MouseFest, we are comforted in the fact that we're surrounded by other people that understand the allure, the magic, that Disney offers. People we may have only met once or twice, or perhaps people that we have only communicated with through online chat rooms and message boards, can feel comfortable walking up to each other with a big smile, like they're reconnecting with an old college roommate.

I am reminded of the words to a song from Disney's "Tarzan":

"Whatever you do, I'll do it, too
Show me everything and tell me how"

"I can see there's so much to learn
It's all so close and yet so far"

"I wanna know, can you show me
I wanna know about these strangers like me"

While I don't totally know what to expect, I do know that there will be many smiles, much laughter, and enough memories to carry on for years. I look forward to meeting all of you "strangers" out there. Strangers like me.

See you at MouseFest!

Eric King
MouseGuest.com

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