MOUSEFEST NEWSLETTER




News, Announcements, and Fun

November 14, 2007 * Issue 4

Visit us at http://www.MouseFest.org


==========================================

Welcome to the MouseFest Newsletter, an e-newsletter for everyone planning (or hoping) to join us at MouseFest 2007! The MouseFest newsletter is available by free subscription to anyone -- join at http://www.mousefest.org/newsletter.asp

==========================================

In This Newsletter:

- Update From the MouseFest Chairman

- Feature Article: MouseFest is For Kids, Too!

- MouseFest 2007: Land News

- MouseFest 2007: Cruise News


==========================================
Update From the MouseFest Chairman
==========================================

Oh boy! MouseFest is so close I can nearly taste it. It doesn't hurt that the PassPorter business office has been awash in Pocket Guide to MouseFest booklets, lanyards, badge holders, nametags, cloisonne pins, and padded mailing envelopes for the past week, as the staff here has been busily assembling and mailing your MouseFest registration packets. Some (perhaps even many) of you have already received that chubby envelope or box. We hope you've enjoyed what you found inside - it's just a small taste of the wonderful events to come!

Note from Jennifer: This year's MouseFest Pocket Guides came out looking very nice with full-color, glossy covers. We noticed after we received them from the printer that two pages had a few missing letters. The affected pages are 25 (MagicMeets) and 55 (Mouse Fan Travel). We reprinted page 55 in the Update Pages included with each Pocket Guide. Page 25 is missing just three zeroes, but they are in a key date. So please be aware that the correct date for MagicMeets 2008 is July 18-20, 2008. The missing letters were caused by the book manufacturer during their book printing process and they tell me they've identified and fixed the problem for any future books we print with them.

I'm amazed and delighted to report that, at the moment I write this, 742 MouseFest attendees have shown their support for MouseFest by registering for the event, up nearly 50% from just three weeks ago! (Visit http://www.mousefest.org/register/whoscoming.php to see who's coming!) Registration is still open at the moment, but in order to allow time for mailing (especially around the Thanksgiving holiday), we'll be cutting off registration at the end of the day this Friday, November 16, or when we reach 800 registrations, whichever comes first (we have enough registration materials for 800). To all of you who have registered or will register, THANK YOU! Your support for MouseFest is greatly appreciated.

Speaking of cut-off dates, reservations at the special MouseFest rate at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin officially ended this past Monday, November 12. However, the MouseFest discount rate code is still valid. The quoted rate may be higher than the rate available before November 12, but you'll still get a good discount. Get details at: http://www.mousefest.org/swan-dolphin-rates.asp

Just when I think it's safe to go back in the water, another community, celebrity or business wants to join us for MouseFest. Twenty-two meets are now scheduled for the MouseFest Cruise, and 87 meets on the MouseFest Land schedule -- that's 107 MouseFest meets in all. There are now 25 communities and web sites, 25 podcasters, 16 authors/writers, 9 businesses, 10 Underwriting Sponsors, and believe it or not, even more are still in the works. This is really cool! View the schedule of events at http://www.mousefest.org

For the first time in MouseFest memory, we're planning to have an honest-to-goodness multimedia break-out room presentation right after Mega Mouse Meet. Greg Ehrbar, co-author of MouseTracks: The Story of Walt Disney Records, plans to speak on Disney Music: Three Little Pigs to Enchanted. Rare photos, video, and audio clips celebrate a parade of hits and provide glimpses at people and events that shaped this little-known corner of Disney. Disney CDs will be awarded to lucky attendees. Greg will give his presentation from 3:30-5:00 pm in the Europe 1 meeting room at the Walt Disney World Dolphin.

Speaking of celebrities, Disney has selected its team of "Disney Moms," and members of several MouseFest-participating communities have made it onto the 12-member panel! We know that at least three members come from MouseFest-participating communities - that's 25%! Congratulations to them all, and to the many others that were under consideration! The winning "Moms" will be attending a Disney orientation session at Walt Disney World at the same time as MouseFest, and we very good reason to believe we'll have some of those new celebrities in our midst!

The last edition of this newsletter before MouseFest will arrive at the end of November, so keep your eyes on your inbox.

I'm looking forward to seeing you all at MouseFest,


Dave Marx
MouseFest 2007 Chairman

P.S. Don't forget to fill out our Pre-Arrival Survey at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=_2bm_2bLaOpiLCRqDvU_2fpN0VHg_3d_3d -- we're requesting that everyone hoping to attend MouseFest 2007 fill in this survey, even if you've registered or are planning to register. This will help us gauge attendance figures and know what to expect.


- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - S P O N S O R - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

PassPorter's Walt Disney World 2008 is Here!



Our newest guidebook, PassPorter's Walt Disney World 2008, has arrived and pre-orders are already shipping. Order your copy within the next few days to ensure delivery by MouseFest!

PassPorter's Open Mouse For Walt Disney World and the Disney Cruise Line
by Deb Wills and Debra Martin Koma is also available and shipping immediately.

Use your special 20% MouseFest discount (expires November 19) on any PassPorter book you order through the PassPorter Store.
(Tip: Registered attendees qualify for a higher 30% discount.)

To take advantage of this special offer,
visit the PassPorter Store at http://www.passporterstore.com/store
Or phone toll-free 877-929-3273 (Mon-Fri during regular business hours)

Use the coupon code: MouseFest2007 when you check out

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -



==========================================
Feature Article: MouseFest is For Kids, Too!
==========================================
by Jana Smith, LetsTalkAboutDisney.com


"We believed in our idea - a family park where parents and children could have fun- together." - Walt Disney

Many of us look at MouseFest as a Disney fanatic's dream. It is a time when like-minded people come together and celebrate the legacy left behind for us by none other than Walt Disney. It is a time in which we can have intellectual conversations about the history, savor foods from our favorite eateries, relax, and listen to our favorite authors, webmasters, and podcasters. But, it's also a time to have fun. And who do you know who really knows all about fun? Your kids! Isn't the best way to visit the parks none other than through a child's eyes? And, isn't it true that we all release that inner kid inside ourselves when we visit the parks? So yes, MouseFest is for kids, of all ages!

Many families that come to MouseFest tend to nibble around the edges, worried that the kids just won't fit in, or won't get it. Here are a few ways we've found to involve all members of the family in MouseFest. Who knows? By the time we're done, you may add a few more meets to your MouseFest schedule!

Infant - 3 years: Yes, you can do MouseFest with children of this age group! Here's how:

  • Go over the meet schedule before you arrive, and choose meets based around your children's nap and meal schedules.
  • Try to choose meets that do not include riding an attraction. They are best for this age group. Or, each adult guardian present for the child can consider taking turns on the rides. Most meets, however, do not give you the opportunity to use parent swap passes. You need to check this out beforehand.
  • Consider not using your entire trip to do strictly MouseFest meets. Devote some time to your kids and let them have a few hours to visit areas of the parks that they enjoy most. (Tip: Places like Pooh's Playful Spot are great timeouts for the kids!)

    • Ages 4 - 7: Introduce kids of this age to the legacy of Walt Disney.
  • Tell them kid-friendly history.
  • Expose them to podcasts and books about Disney.
  • During meets, introduce your child to these authors and podcasters, and let them make the connections for themselves.
  • And can anyone say HIDDEN MICKEYS?
  • Kids of this age will love the meets involving any rides they are big enough to ride, and also any meets including a guide of any kind.
  • Bring a stroller/invest in a rental so when they need to rest, they can.

    • 8 and up: These are the Disney Fanatics in the making.
  • Give these kids a choice in scheduling the meets you'll attend.
  • Give them books to have autographed, along with a lanyard for pin trading, and your set!

    • For those of you who do want to look into the late night Pleasure Island meets, Disney offers wonderful child care facilities in their kids clubs, available to anyone staying on Disney property.

    Check out the MouseFest schedule, and you will see that almost every single meet is possible with the kids. All you need is a little faith, trust, and PIXIE DUST. Smile! You're going to Disney World!


    - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - S P O N S O R - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

    Let's Talk About Disney Podcast and The Bare Necessities

    We would like to take this opportunity to say thank you to all of the listeners that have downloaded and enjoyed our podcast over the past three years. We appreciate each and every one of you and are glad to share our love of Disney with you each week!

    We hope that MouseFest becomes an event close to your heart, in which you can come together with like-minded people, people who "git it" and celebrate the legacy of Walt Disney together. Our love of the Disney parks, characters, and the man himself are all deeply rooted inside us, and is the reason we share that little bit of ourselves with you each week.

    We thoroughly enjoy the participation and feedback we get from you, and again, just wanted to say thank you for your continued listenership. Have a Magical Week at MouseFest, and a Very Merry Christmas! If you've never had a chance to stop by, why don't you come join us, and Let's Talk About Disney!

    http://www.letstalkaboutdisney.com

    - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -



    ==========================================
    MouseFest 2007 Land News
    ==========================================

    The MouseFest Land Event schedule is chock full of a wide variety of meets in each of the four major theme parks, Downtown Disney, and also at some of the resorts.

    Here is a taste of some of the meets recently added to the schedule:
  • Yak & Yeti Expedition - Join the PassPorter authors as they scout out the new eatery at Disney's Animal Kingdom!
  • Yehaa Bob Rockin' Piano Meet - Hang out at the Port Orleans Riverside lounge with Yehaa Bob Jackson and the Window to the Magic folks!
  • Great Grizzly Hunt - Enjoy the Country Bear Jamboree show and fill out the "great grizzly hunt" game card for a chance to win an autographed prize from Window to the Magic.
  • Disney Music Presentation - Listen to a multi-media presentation by two-time Grammy nominee and DisneyWorld.com columnist Greg Ehrbar, with rare photos and video/audio clips.


    • These events and many more are described in detail at http://www.mousefest.org/landevents2007main.asp

    ==========================================
    MouseFest 2007 Cruise News
    ==========================================

    With 168 cruisers and a great schedule of events, the fifth annual MouseFest cruise is shaping up to be a WONDERful time as always!

    We announced in our last newsletter that the grand prize for our "Wonderful" Stateroom Door Decorating Contest is a two-night stay at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin! Deb and Jennifer will determine the grand prize winner by doing a random drawing from among the five stateroom finalists. Runners up will be awarded prizes from PassPorter and AllEarsNet. The Grand Prize will be presented by Randall L. Dobson, a Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort representative who will be onboard the cruise with us.

    TIP: You can view photos of decorated doors from our last MouseFest cruise and get decorating tips and hints, too -- visit http://www.mousefest.org/cruiseevents2007.asp

    Did you know there is a scheduled shuttle launch from Port Canaveral the day we return from our cruise? The Shuttle Atlantis is currently scheduled for launch on December 6 at 4:30 pm. While staying to watch the launch isn't an option for some of us as there are MouseFest events starting at 1:00 pm, others may wish to stay. Good viewing sites for the general public include the Cocoa Beach Pier and any of the beaches south of Port Canaveral along the Space Coast. For more information, visit Kennedy Space Center's site at http://www.kennedyspacecenter.com/launches/scheduleStatus.asp .

    There's just so much to do! You'll find a full listing of MouseFest Cruise events at:
    http://www.mousefest.org/cruiseevents2007.asp

    - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - S P O N S O R - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -


            

    MagicMeets 2008

    MouseFest Fans: Join the fun at MagicMeets 2008, where fans share their interest in all things Disney!

    Friday-Sunday, July 18-20, 2008 at the Radisson Penn Harris Hotel in Camp Hill, PA

    Get more information at: http://www.magicmeets.com

    - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -



    MouseFest Newsletter is only sent to those who have subscribed at http://www.mousefest.org

    If this newsletter was forwarded to you by a thoughtful friend, please join us! You can subscribe at: http://www.mousefest.org

    Copyright (c) 2007 - MediaMarx, Inc. / PassPorter Travel Press