?? about Mousefest

[Simba's Mom]

I guess the DIS doesn't officially participate or promote Mousefest. However, looking over the list of attendees, it seems as if quite a few DISers go and list the DIS as their affiliation. I'd kind of thought that only people from certain "member" websites went, but now I'm wondering. So I'm thinking about it for 2007. Can anyone who's ever been there tell me about it? Do you just participate in whatever you want? Is there an overall fee for participating in Mousefest?
And one more question-what is the "Mega-Meet"?

 

[goofy4tink]

I guess the DIS doesn't officially participate or promote Mousefest. However, looking over the list of attendees, it seems as if quite a few DISers go and list the DIS as their affiliation. I'd kind of thought that only people from certain "member" websites went, but now I'm wondering. So I'm thinking about it for 2007. Can anyone who's ever been there tell me about it? Do you just participate in whatever you want? Is there an overall fee for participating in Mousefest?
And one more question-what is the "Mega-Meet"?

No, the DIS doesn't 'officially' sponser the MouseFest stuff. But we sure do have a lot of meets going on at that time!! I went last year and it was a hoot. It doesn't cost anything extra to join in the fun. There are some meets that are 'closed' and only those who have pre-registered are allowed to go, but there really aren't that many of those. Most of the sponsoring groups are more than happy to have everyone join in the fun. I've done a few of the meets in the past..mostly ones set up by fellow DISers. Haven't been to the Mega-Meet yet though. It's over at the S/D and is held in one of the convention halls. All the different sponsors are there, they have handouts and info and such. I'll be heading over for a bit this year I think.
If you're going to be there at this time, register and you'll be able to see all the stuff that's going on. It's just a bunch of fun getting together with those who you've seen on these, and other, boards.

 

[WillCAD]

I've been to MouseFest the last three years running.

There's no such thing as a "member" web site for MouseFest - there are web sites that sponsor MF, and sites that officially participate, but MF is open to anyone, whether you're part of a web site or not.

MF is a buffet-style event - there are dozens of meets and functions, most of which you don't even have to sign up for in advance, and you can attend as many or as few of them as you want. Some are held just for members of a particular web site (there are usually some DIS meets), but most events are open to anybody. There are a few events that cost money (such as Illuminations and Wishes cruises, Segway tours, etc.), and there are a few that involve meals (so you have to sign up in order for the organizers to make ADRs).

The MegaMouseMeet is held on Saturday each year in a large convention hall at the Swan and Dolphin. The MegaMeet reminds me very much of a trade show, with each of the sponsoring and participating web sites, guidebooks, and other businesses setting up tables. The primary purpose of the MegaMeet is to allow attendees to meet the webmasters (like Deb Wills and Jen and Dave Marx) and authors (like Lou Mongello and Bob Sehlinger) in person, but it is also a great social occasion for meeting other attendees, both from your own web community and from the others. Each sponsor also donates door prizes, such as books, t-shirts, etc., which are given away at some point during the Meet.

MouseFest is a lot of fun for all concerned. I've been scrimping and saving all year to be able to afford to go again this year.