Hannah Montana Tour - Tips and Preplanning

[Beetle]

My neighbor took her DD7 along with my DD7 to the Hannah Montana concert last night in Lexington KY. Being employed next to the Arena, I was able to watch (and get involved in) the pre-concert hysteria . Since I haven’t seen many posts about this, I thought I would share.

About a week before the concert, t-shirts, wigs and even green glow sticks at the dollar store were getting hard to find. We found wigs at Claire's for $15 + buy one, get one 50% off. I had big dinner a week before the concert and surprised them with wigs and glow sticks (DD7 was amazed that I found out green was Hannah’s favorite color ). Took lots of pics, they danced to the music, etc. The night before the concert, we made another big deal in making posters.

Concert started at 7pm. The pink tour bus showed up at 1pm and workers began unloading. Took my lunch at 2pm and went over to scout around. There were about 100 children with parents already waondering around and school was still in session. I met a family that drove 8 hours the night before from Washington DC and another that flew in from Baton Rouge on the day of the concert.

There were about 700 more tickets that became available randomly throughout the day of the concert, however the ticketing area was filled with about 50 macho looking men hanging out in line. I’m sure some were loving fathers hoping for one last chance, but they didn’t all look so loving .

Everything was set up and ready for purchase by 3pm. Vehicle gridlock started about 4:30pm. Every time I looked outside, I saw another stretch limo letting out a pile of parents with children. Also, Libby Lu couldn’t have had any available appointments as I can’t begin to count how many had the Hannah Montana makeovers.

Regarding the Miley World pre-party, we got our invitation 2 days in advance around noon. The invite said weather permitting, however we had rain and the event was held inside a mall type atmosphere next door to the arena. Also, the raffle ticket was INCLUDED in the invite, which meant no standing in line for a ticket – we just printed it out and handed it over. I think 3 received meet-n-greets, there were iPods to give away, etc. There were raffle tickets available to non members, however winners here received posters, etc. Also FYI for non members – everyone was allowed to hang out and dance.

There were several places for photo opportunities – the bus was outside, they had several cut out posters of Miley and Hannah around the building, some background boards for fans to stand in front of, etc. Also, Miley’s grandmother was there for pictures fans. I heard several comment that this was a bit cheesy, however she was in the midst of complete mayhem with constant ear piercing screaming between 4 walls. We happened to be near her during the raffle drawings and she was absolutely gracious to each and every fan that came by (and the line to see her was extremely LOOOOOOOONG!!). A big kudos to her for enduring such craziness .

By 6:15 the crowd became too much so we walked across the street for some air and they headed in at 6:45pm. I stayed downtown until 7pm. It was a complete ghost town during my drive home. Neighbor had my preferential parking and DD7s were home by 9:30 – can’t imagine anyone got home quicker than that. All were very exhausted, but had a wonderful time. My DD7, who could have cared less about the Jonas Brothers before the concert, now has a crush on one of them.

Things I’m hoping you will learn from this post:
1 – Plan, plan and plan some more in advance. Just scouting around early on the day of helped out immensely. I knew where to go, where the best photo ops were and had tag teaming needs figured out before thousands of fans showed up. Just like a Disney vacation – if you’re going to take the plunge, prepare for it so you can enjoy it as much as possible. DD7s didn’t get downtown until 5:15pm. Had I not planned out what to do, we would have been completely frustrated.

2 – If any way possible, get there about 4 hours before the concert – there were no lines for photos in front of the bus or for souvenirs, etc. If you wait, you’ll want to tag team for the ½ hour souvenir line and you will also have other children in your photos in front of the bus (we do ). Also, Lexington is not that big – I can only imagine the hysteria being worse in the larger cities.

2 – This was the craziest thing I’ve ever witnessed. I’ve worked next to the arena during final 4 basketball events and other sell out concerts, but nothing compares to last night. Please talk with your children about keeping together and don’t let anyone walk between you and your child, etc. We also wrote down cell phone numbers and put in pants pocket just in case. Told DD7s that said every fan here is just as crazy as we are and we just don’t want to get separated. They followed directions perfectly and never were the wiser.

4 – Wear COMFORTABLE SHOES – I couldn’t imagine wearing anything but during all that walking and standing in line. Also, it doesn’t matter how cold it is outside, if the pre-party is indoors – plan on short sleeves or light weight clothes. Christmas sweaters may look nice this time of year, but I was just thankful my deodorant was still working .

5 – For those who think I’m totally nuts – we saw several parents with children completely losing it an hour before the concert. Many other parents were obviously frustrated and one parent even told me she didn't know what to do. We had a TOTAL BLAST!. Someday we will tell the girls of all the pre-planning that went on. Until then, they will just think they got lucky with all the fun they had .

I hope this is of help!

 

[campinggal]

Great info! Thanks! We'll be at the show in Hartford, CT next Wed and having an idea of what to expect and help with timing is great!!

Thank you!!

 

[Dazer22]

Thanks for this information. I am grateful and frightened at the same time.

I do like to pre-plan for things like this, but am thinking I might be one of those parents who is overwhelmed.

If we are not members of the fan club, what should our game plan be ?
Is getting there two hours before the concert way too late? I really do not want to be at the concert sight 4 hours in advance.

Are we allowed to take pictures by the bus ?

All we really want are some t-shirts and to see the concert. No need to meet Granny Montana.

Thanks. ( I will need to brace myself for hannamania !)

 

[luvmy2sams]

Thanks for this information. I am grateful and frightened at the same time.

I do like to pre-plan for things like this, but am thinking I might be one of those parents who is overwhelmed.

If we are not members of the fan club, what should our game plan be ?
Is getting there two hours before the concert way too late? I really do not want to be at the concert sight 4 hours in advance.

Are we allowed to take pictures by the bus ?

All we really want are some t-shirts and to see the concert. No need to meet Granny Montana.

Thanks. ( I will need to brace myself for hannamania !)

We went to the concert in OKC on 12/2. I don't think arriving 2 hours before the show will be a problem for what you're wanting to accomplish.

DD is a member of the fan club, but the other girl attending with us was not. Anyone is allowed into the pre-party, which at OKC was outside and not that big of a deal IMO. We walked around a bit, but neither girl saw anything that was a "to die for" experience. We weren't interested in standing in a long line to spin a wheel for a chance at some random prize (even if that prize might have been a meet and greet). The photo ops were okay, if maybe a little cheesy for us.

We arrived at the arena around 2:30, and the concert was scheduled to begin at 4pm. We had plenty of time to make our way to the arena and take all the photos we wanted outside. DD and her friend took pics in front of the bus, and there are no other kiddos in our pictures. The group of moms waiting for pics did a great job of having everyone wait their turn so their pics would be without others in them. There were souvenir stands set up in several locations both outside and inside the arena. We purchased the mandatory souvenirs, some snacks, and made our way to our seats with plenty of time to spare.

We saw several little girls who were obviously in Hannah heaven that day. I'm sure it was a wonderfully unbelievable experience for them. DD and her friend, however, just wanted to go to the concert and hear two of their favorite performers (and get a souvenir) so the Hannah mania didn't spill over into our lives. Thank goodness.

 

[lorisnuts]

I totally agree with everything said here about the planning. I went to the concert in Columbus on tuesday night. the lines were long everywhere but having patience is a must. The traffice getting to the concert and out of the concert was awlful but managable.

We arrived about an hour before the concert. (we had no choice couldn't get daughter out of school earlier) that was plenty of time to see the sights, make a poster, get a t-shirt and something to eat.

One thing I would recommend is bring CASH for souveniors. Our concert had several booths that took cash only and therefor the lines where almost non-exsistant.