Member Block Party

[doodle]

Did anyone attend the party last eve.? How was it?

 

[BigTigger]

We went last night and it was great. Our party was DD 12, DD twins 16, DW and me. They have the event set up as a private party and block access to the R&R Beach Club and Motion area unless you show a DVC ID. You can get a wristband allowing you the full use of PI if over 21 starting at about 4:30 pm from the door people, but they don't let you in until 5 pm. They are building a new Irish Pub and Restaurant next to the area of the party, so the area is pretty much private to DVC members as the back entrance is closed off from Fulton's. When you enter, they have a table and DVC rep's giving out pink envelopes to every attendee. Inside are two coupons for one use each on cotton candy, popcorn,or ice cream bars (Mickey bars, nut bar, etc.). Also inside is a coupon for the raffle at 7 pm, discounts for Tuesday nights only during the block party promotion for 15% off your full purchase at Ghiradelli's and a HOB pin from their store if you eat there with the 20% discount and spend at least $25 after discount. There is an entry for a limited edition Mickey crystal (value $750) that you can fill out and leave at Arribas Brothers. Last but not least is a DVC pin that lights up when turned all the way clockwise. The only downside is the back of the pin is magnetic and it can get knocked off easily. As far as attractions, they have two men on stilts greeting the guests as they enter. To the right after you enter is the test of strength where you use a sledge hammer to bang a base and see how strong you are. Anything over 100 earns a prize, but don't try this after having the free popcorn unless you wash your hands . Just after that on the right is the basketball shoot game. You get two tries to get it in and win prizes if you do (you can trade up the prizes for larger ones). And the last game on the right is the game where you squirt water at a moving target and the first one to fill up their tube wins. Station 8 is the "ringer" station that wins 9 out of 10 times for those looking to win a stuffed animal. On the left just after you enter is the R&R Beach Club arcade which is also free and has lots of games for the kids from driving games to the dance fever pad game. The Motion club is the main activity center for the evening. Deevy See is the emcee again if you remember her from the Atlantic Dance member meetings of summer 2003. Upstairs are complimentary 5 minute massages from SS spa attendents. There are also some comfy leather couches here to chill out on after you massage. Downstairs has Jeff making great balloon animals for the kids of all ages and more popcorn and cotton candy stations. They have a table to the right promoting the pin trading event from September 9th to 11th at Epcot and they show all of the upcoming pins being released. Fancy drinks and drinks with alcohol are available for a price from the bars. Tables are setup around the dance floor and a DJ is spinning tunes (Tony B from the Beach Club). A hula hoop contest for the kids happens about 5:30 pm and a family trivia contest at 6 pm. If you want to do the family trivia contest, make sure you have a table around the dance floor by 5:30 and talk with Deevy See when she makes her rounds and tell her how much you want to play. One warning though, the trivia is very hard - of six questions asked, two families got one right and one family got two right (and we were one of the families with one ). All family members participating get a prize at the end - a real Peppermint Pig confectionary item from Saratoga, NY. These pigs were shared with family and friends as the tradition goes. Some DJ tunes including the electric boogie (practice up!) lead up to the last item of the night - the raffle. They draw lots of minor prizes for meal coupons, etc. and then two big winners get DVC prize baskets. You have to be present and one unlucky person wasn't last night (he was staying at VWL). After the raffle they shoo you outside so they can get the club ready for opening and you have the run of DD and PI. Definitely a fun night and something different to do after a day in the parks.

 

[doodle]

Thanks so much BigTigger for your thorough report!! We are looking forward to going next week! Now, I'll know what to expect!

 

[NJOYURLIFE]

Thanks for a very detailed report. We are definately looking forward to the 23rd.

 

[beezerdave]

How often do they have these Block Parties?

 

[RweTHEREyet]

We went on the 26th also, not much to add except that there was a lot of good pin trading with the Cast Members. Lots of Limited Edition CM pins and "older" DVC pins for those that may have missed them when they first came out.

We had a great time, took advantage of the 5-minute massage, had our snacks (the Mickey bars ran out early) played one of the watergun games, watched the trivia contest and stayed around for the raffle. We then got hot dogs and stuff from one of the few restaurants there, and then went to the Comedy Warehouse and then to the Adventurer's Club where we stayed for two of the shows in the library. All in all it made for a long night. The price was certainly right.

I certainly appreciate that DVC is able to put these on for us. You don't really get a chance to visit a lot with other DVc members as it is pretty loud, but it was a fun family night.

Thanks DVC.

 

[disgirl]

beezerdave:
The block parties are held every Tuesday from 5-7 at Pleasure Island, until August 23, which is the last one for this summer.

 

[bnlbebes]

And experienced a DELUGE!

Following all of the above mentioned festivities (which we drove from Vero to participate in) the skies opened up keeping many DVC members trapped inside the nightclub where the raffle was held. An awesome thunderstorm made it impossible to leave, unless you wanted to be soaked to the bone in less than 2 seconds. After about 30-45 minutes of waiting, cast members came to the rescue by distributing Disney ponchos to anyone who wished to trek outside. Of course, the rain passed soon after, but DW and I thought that the poncho giveaway was just another sign of how much we really are appreciated as DVC members.

sidenote -

DeeVee Cee caught wind of our travelling from VB and was so impressed that she announced us to the whole crowd before the trivia game. She got our name right the first time (the Manzer) but then continued to call on us throughout the game by a different name (the "Mouse"ners). Not sure if it was intentional or not, but humorous all the same.

 

[beezerdave]

beezerdave:
The block parties are held every Tuesday from 5-7 at Pleasure Island, until August 23, which is the last one for this summer.

When (what month) do they start?

 

[bobbiwoz]

When (what month) do they start?

They are not something that have always happened. I think the first one this year was around July 4th.

Bobbi

 

[melk]

We're a family of 5 (DVC members), but we're traveling with a family of 4 who are not. Can they tag along with us?

 

[bobbiwoz]

BigTigger mentioned that the back entrance is closed off from Fulton's. I don't think I've ever been to PI. Can I take a bus from BWV? If so, to the Marketplace, is that the only stop? From the bus stop where do we go?

Thanks for helping.

Bobbi

PS. melk, you can bring your guests. You will need your membership card for your party.

 

[athenna]

BigTigger mentioned that the back entrance is closed off from Fulton's. I don't think I've ever been to PI. Can I take a bus from BWV? If so, to the Marketplace, is that the only stop? From the bus stop where do we go?

Thanks for helping.

Bobbi

PS. melk, you can bring your guests. You will need your membership card for your party.

I love PI, dance my feet off
Yes, you can take a bus from BW!
The 1st stop is the Marketplace, then it stops at the front of PI!

 

[rbuzzotta]

We went last Tuesday and my kids had a great time playing all the 'carnival' type games for free!!! They ate their ice cream and cotton candy and enjoyed the trivia games as well as the limbo.

We went to dinner at House of Blues rigth after and enjoyed the 20% member discount and free pins by mentioning you "know the best kept Disney secret"

It was worth the trip over!!

 

[jiggerj]

We went to dinner at House of Blues rigth after and enjoyed the 20% member discount and free pins by mentioning you "know the best kept Disney secret"

It was worth the trip over!!

I must be missing something here! Did you say "free pins"? Is this at HOB as I have a dinner seating there in about 2 1/2 weeks?!

 

[I Dream of Disney]

We were there that same night (August 2nd)! We really appreciated the Disney ponchos. The kids had a great time playing videos and eating ice cream and cotton candy.

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

We went last Tuesday and my kids had a great time playing all the 'carnival' type games for free!!! They ate their ice cream and cotton candy and enjoyed the trivia games as well as the limbo.

We went to dinner at House of Blues rigth after and enjoyed the 20% member discount and free pins by mentioning you "know the best kept Disney secret"

It was worth the trip over!!

I was there that night too! I won the gift basket!

 

[disgirl]

Mary Ann, that is so cool. Can I ask what was in it? Good for You!!

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

I posted the contents of the DVC gift basket on the DVC Community Board:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=889984&page=1&pp=15

It's been over a week, and I'm still excited about it.

 

[Torontogal]

I was at that party and I think I remember them annoucing your name. Someone from I think UK one, a guy named John and a lady.
Good for you!