What I learned from Mousefest 2008

[chirurgeon]

I have learned a few things for future Mousefests

1. No commando touring in the days prior to Mousefest. This was my 2nd Mousefest trip and for the first I was using an ECV and didn't do all the walking I did this trip. I used a pedometer and didn't reset it each day. I wanted to know how much walking I did over the entire 10 days. 65 miles. No wonder my ankles were hurting.

Next Mousefest, Mousefest only. I will enjoy the events much better and be able to go further. I was so tired on the 13th, I couldn't stay as long as I would have liked at the TSM event.

2. No moving hotels in the middle of Mousefest. My room wasn't ready at the new hotel. The time we spent waiting for the room to be ready, could have been used for a much needed nap. And I could have stayed at the TSM event longer.

3. Stay at an Epcot area resort. You are right by 2 of the parks that have events and the Mega Mouse Meet will most likely be in that area. Besides Epcot is my favorite resort. Here's hoping for a good rate to the Swan/Dolphin. Not that I don't LOVE the Boardwalk. It is one of my favorite hotels.

Kim

 

[UrsulasShadow]

I think I did it just right.
I did skip the commando touring this trip, but I also allowed myself plenty of time before and after MouseFest to do things I knew I wouldn't have time to do during the festivities.
I'm glad I rented a midsize car instead of an economy. Made it a lot easier to drive my friends to different places.
I'm glad I stayed offsite. Gave me enforced downtime, and quiet, and my own pool (at least after my brother and his family left!).
I'm glad I focused on the people, not the parks. Although I had plenty of opportunity to visit the attractions that are important to me, the most fun I had was when I was with my friends...whether we were riding the attractions, attending the meets, or just hanging out and enjoying each other's company.
I agree, Kim...Mousefest is not the time to do commando touring. Mousefest is about the peeps.

 

[IWISHFORDISNEY]

Thanks for all the tips for those of us who have not done it yet!!!

 

[chirurgeon]

I agree, Kim...Mousefest is not the time to do commando touring. Mousefest is about the peeps.

Mindy is right, Mousefest is about the people. Well, and maybe about the photos too. I love the Tim Devine photo meets. I love taking picture. My photos are at chirurgeon.smugmug.com. Lots of Animal Kingdom photos and from the Boardwalk dawn photo walk.

More people time next year.

Kim

 

[jcb]

3. Stay at an Epcot area resort. You are right by 2 of the parks that have events and the Mega Mouse Meet will most likely be in that area. Besides Epcot is my favorite resort. Here's hoping for a good rate to the Swan/Dolphin. Not that I don't LOVE the Boardwalk. It is one of my favorite hotels.

Kim

I highly recommend the Swan/Dolphin. We stayed at the Dolphin over MF at the government rate (booked through DU). DW and I got off the Wonder and went straight to the Dolphin. We opted to pay an extra $20 per night for a king room with a view so we could get into it then. Getting to rest made a huge difference as we had La Nouba and dinner plans that night. The view was great - the room was beautiful (the bed incredible) - and I walked to MMF and back from TSM.

The only downside to staying at S/D this time of year is that it is the last stop on the boat to DHS and in the evenings, the boat can fill up before it gets to the S/D dock. In the future, I'll leave earlier and just walk to DHS.

I know I'm preaching to the choir but just thought I would throw in my recommendation.

 

[krissy2803]

Great tips!
It was my first MF and you hit the nail on the head with your advise!
Next year I am booking closer to the Mega Mouse Meet and staying the week after.

More naps!

More meets! I met so many great people this time and can't wait to see them again.

 

[scarlett873]

I learned many, many lessons from Mousefest 2008!

1. Don't be so shy!! Shyness has no purpose during events like this. Maybe I was lucky, but everyone that I met was so sweet and made the whole event so much fun!

2. Stay at an Epcot resort if at all possible! I had a very short window of time for the event, so I highlighted the things that I was most interested in and realized that I would be sticking to two parks - Epcot and MGM. So I made the decision to stay at the Dolphin. I found a great rate and the rest was history! My only complaint about the Dolphin was that it was HUGE. It seemed to take an eternity to get from the elevators to my room. But the view was so worth it...I slept the wrong way in my bed every night just so that I could keep the curtains open and stare out at Spaceship Earth and the lights from the Boardwalk!

3. As mentioned before, there is no such thing as commando during MF. Hit your favorites, but don't rush from attraction to attraction. I think the best night that I had was the DATW. We just meandered through each country and had an absolute blast!!

I'm hoping to make MF 2009, but I've got to get throught the Podcast Cruise first. Then we'll see where our finances are...not to mention how close we are to China...While I adore my new found friends...a trip to China would mean the world to me right now!!

 

[mainegal]

This was my first Mousefest and I would like to try again. I was with a friend who was not a "mousefester" and we mostly toured the parks together and did not attend meets. Now, listening to the post-mortem on different postcasts, I wish I had atteneded more meets.

I did go to the Toy Story Mania Meet. I am not shy and tried to meet and mingle. It didn't work. I ended up riding the attraction four times by myself. I got a little tired of the attendant asking "How many?", and I'd answer "Just me, again".

Any ideas about traveling solo next time I go? As much fun as we had together, I might like to try it alone. I try to keep costs down and really appreciated sharing the room at Pop with my friend. My plane fare is a set cost and I can go cheap with food. Rent a car in sleep in it? Please share suggestions.

 

[vikingfans]

I didn't get to go to Mousefest this year, but I did learn one thing...If you drunk call Pete...He WILL put it on the podcast!!!

 

[dis2cruise]

thanks for your thoughts this coming december we will be attending our 1st mousefest. we have never been at dw during the Christmas months, looking forward to seeing it