MouseFest 2004

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WHAT
IS MOUSEFEST?

Walt
Disney once said, "All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage
to pursue them."

MouseFest,
a gathering of hundreds of Internet community members at Walt Disney World,
is a real-life example of Walt's quote.

For
a number of years, there has been ever-growing annual holiday gatherings
in Orlando of Disney Internet fans connected through Disney-related websites
and message boards in Walt Disney World to share their love of the Most
Magical Place on Earth.

So,
imagine if you can a gathering that encompasses ALL these groups… a
gathering that unites the enormous family of Disney enthusiasts from all
walks of life, from all backgrounds, from all over the country, from all
over the globe! Imagine all of these people convening at Walt Disney World
for a 4 Night Disney cruise, followed by several days of fun and merriment,
special meals, events, and an all-round spirit of Mickey Mania!

In
2003, hundreds of Disney fans from all over the world participated in
MouseFest 2003. Nearly 100 folks cruised on the inaugural MouseFest
Cruise. In addition, more than 25 unofficial Disney website representatives
and eight unofficial WDW guidebook authors attended a variety of get-togethers
throughout the week, most notably the huge MegaMouse Meet held
Saturday, December 6. More than 400 Disney-lovers stopped in at the MegaMouse
Meet, visiting with the webmasters and authors they have read for
years, as well as meeting up with others just like them from other Internet
communities, many meeting in person for the first time friends they had
made in cyberspace.

Now
you've seen a glimpse of MouseFest 2004!

And
guess what?

YOU'RE
INVITED!!!

That's right — Everyone is invited! In general, there are
no limits on who can join the events, and no age requirements! (Of course,
certain events do require tickets or deposits, may have capacity restrictions,
or may not be of interest to young children.)

It
may sound like an ambitious project, but we believe it's a worthwhile
one! Just who all, you might be wondering, is "WE"?

AllEarsNet® Founder Deb Wills, and PassPorter authors
Jennifer Watson and Dave Marx, and many
others, met in December 2003 at MouseFest 2003 and had such a wonderful
time, they've decided to
pull all these diverse groups together again to co-celebrate the holiday
season and our love of things Disney at our very favorite Laughing Place!

DATES:

The
2004 MouseFest Dates are December 5 – December 13, 2004
(scroll down for events schedule)

Mega
Mouse Meet – A Very Special Event —12/11/04
—
Experience what MouseFest 2004 is all about — cyberfriends from
all over meeting for the first time! This is the perfect place to also
put faces to the names you may already be familiar with through various
Disney-related websites and guidebooks! 1pm at the WDW SWAN
RESORT, Ballroom 10.

We'll
have a special Kid's Table with Pin Trading (kids only).

Special
Guests attending the 2004 Mega Mouse Meet include:

Website
Founders and Leaders:

• AllEarsNet.com
  and ALL EARS® Newsletter – Deb Wills,
  Debra Martin Koma, Andrea "Anita Answer" McKenna, Dotti
  Saroufim, Cathy Bock and Glo from Miami!
• MagicalMountain.net
  – Nathan
  Rose
• Tagrel.com
  – Dave Card
• 
  DisneyCentral.com – Scott Liljenquist
  
• MousePlanet.com
  – Mike Scopa, Lani Teshima, Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix, Brian Bennett,
  Mark Goldhaber, and Sheila Hagen
• TheMouseForLess.com
  (aka DisneyDollarless) – Binnie Betten, Pam Forrester and Linda Stockwell
• Mousesavers.com
  – Mary Waring
• JimHillMedia.com
  – Jim Hill

Guidebook
Authors

• Jennifer
  Watson and Dave Marx, PassPorter
  WDW and PassPorter's Field Guide to the Disney Cruise
  Line
• Bob
  Sehlinger and Len Testa, The
  Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World

• Steven
  M. Barrett, M.D., The Hassle-Free Walt Disney
  World Vacation and Hidden Mickeys, A Field Guide
  to Walt Disney World's Best Kept Secrets

• Cara
  Goldsbury, The
  Luxury Guide to Walt Disney World

• Louis
  Mongello, The
  Walt Disney World Trivia Book

• Kelly
  Monaghan, author of The Other Orlando and Universal
  Orlando
• Josh
  Fippen and Dann Hazel, authors of Making
  Memories on Your Walt Disney World Vacation 2004
  

The entire
event list of Mousefest 2004 spans more than a week: from December
5 through December 13, 2004. But there's no obligation to spend the
whole week MouseFesting. Join in for a dinner or a get-together here and
there, just take the 4-night cruise, or whatever suits your schedule!

SCHEDULE
OF EVENTS

An advance
copy of the MouseFest Pocket Guide with listings of all the meets
is available: http://www.mousefest.org

Printed copies will be available at all the MouseFest meets. Those persons
taking the MouseFest Cruise will receive a Pocket Guide with their documents.

Starting
with the 4-night cruise on the Disney Wonder, MouseFest 2004 promises
to present a host of diverse activities — you're sure to find something
to appeal to you! Check back often as we plan the events that are part
of MouseFest 2004.

DESIGNATED
PARK DAYS
During the land portion of MouseFest 2004, one Disney
theme park will be designated each day as the focal point for sharing
the delight of meeting other like-minded Disney fans. By going to the
"Park of the Day", you can increase your chances of meeting
old friends for the first time!

**********

Sunday
December 5 – Thursday December 9

Sail
Aboard the Disney Wonder
for 4 nights with MouseFest fans! MouseFest 2004 kicks off with
a cruise aboard Disney's very own ship, the Wonder!

Port Canaveral Meet and Greet –
Sunday December 5th — Deb Wills and
Dave Marx will be at the Port Canaveral Coffee Shop from 10:30
– 11:30am prior to boarding the Disney Wonder to meet all MouseFest
Cruisers!

MouseFest Cruisers On-Board Hospitality Desk
– Sunday December 5th — MouseEarVacations.com clients will have
a check-in area to pick up credentials and other information regarding
the cruise! 1 pm – 3:30 pm – Studio Sea (Deck 4 Midship)

Bon
Voyage Sail Away Party! Sunday December
5th — We'll meet on Deck 10 after the Mandatory Safety Drill (midship
left side) for the festive Disney Wonder Sail Away Party! Come meet
everyone who is cruising together for this 4 night sailing to the Bahamas!
This party is lots of fun filled with music, characters and your fellow
cruisers! Bring your bubbles! Your Hosts: Deb Wills, Jennifer Watson
and Dave Marx; Open to Everyone!

Sunrise
Walk
–
Monday, December 6th – Join Deb Wills for an early morning walk
around the ship. Meet at 7:15am at the 24-hour beverage station on Deck
9 Aft. We'll go up to Deck 10 for a couple laps around the ship. Any
and all speeds welcome 🙂 By all means, bring your coffee – why do you
think we're meeting at the coffee station! Open
to Everyone!

'Round
Nassau Town Walking Tour
– Monday December 6th – Are you curious about Nassau but not
sure about venturing forth alone? Join Passporter's Dave Marx on his
own walking tour of the port area. Wear comfortable walking shoes and
be prepared for a few steps and hills. You'll be back in time for lunch!
Meet at 10:00 am, meet outside Walt Disney Theater (deck 4 forward);
Open
to Everyone!

Adult Only Meet at WaveBands in Route 66 Meet
– Tuesday, December 7th – Jennifer and Dave host this gathering
at the 70's Disco Party! Come dressed in 70's attire (if you dare 🙂
10:00 pm, Wavebands (deck 3 foward); Open
to Everyone!

Celebrity
Breakfast
– Wednesday, December 8th – Jennifer Watson, Dave Marx and Deb
Wills host a relaxing breakfast at Parrot Cay at 9:00am. Meet outside
Parrot Cay at 8:45 am. We'll all gather and then get seated promptly
at 9:00am; Open
to Everyone!

Hidden Mickey Hunt
– Wednesday, December 8th 4:00pm — hosted by Hidden Mickey author
Steve Barrett. Meet outside the main entrance of Triton's Restaurant
for the Disney Wonder Hidden Mickey hunt.

**********

Thursday,
December 9th – "Epcot Day"

Hidden Mickey Hunt at Epcot –
hosted by Hidden Mickey author Steve Barrett – 3:00pm. Meet in front of
the entrance to Spaceship Earth. Steve will concentrate on new and hard
to find Hidden Mickeys.

MouseForLess
Welcome Meet – 3:00 P.M.– Come One! Come All! Join us for
TheMouseForLess "Get Acquainted Welcome Meet!" Lots of surprises
🙂 Downtown Disney Marketplace in the table area across from Ghirardellis's
by the lagoon next to the hot dog stand. RSVP November 25, 2004 (strongly
suggested, but not required) Hosts: Colleen [email protected]
and Nathan [email protected]

Allie & Alexander's Viking Cruise
– 4:00-5:00 pm – hosted by Jennifer Watson and Dave Marx — Hey kids!
Join us at 4:00 pm at Norway (Epcot) for "Allie and Alexander's Viking
Cruise" — okay, it's just a fancy name for an excuse to play on
the big Viking ship, but this is also a great chance to meet our kids
and us in an informal setting. We'll be there until at least 5:00 pm,
so stop by anytime between 4:00 and 5:00 pm.

Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party
Fireworks Meet – Join host Deb Wills of AllEarsNet.com
and Dave Card of Tagrel.com
at the MK Rose Garden path 15 minutes before the fireworks! Get your MouseFest
Pocket Guides and meet other Disney fans!

Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party Parade Meet – Join the
MouseForLess members in celebrating the Holiday season by watching
the most Magical Holiday Parade! We can pass the time with some games
and maybe even a giveaway 😉 Meet One hour before the start of the last
parade in front of the shooting gallery- near the big planter with seating.
RSVP November 4, 2004 (strongly suggested, but not required) Hosts: Pam
and Steve Forrester [email protected]

IllumiNations Boat Cruise
– ALL BOATS FILLED ALL NIGHTS – Pre-Paid
registrants will enjoy a special VIP viewing of Epcot's IllumiNations:
Reflections of Earth evening spectacular. Cruises depart from the Yacht/Beach
club marina and take a tour of Crescent Lake before heading to Epcot.
All boats park under the bridge between the U.K. and France for a great
view. Prepaid reservations are required. (Cruises are held Thursday, Friday,
Saturday, Sunday and Monday) http://www.wvnh.net/cruise/cruises04.html

**********

Friday,
December 10th, Animal Kingdom Day

5th
Annual Kilimanjaro Safari Meet, Friday, December 10 at 9:30 a.m.
Join Deb Wills for a ride into Africa! Meet outside the KJS turnstiles
at 9:15 a.m.! In 2003 we had over 100 folks ride the Safari Jeeps! Be
sure and join us this year!

Jim Hill’s Magic Kingdom Tours
–FULLY BOOKED!!! Presented by
DisneyCentral.com. Join host Scott Liljenquist of DisneyCentral.com and
tour guide Jim Hill of JimHillMedia.com on a 2-hour tour brimming with
little-known tidbits, stories, and behind-the-scenes information about
the design, history, and future of the parks.

Hidden Mickey Hunt at AK –
hosted by Hidden Mickey author Steve Barrett – 11:00am. Meet in the seating
area behind Tamu Tamu Refreshments in Africa. Steve will concentrate on
new and hard to find Hidden Mickeys.

MouseforLess
Chatters Lunch Meet
– 11:30 A.M. – Meet up at Flame tree to put a face to the name you see
during chat! Even if you're not a chatter, please join us! Perhaps we'll
sneak in a show of Tarzan Rocks! RSVP November 24, 2004 (strongly suggested,
but not required) Hosts: Carla [email protected]
and Deb [email protected]

Lunch
with PassPorter
— Join Jennifer, Dave, Allie, and Alexander for lunch at Pizzafari at
the Animal Kingdom (12:30 pm). Look for us in the back room and enjoy
a leisurely lunch with us — we may have a little fun with some trivia
questions and giveaways, too!

AllEarsNet.com MouseyMindboggler Animal Adventure in AK! –
RSVP no later than 11/30/04 — Please let us
know if you plan to attend (how many adults/children in your party) so
we can have sufficient materials! Email: [email protected]
— Hosted by Deb Wills and the AllEarsNet.com team! Meet at 2:00pm in
the back room of Pizzafari – Rain or Shine! Meet will be over by 4:00pm.

Illuminations
Dessert Party –
SOLD
OUT! if
you booked a land and sea combo package with MouseEarVacations.com
you will enjoy a special IllumiNations Dessert Party in Epcot.

IllumiNations Boat Cruise
– ALL
BOATS FILLED ALL NIGHTS Pre-Paid registrants will enjoy
a special VIP viewing of Epcot's IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth evening
spectacular. Cruises depart from the Yacht/Beach club marina and take
a tour of Crescent Lake before heading to Epcot. All boats park under
the bridge between the U.K. and France for a great view. Prepaid reservations
are required. (Cruises are held Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday and
Monday) http://www.wvnh.net/cruise/cruises04.html

**********

Saturday,
December 11th – Mega Mouse Meet Day

MFL/RADP Meet Spaceship Earth Roulette – Meet
at the Epcot Tip Board (behind Spaceship Earth) prior to the meet. Spaceship
Earth has been divided into 27 separate scenes. Choose the scene your
hosts will be seated beside when the ride stops. The person choosing the
correct scene will receive a Disney-related prize. Be at the tip board
as close to 9:00 am as possible to make your scene choices. We plan to
get in line for the ride at approximately 9:30 am Hosts: Catherine and
Lori <[email protected]>

MEGA-MOUSE
MEET – gathering of Disney
fans from all communities in one location! Visit with your favorite webmasters
and guide book authors. 1:00
– 3:00pm at the WDW Swan Resort in Swan Ballroom
Salon 10! Self parking is available right outside
the entrance to the ballroom on your right. Registration tables outside
the ballroom.

MFL
Drink/Eat around the World Showcase
– 3:00pm – Take a trip around the world in a cup and on
a plate… the World Showcase, that is! Join Gracie, Jessica and Carla
as we attempt to eat and drink our way around Epcot's World Showcase.
The epicurean adventure begins in the United Kingdom, continues counter-clockwise
and conclude in Canda. Bottoms up and bon appetit! RSVP December 10, 2004
(strongly suggested, but not required). Hosts: Carla [email protected]
Gracie [email protected]
Jessie [email protected]

The
World Chapter of the NFFC in Orlando, FL is happy to invite
you to our bi-monthly meeting, on December 11th. Guests will pay only
$5.00, and if they decide to join the club that night, their entry fee
will apply towards their new membership! At our meetings you will find
a Pot Luck Dimmers, soft drinks and dessert. After the normal club business
we will have a special guest speaker and an auction. It's a night full
of Disney-fantastic fun! Doors OPEN at 6:00 PM, Meeting starts at 7:00
PM
Here is the location: NFFC Logo and History: http://www.laughingplace.com/info-id-NFFC-Main.asp
http://www.hojo.com/HowardJohnson/control/Booking/property_info?propertyId=06093&brandInfo=HJ
Contact:
[email protected]

Come join
us at: Howard
Johnson Maingate Resort West
8660 W. Irlo Bronson Memorial Hwy
Kissimmee, FL 34747

Private
Party at the Adventurer's Club – SOLD
OUT! – Fans booking a land or land/sea package
with MouseEarVacations.com
will enjoy a private party at the Adventurer's Club just for them with
food, beverages and entertainment included!!

IllumiNations Boat Cruise
– ALL
BOATS FILLED ALL NIGHTS Pre-Paid registrants will enjoy
a special VIP viewing of Epcot's IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth evening
spectacular. Cruises depart from the Yacht/Beach club marina and take
a tour of Crescent Lake before heading to Epcot. All boats park under
the bridge between the U.K. and France for a great view. Prepaid reservations
are required. (Cruises are held Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday and
Monday) http://www.wvnh.net/cruise/cruises04.html

**********

Sunday,
December 12 – Magic Kingdom Day

The Second Annual Ultimate Magic Kingdom
Touring Plan Challenge – 7:30 am – Meet at the entrance
to the Magic Kingdom at 7:30 am for the Second Annual Ultimate Magic Kingdom
Touring Plan Challenge. Your goal will be to experience as many attractions,
shows, parades and live performances as possible in one day at the Magic
Kingdom. Last year's most prolific team experienced 42 attractions in
just under 10 hours. Efficient touring plans will be provided at no cost.
Prizes to be awarded for the top three teams. All participants receive
Unofficial Guide pins. Contact Len Testa ([email protected])
for more details. Survivors will meet at 'Ohana for food and drinks afterward.
Len buys the first round.

The Magic Kingdom Family-Style Touring
Plan Challenge – 9:00am – Appropriate for families with
children aged 8 and older. Meet at the steps of Exposition Hall on Main
Street at 9:00 am for the First Annual Magic Kingdom Family Touring Plan
Challenge. You'll be handed a list of approximately nine attractions to
visit in the Magic Kingdom. Your job is figure out how to visit all nine
attractions in the least amount of time. Bonus points will be given for
completing optional tasks, which may include navigating the Junior Jungle
Boats, getting photos taken with certain characters, or a really good
score on Buzz Lightyear. All teams should finish by noon. Prizes to be
awarded to the top three families. All participants receive Unofficial
Guide pins. Contact Len Testa ([email protected]m)
for more details.

Tomorrowland
Trivia Attraction Meet
– 10:00am – Hosted by The Mouse For Less and Magical Mountain.
Come join us for a trip into Tomorrowland and test your Disney knowledge!
Meet in front of Space Mountain queue area. RSVP (strongly suggested,
but not required) by November 12, 2004 if you would like to join us. Hosts
Gracie [email protected] and Nathan [email protected]

Jim
Hill’s Magic Kingdom Tours
– FULLY BOOKED!!! – Presented
by DisneyCentral.com. Join host Scott Liljenquist of DisneyCentral.com
and tour guide Jim Hill of JimHillMedia.com on a 2-hour tour brimming
with little-known tidbits, stories, and behind-the-scenes information
about the design, history, and future of the parks.

Hidden
Mickey Hunt at MK–
11:00am – hosted by Hidden Mickey author Steve Barrett. Meet outside
Mickey's Star Traders Shop in Tomorrowland Steve will concentrate on new
and hard to find Hidden Mickeys.

PassPorter Treasure Hunt
– 1:00 pm-4:00 pm – Explore Tomorrowland on a classic PassPorter
treasure hunt from our upcoming book, "PassPorter's Treasure Hunts
at Walt Disney World" (coming in early 2005). Our hunt is open to
anyone (best for adults and kids 7+) and for all skill levels! If you
want to compete, get a personalized certificate, and possibly win a prize,
you must register by Dec. 1 at http://www.passporter.com/gatheringhunt.htm.
Meet at The Plaza Pavilion eatery (lower tier) at 1:00 pm. Hosts:
Jennifer and Dave Marx, Jeff and Jen Carter

Fantasmic!
Dessert Party – Presented
by DisneyCentral. Join host Scott Liljenquist of DisneyCentral.com for
gourmet coffee and dessert at a special private Fantasmic! viewing location!
Skip the lines and join your fellow "MouseFestees" for a fun
evening of food, friends, and Fantasmic! Cost is $25 per person, and space
at this event is limited so please RSVP today! This event does require
a minimum number of persons, we will notify you if that minimum has not
been met to provide a refund no later than November 15th. For reservations
or questions: [email protected].

IllumiNations Boat Cruise
– ALL BOATS FILLED ALL NIGHTS Pre-Paid
registrants will enjoy a special VIP viewing of Epcot's IllumiNations:
Reflections of Earth evening spectacular. Cruises depart from the Yacht/Beach
club marina and take a tour of Crescent Lake before heading to Epcot.
All boats park under the bridge between the U.K. and France for a great
view. Prepaid reservations are required. (Cruises are held Thursday, Friday,
Saturday, Sunday and Monday) http://www.wvnh.net/cruise/cruises04.html

**********

Monday
December 13 – Disney MGM Studios Day

MouseFest Breakfast with Deb Wills
and Bob Sehlinger – CAPACITY HAS BEEN
REACHED – WDW Dolphin Hotel's Fresh Mediterranean Market
— For more information Click Here!

2004
WDW Great Race
– 8am until 8:30pm – The Great Race is back this year. Hosts are Jeff
(Tiggerfan), Jen (JenKatt) and Rob. The first leg will depart Epcot at
8:30 am and ends around 8:30pm. More information can be found at http://www.tiggerfan.net/race/
and the format will be very similar to last years race.

MouseForLess
/Magical Mountain Tower of Terror Meet
– 9:30am – Drop in with other Disney lovers! Meet near the Tower of Terror
FastPass machines. RSVP November 12, 2004 (strongly suggested, but not
required) Hosts: Deb [email protected]
and Nathan [email protected]

Hidden Mickey Hunt at MGM –
hosted by Hidden Mickey author Steve Barrett – 11:00am. Meet in front
of the entrance to Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant Steve will concentrate
on new and hard to find Hidden Mickeys.

WDW
TriviaFest Meet – hosted by author Lou Mongello at the Backlot
Express in MGM. 2:00pm. There will be prizes and giveaways (including
books, shirts, pins and more) to participants and attendees! Also, at
the MegaMouse Meet, Lou will be handing out a WDW Discovery Challenge
Scavenger Hunt providing the answer keys at this WDW TriviaFest meet on
Monday

MouseForLess
Disney Lounge Lizards meet
– 7:00 P.M. We will be visiting the lounges of the WDW resorts including
the Tambu Lounge at the Polynesian, Minzer's at the Grand Floridian, the
Outer Rim at the Contemporary, and end up at the Wilderness Lodge's Territory
Lounge. Please plan on leaving the driving to WDW transportation or, if
you will be using your own transportation, have a designated driver. Meet
at the Polynesian Resort, outside the Tambu Lounge. RSVP (strongly suggested,
but not required) to Pam by November 24,2004 [email protected]

IllumiNations Boat Cruise –
ALL
BOATS FILLED ALL NIGHTS
Pre-Paid registrants will enjoy a special VIP viewing of Epcot's IllumiNations:
Reflections of Earth evening spectacular. Cruises depart from the Yacht/Beach
club marina and take a tour of Crescent Lake before heading to Epcot.
All boats park under the bridge between the U.K. and France for a great
view. Prepaid reservations are required. (Cruises are held Thursday, Friday,
Saturday, Sunday and Monday) visit: http://www.wvnh.net/cruise/cruises04.html

SO…
THINK YOU MIGHT WANT TO MOUSEFEST IN 2004?

WE'RE
LOOKING FORWARD TO MEETING YOU!

Join
the MouseFest 2004 Mailing List!
Announcements Only!

*****

Can't
make it in 2004?
Mark your calendars for the following … Everyone is welcome!