Okay, I must admit…it’ll be my first Mousefest this year.  Although I’ve heard about it a couple of years ago, I never could make the arrangements necessary to get over to Orlando in the beginning of December.  Last year, I missed Mousefest by a matter of days . . . Well, this year, I am finally going to make it.  There are so many events planned that I am already doing my homework on what I’d like to see and do.  Put quite simply, I can’t wait for Mousefest to arrive.  While there is so much I looking forward to and thinking about, here is what I’m looking forward to the Most . . .

The Fantasmic! Saturday Night at the Studios Party: Scheduled for Saturday December 8, 2007 at 7:15 pm, this meet has me excited to see Fantasmic! again.  I’ll be honest (and please don’t fire me Matt) – but I’ve only seen Fantasmic! twice in all the times I’ve been to WDW.  Next to Wishes and Illuminations, Fantasmic! just has not interested me enough to watch more than a couple of time.  I usually use the time Fantasmic! is playing to either head out of the park to catch the bus or to ride the headliners one more time before closing.  With the Mousefest dessert party scheduled – I now have an incentive to go to Fantasmic! again.  Even though the dessert sounds quite delectable, I am more excited about meeting the Studioscentral.com community for the first time.  I’ve only been writing for the site for a little less than a year now, and it is about time I put some faces to the names.  And perhaps watching Fantasmic! with my fellow mgmstudios.org/studioscentral.com clan will reinvigorate my interest in it once again.

Walt Disney World in December: There is something to be said about WDW in December.  The weather is nice and cool, the air is crisp, and the holiday decorations make everything more festive and colorful.  There is nothing quite like walking down the Streets of America during the Osbourne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights, or drinking hot cocoa and watching the Very Merry Christmas Parade come down Main Street U.S.A.  I know it is cheesy and perhaps cliché to say, but being in WDW puts you in the holiday.  To me, there is nothing like visiting WDW in December. 

Catching Up With Old Friends:  There are certain attractions that are “must sees” whenever I go to WDW. Two of those “must see” attractions are the Haunted Mansion and Spaceship Earth.  When you live as far away from WDW as I do, a lot can happen in between trips.  And while I have been fortunate this year to have gone twice, a lot has happened since my last trip. First, the Haunted Mansion is back in business.  From what I have heard of the updates and refurbishments to this classic attraction, I might have to hit the Haunted Mansion a few times during my stay so I can see for myself.  Second, I’m hoping and praying that Spaceship Earth will be up and running during Mousefest.  If it is operational, it will be interesting to see how Mousefest attendees (a.k.a. diehard WDW fans) react and feel about the new Spaceship Earth. 

Mousefest Craziness: I’ve read countless articles about Mousefest and I’ve heard numerous podcasts detailing Mousefest happenings and strategies . . . and I can’t wait to experience it for myself.  From what I’ve heard, it can be an exhausting time trying to fit in all of the meets you want to do, backtrack throughout the park, and find time to eat and sleep.  Well, I must say that I’m up for the challenge.  No, I won’t be trying to do all of the meets from dusk till midnight, but I do want to see and do as much as possible.  Why not go for broke at a time when thousands of other Disney fanatics like yourself are doing the same? 

Will I survive Mousefest?  I have no idea.  But I know that I’m going to enjoy it as much as possible.  And if that means a few sleepless nights upon my return – so be it!

The Mega Mouse Meet: Finally, I am looking forward to meeting up with you all at the Mega Mouse Meet.  For those of you that don’t know, the Mega Mouse Meet will be held on Saturday December 8 at the Swan and Dolphin Resort.  Disney guidebook authors, web site founders, podcasters, and members of many Disney fan communities come together at one big gathering to discuss, meet, and generally have a good time. According to Mousefest’s official website, “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.”  This is the biggest event at Mousefest – so be prepared to wade through a crowd of Disney fanatics. 

For the first time, our website will have its own table at the Mega Mouse Meet.  Matt and the rest of the crew at studioscentral.com have some great giveaways planned, as well as a surprise or two.  I encourage anyone going to Mousefest to stop on by our booth and strike up a conversation.  Matt probably bites – but don’t worry, I won’t. 

Mousefest is less than two months away and as you can tell, I can’t wait to go!  If you share my enthusiasm, please feel free to email me or post in the forum. 

Until next time!