MouseStation 107 – MouseFest recap
(Download
show – Main
podcast page – Subscribe – Podcast
radio player)
Run time 0:47:04
You can subscribe to MouseStation from the links at
the bottom of this page, or via your favorite podcast aggregator. If you’d
rather pop up our podcast radio player into a separate window so that you
can continue browsing MousePlanet in this window, click
here. (NOTE: Our podcast radio requires Adobe Flash Player. You can dowload
the player here.)
Let us hear from you!
Send in your suggestions, comments or tips via our email feedback
form or via voicemail on our toll-free feedback line (1-866-939-2278).
You can also make suggestions by replying to this post.
If you want to contribute a story for our Monday Magical Moment segment (and
possible inclusion in the Cast Place column here on MousePlanet), you can
either use our email Magical Moment story
form or the toll-free feedback line. (We love it when you use the voice
mail system, because then we can play your call on the show!)
Featured Topic – Our MouseFest
In this week’s feature, Mike and Mark recap their experiences at MouseFest.
Thanks to Paul Barrie of the Window
to the Magic Podcast for the great intro.
Early start and Thursday kickoff
At MouseFest 101, Mark and Mike Scopa co-hosted an introduction to MouseFest
for first-timers and veterans who wanted a fresh perspective. They filled
the upstairs area at the Tomorrowland Terrace Noodle Station to standing room
only with an estimated 280 people. It was a great event and everybody said
that they really got a lot out of it.
At the Chairman’s Meet ‘n’ Greet immediately following MouseFest 101, Mark
got a chance to talk to a number of listeners, including Kevin & Timbra
Peace, Peter Ciarcia, Paul Schnebelen & Suzanne Castle and more. As far
as he recalls, he didn’t get a chance to talk to Kate Tillan and Mary Chuchro
until later during MouseFest, though they were there for MouseFest 101 and
the meet ‘n’ greet. He also met Eric & Dan from Mouse Guest Weekly, Cindy
& Ray from Let’s Talk About Disney/Bare Necessities, etc.
After we were done at the Noodle Station, we headed over to Aloha Isle for
Mike Scopa’s Dole Whip meet, which drew another estimated 200 people. The
crowds were huge and the chatter was great. Then it was time for Steve Barrett’s
Hidden Mickeys meet on Pirates of the Caribbean, where a boat full of Pooh-sized
people bottomed out just before the drop and the group had to be taken off
of the boat and put back on later along the ride.
The evening was topped off with Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. The
big fireworks meet in the Rose Garden was stupendous, and Mark also ended
up spending most of his evening with Lou & Deanna Mongello and Jeff Pepper,
with Byron Hunt joining the part for a while. Mark made a last-minute attempt
to run a dreidel meet during the party, but he ended up missing the others
interested and the meet fell through. He did manage to make some magic with
a dreidel for a boy and his family as he and Mike were leaving for the airport,
though.
Friday – PodFest!
Mark woke up late due to staying up late to try to publish Episode 101 and
missed seeing Matt Hochberg ride Dinosaur for charity. He was able to go around,
take some photos before meeting Elizabeth (a.k.a. DaisyDuck001) and some others
for a fabulous lunch at the Yak & Yeti Restaurant before running over
to pick up Mike at Pop Century.
Mike got in a little early and it took about 15 minutes to check in for Disney’s
Magical Express, but he didn’t have his yellow luggage tags on his luggage
because they never arrived. However, he was able to have his bags show up.
Mike had a quick ride to Pop Century, got the room key, checked his bags and
was ready to head for the Studios when Mark showed up.
There was a huge number of podcasters at the event, and it was great to see
everyone that we met last year and meet everybody new. Every podcaster was
introduced by host Lou Mongello, then got a brief chance to talk about their
podcast. The funniest one had to be Paul Barrie (but you’ll have to listen
to the show to hear what Paul said and did). It was a veritable who’s-who
of Disney podcasting, and it was great to talk to everyone. Mark still thinks
that Paul Barrie wins the prize for looking least like what people would think
that he would look like. Then we got into a discussion of people not looking
like what you would think they look like.
We missed the MuppetMeet, though we did manage to meet up with Steve Barrett’s
Hidden Mickeys meet, then got over to see the Osborn Lights, and ducked into
the Muppet Theater to catch MuppetVision 3-D and we were both disappointed
to see that the LED sign up front had disappeared.
Then we went back to the room… er… Studio 2104 to record Episode
102.
Saturday – Mega Mouse Meet and Mega Mousssse Meet
We got to the Dolphin bright and early to start setting up for the Mega Mouse
Meet, and we managed to take a few minutes to run to Picabu for breakfast
before the Mega Meet started. It was once again huge, and we filled the 19,000-square-foot
ballroom. It was great meeting and talking with everyone that came by our
tables.
The MousePlanet door prize for the Mega Meet (the big one for the event)
was a three-night stay at the Doubletree Guest Suites, courtesy of our friends
at the Downtown Disney Resort Area Hotels marketing association, an Owner’s
Locker that was upgraded from two years of unlimited visits to unlimited visits
forever when Brian Whitt got caught up in the moment, and copy of David Koenig’s
latest book Realityland: True-Life Adventures at Walt Disney World.
The best part was that it was won by Lorie Holland, a member of the MousePlanet
community!
One corner of the ballroom is overrun by MouseFesters at the 2007 Mega Mouse
Meet. Photo by Mark Goldhaber.
The Mega Meet actually ended up close to on time, and we had plenty of time
to break everything down and load it out and still take our time on the way
to Boulangerie Patisserie for MousssseFest. Mark bought mousssse and water
for everyone, and all had a great time.
After MousssseFest, Mark and Mike headed for Spaceship Earth and managed
to get in on a sneak preview, but the gates were closed before they could
get around for a second ride. Mark talked about his thoughts on the revamped
ride in last week’s ParkUpdate.
Next, we headed for the Gran Fiesta Tour, since Mike hadn’t seen it yet. While
waiting in line, we ran into more MousePlanet listeners who weren’t there
for MouseFest but did recognize us, so we chatted with them for a while.
Next up was dinner with David Koenig and his lovely wife Laura at Marrkesh,
where we all enjoyed the food (and Mike ate there for the first time). Then
it was time to head to the Torii Gate to meet up with the DisneyWorldTrivia
gathering to watch Illuminations and the ensuing fire on an island in the
middle of World Showcase Lagoon after the holiday tag.
Mike went off to DisneyQuest with John Corigliano while Mark headed back
to take care of some stuff online and then go to sleep. Well, Mark at least
got as far as starting the bootup sequence for his laptop before falling asleep
in the chair. Mike and John managed to do all of the E-ticket attractions
and did 7 attractions in total in just 54 minutes. When Mike got back, Mark
woke up and gave him a stare like he didn’t know who he was. It scared Mike.
Sunday – Mini-MouseAdventure and Hustle-tini time!
Mark and Mike made a beeline for the Noodle Station by way of the Main Street
Bakery to set up for the Mini-MouseAdventure. It was great to chat with a
bunch of others that we hadn’t had a chance to talk with previously. On the
show, Mark forgot to mention the two young ladies that approached us just
past the bag check at the Magic Kingdom because they recognized our voices.
That was wild. Then we chatted a bit about the Mini-MouseAdventure and the
two minor errors in the packet.
Our crew of brave Mini-MouseAdventurers prepares to take on Tomorrowland and
Toontown. Photo by Mark Goldhaber.
After we wrapped up the event, Mark headed off to the MouseFest 2008 executive
planning committee kick-off while Mike took in an attraction or two, had some
lunch and just generally enjoyed the park until we met at Lou Mongello’s TriviaFest.
From there, a bunch of us went to Aloha Isle for the unofficial, spur-of-the-moment
Dole Whip with Sprinkles Meet. We may have a convert in Mike Scopa.
Mike went to wait for Mychal to do his hair, while Mark went to take a look
at the new work at the Contemporary and chat with Bruce Metcalf before heading
off to Pop Century. Then it time to get ready for the Hustle-tini meet, though
you can find out of that from last week’s
feature show. Then we went off to Boma with Mary for a great dinner. We
closed the restaurant, though not intentionally.
Mike Demopolous converts Mike Scopa to the way of the sprinkles. Photo by
Mark Goldhaber.
After an abortive attempt for Mike to enjoy Pleasure Island clubs ended up
with him heading back to the room.
Monday – wrapping up and heading out
Mike was out bright and early, but Mark slept in and then did some laundry
and such. Mike palled around Disney’s Animal Kingdom with various other podcasters
while Mark did laundry and otherwise got packed up, then it was time for some
strategic meetings about next year’s MouseFest and other items with Jennifer
and Dave Marx from Passporter, Mike Scopa, and Lou Mongello from DisneyWorldTrivia.com
.
Final thoughts
All in all, it was a great gathering and we’re already looking forward to
MouseFest 2008.
So what do you think about our adventures at MouseFest? Will you try to join
us at MouseFest 2008? Let us know by sending an email
or calling our toll-free feedback line (1-866-939-2278). Let us know what
you think!
Wrapping up
Please take a few minutes to complete our listener
survey. It helps us learn more about you and what you like most about
this podcast.
Don’t forget to go to the iTunes podcast directory and give us a good rating
for the combined
feed!
You can get your MousePlanet (or MouseStation) swag from the MousePlanet
CafePress store and the brand-new MouseStation
CafePress store.
Thanks to our audio engineer and sound editor Steven Ng.
Thank you for listening!
Subscribe to the podcast
