When we last left the Mouse Fan Travel team led by Annette Owens, they were departing off the Disney Cruise portion of Mousefest and heading to the land portion where they would be joined by founder and owner Beci Mahnken.
In this session we?ll continue to look at how the rest of Mousefest went for this team of travel agents and wrap up thoughts on the use of a travel agency.
Thursday
On Thursday morning Annette and Stephanie were up early. They needed to be off the ship as soon as possible so they could speed off to Orlando and WDW. There was a lot to do. They were among the first to depart the ship and arrived at their resort around 8:30 that morning.
The first order of business was to handle some resort issues. Since they were handling in the neighborhood of 100 or so rooms there was a chance that an issue or two would pop up; and pop they did.
Although this first day of the land portion of Mousefest would be somewhat hectic there were some opportunities to relax, if only for a short while. One such opportunity came in the form of a nice quiet lunch at the Trail?s End Restaurant at Disney?s Fort Wilderness. Both Annette and Beci were able to join myself and some other friends for good food and chat before the Mousefest meets would begin later that day.
However, although on the surface it looked like it was a relaxing time there was no doubt that Annette?s mind was racing. She was already thinking ahead as to what she and her team had on their ?to-do? list for the next few days.
This list included prep work that was waiting for later that day, evening, and week.
One major task that day was to drive over to Disney?s Wilderness Lodge to collect and transfer to Disney?s Boardwalk Resort all materials brought for the MegaMouse meet.
After lunch Annette headed back to her resort to handle some unfinished business but promised she would be at the Dole Whip meet later that afternoon, and she was there as promised. So for that Thursday at least I did manage to see her sit or stand still for a while and begin to enjoy Mousefest. For Beci, Annette, and their colleagues those moments would be a precious few and far between.
Before they could join in the festive Mickey?s Very Merry Christmas Party that evening there was a business meeting to attend. There would be a bonus that evening however as following the evening?s fireworks they enjoyed some 90 minutes worth of park touring and attractions. It was a much welcomed relaxation period because Friday would be quite a long day.
Friday
First order of business this day was to handle some client issues before heading off to Disney?s Animal Kingdom to take in a few Mousefest meets.
Among these meets was Deb Wills? Annual Kilimanjaro Safari meet and the first Mousefest Expedition Everest meet.
For the 2006 edition of Mousefest Friday was divided into a two park designated day. The morning was devoted to the Animal Kingdom while the afternoon was devoted to Disney/MGM Studios.
However, the day was even more diversified for these guys. At mid-day Beci and Annette started on a secret mission to deliver gifts to their clients. This meant missing the Friday afternoon meets.
There was one special meet that Annette, Stephanie, and Kathy would not miss. This was neither an official Mousefest meet, nor a community meet.
One of Annette?s clients, Matt Hochberg, had arranged with Annette to have her meet him at MGM Studios, near the Osborne Lights, underneath the flying angels. She was to bring him a teddy bear and bouquet of roses for he was planning to propose to his girl friend Marissa that evening.
So that afternoon Annette hustled to get both the roses and a teddy bear delivered to her client and got to the park some 45 minutes before the appointed time. You can imagine the looks Annette received as she walked up Hollywood Blvd with roses and teddy in hand. Along the way she found herself talking to a lot of people and explaining to them why she was carrying these items.
Stephanie and Kathy served as “secret agent” vacation planners as they were keeping their eyes on Matt and Marissa to make sure they would not run into Annette before the right time.
Annette coordinated with her secret agents and Hochberg and they pulled off the surprise at a bench under the Osborne lights.
It was just you average day in the life of a travel agent…NOT!
These events took place around 6 P.M. and guess what? It was getting late because Annette had to get on the phone with Disney Catering as later that evening the agency was hosting an Illuminations dessert party. The issue at hand was the cold temperatures for that evening.
Annette was talking to Disney catering on what options would be available to help keep their 125 guests warm that evening.
Annette and colleagues hustled from MGM Studios to EPCOT to meet and check-in their guests.
With all this running around Annette really had not eaten well that day and after the party she left for her room at Boardwalk a bit ill.
But she couldn?t be sick for tomorrow?it was the absolute biggest day for Mousefest; MegaMouse meet day.
Saturday
Today was a big day and that meant everyone getting up early for a team meeting to review the most important task for the day, the setting up and tearing down assignment and plans for the MegaMouse meet. The early team meeting was at Disney?s Boardwalk Resort.
A large portion of the day was spent at the Dolphin hotel where the MegaMouse Meet was to be held.
There would be no lunch today for the Mouse Fan Travel team.
It would take me quite a while to describe that the Mouse Fan Travel team put together at the MegaMouse meet. Trust me, they put a lot of work into their table and all I can say is ?Posters, Balloons, and trinkets Oh My!?
After the MegaMouse meet Annette had to deliver a special prize to one of her clients at Disney?s Old Key West.
Evening was coming and still left was an interview with a possible new agent and yet another business meeting before some of the team finally enjoyed a nice relaxing dinner at the Yachtsman Steak house.
Still feeling a bit under the weather Annette went back to her room to handle emails.
She and her colleagues were hoping to get to sleep early because, remember, there was a breakfast in the morning at Kona.
Sunday
Beci, Annette and crew got to the Polynesian at 7:15 to greet their guests and to make sure everyone had a great time.
They met their guests and saw that the breakfast, including the gifts and prizes all went off without a hitch.
There were a few things left to do before this week was over. However, there was some time for the team to ?veg? in the park.
That evening, the last evening for Mousefest, would find the Mouse Fan Travel crew hosting their second Mousefest Illuminations dessert party at EPCOT.
This meant getting to EPCOT late afternoon and setting everything up and then checking in the guests and enjoying the night, the week, and the atmosphere.
For Annette and team it was in their words, a ?perfect ending.?
For the week it was work, play, work, and hang with friends.
Annette has said she wouldn?t change it for the world. She?s already planning for next year.
What?s Your Point Mike?
So what?s my point in all this?
Well, I guess it?s a longwinded way of me to point out the added value of using a travel agency.
I do need to say that Mousefest is a different type of WDW vacation and Beci, Annette, and the Mouse Fan Travel crew had sponsored several events which made it mandatory for them to have a presence at Mousefest. Sponsoring such events adds an assortment of tasks for the agency.
These tasks are added on top of their efforts in making sure all their clients had an enjoyable week.
I saw it first hand and it made me think about once again reminding everyone that there are top-notch professionals out there who can help you and I plan our WDW vacations.
After reading the Cruise portion of this two-part series some of you sent me emails saying, ?Okay Mike, I still don?t understand why using a travel agency can help me in putting together a WDW vacation.?
Well, let?s face it. Not everyone will see the value in using a travel agent but let me remind and reinforce a few points that I had made a long time ago:
- Most, but not all travel agencies add value without adding cost. Some agencies do charge agency service and cancellation fees over what Disney charges. It?s a good idea to ask any travel agent whose services you are looking to use if they charge any agency booking or cancellations fees. Better to look before you leap.
- Travel agents, especially Disney travel specialists are the best resource for finding out how to make the most out of your vacation. Trust me, none of us so-called experts who write for Disney fan sites can measure up to the Disney travel agent?s wealth of knowledge.
- Agents have clients and clients let agents know about their trips. This knowledge can only help agents work with clients in future trip planning.
- Travel agents help you optimize your money and time.
Okay, let?s back up a bit. For over two decades whenever I planned a Walt Disney World vacation I did all the work myself. I called the WDW resort, booked the room, secured my tickets, made my airfare arrangements, made all my dining reservations and basically was my own travel agent.
I was one of those anal people who wanted everything just right. I would not trust anyone else with my sacred Walt Disney World vacation. Okay, that?s understandable. However, there were other reasons why I did this myself and I?m here to admit they were the wrong reasons.
I have come a long way in understanding how travel agents can bring so much more to the trip planning process. I have learned a lot.
There are several Disney specialist travel agencies that I can point to who truly specializes in providing magical vacations for their clients. Small World Vacations, founded and owned by Sue Pisaturo is another such travel agency that does an over the top job at mixing in their own brand of Disney magic! This means bringing added value to your vacation experience. The key is to find an agent you trust and everyone benefits from their common love for the Mouse!
I have learned much from Sue, Beci, and Annette as to what travel agents bring to the table.
What they bring is a virtual feast of helpful information and assistance in the planning of a WDW vacation.
So get off your diet and if you haven?t, why not look into what a travel agent can possibly add to your WDW vacation experience.
My guess is that they may just do you a favor and make it a lot easier to…
…Remember the magic!
Next Time
There are always some guide books that fly under the radar and next time I plan to discuss a special kind of multi-volume set.
Class dismissed.
