Okay. You’ve been reading JHM for .. what? At least a couple of months now. Maybe even a couple of years. Sooo … Don’t you think that it’s high time that we actually met face-to-face?
I’m serious, people. What are you doing two Saturdays from now?
The reason that I ask is — weekend after next — I’ll be down in Orlando attending Mousefest 2005. For those of you who don’t know what a Mousefest is, it’s this annual gathering of Disneyana webmasters, tour book authors and their readers. Where all us dweebs get together on Disney property and socialize.
Anyway … I was originally scheduled to only be taking part in two events at this year’s Mousefest:
- A Mouseketrips meet-n-greet, which will be held Friday, December 2nd at the Flame Tree Barbeque restaurant in Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park starting at 11:30 a.m.
- The Mega Mouse Meet (Which is when all the Disney webmasters & authors get together in a single place so that they can then chat with their readers), which is being held on Saturday, December 3rd from 1 – 3:30 p.m. at WDW’s Dolphin Resort in the Northern Hemisphere — Salon E.
And as the rest of the time that I was in O-town … I figured that it would just be a working trip. You know? I’d check out the new attractions at the parks (I.E. Epcot’s “Finding Nemo” – rethemed “Living Seas” pavilion will have just re-opened a few days before I fly into town), hole up at the Orlando Public library and do some research for future JHM articles, maybe visit with a few friends … Nothing too crazy.
But then Scott Liljenquist (I.E. The owner & operator of Mouseketrips.com) said: “You know, a lot of your loyal readers are going to be in town then, Jim. So maybe you should hold some sort of official JHM get-together. You know, like a holiday party or something?”
And off of that off-handed remark quickly grew the JHM Christmas Party!
I’m serious, people. Scott & I have just secured the Buena Vista Room at the Doubletree Guest Suites (You know? It’s one of those resorts that’s located on Hotel Plaza Boulevard right next to Downtown Disney) for what’s technically known as a “Dessert Reception.” Meaning that we’ll have lots of great nibblies — petit fores, cannolis, eclairs, cheesecake bites, fresh fruit, chocolate dipped strawberries — on hand plus flavored coffees.
Plus — for your entertainment pleasure — noted Disney historian Jim Korkis and I will be facing off that evening, seeing who can tell the very best stories about the Walt Disney Company. Yep, for the first time ever, it’ll be “Dueling Disney Dweebs.” Plus there’ll be door prizes and screenings of some extremely rare Disney-related films.
Doesn’t that sound like a fun night? Well, the doors open at 7:30 p.m. And we’ve got the room booked ’til 10 p.m. So what the hey … If you’re in the Orlando area Saturday after next, why don’t you make plans now to join us at the Doubletree and attend the first-ever JHM Christmas party?
FYI: If you’re actually interested in attending this event, please drop Scott L. a line at Scott@Mouseketrips.com ASAP and he’ll put your name on the guest list. Space is limited.
Also please be aware that there will be a nominal fee charged for entrance to the JHM Christmas party. Mind you, this holiday affair is NOT meant to turn a profit. But — rather — Scott & I are just looking for some help in recovering the cost of renting out the Buena Vista Room for this “Dessert Reception.”
Hope to see you on December 3rd!