Wednesday, December 12, 2007

What I Learned For The Next Mouse Fest

Part 1 (because I'll think of some more stuff later)

(1) If you are traveling alone, make some ADRs for 2, and then invite a new friend along for a meal, dutch of course. (Breakfast ADRs are easy to get, even while you're there.) Or invite someone to have a counter service meal with you.

(2) Make some notes ahead of time about your favorite podcasts and hosts, so you can match faces with podcasts. The podcasters like to hear what you like about the shows, and if you have the nerve to say it, what you don't like.

(3) Talk to people!! And then talk to some more people. Have some questions ready -- like where are you from, how'd you get hooked on Disney, who's your favorite podcaster/website. That's all it takes to get the ball rolling.

(4) Try to talk to people you see on your forums a little longer, and really get to know them. It will make the next year on the forums a little more fun!

(5) Mostly go to things that interest you, but try one or two meets with a different group of people, or go to a meet that is something/somewhere out of the box for you. You never know what might be fun!

(6) After a few meets, start talking to some of the people that you've now seen a few times. Odds are if you are picking the same meets, you probably have a few things in common and will hit it off!

(7) Use an autograph book to keep a journal, and to jot down email addresses, IMs, websites, cell phones, etc. for the new people you meet and are going to want to stay in touch with.

I'll bet I'll think of something else five minutes from now ...


7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Those are some great tips. ;-)

DebWDW said...

Thanks Kate! If only I'd thought of them BEFORE I went ... but there's always next year.

Rae! said...

Those are good tips. I will have to remember that for next year.

Anonymous said...

For someone who is new to Mousefest you seem to have figured it out pretty well already, your comments seem right on the mark to me, it was great seeing you so many times at mousefest this year, and I just wish I had got a picture of us together, maybe take pictures of folks you spend a lot of time talking to would be the tip I can add for one I learned this year :)

DebWDW said...

You are right, Brian, that picture tip should definitely be added!

Unknown said...

Wow, Deb...

Those are some great tips. I wonder if Dr. Scopa will use them next year?

My brother and I had an ADR for 4 for the San Angel and we invited Glenn from Passamaquoddy--it was great! We felt like we had known him for years.

I agree...plan on talking, talking and more talking. It is well worth it!

DebWDW said...

I would like to send someone some suggestions on the next one. If a link doesn't pop up on Mousefest.org, I'll probably send my ideas to Deb Wills.