Why are you organizing MouseFest?
We were married at Walt Disney World ten years ago and had a great time with family and friends there! We couldn’t imagine celebrating our anniversary anywhere else. And we really want to have another party at Disney World!We’ve gone to Disney World with large groups before and found that it is just a wonderful way to visit. Our kids adore having their friends around. Our teenagers are old enough to have some independence and explore the parks with their friends as well, and we still feel comfortable with their safety. We can have fun with our “grown-up” friends too, because our children are already entertained. Also, there is just a ton of stuff to do for everyone of every age—including nightlife and fine dining, believe it or not!
With groups, you also get group discounts on rooms and tickets, as well as the chance to organize some group events (parties, etc.). We’re working on those right now, with more info to come soon.
How do I make a reservation or just look into prices?
Go to the How to Reserve, Get More Information page. Use the response form to let me know you are interested, and I will privately send you our event code. You can call Disney group reservations and you will make your own reservations, guarantee and pay for them yourself, etc. I won’t be involved in that. :)We're in! When should I make my reservations?
Not trying to rush you, but if you are even considering attending, you should reserve your room soon—like now—and most certainly by mid-February. Why? Because the window to make your dining and special show reservations opens up 180 days before you check in, and for MouseFest attendees, that window opens in February. You’ll need to have your room reservations in the system so you can get the dining and shows you may want as well. Note: we’ll soon have a proposed touring and event plan for MouseFest up on the website and you may want to consult that to help you plan.Also, we have a specific block of rooms reserved at the discounted rates (which are less expensive than anything else I could find by hunting around online; I checked). Once those rooms are booked, the block will be filled.
(Note: the discounted room block prices do require a minimum number of rooms be used, but I don’t think we’ll have a problem making that. The sooner you make your reservation and we have some numbers, the better, of course.)
Do I have to hang around with you?
Of course not! In fact, you don't have to see us at all. We just want to make the opportunity to go to WDW on group rates available to our friends. Do what you want! Go where you want! Now, we certainly might like to see you at some point! Perhaps you would attend our anniversary party or some other event? Or maybe arrange to tour a park with us (if you think you can keep up with our pace, ha ha!).Do we have to stay at the group resort?
Absolutely not! We have booked a block of rooms at the Port Orleans Riverside resort (“POR”) for MouseFest guests at a discounted rate. POR is what Disney considers a “moderate” resort. We’ve stayed there and really like it—the theming is lovely, the pool is super nice, and the restaurant and lounge are good as well.The resort has a free boat (the “Sassagoula River Cruise”) that goes to Downtown Disney, and has free bus transportation to the parks as well.
We’ll actually be staying at the Treehouse Villas at the Saratoga Springs resort, which is near POR and is also accessible via the “Sassagoula River Cruise.”
Why are you always going to Disney World? Don't you ever go anywhere else?
No, we only go to Disney World. That’s it. One place. Ha ha. Actually, we DO go other places. In fact, our house may fall apart around us, but we put our effort into traveling and new experiences. However, Sarah is from Florida and grew up in Disney World, and now that we have children, it is so much fun to go there and enjoy the place with them. We had our wedding at Disney World because we had 5 kids living at home at that time and our friends had children too; we’re down to two kids at home now, but it is still a magical place to go with your family. So we fit in a few visits to Disney World around our other trips across the country, for example.Do I have to stay during the exact MouseFest dates of Aug. 18-22?
No. You can come for a longer trip. You can come for a shorter trip. We’ll be at Disney World Aug. 14-23. (Note to prospective burglers: not only will we have a full-time house-sitter employed at our place, we also will have two large attack dogs there as well.)We picked Aug. 18-22 to take advantage of the weekend and give folks dates to aim for. Also, if you are going to Disney World in the summer, late August is better than other dates.
Isn't August an awful time to go to Disney World?
Absolutely not! Tom and I don’t have a lot of flexibility, due to school schedules, so for us now, summer it is. That said, although the summer crowds at WDW can be an obstacle in the beginning of August, by mid-August crowds are down to “moderate” levels – no doubt due in part to the fact that Florida schools start up again in mid-August.Another good thing about going to Disney World with the Stevens-O’Tooles is that we know what we are doing—you can take advantage of our touring knowledge to ensure you make the most of your time and avoid lines, etc.
Any time is a good time in Disney World, if you plan wisely.
What about the weather?
For any trip to Florida, you do have to pay attention to the weather, just as you would in fact consider and plan for the weather for any vacation venue.August is not the rainiest month in Florida, but it does rain, often in the late afternoon. Just make sure to bring those cheap foldable ponchos that you can get at CVS and you’ll be fine if a cloud pours a bit. In fact, you’ll be happy if it rains, because sometimes that clears out the parks and cools thing off.
August can be hot. Like a sauna. And who doesn't like saunas? If you plan accordingly, it should not be too bad. Many WDW shows and events are held indoors. Traditionally, we arrive at the parks in the morning before the crowds, have a blast on the rides, take a break in the afternoon to swim in the hotel pool or take a nap (my favorite), then go back in the cooler evening hours refreshed and ready for the rides and shows and restaurants. And of course, wear a hat, bring sunscreen and bug spray, and don’t forget the bottled water.
One great thing about August is that it is the perfect month to enjoy the Disney water parks. We love them and are adding a planned day in Blizzard Beach into our MouseFest touring plan. Consider joining us!
Finally, it is worth noting that in Florida, the month of August can also mean the possibility of a hurricane. But please note that these are relatively rare and since Lake Buena Vista is so far inland, any potential impact is lessened. I grew up in Florida and it isn’t as though the state shuts down over the slim possibility that a storm might come by in August.