Note From Dave Regarding MouseFest and PassPorter Meets About This Page:

[Dave Marx]

As you may already read here at the PassPorter boards, at the MouseFest web site MouseFest - An International Gathering of Disney Fans at Walt Disney World and on the Disney Cruise Line , in e-mail from the MouseFest Executive Committee, or elsewhere, MouseFest is going on hiatus. I'm sure the many folks who have already been looking forward to MouseFest 2009 have to be very disappointed, so I very quickly want to assure you that PassPorter will be one of those communities that will meet at Walt Disney World this December, as usual, and Jennifer and I look forward to being there with you. These community meets were the inspiration for MouseFest, and I'm sure we can keep that spirit alive. While this December's events may be a bit more intimate that we've become accustomed to, the fellowship and mutual enjoyment we get out of sharing the holiday season at Walt Disney World with our Internet friends will be stronger than ever! I encourage you to join in as we begin planning the 2009 PassPorter Holiday Meet.

If you read the official announcements, you also know that I stepped down as MouseFest Chairman, in order to devote more time to PassPorter and to my family. The chairmanship of MouseFest has been enormously satisfying - watching everyone have such a great time (and sharing in those great times) has been one of the great joys in my life. But it has also required huge amounts of time and effort all year round from Jennifer, me, and at times, the entire PassPorter office staff. The bigger and more complex MouseFest became, the more time it took from my family and business, and the harder it became to share those good times with members of the PassPorter community. Something had to give, and unfortunately, MouseFest had to be it. Fortunately, MouseFest has a strong, capable, and experienced Executive Committee, so I was able to confidently hand the MouseFest reins over to them, knowing that, not only do they know how to put on a great MouseFest, but that they share my love for and belief in MouseFest and the "Spirit of MouseFest."

[rescuesk]

Dave, thanks for all the work you and everyone at PP has put into past Mousefests. Ultimately, the best part of Mousefest was getting together with so many great people, and I am glad to see that will continue!

[WDWfan]

Dave - I have been at Mousefest the last 2 years and was amazed at how large and involved it was. You and Jennifer and the rest of the MouseFest organization did a wonderful job! I will admit though that my best times at MouseFest were some of the smaller gatherings where I was able to get to know my PPer friends better. I'm hoping to go again this December and will enjoy the smaller meets.

Thank you guys have done over the years. Hope to see you in December!

[duck addict]

Dave, Jennifer and your Passporter staff for all the hard work.

[Colexis Mom]

Thanks for all your hard work Dave!! (and the entire PP team)!!

[bitterchickey]

This was to be my First Mousefest, but I was going mostly to meet Passporters anyway!!! I think a scaled down version, with my meets with the peeps is just what I need for a "starter"!! Nothin but luv for ya'll!!

[Eeyore Tattoo]

I also have to say Dave & Jennifer.
Passporter meets were my reason for going.
I am very much looking forward to this years meet no matter the name..

[magic mickey]

Originally Posted by Dave Marx

As you may already read here at the PassPorter boards, at the MouseFest web site MouseFest - An International Gathering of Disney Fans at Walt Disney World and on the Disney Cruise Line , in e-mail from the MouseFest Executive Committee, or elsewhere, MouseFest is going on a one-year hiatus, with plans to return in 2010. I'm sure the many folks who have already been looking forward to MouseFest 2009 have to be very disappointed, so I very quickly want to assure you that PassPorter will be one of those communities that will meet at Walt Disney World this December, as usual, and Jennifer and I look forward to being there with you. These community meets were the inspiration for MouseFest, and I'm sure we can keep that spirit alive for a year while the MouseFest organization works towards MouseFest 2010. While this December's events may be a bit more intimate that we've become accustomed to, the fellowship and mutual enjoyment we get out of sharing the holiday season at Walt Disney World with our Internet friends will be stronger than ever! I encourage you to join in as we begin planning the 2009 PassPorter Holiday Meet.

If you read the official announcements, you also know that I stepped down as MouseFest Chairman, in order to devote more time to PassPorter and to my family. The chairmanship of MouseFest has been enormously satisfying - watching everyone have such a great time (and sharing in those great times) has been one of the great joys in my life. But it has also required huge amounts of time and effort all year round from Jennifer, me, and at times, the entire PassPorter office staff. The bigger and more complex MouseFest became, the more time it took from my family and business, and the harder it became to share those good times with members of the PassPorter community. Something had to give, and unfortunately, MouseFest had to be it. Fortunately, MouseFest has a strong, capable, and experienced Executive Committee, so I was able to confidently hand the MouseFest reins over to them, knowing that, not only do they know how to put on a great MouseFest, but that they share my love for and belief in MouseFest and the "Spirit of MouseFest."

Thank you Dave. This really makes me feel good about my plans for my December trip. I am really happy to hear this news.

[DopeyGirl]

Thanks for all the hard work and dedication you put into MouseFest, Dave (and Jennifer and crew too )! After seeing in December how much it had grown in just a few years (leaps and bounds since 2005 even!), I am sure it was VERY time consuming and I certainly don't blame you for stepping back from the chairman position!

Glad to hear that there will still be fun to be had at "MouseFest time" even if on a much smaller scale.

[Grammy Grumpy]

Dave, you have done such an awesome job as chairperson for Mousefest. Thanks to you, Jennifer and everyone else who provided you assistance in the complex duties of Mousefest. DH and I have been fortunate to experience several Mousefests, unfortunately missed 2008 because of family obligations. We are looking forward to many more Mousefest experiences, and PP meets whether or not they have the name "Mousefest" attached to them or not. Anywhere those associated with this great community can meet for fun, fellowship and the exchange of ideas (whether online or in person) is a great time!

[chezp]

Dave, many thanks for all your hard work over the years and I'm delighted to hear that you, Jennifer and Alexander still plan on being around during that time. That's great news.

I think I hopefully speak for a lot of others when I say that our travel plans won't change - we still plan on being there, as we love meeting up with other PassPorters and, knowing that's still the plan, we'll be there.

[KathyL]

I agree with what everyone else has said...thanks so much for everything that you and your family did to make Mousefest what it was.

[Dave Marx]

Please note that I've modified my official statement to remove mention of what may or may not happen in 2010. To quote Deb Wills on this week's WDWToday podcast, "...at this point it’s premature to say yes or no to MouseFest 2010."

[Caldercup]

Thank you Dave, Jennifer, and the whole PassPorter staff!

Thanks to you guys, I have some of the best friends of my whole life and a rich and rewarding group of people that I like to hang out with -- daily in the discussion boards, and on those special vacations when our paths cross.

Here's to the "gathering" this December and to many, many more!
Eileen

[disney]

i just want to say thank you to dave and jen and there family for such a great place . i was around this year during mouse fest but got on board to late to join in.
but it was really nice to bump into dave in the parking lot at the contemparary .
thanks for the pin ! you were so nice to stop and talk for a minute or two even with the busy schudual you had . this shows me that kindnest starts at the top and works it's way down . LONG LIVE THE PASSPORTER .