Thursday's Tip

Today is a good day--no, a GREAT day--to welcome the Disney Outlet back to Nashville! Yes, if you're reading this between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and, oh, maybe 1:00 p.m. Central time, I'm at the Grand Re-0pening of Opry Mills. Closed since the flood of May 2010, the Mills is opening with a host of new and exciting stores. But none has caused more excitement in our household that the Disney Outlet, as Nashville has been without a Disney Store since months before the 2010 flood. (First the Mills outlet store closed--unreleated to the flood--and then our only other Disney Store at Cool Springs Galleria also closed.)

I plan to post later today with pics and a report from the opening. Technically, the store has its official Grand Opening on Saturday, but I called and was assured by a Cast Member that they will be open on Thursday with over 160 other stores.

So, what is my Thursday's Tip? Arrive early. Whether you're going to a store opening where free goodies might be distributed (please, please!) or to the Disney Parks, where the early bird really does (often) catch the worm, arriving early is always a good idea. Early to arrive means early through the gate. And early through the gate means early in line for rope drop. And early in line for rope drop means early in line for your favorite attraction. And, if you're really lucky, arriving early might just give you a chance at being the family who gets to help Mickey and the gang open the Park for the day!

In the case of the Disney Outlet opening, I'm hoping early to arrive means some kind of fun freebie. I hear they are giving out ear hats on Saturday, but I'm hoping for something fun on opening day as well. I'll be sure to share the fun right here on Affording the Mou$e!