ABC soap opera fans and the stars they love are getting ready for the 2005 Super Soap Weekend at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida. The event, held this year on Saturday, November 12, and Sunday, November 13, is celebrating its tenth year of uniting the fans with the actors that play on ABC's three popular, and long-running, daytime soap operas.

Held at Disney-MGM Studios, the event allows fans to interact with their favorite soap stars. Fans in attendance have two chances daily get in line for an autograph and photo with their favorite star. Early in the morning, at park opening, FASTPass machines are utilized to dispense the tickets that will allow fans to be a part of one of the two daily autograph/photo sessions.

There are also fan-friendly activities, like a motorcade featuring the stars and specially-themed versions of attractions like "Who Wants to be a Millionaire?" held throughout each day. SOAPnet (web: www.soapnet.com), the 24-hr soap opera network, will also be at the park, filming several of its shows like "I Wanna Be A Soap Star LIVE!" and posting daily photos online from the event.

ABC is bringing out the majority of its most popular stars to visit with the fans this year, for the anniversary celebration. At press time, here were the stars confirmed to attend:

• From All My Children (web: abc.go.com/daytime/allmychildren/): Jeff Branson (Jonathan), Justin Bruening (Jamie), Kelli Giddish (Di), Alexa Havins (Babe), Thorsten Kaye (Zach), Michael E. Knight (Tad), Tanisha Lynn (Danielle), Susan Lucci (Erica), Cameron Mathison (Ryan), Alicia Minshew (Kendall), Sydney Penny (Julia), Leven Rambin (Lily), Aiden Turner (Aidan), Walt Willey (Jack), Jacob Young (JR)
  
  
• From One Life To Live (web: abc.go.com/daytime/onelifetolive/): Melissa Archer (Natalie), Kathy Brier (Marcie), Kamar de los Reyes (Antonio), Kassie DePaiva (Blair), Michael Easton (John), David Fumero (Cristian), John Paul Lavosier (Rex), Forbes March (Nash), Erika Slezak (Viki), Trevor St. John (Todd), Heather Tom (Kelly), Bree Williamson (Jessica/Tess)
  
  
• From General Hospital (web: abc.go.com/daytime/generalhospital/): Steve Burton (Jason), Tyler Christopher (Nikolas), Scott Clifton (Dillon), Rebecca Herbst (Elizabeth), Lindze Letherman (Georgie), Natalia Livingston (Emily), Matt Marraccini (Jesse), Kimberly McCullough (Robin), Kelly Monaco (Sam), Kirstin Storms (Maxie), Greg Vaughan (Lucky), Laura Wright (Carly) (What?? No Ingo Rademacher or Rick Springfield, who is reprising his role of Noah Drake in the near future???)

But with so many stars to see, so many things to do and so many other fans (several thousand) in attendance, it can get a bit overwhelming. Don't believe it can get a bit crazy? Read my review of attending the 2003 event entitled "I Survived ABC Super Soap Weekend!" (web: www.bellaonline.com/articles/art14787.asp)

It can also be incredible fun. So for those attending, I'd like to offer my top ten tried and true tips that I've gleaned over the many years I've attended the event:

1] For easy access to Disney-MGM Studios, it's best to stay on property at a Disney resort. Five -- Disney's Beach Club, Disney's Yacht Club, Disney's BoardWalk, Walt Disney World Swan and Walt Disney World Dolphin -- have easy access to the park via boats that take you direct from the resort to the park entrance. You can park your car and not even need it for the rest of the weekend. For more information or to book a room, please visit www.disneyworld.com or call 407/WDISNEY.

2] If you have your heart set on a particular star's autograph or photo, be prepared to be an early riser. Though the gates open at 9am, fans start lining up as early as 7am for a chance to get one of the treasured autograph FASTPasses that will allow them to meet their favorite up close and personal. And each star has their own tickets to be distributed. That means if you want more than one star's autograph, you'll need to get in more than one FASTPass line.

3] Wear good walking shoes and comfortable clothes. You may look good in the tight clothing and heels, but your fashion points won't mean anything when you get back to your hotel room with swollen feet feeling hot, tired and stinky.

4] Drink plenty of fluids. By the time you realize you're thirsty, you're already on the way to being dehydrated. And choose water as your preferred drink, when possible, as it is better at rehydrating you than sugary sodas.

5] Wear sunscreen and apply it at least every two hours you're in the sun. If you are prone to burns and plan to be at the park from open to close, choose an SPF of at least 45. The sun is really strong in Orlando, even in November, and sunburn will surely kill any fun you might have being in the crowds surrounding the stars.

6] Pack extra batteries for your camera, and film, too, if you don't shoot digital. Film and battery prices can be up to twice as much inside the park as they at your local store.

7] I hate to say this, but you're not the only one there to see "fill in the name of your favorite star." So please remember courtesy goes a long way to making the event enjoyable for everyone.

8] If you're a fan of more than one actor -- or even more than one show -- plan to do some activities one day and the rest the next. It'll make the experience a lot more fun if you have allow yourself the time to enjoy it, instead of rushing around trying to hit all the deadlines. Not to mention you don't have to kill yourself trying to get all your FASTPasses for one day.

9] When it comes to planning your weekend, the best resource is ABC's Super Soap Weekend mini-site. Visit abc.go.com/daytime/supersoap/wdw/ for a list of events and even a downloadable/printable map of Disney-MGM Studios with the key event locations marked. This site also has all the FASTPass details you need to know.

10] Finally, remember above all else, you came here to have fun. If you're finding yourself getting angry, anxious or antagonistic, you're taking the whole event way too seriously. Step back, take a deep breath and try to enjoy the experience.

If you're a fan of ABC soaps, I hope you'll get a chance to attend. It's one of the best opportunities to get to meet the people that make the storylines you love happen.
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Have you attended the ABC Super Soap Weekend in the past? Or are you attending this year's tenth anniversary event? Drop me a line or talk about it on our message boards.

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