2014 MP Hopefuls!!!

[Amy18]

I like "Of Mice n Moms"!

Or, how about:
From Alice to Zurg...WDW Tips n Tricks


If you're going to email us, let me know, I will PM it to you!

 

[cruisecrasher]

I like Of Mice and Moms

 

[shinysparklybubbles]

My 3.5 year old is suffering from post Disney depression! It's funny because we spent a week in Ocean City (god bless our beloved shore!) over Labor Day and while he had a great time there was no post trip depression like with Disney. I brought some paper plates home from our room at AoA and plan on using them when we need a little bit of a Disney pick me up!

 

[cruisecrasher]

My 3.5 year old is suffering from post Disney depression! It's funny because we spent a week in Ocean City (god bless our beloved shore!) over Labor Day and while he had a great time there was no post trip depression like with Disney. I brought some paper plates home from our room at AoA and plan on using them when we need a little bit of a Disney pick me up!

And we all know there is only one cure!
Plan the next vacation.

 

[baseballmickey]

So...

What hints, advice etc. would you guys give to someone like me, who will be applying for the Moms Panel for the first time in 2014?

What would you tell yourself if you could tweet now and send it back to you in August before the applications began?

I think anyone who goes through the process and has it end prematurely thinks "What could I have done differently?" The further you get, the more opportunities there are for second-guessing yourself.

I've applied 3 times. Didn't make it past R1 the first time. Made it to R2 the past 2 years. I try to answer my essay questions as if they are going to be posted on the MP website. I think writing is one of my strengths, so either it's my video that is lacking, or perhaps what I share in my essays is not unique enough??

All I can do is keep applying. Next year I'll try to be more energetic in my video (I am a very laid-back person normally), and I'll try to make my essays stand out more. It's all I can do.

 

[Amy18]

Hi everyone!

In a better mood today. We started planning our 2013 DCL and WDW trips! It's a little tough, because this is the first year that we are trying to go during DS11's breaks, instead of taking him out of school. We are bouncing around a few options. Either 5 days at BC and 4 nights on the Dream in April. Or 8 days at BC in Feb/March and 7 nights on the Fantasy in the Fall. Or, DLC Fantasy in April, and 1 week next Christmas. UGH

Usually we just pick a date, usually a week AFTER the kids' breaks, and book it. Lower crowds, great weather, cheaper airfare. But, he's in Middle School now, so I don't think it's a good idea to take him out of school anymore.

BaseballMickey-
I totally agree with you! I know my essays were strong. I am confident in my writing, and what I chose to write. It's the video that I think was my weak point. I am also very laid back, so maybe I was just too low key in my video. I think I needed to speak up more too. So, lessons learned for next year. I have applied every year since the beginning. And every year my writing and knowledge improve greatly. So, maybe 7th time's the charm!

 

[shinysparklybubbles]

I would love to run at WDW though! I would need to train like crazy though. I don't know where to begin! I would love to set that as a goal for next Fall. I could use some advice!

If you are really out of shape (like me!) I recommend Jeff Galloway's conditioning plan. It's baby steps to running and couch 2 5k was too hard for me so I always gave up. I don't feel that way with the run walk run method.

 

[cruisecrasher]

Hi everyone!

In a better mood today. We started planning our 2013 DCL and WDW trips! It's a little tough, because this is the first year that we are trying to go during DS11's breaks, instead of taking him out of school. We are bouncing around a few options. Either 5 days at BC and 4 nights on the Dream in April. Or 8 days at BC in Feb/March and 7 nights on the Fantasy in the Fall. Or, DLC Fantasy in April, and 1 week next Christmas. UGH

Usually we just pick a date, usually a week AFTER the kids' breaks, and book it. Lower crowds, great weather, cheaper airfare. But, he's in Middle School now, so I don't think it's a good idea to take him out of school anymore.

BaseballMickey-
I totally agree with you! I know my essays were strong. I am confident in my writing, and what I chose to write. It's the video that I think was my weak point. I am also very laid back, so maybe I was just too low key in my video. I think I needed to speak up more too. So, lessons learned for next year. I have applied every year since the beginning. And every year my writing and knowledge improve greatly. So, maybe 7th time's the charm!

We haven't gotten there yet on having to worry about school schedules, but I can't believe it would be easy.

 

[baseballmickey]

Hi everyone!

In a better mood today. We started planning our 2013 DCL and WDW trips! It's a little tough, because this is the first year that we are trying to go during DS11's breaks, instead of taking him out of school. We are bouncing around a few options. Either 5 days at BC and 4 nights on the Dream in April. Or 8 days at BC in Feb/March and 7 nights on the Fantasy in the Fall. Or, DLC Fantasy in April, and 1 week next Christmas. UGH

Usually we just pick a date, usually a week AFTER the kids' breaks, and book it. Lower crowds, great weather, cheaper airfare. But, he's in Middle School now, so I don't think it's a good idea to take him out of school anymore.

DW's a teacher, so this is our annual dilemma. Of the choices you listed, I would lean toward the BC in Feb/March with the Fantasy in the fall. Our next cruise will hopefully be 2014, and I don't want to do less than 5 nights.

BaseballMickey-
I totally agree with you! I know my essays were strong. I am confident in my writing, and what I chose to write. It's the video that I think was my weak point. I am also very laid back, so maybe I was just too low key in my video. I think I needed to speak up more too. So, lessons learned for next year. I have applied every year since the beginning. And every year my writing and knowledge improve greatly. So, maybe 7th time's the charm!

I hope it's lucky #7 for you!! We'll never know how close we came to R3. Did it come down to a deliberation of some sort? or was it an immediate "no" and they moved on to others. We can drive ourselves crazy thinking about it.

After last year, I had a thought about recording this year's video while I was in WDW over the summer. If I end up back at WDW prior to the application for 2014, I'm definitely going to record one from the parks. The last 2 years the video has been a favorite parks memory. Worse case if they change the subject of the video is that I'd have to record it again.

 

[cbkamommy]

Hi everyone!

In a better mood today. We started planning our 2013 DCL and WDW trips! It's a little tough, because this is the first year that we are trying to go during DS11's breaks, instead of taking him out of school. We are bouncing around a few options. Either 5 days at BC and 4 nights on the Dream in April. Or 8 days at BC in Feb/March and 7 nights on the Fantasy in the Fall. Or, DLC Fantasy in April, and 1 week next Christmas. UGH

Usually we just pick a date, usually a week AFTER the kids' breaks, and book it. Lower crowds, great weather, cheaper airfare. But, he's in Middle School now, so I don't think it's a good idea to take him out of school anymore.

BaseballMickey-
I totally agree with you! I know my essays were strong. I am confident in my writing, and what I chose to write. It's the video that I think was my weak point. I am also very laid back, so maybe I was just too low key in my video. I think I needed to speak up more too. So, lessons learned for next year. I have applied every year since the beginning. And every year my writing and knowledge improve greatly. So, maybe 7th time's the charm!

We usually go on breaks but pull the kids out for a couple days before or after the break. Usually less busy. Check crowd trackers and see which of the times you are thinkjng of going are the least busy.

 

[cruisecrasher]

DW's a teacher, so this is our annual dilemma. Of the choices you listed, I would lean toward the BC in Feb/March with the Fantasy in the fall. Our next cruise will hopefully be 2014, and I don't want to do less than 5 nights.

I hope it's lucky #7 for you!! We'll never know how close we came to R3. Did it come down to a deliberation of some sort? or was it an immediate "no" and they moved on to others. We can drive ourselves crazy thinking about it.

After last year, I had a thought about recording this year's video while I was in WDW over the summer. If I end up back at WDW prior to the application for 2014, I'm definitely going to record one from the parks. The last 2 years the video has been a favorite parks memory. Worse case if they change the subject of the video is that I'd have to record it again.

Hmmm. What are the restrictions on the video?

 

[logpey]

We usually pull kids out of school, since daughter is in high school, it's harder to make-up! So this year will be out first year vacaying on actual Spring Break!

 

[RNMAMA]

DW's a teacher, so this is our annual dilemma. Of the choices you listed, I would lean toward the BC in Feb/March with the Fantasy in the fall. Our next cruise will hopefully be 2014, and I don't want to do less than 5 nights.

I hope it's lucky #7 for you!! We'll never know how close we came to R3. Did it come down to a deliberation of some sort? or was it an immediate "no" and they moved on to others. We can drive ourselves crazy thinking about it.

After last year, I had a thought about recording this year's video while I was in WDW over the summer. If I end up back at WDW prior to the application for 2014, I'm definitely going to record one from the parks. The last 2 years the video has been a favorite parks memory. Worse case if they change the subject of the video is that I'd have to record it again.

That's the problem of not knowing.... IF one were to make it to rd 2 again, do you do the same kind of thing with video/essays or something different? If you knew you were close one would tend to think doing something Similar would be a good idea or if you were an immediate "no!" You could do something completely different. It's so hard not to know.

Half time is over.... Back to the Packers!!!

 

[JennaDeeDooDah]

Hi everyone! Luckily we all seem to have survived the time change. I never really liked Daylight Savings time. Always takes me about a week to recover. Plus, with a toddler, I really don't get that extra hour of sleep. Seems no one ever informs her that we get that extra hour.


Today, DH and I woke up and decided that we wanted to take DD to the zoo. She was darn cute impersonating the elephants and lions. We went into the aquarium because she has always loved fish. While there, we saw green moray eels and my husband was commenting on how ugly they were. Then I mentioned how they freaked me out because they reminded me of Flotsam and Jetsam. That lead to an interesting discussion and I told him that we needed to ask you lovely ladies (and of course, the fabulous gentleman) as you are Disney experts.

I always thought that Flotsam and Jetsam were eels. DH, on the other hand always thought them to be barracudas. Who do you think is right? Now, keep in mind that if you agree with him, a part of my childhood will feel wrong. But don't let that skew your opinion

 

[Jump4Joy8390]

The last 2 years the video has been a favorite parks memory. Worse case if they change the subject of the video is that I'd have to record it again.

I think you'd be safe sticking to the same subject next year. It was the same for the last 3 years, and I think 2010 was the first year they asked applicants to submit videos.

That's the problem of not knowing.... IF one were to make it to rd 2 again, do you do the same kind of thing with video/essays or something different? If you knew you were close one would tend to think doing something Similar would be a good idea or if you were an immediate "no!" You could do something completely different. It's so hard not to know.

I think if it's something as general as your "favourite memory", there's no "right" or "wrong". We keep hearing that as long as you just "be yourself" and let your Disney passion shine through, you'll be fine! Either you have it or you don't, I guess...

 

[akasleepingbeauty]

I always thought that Flotsam and Jetsam were eels. DH, on the other hand always thought them to be barracudas. Who do you think is right? Now, keep in mind that if you agree with him, a part of my childhood will feel wrong. But don't let that skew your opinion[/QUOTE]

I have always thought of them as eels too. Checked online and multiple sources refer to them as eels so I think we are right

 

[missingFL]

Hi everyone!

In a better mood today. We started planning our 2013 DCL and WDW trips! It's a little tough, because this is the first year that we are trying to go during DS11's breaks, instead of taking him out of school. We are bouncing around a few options. Either 5 days at BC and 4 nights on the Dream in April. Or 8 days at BC in Feb/March and 7 nights on the Fantasy in the Fall. Or, DLC Fantasy in April, and 1 week next Christmas. UGH

Usually we just pick a date, usually a week AFTER the kids' breaks, and book it. Lower crowds, great weather, cheaper airfare. But, he's in Middle School now, so I don't think it's a good idea to take him out of school anymore.

I'm glad to see that you are back to thinking about your Disney plans. Our school discourages vacations during school time but we did take the big kids out last year (3rd and 4th grade at the time). This is my daughter's last year before middle school so I'm wondering if we should try for a trip this year. Personally I would do the Feb/March and Fall trips.

That's the problem of not knowing.... IF one were to make it to rd 2 again, do you do the same kind of thing with video/essays or something different? If you knew you were close one would tend to think doing something Similar would be a good idea or if you were an immediate "no!" You could do something completely different. It's so hard not to know.

Half time is over.... Back to the Packers!!!

I'm already thinking about what I'd so different next year. It is hard not to know but I tend to be my worst critic so I'll probably do something completely different.

Hi everyone! Luckily we all seem to have survived the time change. I never really liked Daylight Savings time. Always takes me about a week to recover. Plus, with a toddler, I really don't get that extra hour of sleep. Seems no one ever informs her that we get that extra hour.

Today, DH and I woke up and decided that we wanted to take DD to the zoo. She was darn cute impersonating the elephants and lions. We went into the aquarium because she has always loved fish. While there, we saw green moray eels and my husband was commenting on how ugly they were. Then I mentioned how they freaked me out because they reminded me of Flotsam and Jetsam. That lead to an interesting discussion and I told him that we needed to ask you lovely ladies (and of course, the fabulous gentleman) as you are Disney experts.

I always thought that Flotsam and Jetsam were eels. DH, on the other hand always thought them to be barracudas. Who do you think is right? Now, keep in mind that if you agree with him, a part of my childhood will feel wrong. But don't let that skew your opinion

Yeah I wish our 2 year old would have gotten the memo about getting an extra hour to sleep in.

I always thought that Flotsam and Jetsam were eels and according to Wikipedia they are green moray eels. So, you are right!

I just wanted to check in. We had Halloween trick-or-treating postponed until last night and my youngest who's 2 was . He got so much attention and loved getting candy.

 

[akasleepingbeauty]

Hi Everybody! I'm SO glad there is so much interest in the podcast!!! DH is working on getting the right software to actually record it and also what we need to do to get it on iTunes. Things have been busy the past couple of days since I've been feeling better and have felt the need to put the house back in order. LOL I WILL be emailing all of you who are interested by Monday about the details.

I was thinking about what we could call the podcast and here are a couple of ideas:

The Unofficial WDW Moms Panel Podcast

WDW Moms Panel Training Podcast

Of Mice and Moms - Your WDW Questions Answered Podcast

Any other ideas? I don't think we can use the word Disney in the name.

I like " Of Mice and Moms" but here are a couple of others just for fun

Mickey Mom-casts

Magical Mom-casts

Magical Answer Moms

Magical Answer Team

Pixie Dust Panel Podcast

Magical Moms Know Best

 

[akasleepingbeauty]

You beat me to the recommendation.

Quick (pre-coffee) notes on running: make sure you get the right shoes. The rest of the stuff is important (tech, or wicking materials are far superior to cotton), but bad shoes can hurt you, whereas a cotton shirt is just going to get heavy, nasty, and may chafe. Go to a running store - not a store that sells running shoes, but a store that specializes in running.

You may also want to check out anything written by John "the Penguin" Bingham. "No Need for Speed" and "The Courage to Start" are both good.

This is the exact advice I would have given John Bingham is my favorite inspirational running-related author. He helps anyone to see the potential in themselves and to find the essential courage to start.

It is also worth checking out the WISH (We're Inspired to Stay Healthy) team here on the DIS and FB. I joined the group back in 2005 and count many of its members as very close friends. Through more than a dozen runDisney events since then, I have been fortunate to run with, cheer for, and be cheered on by this awesome group. You'll find support, advice, and friendship among the group regardless of your racing experience.

 

[Tinkaroo]

Hi Everybody! I'm SO glad there is so much interest in the podcast!!! DH is working on getting the right software to actually record it and also what we need to do to get it on iTunes. Things have been busy the past couple of days since I've been feeling better and have felt the need to put the house back in order. LOL I WILL be emailing all of you who are interested by Monday about the details.

I was thinking about what we could call the podcast and here are a couple of ideas:

The Unofficial WDW Moms Panel Podcast

WDW Moms Panel Training Podcast

Of Mice and Moms - Your WDW Questions Answered Podcast

Any other ideas? I don't think we can use the word Disney in the name.

Marci - love your idea for a podcast! I know I too am addicted to Disney podcasts, and there always seem to be lots of questions out there. Good for you for moving forward!

If you need any help, I'd be willing to participate, too. Maybe you could have a few rotating spots at your virtual table, so there are different takes on some of the more common questions? I'm sure you've got lots of interest.

I LOVE the "Of Mice and Moms" name - so great!