Adventures of the "Moms" Panel

[mom-2-sophie-n-aiden]

Congratulations to Kim!! That is so exciting. I'm sure that you will do a great job!

I am getting more and more nervous for the training by the day! I'm obsessing about what to write in my bio and worried about what to say in my video. On the other hand, I am so excited about this opportunity and I can't wait to meet everyone in person! My flight arrives in Orlando before noon on Friday, so I hope to meet up with a few of the panelists before our first scheduled event!

By the way, can someone tell me how to get the Mom's panel logo thing in my signature?

 

[RatBoy]

I can't believe the 2009 training is coming so fast. Sounds like everyone is getting to know each other beforehand -- I think you'll find that to be a huge "plus" when you meet up live and can quickly get to know each other better.

One quick small item to share on my front (not nearly as big as all the other news flying around these days!! Yeah KIM!!!!)... I just got back from an Adventures by Disney press event at the Sheraton Hotel in downtown Chicago. A fairly small event, but I learned a lot about how fast ABD is growing and they highlighted the amazing trips they are adding in 2009. They also mentioned that they are including some "Signature" itineraries, which basically are "plushed" (their word) versions of the itineraries for their South Africa and the San Franscisco/Sierras trips -- higher class hotels, restaurants, spa treatments etc.! This may be old news to many, but I knew nothing about ABC before this evening.

Highlight for me (I'm SUCH a geek)... the personal chef for the evening was "Brian" from the Le Cellier cheddar cheese soup video! I'm sure he thinks I absolutely nutso, as I told him several times how cool it was to meet the famous chef from the video! And, of course, I got a photo of him (to be uploaded later! ).

Oh, and he supervised all of the sample foods that they offered at this event -- samples from all the new itinerary countries...YUMMO!!!

We got a nice ABD backpack as a souvenir, but, unfortunately, they didn't give out free sample trips.

-Bret

 

[DisneyJo]

I'm sure there has been talk of what to wear.

I went shopping today, do you know how hard it is to find summery clothes in England in November

I have fun news that Laura and Leanne are allowing me to share now:
Last week I was offered a position on the Moms Panel for 2009 but serving as the Disney Cruise Line Panelist. It's a new venture for the MP and DCL!!

That's fantastic, congratulations

By the way, can someone tell me how to get the Mom's panel logo thing in my signature?

You need to save it to photobucket or similar and then upload the img code. BTW I added my name in paint

We got a nice ABD backpack as a souvenir, but, unfortunately, they didn't give out free sample trips.

Sounds like you had a lot of fun, I read a TR by PuggyMom on ABD and it sounded fantastic

 

[johnmcnally]

Hi, I'm Jack&NickysMom, aka, Tanya from Northwestern New Jersey, and I'm delighted to have been selected for the 2009 Moms Panel. Apologies for lurking for so long, but I've been nursing a sick toddler back to health after a nasty illness. I'm excited to be part of this group (If you'll have me

I have 2 boys, 6 and 4, have been married for 8+ years and been a DVC member since '00. I've been going to Disney since I was in diapers w/my family and love taking my boys now.

 

[DVCsince02]

CONGRATULATIONS 2009 DISNEY MOMS PANEL!​

​

​

12 AND COUNTING!​

CANADA (1)
jojo14 - Jo

ENGLAND (1)
DisneyJo - Jo

UNITED STATES (10)
PartyOf5 - Connecticut - Diane
mom-2-sophie-n-aiden - Pennsylvania - Amber
Mindful Jodi - Massachusetts - Jodi
piratefreak - Illinois - Margaret
threedisneyboys - Louisiana - Jackie
KarenP99 - New Hampshire - Karen
beautygirlsmom - New Jersey -
dsiind - Indianapolis - Doug
Take Your Pick - Mississippi - Whitney
johnmcnally - New Jersey - Tanya

All, please correct any misinformation.

 

[Suey12]

Hi Moms Panel 2009!

It all sounds too exciting for words. I bet everyone reading your plans can just imagine themselves there too.

Don't forget to tell us all about it - everyone of you will have a different perspective. It's going to be amazing for you.

Enjoy!

 

[RatBoy]

A few more quick notes about the event last night, and then the photos!

First, it was interesting to see that several mommy bloggers from Darcie and Kim's trip were also at the event (they invited the ones from the Chicagoland area). This included Stephanie Precourt (adventuresinbabywearing), Dawn Aulet, Dawn Meehan, and Amy Mueller.

Here is Stephanie's most recent blog, with an event photo...
http://www.adventuresinbabywearing.com/

I was interested to find out that, Dawn is the "micro-famous" mom who sold her son's Pokemon cards on eBay for $142. If you don't know the story, see here...
http://www.sptimes.com/2007/08/28/Features/EBay_listing_a_bid_fo.shtml

Now she is a famous blogger, and is about to publish a book (she had a draft copy with her last night) -- and it all started from a simple eBay post. Simply amazing!!


Anyway, a quick summary of the event...

- About 20 attendees, including travel writers/editors, freelance writers, bloggers, travel agents, and myself
- Disney folks included several from Disney PR, two AbD guides, several executives from AbD, some Disney event coordinators, and chef Brian (previously at LeCellier, and now in charge of the restaurants at AKL)

Events:
- Cocktails
- 20 minute presentation and video by the folks from AbD
- Food samples from Italy, Africa, and California, plus lots of wine options
- Lots and lots of socializing

And now the photos...


Cocktail area, outside the meeting room:

Charles Stovall (Public Relations Manager -- he was also involved with the Toy Story Mania press event that Kara and I attended. He is the one who invited me to this event)

mommy bloggers Stephanie, Dawn Meehan and Dawn Aulet (the man in the background with the beer in hand is the chief editor of the Chicago Tribune travel section)

mommy bloggers Amy Mueller and Stephanie

Meeting room

Adventure guide for Italy, James. He also is a CM at WDW in the "off season"

chef Brian

Hope you don't mind me sharing all this here. I personally find it interesting just to see how Disney puts on a press event. Of course, the great food was nice too!!

-Bret

 

[RachelTori]

"Mind", Bret? No way! We are honored that you share all these wonderful experiences with us! Thank you!

 

[cdotla]

Bret - thanks for sharing! I too find it fascinating to hear about all of the PR events put on by Disney...who best to learn it from but the pros, right?

I loved hearing from Erin about the NY event too - that one was completely cool!

The other thing that continues to impress me about Disney is the ongoing relationships it continues to build with its Mom Panelists and Mommy Bloggers. Obviously the "PR" event is having its desired effect if people like you attend the event and then come back and tell all your friends and the Disney community about it. However, I think it goes beyond this. There seems to be such a genuine interest in nuturing the relationships that have developed with all of you.

Once again another example of how Disney just "gets it".

 

[Tiggsntx]

The other thing that continues to impress me about Disney is the ongoing relationships it continues to build with its Mom Panelists and Mommy Bloggers.

I know what you mean...I barely knew what blogging was until I found the blogs of Heather, Kim, and Darcie and I got hooked. Then, from their inspiration, I started my own and I have loved getting to "know" so many mommy bloggers out there (one of them being Stephanie, the one in Bret's pics with the purple baby sling). And it all started for me with the Moms Panel!

In case anyone is interested...my blog is www.scoopofreality.blogspot.com

Have a great day everyone!
Allison L

 

[DisneyJo]

Thanks Bret, that looked so much fun

 

[RatBoy]

I know what you mean...I barely knew what blogging was until I found the blogs of Heather, Kim, and Darcie and I got hooked. Then, from their inspiration, I started my own and I have loved getting to "know" so many mommy bloggers out there (one of them being Stephanie, the one in Bret's pics with the purple baby sling). And it all started for me with the Moms Panel!

In case anyone is interested...my blog is www.scoopofreality.blogspot.com

Have a great day everyone!
Allison L

That's a really nice story, Allison. Glad something in this process inspired you to create your own blog. I just checked it out and it's fab! The music is also a nice touch!

-Bret

 

[PartyOf5]

In case anyone is interested...my blog is www.scoopofreality.blogspot.com

Have a great day everyone!
Allison L

Oh my...I secretly follow that blog (found it through one of the Moms Panel bloggers I think)...didn't realize it was you! Hello!

 

[Tiggsntx]

That's a really nice story, Allison. Glad something in this process inspired you to create your own blog. I just checked it out and it's fab! The music is also a nice touch!

-Bret

Oh my...I secretly follow that blog (found it through one of the Moms Panel bloggers I think)...didn't realize it was you! Hello!

Thanks!!! Glad to know there are some of you out there checking it out...feel free to leave a comment anytime.

Bret--hopefully by some coincidence there was some Disney music playing when you visited! If not, maybe next time...lol

Have a great evening.
Allison L

 

[5fromabove]

Thanks for sharing, Bret! It looks like it was a wonderful experience

 

[PartyOf5]

FYI - Kara alerted us that there are 4 new videos are posted on the Moms Panel site:

- Heather R with packing ideas
- Kara with birthday celebrations
- Kara with viewing spots for Wishes
- Bret and son Peter with pin trading

Very nice!

 

[NicsMom1500]

Congrats to Kim! I can't wait to follow your journey in 2009!

Thanks. I'm truly excited for this new adventure!

Southwest rates are down. I'm considering flying down to meet the new panelists. December 5-9. Need a room at WDW...they seem to be all filled up!

--kim

 

[piratefreak]

Thanks. I'm truly excited for this new adventure!

Southwest rates are down. I'm considering flying down to meet the new panelists. December 5-9. Need a room at WDW...they seem to be all filled up!

--kim

Good luck scoring space. We would love to have you join us and share your year of experience with us. I think that is the same weekend as Mousefest so I am guessing rooms are a little ahrd to come by.

 

[ADisneyFamly]

Good luck scoring space. We would love to have you join us and share your year of experience with us. I think that is the same weekend as Mousefest so I am guessing rooms are a little ahrd to come by.

I think the rooms are hard to come by because of Pop Warner having their cheerleading and football competitions all that week and Mousefest land actually starts on Dec. 11. We had a hard time getting a room on the 10th and are staying off site that night and on site from the 11th - 16th.

 

[NicsMom1500]

Hi all.

My dear prince charming suggested that I fly to WDW to meet the new panelists after he found airfare at $54 each way. I asked Laura if I could attend a couple events without being a party-crasher. Then dear hubby tells me that he really needs to get away.

And so...I booked airfare for the both of us tonight! It'll be nice to meet our new MPs and to have a little time alone with Michael.

I booked a night at the Coronado for the 5th. And a night on the 7th. Hoping to find more availability so I can keep us there for the 6th and 8th too.

It'll be so much fun meeting everyone and watching the new panelists enjoy the limelight. While they practice their video bios, I'll be at the pool offering up a toast to my hubby for this getaway. Actually, I've told Laura that if she needs me to help in any way, that she can just wave her wand and I'll be there to help her or any of the new panelists!

See ya real soon!