Adventures of the "Moms" Panel

[I believe]

Hey folks: 'Just found a little blurb on "Mr. Moms Panelist" (Bret Caldwell, of course! ) in the May/June 2008 issue of the Stanford alumni magazine:

Click here for STANFORD Magazine announcement, "This Cheese Stands Alone."


This Cheese Stands Alone
Bret Caldwell, '88, has been chosen as one of 12 members of Mickey Mouse's newest club: the Walt Disney World Moms Panel. He and the 11 other parents on the panel answer questions of would-be Walt Disney World visitors in an online forum. Okay, Caldwell's a dad, but he's so knowledgeable about the ins and outs of Disney World that the company selected him to respond to queries such as: “Can you explain the Mickey Pirate and Princess Party?” “Is it worth it for us to take the dining plan?” and “How do I get to the Wide World of Sports from my hotel?” We figure it's only a matter of time before Disney stops mousing around and renames this forum the Parents Panel. Meanwhile, Caldwell works his magic at www.disneyworldmoms.com.

JOINING THE FAMILY:
Caldwell with M-I-C-K-E-Y.

Courtesy Coyne Public Relations

Very nice press, Brett. Thank you for posting this DISgeeks! It's really nice of you to spread the news you find with us!

That said, it's really awesome that Disney thought of us and created a special something for Disney lovers who applied for the Panel. And, the Mickey Moms Club package was beyond cool! I only wish that the Club could evolve into something that engages us between newsletters... I'm not sure if it's on the agenda, but it would be incredibly cool! Since it is the Year of a Million Dreams, I just thought I'd share one of mine!

I hope your dream comes true, DISgeeks!

....it would be so great for a bit more. I will keep my fingers crossed with yours!!
Suz

Me too!

 

[EEFOSTER]

Hi All,

I've been ODC on the Panel (as usual ). The questions keep pouring in and I just feel so bad if folks don't their needs addressed. I get such a mood boost when I answer a question and think that I've helped spread the Disney magic a bit.

Anyway, Donald Duck Dad Bret has given me a little kick in the pants to tell you about my weekend. I got to go to a great event in New York City that was part of the first ever World Science Festival called "The Science of Disney Imagineering." You can read a press release about it here:

http://wdwnews.com/ViewPressRelease.aspx?PressReleaseID=109951

My kids loved seeing all the cool demonstrations. My favorite was when they brought out this special sound-wave altering machine that made it sound like a child volunteer from the audience was speaking directly inside the heads of all 800 people in the audience. How do they come up with this stuff? The show was very inspirational to all the kids in the audience. They gave all the children parting gifts of little spiral notebooks so they could write down their ideas for new attractions. My girls were furiously scribbling in their notebooks before we had even left the auditorium.

After the show I went to a small media reception where I got to chat with several Imagineers about their work. It was a real privilege to meet some of the talented and dedicated people who make it all happen. But the best part was that I also got to see some of the amazing CMs that work with us on the Moms Panel. They were there coordinating press coverage for the Disney involvement in the Festival. My kids finally got to meet the gorgeous, magical, talented, charming, funny, and altogether wonderful Leanne who leads our merry band of Panelists (I think they thought I was making her up ) Here they are with her:

And even better, the special guest at the press event was none other than Mickey Mouse. I wonder if he has to go through a special line at airport security .

Hope you have a great day!

Erin

 

[PartyOf5]

Erin! Your girls are beautiful. How fun that they finally got to meet Leanne!

The event sounds amazing...maybe it inspired your girls to be future Disney Imaginneers!

Yes, it is apparant that the emails keep pouring in...I posted some stats the other day and it's incredible.

Have they've extended the stay for all the MOMs on the panel? (I believe end of June would be 6 months.) I'm assuming if there would be any newbies they would have started the process by now to allow for training, etc. Just curious for us hopefuls!

Thanks for checking in!!!

 

[I believe]

Hi All,

I've been ODC on the Panel (as usual ). The questions keep pouring in and I just feel so bad if folks don't their needs addressed. I get such a mood boost when I answer a question and think that I've helped spread the Disney magic a bit.

Anyway, Donald Duck Dad Bret has given me a little kick in the pants to tell you about my weekend. I got to go to a great event in New York City that was part of the first ever World Science Festival called "The Science of Disney Imagineering." You can read a press release about it here:

http://wdwnews.com/ViewPressRelease.aspx?PressReleaseID=109951

My kids loved seeing all the cool demonstrations. My favorite was when they brought out this special sound-wave altering machine that made it sound like a child volunteer from the audience was speaking directly inside the heads of all 800 people in the audience. How do they come up with this stuff? The show was very inspirational to all the kids in the audience. They gave all the children parting gifts of little spiral notebooks so they could write down their ideas for new attractions. My girls were furiously scribbling in their notebooks before we had even left the auditorium.

After the show I went to a small media reception where I got to chat with several Imagineers about their work. It was a real privilege to meet some of the talented and dedicated people who make it all happen. But the best part was that I also got to see some of the amazing CMs that work with us on the Moms Panel. They were there coordinating press coverage for the Disney involvement in the Festival. My kids finally got to meet the gorgeous, magical, talented, charming, funny, and altogether wonderful Leanne who leads our merry band of Panelists (I think they thought I was making her up ) Here they are with her:

And even better, the special guest at the press event was none other than Mickey Mouse. I wonder if he has to go through a special line at airport security .

Hope you have a great day!

Erin

Hi Erin, thanks so much for sharing your news with us! It sounds like the event was a lot of fun for you and your girls. It looks like your adorable girls were having a great time!

My youngest daughter Kaitlin will soon be leaving for the day. I wanted to stop by here to see if there was any new news before we leave. I am so glad it did! She was so excited to see Mickey on the screen with your girls. You made her day! When I told her that Mickey was in NYC she said, "How will the people at Disney World be able to see Mickey today?" She just couldn't wrap her mind around the fact he wasn't at Disney World. I told her not to worry he was on the next flight back home, so all is well. I wonder how he does security, too!

Thanks again for the update, Erin.

Have a great day everyone!

 

[BellaBuggy]

Erin,

Isn't the OCD in you upset that you wrote ODC?

 

[DISgeeksfromDC]

Very nice press, Brett. Thank you for posting this DISgeeks! It's really nice of you to spread the news you find with us!

You're welcome! It's my pleasure!

I hope your dream comes true, DISgeeks!

Here's hoping for a little pixie dust for all of us!

 

[DISgeeksfromDC]

Hi All,

I've been ODC on the Panel (as usual ). The questions keep pouring in and I just feel so bad if folks don't their needs addressed. I get such a mood boost when I answer a question and think that I've helped spread the Disney magic a bit.

Anyway, Donald Duck Dad Bret has given me a little kick in the pants to tell you about my weekend. I got to go to a great event in New York City that was part of the first ever World Science Festival called "The Science of Disney Imagineering." You can read a press release about it here:
http://wdwnews.com/ViewPressRelease.aspx?PressReleaseID=109951

My kids loved seeing all the cool demonstrations. My favorite was when they brought out this special sound-wave altering machine that made it sound like a child volunteer from the audience was speaking directly inside the heads of all 800 people in the audience. How do they come up with this stuff? The show was very inspirational to all the kids in the audience. They gave all the children parting gifts of little spiral notebooks so they could write down their ideas for new attractions. My girls were furiously scribbling in their notebooks before we had even left the auditorium.

After the show I went to a small media reception where I got to chat with several Imagineers about their work. It was a real privilege to meet some of the talented and dedicated people who make it all happen. But the best part was that I also got to see some of the amazing CMs that work with us on the Moms Panel. They were there coordinating press coverage for the Disney involvement in the Festival. My kids finally got to meet the gorgeous, magical, talented, charming, funny, and altogether wonderful Leanne who leads our merry band of Panelists (I think they thought I was making her up ) Here they are with her:

And even better, the special guest at the press event was none other than Mickey Mouse. I wonder if he has to go through a special line at airport security .

Hope you have a great day!

Erin

WOW! News and photos!! (It's like Christmas!!) (Thanks, Bret, for nudging Erin to post. 'Gotta "feed" the fan club, 'ya know! )

Erin, Your daughters are beautiful! (And the one in the lime green shirt looks just like you! She's practically a "mini me"!) I'm sure it wasn't intentional, but the lime green color scheme is a very appropriate choice for the DISboards! (DISers identify each other by wearing lime green and employing Lime Green Mickey Heads (LGMH) in the Parks...)

That event sounds super-cool! Who wouldn't want to spend some time with Disney's Imagineers?!? Did the adults walk away with any Disney swag, such as books about the art/process of Disney Imagineering? ('Just curious...)

It's great you got to see Leanne again and introduce her to your kids. From what we've heard, it sounds like the Disney Resort's PR "shop" stays pretty busy. I wonder how many events the group schedules per month?

Thanks again for your post, Erin!!

 

[DISgeeksfromDC]

Erin,

Isn't the OCD in you upset that you wrote ODC?

Whoops! (Well, I -- for one -- could always use a good editor! )

 

[EEFOSTER]

Erin,

Isn't the OCD in you upset that you wrote ODC?

Um, yeah, what I meant was Obsessively Disney Concentrated.

Hey, I was writing at 6:00 in the morning. What you want?

Thanks for the head's up Heather

Erin

 

[EEFOSTER]

And the one in the lime green shirt looks just like you! She's practically a "mini me"

She does look a lot like me, and even more so recently. Last week she cut off about 10 inches of hair to give to Pantene Pro V's Beautiful Lengths Program. They make wigs for the American Cancer Society. Her hair was out of control long, but she didn't want to cut it until it would still be long even after the donation. She was so nervous, but I'm really proud she went through with it.

Erin

 

[RatBoy]

Erin,

Isn't the OCD in you upset that you wrote ODC?

Precious. Just precious!!!

(We're laughing WITH you Erin, not AT you! )

 

[Dcanoli]

Do you know what is so amazing? You guys not only got the incredible opportunity of being on the Moms Panel, but you are also getting to go to some other Disney PR-related events.

That is just great!

What is really great is that for those of us not chosen for the Panel but who are on this thread you are still sharing a lot of your experiences with us.

It's really neat to hear about these events because, ordinarily, we would never know about them!!

Thank you guys for continuing to share you Disney-related PR events! We love hearing about them!

LUCKY DUCKS!! Great job Erin!

 

[dredick]

Well...I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but it was BOUND to happen!

I went to Sam's (of all places) on Tuesday after work (about 2 p.m. in BROAD DAYLIGHT), and when I came out and loaded my groceries and put down the hatch on my Element...guess what WASN'T THERE ANYMORE!

Yep, you guessed it! My Mickey Moms magnet! UGH! Not only was THAT sacred magnet GONE, but my First Baptist Weekday Preschool (where I work) magnet was gone too!

I mean--really, who would steal both of those magnets in the short time I was in Sam's? What would someone want with a First Baptist Preschool magnet?

I have asked EVERYONE, and none of my friends have them! (They've "stolen" my magnets before!)

Oh well....I'm praying it shows up somewhere! Because if I see MY magnets on another car...it AIN'T gonna be good!!!!

I'm just catching up w/this thread...didn't even know about it! Deb, I feel I know you from you pic posts. I just wanted to say sorry someone took your magnet! I found one on ebay!! Can you believe it!!

 

[DISgeeksfromDC]

Do you know what is so amazing? You guys not only got the incredible opportunity of being on the Moms Panel, but you are also getting to go to some other Disney PR-related events.

That is just great!

What is really great is that for those of us not chosen for the Panel but who are on this thread you are still sharing a lot of your experiences with us.

It's really neat to hear about these events because, ordinarily, we would never know about them!!

Thank you guys for continuing to share you Disney-related PR events! We love hearing about them!

LUCKY DUCKS!! Great job Erin!

Here! Here! (Thanks! )

It's also fun to catch a glimpse of the close relationships that have formed among the Panelists through your playful banter this morning on this Board -- at least I hope that's all it is!! (You folks are funny! )

Erin,

Isn't the OCD in you upset that you wrote ODC?

Um, yeah, what I meant was Obsessively Disney Concentrated.

Hey, I was writing at 6:00 in the morning. What you want?

Thanks for the head's up Heather

Erin

Precious. Just precious!!!

(We're laughing WITH you Erin, not AT you! )

 

[Dcanoli]

I'm just catching up w/this thread...didn't even know about it! Deb, I feel I know you from you pic posts. I just wanted to say sorry someone took your magnet! I found one on ebay!! Can you believe it!!

Thanks Deb! That's so nice of you to say....

Every time I go back to Sam's, I go to Lost and Found and ask them. I keep thinking SURELY SOMEONE will turn them back in!

I just can't help thinking positive!!

EBAY? Are you serious?

I guess someone could buy one, but it just wouldn't be the same...you'd have the magnet, but you still wouldn't be in the "club..." ...and I surely don't want to PAY for another one....

I just keep hoping the Disney "gods" will smile down on me and send me another! Oh well...one can always WISH, right?

Thanks again girl for the kind words!

 

[dredick]

Thanks Deb! That's so nice of you to say....

Every time I go back to Sam's, I go to Lost and Found and ask them. I keep thinking SURELY SOMEONE will turn them back in!

I just can't help thinking positive!!

EBAY? Are you serious?

I guess someone could buy one, but it just wouldn't be the same...you'd have the magnet, but you still wouldn't be in the "club..." ...and I surely don't want to PAY for another one....

I just keep hoping the Disney "gods" will smile down on me and send me another! Oh well...one can always WISH, right?

Thanks again girl for the kind words!

Maybe you can email disney and let them know? I wish they had done the window sticker instead, the ones that can't be removed! I could not believe i found one on ebay! I was searching for mickey picture frame magnet for my upcoming trip and the mom's club showed up! i think it was going for $7 plus shipping! i should have clicked the link to see where they were at!

 

[Dcanoli]

Maybe you can email disney and let them know? I wish they had done the window sticker instead, the ones that can't be removed! I could not believe i found one on ebay! I was searching for mickey picture frame magnet for my upcoming trip and the mom's club showed up! i think it was going for $7 plus shipping! i should have clicked the link to see where they were at!

I just looked it up under completed auctions. It sold for $.01 plus $7 shipping! In one vein, I'm glad they didn't get any money for it. Can you imagine selling this magnet? (You aren't the one that bought it are you? If so, I'm going to feel REALLY bad!)

Everyone, at least on this thread, was so THRILLED to have even received the package and to have been acknowledged by Disney. Most people weren't even going to put it on their car because of the threat of theft!

...and here is someone that got the package and decided to try and make a PROFIT off it!!

I think that person should definitely be taken OUT of the Mickey Moms club. Sort of defeats the whole purpose of being in the Club and trying to make the Moms Panel, don't you think?

JMHO...

 

[DISgeeksfromDC]

She does look a lot like me, and even more so recently. Last week she cut off about 10 inches of hair to give to Pantene Pro V's Beautiful Lengths Program. They make wigs for the American Cancer Society. Her hair was out of control long, but she didn't want to cut it until it would still be long even after the donation. She was so nervous, but I'm really proud she went through with it.

Erin

Wow, Erin. That's pretty special! (I'd be proud, too!)

How did she even know about the program?

 

[dredick]

I agree...if only there was a way to see who it was! Did you see the name, maybe they use the same name here? How do you look up sold items? I didn't know you could do that! Oh, and it wasn't me! LOL! I loved getting my stuff from disney! I even wash my mousepad to make sure it looks new!

 

[DISgeeksfromDC]

I just looked it up under completed auctions. It sold for $.01 plus $7 shipping! In one vein, I'm glad they didn't get any money for it. Can you imagine selling this magnet? (You aren't the one that bought it are you? If so, I'm going to feel REALLY bad!)

Everyone, at least on this thread, was so THRILLED to have even received the package and to have been acknowledged by Disney. Most people weren't even going to put it on their car because of the threat of theft!

...and here is someone that got the package and decided to try and make a PROFIT off it!!

I think that person should definitely be taken OUT of the Mickey Moms club. Sort of defeats the whole purpose of being in the Club and trying to make the Moms Panel, don't you think?

JMHO...

Oooh! Glad you checked, 'cuz I was prepping to do so myself. (I have an overdeveloped sense of curiosity... )

And, I totally hear ya! (We can always hope that it was a desperate act from someone who really needs the money?!? ... Although I seriously doubt it, since there wasn't much profit to be had. As one of my high school history teachers used to say, "Desperate people do desperate things..." )