Adventures of the "Moms" Panel

[DVCsince02]

Jennifer- congrats on the "Boy".

Thank you!! I really love the fact the he is a true WDW souvenir.

 

[DISgeeksfromDC]

I think many of us would LOVE to help train the next crew or work on the selection process, or sell popcorn at the Magic Kingdom, anything really...

I hear ya...

And with that EE5K thing ... can I just say I am TERRIFIED about this. I was NEVER an athelete. I am the ultimate school newspaper, drama club, yearbook committee kinda gal. I was never into sports or exercise at all. But everyone on the Panel was so enthusiastic about the race, that I couldn't say no. I've been training for about 2 months so far. And I'm proud to say that earlier this week I ran 2.5 consecutive miles for the first time in my life. I think in another 2 weeks I'll be able to do a full 3 miles. Then, I'm going to get off the treadmill and take the running outside for the summer so that I'll be OK in the FL heat. So, in addition to the great life experience, cool trips to Disney, and meeting so many fabulous people online and off, I can add an improvement in my health to the list of benefits of being on the Moms Panel!

If it's any consolation, I can relate: I was never an athlete, either. I am the literary magazine, French club, AP/honors classes, church youth group 'kinda gal.

Meanwhile, back in the day, my dad earned a track scholarship to Indiana University (IU). While he's proud of his kids, I suspect he was a bit flabbergasted to wind up with two unathletic daughters.

Anyway, I didn't start regularly exercising until after I got married, and I just recently started participating in races. It has been a fun – and fitting! – way to bond with my dad. I think you’ll find that – once the race starts – you’ll have a tremendous adrenaline rush! As for the heat… Here’s hoping it’s bearable at night!

 

[Mcmillanmom]

I like this part the best. Very nice press, Laura!

Thank you so much! I have been so busy with life(first communion, receitals, graduations, the Moms Panel) that I haven't been on the boards. So glad you guys are still hanging in with us!

Laura

 

[I believe]

You are very welcome. Congratulations on your extension! I am really happy for you.

P.S. I love your daughter's name!

 

[Mcmillanmom]

You are very welcome. Congratulations on your extension! I am really happy for you.

P.S. I love your daughter's name!

You know I'm a Disney fan through and through. After 30 hours and quite a large baby the regular way, I had the strength to say, "Ariel. . ."

I think I passed out after that.

 

[I believe]

You know I'm a Disney fan through and through. After 30 hours and quite a large baby the regular way, I had the strength to say, "Ariel. . ."

I think I passed out after that.

Finishing whatever needs to be done is what good moms do. Great Disney Moms somehow manage to squeeze in the precious Disney princess name. I love it!

TTFN, gotta get back to work. Have a great day!!

 

[cdotla]

Congrats to all the Panelists on the extension. I can't believe it has been a year already!

Given that the website didn't even get up and running until, wasn't it January, I am not surprised. You should have at least a full year to soak it all up!

I agree...whatever new participants will be picked, they will have some big shoes to fill. But nothing can match the honor of being on the 1st panel!

As for all the Moms doing the EE5k....I hope I have an encouraging personal story. I "trained" - not really hard, and certainly not consistently - for 2 months leading up to the Minnie Marathon 5k in May 08. I had never run before and had not had anything whatsoever to do with exercise in about 6 years - well before I had my 2 kids.

Coming into the day of the race on May 3, I had been busy at work and hadn't even ran in about 2-3 weeks! It was my 1st ever race and I had also never run outside before as all of my training had been indoors on a treadmill. And it was very hot and humid that morning.

Know what? I made out fine. I ran the entire 5k without stopping once, even for a water break. I had never ran that far before, even on the treadmill. I clocked in around 32 mins...again, far better than I had done on my "training".

The excitement of the start and seeing all the people there was so motivating and exciting. It really carries you along.

And to get that medal put around your neck at the end - well there is nothing like it!

Now I am completely addicted. These events just give another excuse to go to WDW! I am just about to start training for the Princess Marathon next year. And all this talk about the Moms doing the EE has me thinking...gee...maybe I should do that too...afterall I *have* a SP that I don't want to let go to waste!

 

[EEFOSTER]

As for all the Moms doing the EE5k....I hope I have an encouraging personal story. I "trained" - not really hard, and certainly not consistently - for 2 months leading up to the Minnie Marathon 5k in May 08. I had never run before and had not had anything whatsoever to do with exercise in about 6 years - well before I had my 2 kids.

Coming into the day of the race on May 3, I had been busy at work and hadn't even ran in about 2-3 weeks! It was my 1st ever race and I had also never run outside before as all of my training had been indoors on a treadmill. And it was very hot and humid that morning.

Know what? I made out fine. I ran the entire 5k without stopping once, even for a water break. I had never ran that far before, even on the treadmill. I clocked in around 32 mins...again, far better than I had done on my "training".

The excitement of the start and seeing all the people there was so motivating and exciting. It really carries you along.

And to get that medal put around your neck at the end - well there is nothing like it!

Wow! That really is an encouraging personal story. I really appreciate you sharing it. Maybe I won't actually fall on my face and pass out in front of the Yak & Yeti.

You should definitely come and run the race with us! You could just keeping yelling at me, "one more step until the Mickey ice cream, one more step ..."

Erin

 

[5/4Disney]

Congrats to all the Panelists on the extension. I can't believe it has been a year already!

Given that the website didn't even get up and running until, wasn't it January, I am not surprised. You should have at least a full year to soak it all up!

I agree...whatever new participants will be picked, they will have some big shoes to fill. But nothing can match the honor of being on the 1st panel!

As for all the Moms doing the EE5k....I hope I have an encouraging personal story. I "trained" - not really hard, and certainly not consistently - for 2 months leading up to the Minnie Marathon 5k in May 08. I had never run before and had not had anything whatsoever to do with exercise in about 6 years - well before I had my 2 kids.

Coming into the day of the race on May 3, I had been busy at work and hadn't even ran in about 2-3 weeks! It was my 1st ever race and I had also never run outside before as all of my training had been indoors on a treadmill. And it was very hot and humid that morning.

Know what? I made out fine. I ran the entire 5k without stopping once, even for a water break. I had never ran that far before, even on the treadmill. I clocked in around 32 mins...again, far better than I had done on my "training".

The excitement of the start and seeing all the people there was so motivating and exciting. It really carries you along.

And to get that medal put around your neck at the end - well there is nothing like it!

Now I am completely addicted. These events just give another excuse to go to WDW! I am just about to start training for the Princess Marathon next year. And all this talk about the Moms doing the EE has me thinking...gee...maybe I should do that too...afterall I *have* a SP that I don't want to let go to waste!

Now this is what I'm hoping for! Since school let out and my DD has started DECATS I have not had time to run SCARY! Camp will be over on the 28th and then I will hit the pavement more consistently.

Laura, was it Ariel who received her first communion? If so tell her congrats. My oldest did this last year and it made her soooo.. happy. In fact, her Mass was at 10am and she then asked to go back to 4:30 Mass so that she could receive communion again (this time for real, as she put it.)

 

[mom2_2girlz]

Welcome back, Marleen! (If I recall correctly, you're from the Hampton Roads area, right?) I grew up in Virginia Beach, and my folks still live there. ("it's a small world...")

Yes...I'm from Chesapeake...so very close to Virginia Beach...what I wouldn't give to be at the beach right now with our heat wave

Marleen

 

[I believe]

Kristen,

Let me know how your "thingy" works. My kids gave me a nano for Mother's Day (so I can train for the EEC) and I have yet to get a "thingy" for the car. Hey..... the DH has an Iphone, maybe.... he could get a "thingy for Father's Day Double Whammy.

I am happy to report that the "thingy" works beautifully. The thingy costs about 18 dollars. You plug the end of the thingy into your iPod headphone jack and then place the "thingy" in the tape player. The iPod is not controlled by your stereo, you control the iPod with the buttons on the iPod.

Just in case this is the first time you have ever downloaded podcasts, I can say that if you have an iPod shuffle it matters whether or not you have the little slider set to "shuffle" or "loop". The iPod wouldn't play the podcasts until I tried moving the slider toward "loop".

Buying it was kind of funny. I went to find the thingy first and asked for help with locating it in the store. The employee somehow knew exactly what I needed and showed me where they were in the store. Then I asked him to help me pick out an iPod. He showed me where the iPods were and told me about them. He actually said, "You mean you have never had any kind of a mp3 player, ever?" I guess this is uncommon.

I listened to my first two podcasts today between my morning and evening commutes. The podcasts were both WDW Today ones. They were great! I was even able to hear both Brett and Laura's phone calls in to the show. That was a treat! Great job!

P.S. Laura, I hope you have a great time dining at Victoria and Albert's! (Although you already know you will! ) Please do let us know which suit your husband ends up wearing to your Happy Anniversary dinner. I did this once about 11 or 12 years ago and it was certainly a night to always remember!

 

[pl'smama]

Congrats to all the Moms Panelists and Brett! What an awesome treat to have it extended for another six months. It only makes sense what with all the time and money put into the whole thing in the first place. You should all be proud of the mark you are making in Disney history.

May I ask, with the new trip you will now be awarded, what are/were the prizes you received all together?

Also, did I see it mentioned that they will, for sure, be having another contest for next year to re-populate the panel? Are those who made it to the semis the first go round to be fast tracked?

Thanks for your time and keep up the great work!

Suz

 

[pl'smama]

Can anyone share with me where the information was about the new Moms Panel contest for 2009 please? I have been scouring the Disney sites trying to find any information, but can find nothing.

Thanks for your help, Suz

 

[DISgeeksfromDC]

Can anyone share with me where the information was about the new Moms Panel contest for 2009 please? I have been scouring the Disney sites trying to find any information, but can find nothing.

Thanks for your help, Suz

Hi! There was a very brief mention at the end of a recent Q&A with Moms Panelist Laura Spencer. (The article was featured in the latest edition of Disney Destinations e-magazine Walt Disney World "Hello!".)


"You could be on the next Disney Mom's Panel!
The search for the 2009 Mom's Panel launches in late summer. Log on here to keep up with the 2009 search details."

To access the original article, you have to be registered and able to log onto the the Disney web site.

Link to "A Guest's Best Friend is a Mom" article.

I hope this helps!

Edited to Add: There's also a cut-and-pasted copy of the full text on page #74 (post #1105) of this thread.

 

[I believe]

Hi pl'smama,

This is the landing URL from Disney's June Hello newsletter that DISgeeks first noticed. Once there you log in and it should take you to the Q and A session with Laura.

Basically Disney is launching a new search in the late summer!! I can't wait!!

 

[I believe]

Hi! There was a very brief mention at the end of a recent Q&A with Moms Panelist Laura Spencer. (The article was featured in the latest edition of Disney Destinations e-magazine Walt Disney World "Hello!".)


"You could be on the next Disney Mom's Panel!
The search for the 2009 Mom's Panel launches in late summer. Log on here to keep up with the 2009 search details."

To access the piece, you have to be registered and able to log onto the the Disney web site.

Link to "A Guest's Best Friend is a Mom" article.

I hope this helps!

You type so fast!

 

[Twende]

Hello all! Congratulations on the extensions! That is so exciting!

Keep up the good work!

 

[DISgeeksfromDC]

You type so fast!

Oh! That's funny that we both responded in such quick succession!

I listened to my first two podcasts today between my morning and evening commutes. The podcasts were both WDW Today ones. They were great! I was even able to hear both Brett and Laura's phone calls in to the show. That was a treat! Great job!

Ding! Ding! Ding! 'Looks like she's got it! (Nicely done, Kristen! )

For anyone who's interested in hearing Laura's and Brett's phone-ins, they participated in the most recent WDW Today Live Show [Episode 420 (Live 23)].

 

[DISgeeksfromDC]

Yes...I'm from Chesapeake...so very close to Virginia Beach...what I wouldn't give to be at the beach right now with our heat wave

Marleen

Yeah, it has been pretty brutal here [in the DC area], too! It actually rained Tuesday night, which made Wednesday a bit more bearable. It still got pretty hot during the day, though.

Hang in there!!

 

[Mcmillanmom]

Now this is what I'm hoping for! Since school let out and my DD has started DECATS I have not had time to run SCARY! Camp will be over on the 28th and then I will hit the pavement more consistently.

Laura, was it Ariel who received her first communion? If so tell her congrats. My oldest did this last year and it made her soooo.. happy. In fact, her Mass was at 10am and she then asked to go back to 4:30 Mass so that she could receive communion again (this time for real, as she put it.)

Not the same reaction from my Princess. It was all about the dress and the lunch afterwards. I am a vegetarian, so she loves any excuse to go out and have a hamburger!

L