Adventures of the "Moms" Panel

[DISgeeksfromDC]

Hey there,

Bounceback is what you call the popping-out-of-stroller behavior young children display whenever they see something exciting at Disney. (Basically occurs whenever you put them in there without fastening the “holding in”, I mean, safety belt.)

Ohhhhhh! So that's what you call it!

 

[I believe]

Hey guys, I keep reading about this bounce back thing. What is it?

Hi 5/4Disney-

In February, here is what we were offered for a "bounceback" vacation.

Bounceback dates that may have had rooms available were:
1/6/08-2/2/08
2/24/08-3/1/08
3/30/08-4/12/08
8/10/08-9/27/08

Deluxe Villas
If available save 40% off the regular price for stays most Sunday through Thursday nights but only for 2/24/08-2/28/08 or 3/30/08-4/12/08. It did mention to ask about other dates.

Deluxe Resorts
If available save 30% off the regular price for stays most nights for standard deluxe rooms during the bounceback dates listed above

Moderate Resorts
If available save 30% off the regular price for stays most nights for standard moderate rooms during the bounceback dates listed above.

Hopefully you will find this promotion in your room when you visit in September!

 

[I believe]

We're already on our second thread, and we're about to reach the 250-page limit.

That thread grows so quickly, its like lightning! I gave up trying to remain current overthere.

 

[5/4Disney]

Ohhhhhh! So that's what you call it!

This is rather funny
But I call those sorts of things STRESS!!!!! Last year at the MK our son (2 at the time) kept jumping out of his stroller to chase the stupid birds. I would turn my head to look around and he would be out of the thing.

I have a great bounceback moment, our DD 6 went all day without a nap and fell asleep the instant she hit the pillow. I guess your saying that's nice... Well 10 min. later she woke up needing to use to the restroom. DH lifted her out of the bed and she headed toward the bathroom. Being the mom of three little ones I still sleep with one eye open and I was soooooo glad I did that night. Through my eyelids I could see the light come on and I heard a door shut. All of the sudden something clicked and I told my DH I think she left the room!!!!! We both hit the floor running and sure enough Clare was out in the hall looking for the "potty". We learned two things from this bounceback moment:
1. ALWAYS latch the hotel room door
2. Clare sleepwalks

 

[5/4Disney]

Hi 5/4Disney-

In February, here is what we were offered for a "bounceback" vacation.

Bounceback dates that may have had rooms available were:
1/6/08-2/2/08
2/24/08-3/1/08
3/30/08-4/12/08
8/10/08-9/27/08

Deluxe Villas
If available save 40% off the regular price for stays most Sunday through Thursday nights but only for 2/24/08-2/28/08 or 3/30/08-4/12/08. It did mention to ask about other dates.

Deluxe Resorts
If available save 30% off the regular price for stays most nights for standard deluxe rooms during the bounceback dates listed above

Moderate Resorts
If available save 30% off the regular price for stays most nights for standard moderate rooms during the bounceback dates listed above.

Hopefully you will find this promotion in your room when you visit in September!

Thanks, I figured it was something of the sort.
Maybe we will have it. We don't really need to go back again, but we don't always do what we need to.

 

[DISgeeksfromDC]

Incidentally, I just got my hands on the latest (April 15, 2008) issue of Woman's Day. Unfortunately, there's no article dedicated entirely to the Disney Moms Panel. Instead, the magazine includes an article entitled, "Theme Parks on a Budget," which quotes Mary Waring (MouseSavers.com), Bob Sehlinger (The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World 2008) and our very own Heather Roberts-Nault (without ever citing the Moms Panel ).

The article references several theme parks, including Disney. One section of the article ("favorite parks for less") invites moms, such as Heather, to provide "dollar-stretching tips for three of the country's most popular parks": Walt Disney World (Orlando FL), Cedar Point (Sandusky, OH), and Universal Hollywood (Universal City, CA).

'Looks like the online version of Woman's Day includes the article in its entirety:

Woman's Day Article: "Theme Parks on a Budget," by Arricca Elin SanSone**

**Frivolous Side Note: That has to be the most unique variation of the name "Erica" I've ever seen...

 

[DISgeeksfromDC]

That thread grows so quickly, its like lightning! I gave up trying to remain current overthere.

No kidding! I find it very entertaining, though!

It's particularly crazy on the nights when someone hosts a "special event" (such as the DIScademy Awards, the Great DISbate or catotigger's Imaginary-CMO Proclamations)...

 

[DISgeeksfromDC]

This is rather funny
But I call those sorts of things STRESS!!!!! Last year at the MK our son (2 at the time) kept jumping out of his stroller to chase the stupid birds. I would turn my head to look around and he would be out of the thing.

I hear ya! Our DS2 stood up a few times in his stroller, and it tipped backwards, carrying the poor little guy with it. Unfortunately, he clunked his head on the sidewalk... Scary! Now that's an entirely different kind of "bounceback"!

I have a great bounceback moment, our DD 6 went all day without a nap and fell asleep the instant she hit the pillow. I guess your saying that's nice... Well 10 min. later she woke up needing to use to the restroom. DH lifted her out of the bed and she headed toward the bathroom. Being the mom of three little ones I still sleep with one eye open and I was soooooo glad I did that night. Through my eyelids I could see the light come on and I heard a door shut. All of the sudden something clicked and I told my DH I think she left the room!!!!! We both hit the floor running and sure enough Clare was out in the hall looking for the "potty". We learned two things from this bounceback moment:
1. ALWAYS latch the hotel room door
2. Clare sleepwalks

Yikes! 'Glad the story ended well!

 

[dollhouse]

Okay, I am going to ask a very stupid question...(didn't you ever hear..."There is no such thing as a stupid question."..this may be though!)

What is this 40% code that everyone is talking about. Did I miss something?

No Disney package here either!


Leslie

 

[WishesQueen]

Some people are receiving card or email with a 40% discount (for certain dates). Some are calling and finding out that a code (40%) is attached to their name.

 

[amyhughes]

Incidentally, I just got my hands on the latest (April 15, 2008) issue of Woman's Day. Unfortunately, there's no article dedicated entirely to the Disney Moms Panel. Instead, the magazine includes an article entitled, "Theme Parks on a Budget," which quotes Mary Waring (MouseSavers.com), Bob Sehlinger (The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World 2008) and our very own Heather Roberts-Nault (without ever citing the Moms Panel ).

The article references several theme parks, including Disney. One section of the article ("favorite parks for less") invites moms, such as Heather, to provide "dollar-stretching tips for three of the country's most popular parks": Walt Disney World (Orlando FL), Cedar Point (Sandusky, OH), and Universal Hollywood (Universal City, CA).

'Looks like the online version of Woman's Day includes the article in its entirety:

Woman's Day Article: "Theme Parks on a Budget," by Arricca Elin SanSone**

**Frivolous Side Note: That has to be the most unique variation of the name "Erica" I've ever seen...

The panel is by Disney. I mean is Disney really going to tell you every trick to avoid spending money in the parks?

With this last stroller increase having everyone in arms and the way the economy is going I look for every way possible personally! The latest one I have found is staying at the Swan and Dolphin. Granted you can't do a package, but you can sometimes with a AAA card get up to 50% off! No code needed! You still get Disney transportation, can get tickets, and you are technically on property and very close. So, that's where we are staying next time we are down there.

 

[PartyOf5]

The panel is by Disney. I mean is Disney really going to tell you every trick to avoid spending money in the parks?

With this last stroller increase having everyone in arms and the way the economy is going I look for every way possible personally! The latest one I have found is staying at the Swan and Dolphin. Granted you can't do a package, but you can sometimes with a AAA card get up to 50% off! No code needed! You still get Disney transportation, can get tickets, and you are technically on property and very close. So, that's where we are staying next time we are down there.

We stayed at the Dolphin a couple years ago and had a great time. You are really in the heart of the Epcot area and you'd really never know you weren't in Disney. Well there was a couple of exceptions (for the positive). 1) I don't know about you guys but for our family it seems the check in process always takes a minimum of 30 minutes (and on a few occassions, 90 minutes - bad luck I guess). When checking into the Dolphin, I think they were done in 3 minutes flat! I couldn't believe it! 2) The other bonus was they brought a roll away bed into our room (we have 3 children) and I thought that was a great option vs. having to get a second room.

We went in early December and the lobby was decorated beautifully. They also had gingerbread cookie workshops where the kids could decorate their own gingerbread cookies, etc.

 

[DISgeeksfromDC]

The panel is by Disney. I mean is Disney really going to tell you every trick to avoid spending money in the parks?

Point well taken! I guess I was just anticipating -- or hoping for -- an entire "blurb" dedicated to enthusiastically praising the Disney Moms Panel! The money-saving article -- although timely, helpful and appropriate for the audience -- wasn't what I was expecting to find!

(As a Moms Panel "groupie," I was hoping for a bit of Moms Panel "love"! )

 

[RatBoy]

The panel is by Disney. I mean is Disney really going to tell you every trick to avoid spending money in the parks?

I know you might have been writing a bit "tongue in cheek", but just want to add a comment here in case there's confusion still...

Disney set up the MP site, and it is their property, but the panelists are not Disney employees. We are independent contractors, and are free to offer any advice we want. In fact Disney is not editting or changing anything we write (except possibly if we had a typo - and not necessarily even then ). I personally think it is a very new concept for Disney, and I applaud them for the attempt (hopefully a succesful one! )

In the case of this article, they put us in contact with the Woman's Day writer, but had no control over what we said to her, nor what she published. I know I provided her with at least a page of tips on how to save money in the parks (and I think all the other Moms did the same, as well).

Perhaps in this case the writer just decided that it was better to mention MouseSavers than the Moms Panel. Too bad, but you "win some and you lose some." KWIM? It's all good.

 

[Mcmillanmom]

I know you might have been writing a bit "tongue in cheek", but just want to add a comment here in case there's confusion still...

Disney set up the MP site, and it is their property, but the panelists are not Disney employees. We are independent contractors, and are free to offer any advice we want. In fact Disney is not editting or changing anything we write (except possibly if we had a typo - and not necessarily even then ). I personally think it is a very new concept for Disney, and I applaud them for the attempt (hopefully a succesful one! )

In the case of this article, they put us in contact with the Woman's Day writer, but had no control over what we said to her, nor what she published. I know I provided her with at least a page of tips on how to save money in the parks (and I think all the other Moms did the same, as well).

Perhaps in this case the writer just decided that it was better to mention MouseSavers than the Moms Panel. Too bad, but you "win some and you lose some." KWIM? It's all good.

Yes, Ratboy is correct. The Moms are interviewed often by the press and Disney nor the Moms have control over the end results. Which is good in a free society

It's actually interesting to see the end results of our interviews. It's amazing to see the final articles and what spins off of them afterward. I have a new found respect for Ms. Britney Spears.

 

[NicsMom1500]

Yes, it's true. I offered many cost-saving tips to the writer but they didn't make it in the publication. It's been interesting to see in our interviews, especially those we do over the phone, how our words can be misconstrued. (It's just like Bret and Laura said!)

And as independent contractors, we were told at training that we can offer any advice that we like. If we like an off-property hotel, we can say so. The content of our answers is not changed. Believe me...we ALL clarified that info!!

Well, lets hope the Moms Panel gets some more love soon. It's possible our 15 minutes of fame is dwindling...

back to answering questions, laundry, answering questions, cooking, answering questions, laundry...well you get the idea!

Hugs to all!

 

[5/4Disney]

Okay guys this hits home.... I love the psychology behind the media and trying to figure out why they write certain things. This brings me PURE JOY. You know there is a problem with the media when Britney Spears becomes "Breaking News"

If anyone wants and interesting book to read try reading BIAS, A CBS Insider Exposes how the Media Distorts the News by Bernard Goldberg. I won't comment about the book but if an article about Disney published in a woman's magazine bothers you than you will enjoy this book. You will never look at the "news" the same way again.
Julie

 

[5/4Disney]

Yes, it's true. I offered many cost-saving tips to the writer but they didn't make it in the publication. It's been interesting to see in our interviews, especially those we do over the phone, how our words can be misconstrued. (It's just like Bret and Laura said!)

And as independent contractors, we were told at training that we can offer any advice that we like. If we like an off-property hotel, we can say so. The content of our answers is not changed. Believe me...we ALL clarified that info!!

Well, lets hope the Moms Panel gets some more love soon. It's possible our 15 minutes of fame is dwindling...

back to answering questions, laundry, answering questions, cooking, answering questions, laundry...well you get the idea!

Hugs to all!

Kim, how is your running going, I am participating in the challenge also. Do you know about the podcast you can download? It's really good and the music helps with the run. Just about through week 2.
Julie

 

[DISgeeksfromDC]

Wow! Today is a red-banner day!

... Three consecutive posts from three different Moms Panelists. I mean, how cool is that?!?

Seriously, though: Thank you Bret, Laura and Kim for checking in and for clarifying how the Panelists handle their media interviews! 'Good to hear from you!

 

[PartyOf5]

I am participating in the challenge also. Do you know about the podcast you can download? It's really good and the music helps with the run. Just about through week 2.
Julie

Hi Julie, I'd like to know more about this...thanks!

Diane