I am originally from Rices Landing (which is so small you may never have heard of it!
In Greene County, about 30 minutes from Washington. I went to Jefferson-Morgan for most of my 'career', but moved before graduation) If there is anyplace in Washington for you to find it, I believe there will be an article about the panel in the Greene County Messenger coming out...tomorrow?
Heather - great article!!
Here's that article of which Heather R. (BellaBuggy) spoke:
Greene County Messenger: "Greene County native enjoys dream job at Disney World"
Greene County native enjoys dream job at Disney World
By Tara Kinsell
10/17/2008
Updated 10/16/2008 06:21:38 PM EDT
If you are planning a trip to Disney World in the near future and have questions - such as, what are the best rides for a five-year-old, what is new at the different parks, where are the best places to stay or what should a family pack - there is a former Greene County native who has the answers.
Heather Roberts-Nault grew up in the Rices Landing area. She moved to Kentucky in 1994 at the start of her high school senior year due to a job transfer for her father. Her parents, Dennis and Barbara Roberts, are graduates of Waynesburg and Jefferson-Morgan high schools, respectively.
Heather's connection to Disney started a year ago when she responded to a contest for a new panel that would be comprised of mothers. The Disney Mom's Panel selection began with 10,000 applicants who submitted answers to three essay-type questions about the park.
Heather's entry made the cut from those 10,000 down to 126.
"When they called to tell me that I had made it that far I was stunned," she said. "The next part was another set of essay questions and a phone interview. Three people from Disney read all 10,000 of the applications. After three more essay questions and the phone interview, they cut it down to 24 people."
According to Heather, the wait to find out if she had made the panel was a nerve-wracking one. She said she knew what day they would be calling and she and her three daughters Annie, 5, Catie, 3 and Lilly, 1, waited anxiously by the phone.
"I was shushing them when the call came but I must have squealed a little when they told me on the phone. The kids went crazy in the background," she said. "My husband, Chris, wasn't around to help me corral them at the time."
From the moment that Heather found out that she was a member of the Disney Mom's Panel, her life has become a whirlwind of treasures.
"Our responsibility is to answer questions that are submitted to the [Disney] Web site that can be part of the general pool or asked to us specifically if they think we fit the question," she said. "Maybe someone has a question that pertains to little kids and since I have young children I might know the answer."
Heather said that there are a certain number of questions that panelists must answer each week but that the panel members have surpassed their yearly requirement already.
Although the contest to become a panel member was merit-based, Heather said it is hard to not feel like she won the lottery.
"I know there are others who have a far greater knowledge of the park than I do," she said.
She laughed when asked if she had a writing background, but admitted that she had written for a couple of newspapers over the years. She is currently very happy and content being a stay-at-home mom. It was in college at the University of Kentucky that she met Chris while pursuing her undergraduate degree in English.
"Being a mom was really what I always wanted to do with my life," she said.
Her fellow panelists hail from as far away as Canada and the group have done such a tremendous job as the inaugural panel that Disney has decided to rotate them in and out over the next year as trainers for the second panel of moms.
What are the perks of being on the Moms Panel? Heather said that it is typical of the Disney way.
"They think of everything. We have just been showered with gifts and trips to the park," she said. "We got gifts for Mother's Day and for no reason at all. When we went for training last year there were huge gift baskets in our rooms. It is just amazing."
Which park is Heather's favorite?
"Animal Kingdom is my favorite park for sure. So often when you read message boards people say it is just like a zoo but it is not a zoo, it's so much more," she said. "When we were there the last time we hopped off of the safari and everyone was heading toward the exit. We decided to go to the right and 30 feet from us there was a waterfall and gorillas were right there. It was awesome."
What is her favorite ride?
"Well for my daughters it is 'It's a Small World' but I love the Toy Story Mania Ride in Hollywood Studios-MGM," she said.
When is the best time to go to Disney?
"Anytime that school is in session is the best time to go. That is when the lines are the shortest," she said. "Christmas week is the busiest time, followed by Thanksgiving and Easter."
If you are planning a trip to Disney, you will want to check out the mom's panel at
www.disneyworldmoms .com and get some tips from a hometown girl and her new-found friends.
"When I come home [Rices Landing] to visit I always keep an eye out to see if I recognize anyone," she said. "I thought I saw someone when I was driving last time. I spent a lot of years there and I often wonder how certain people are doing."
Updated 10/16/2008 06:21:38 PM EDT
©The Herald Standard 2008
Maybe tomorrow. My fingers crossed for y'all.
)
Go! Go! Pioneer "Moms" Panelists! 'Sounds like your work is not yet done! 
Its so awesome to see how happy both Leanne and Laura are!
. And wow, that video of Laura was 3 tissue worthy for sure. What a great moment! And I LOVE LOVE LOVE the pink outfit. So befitting a 
thumbsup2 !
I love it! 
Again,
