Adventures of the "Moms" Panel

[5/4Disney]

Hi guys, just thought I'd say hello and sorry I've been MIA for a bit. This time of year is crazy around here (our school has our GALA and we are BUSY preparing) Not to mention we are just now getting all our IKE damage cleaned up (we've been waiting on the insurance co.)

I'd like to say good luck to everyone who made it to the final rounds, it does bring back memories from last year. God knew what he was doing when he spared me that stress this year. I've been following everyone, but have just been too busy to sit down and post. I'll do my best to post again later, I've need to keep those post up.......
Take care,
Julie

 

[DVCsince02]

DVCsince02 - -I am sorry - - but Delaware is too small!!!!!

My post name - PrincessoftheCastle is because I am also from New Castle. Now (10... 20ish years later) I live by the University of Delaware.

As the saying goes - - you can take the girl out of the Castle - - but you can't take the Castle out of the girl!

How funny!

Delaware is VERY small. We may even know the same people. I grew up in Stratford (near the DMV). Sounds like we need to have a DIS meet and greet.

 

[dsiind]

This is going to be a long week!

Any 3rd rounders have celebration plans if they make it through to the panel?

 

[PartyOf5]

Any 3rd rounders have celebration plans if they make it through to the panel?

Yes! I'm going to take my first solo trip to Disney on December 5th and meet 15 new friends (plus the Moms Panel execs)!

 

[Suey12]

This is such a dumb question - I'm a 3rd rounder with Fedex documents to return from the UK, and I can't find out how to do this!!!!!!!!!! I don't have a local drop-off point.

DisneyJo - do you have a telephone number that I can call for someone to come and collect my background papers? How did you send yours back?

Thanks so much ! I must do this today.

 

[PartyOf5]

This is such a dumb question - I'm a 3rd rounder with Fedex documents to return from the UK, and I can't find out how to do this!!!!!!!!!! I don't have a local drop-off point.

DisneyJo - do you have a telephone number that I can call for someone to come and collect my background papers? How did you send yours back?

Thanks so much ! I must do this today.

If you go to fedex.com, you can search for a drop off location or schedule a pick-up.

 

[beautygirlsmom]

I told myself while shopping this weekend that if I am fortunate enough to get selected, I am SO treating myself to the adorable Mickey Christmas shirt I saw to celebrate. And if I don't get selected, I am SO treating myself to the adorable Mickey Christmas shirt I saw to console myself It seems like a win/win plan for me!

 

[dsiind]

I told myself while shopping this weekend that if I am fortunate enough to get selected, I am SO treating myself to the adorable Mickey Christmas shirt I saw to celebrate. And if I don't get selected, I am SO treating myself to the adorable Mickey Christmas shirt I saw to console myself It seems like a win/win plan for me!

Now that is a plan that I could get behind!

 

[DisneyJo]

This is such a dumb question - I'm a 3rd rounder with Fedex documents to return from the UK, and I can't find out how to do this!!!!!!!!!! I don't have a local drop-off point.

DisneyJo - do you have a telephone number that I can call for someone to come and collect my background papers? How did you send yours back?

Thanks so much ! I must do this today.

I just went to the Post Office and they didn't have a clue what to do with them I looked up the Fed Ex site and called 08456 07 08 09, a Fed Ex van picked the documents up within 10 minutes, very easy

 

[Suey12]

Just found that phone number before I read your message DisneyJo! They are on their way to collect it now. Thanks very much anyway. I think I stressed more over that than the interview !!!!!

I thought that it was a secret test of my ingenuity to see if I cope with certain situations !! I hope it wasn't.....

I wonder when we will hear anything?

 

[DisneyJo]

I don't think we're meant to hear anything until late this week. My DH can't wait for me to find out as either way I'll be less of a pain than I am now

 

[poohmomof5]

Hi everyone,

I hope you all are surviving the wait as calmly as possible. Last year, it was torturous!

So, I have exciting news to distract you with, and maybe I could get some advice from some current and hopefully future panelists!

We had a fantastic family trip planned for 10 days over Thanksgiving, we were even taking my in-laws for their first trip EVER to WDW. We booked the airfare the day it came out so we could afford it, BUT, then the economy hit and our airline CANCELED our flights! UGH! So we canceled the trip and we were pretty bummed as there is NOTHING like the holidays at Disney. We had reservations at the Castle and everything you could imagine to make it the perfect trip.

Well, in case you guys haven't noticed, airlines are totally dropping fares and now we could go over the same time for even less than we paid initially.

BUT, the teens and my husband aren't really able to go and my in-laws could never handle a last minute trip like this. SO, it will be me and DD11 and DD4. A whole different trip from what we are used to.

I am going to make all my reservations today for the flight and to use up our DVC points, but any advice on traveling with a small and big child alone. (No other adults to watch DD4 while DD11 and I ride coasters etc.)

Also, any ideas on making reservations on such short notice? We always do the meal plan as in my mind it helps me budget better...but maybe it won't work out as well with no other adults...but DD11 sure can eat a steak!

Okay, and tips and advice? Thanks!

PS, I am super excited...

 

[mousemommamegan]

Poohmom, that's awesome!

I don't really know how you can get around going on the rollercoasters with the older child while leaving the 4 yo behind - I don't think there is anyway to have someone supervise while you are on the ride. You could have one of the Disney sitter come to your room, but then the little one would have to miss the parks - maybe what I would do is have a sitter come one evening, and hope to do the "big" rides with the older one while the younger one has fun in the room. I have personally never used the childcare services at the world, but have a friend who has and raves about them.

If I were you I would see what reservations you can get before deciding on the meal plan, especially since your older child is an "adult" on the plan . . . the kids are a no brainer at $10 a day, but unless you can get table service meals each day I am sure you and your older child can eat for less than $ 38 a day. You don't need to be on the plan to make your reservations, and you can always add the meal plan on after you've made your them....

However everything works out, I am sure you will have an AWESOME time! Wish I were going . . . HAVE FUN!

 

[poohmomof5]

Poohmom, that's awesome!

I don't really know how you can get around going on the rollercoasters with the older child while leaving the 4 yo behind - I don't think there is anyway to have someone supervise while you are on the ride. You could have one of the Disney sitter come to your room, but then the little one would have to miss the parks - maybe what I would do is have a sitter come one evening, and hope to do the "big" rides with the older one while the younger one has fun in the room. I have personally never used the childcare services at the world, but have a friend who has and raves about them.

If I were you I would see what reservations you can get before deciding on the meal plan, especially since your older child is an "adult" on the plan . . . the kids are a no brainer at $10 a day, but unless you can get table service meals each day I am sure you and your older child can eat for less than $ 38 a day. You don't need to be on the plan to make your reservations, and you can always add the meal plan on after you've made your them....

However everything works out, I am sure you will have an AWESOME time! Wish I were going . . . HAVE FUN!

As my DD11 said, "Singler Riders line, here I come!" We are also masters of the baby pass, so that won't be a problem. It will be a very different kind of trip and I am really looking forward to it!

 

[koolaidmoms]

My children do not understand what Mommy is doing with the Disney Moms Panel. They just want to know if they get to go to WDW soon!

Little do they know we have a trip planned for December. We never tell them where we are going. It is getting harder with DD but we are going to Miami first so this should be a great distraction from the real reason for the trip. We drove onto Disney property last year and when they saw the Disney buses they said, "It's not fair! Those people get to go to Disney."

My celebration will be new sneakers and shoes for the trip!

 

[Momov3]

Hi everyone!

Though I frequently read your boards, I haven't posted here before. I interviewed on Thursday for the Disney Mom's Panel and I am very excited (and a bit suprised) to have made it so far. Though I am waiting on pins and needles, I don't think my interview went fabulously... I am much better in writing than I am over the phone! Good luck to everyone who finished interviews this week! I was excited to find your posts here!

Jennifer
Madison, AL

 

[Momov3]

Poohmom,

We took a spur of the moment trip last year. We used the dining plan, and though we couldn't get into a few of our fav restaurants, we did find some new ones that we really enjoyed. I still recommend you make reservations ASAP, but here a few last minute ideas. We tried Spoodles which is actually at the Boardwalk, but you can walk to it from inside Epcot. We exited Epcot at the World Show Case and dined there. The food was fabulous! Another place I recommend is Kona at the Polynesian. (O'hanas is great but hard to get into.) You can take the monorail to the Polynesian and hop back to Magic Kingdom after you dine. In the parks, Marakesh is another one of our favorites and it is fairly easy to get in. The Morrocan food doesn't appeal to everyone, but we enjoy it - and the belly dancer is fun, too. Ask what time she performs when you book. Also, Beirgarten is great fun especially for little ones who love to dance. Our children love it!

Hope these suggestions help!
Jennifer

 

[PrincessoftheCastle]

This is going to be a long week!

Any 3rd rounders have celebration plans if they make it through to the panel?

Great question, and fun to reflect on. If selected , I would board the plane to Disney on December 5th and......(entering day-dreaming state)

I would eat each and every meal at the proper temperature and seated comfortably in my own chair!
I would politely and discreetly look away if any of my fellow panelists dribbled food down their chin!
I would climb into a comfy Disney Resort queen size bed and marvel at the luxuriousness of being able to move without receiving a 4-year olds heel or elbow in my eye!

Thats right! I would live like a rock star!

 

[dsiind]

Since I have been on a diet all 2008, my wife said she would take me to my favorite pizza place in the neigborhood. Can you believe that I have not had pizza all year and have survived?

 

[poohmomof5]

Poohmom,

We took a spur of the moment trip last year. We used the dining plan, and though we couldn't get into a few of our fav restaurants, we did find some new ones that we really enjoyed. I still recommend you make reservations ASAP, but here a few last minute ideas. We tried Spoodles which is actually at the Boardwalk, but you can walk to it from inside Epcot. We exited Epcot at the World Show Case and dined there. The food was fabulous! Another place I recommend is Kona at the Polynesian. (O'hanas is great but hard to get into.) You can take the monorail to the Polynesian and hop back to Magic Kingdom after you dine. In the parks, Marakesh is another one of our favorites and it is fairly easy to get in. The Morrocan food doesn't appeal to everyone, but we enjoy it - and the belly dancer is fun, too. Ask what time she performs when you book. Also, Beirgarten is great fun especially for little ones who love to dance. Our children love it!

Hope these suggestions help!
Jennifer

Thanks Jennifer,

I have had tremendous success getting reservations even during Spring Break! So I am really not worried about it, I just go straight to the podium and ask and even with my large party size (7 of us), we have yet to be turned away! Now, traveling without a vegatarian (DS16) and without Mr. Picky Pants (DS13), and with only 3 of us, we should be in great shape! I am so excited!!!!