Adventures of the "Moms" Panel

[KarenP99]

Should I put my papers back in the cardboard envelope and then enclose that in the envelope they sent? I don't want them to get bent or damaged in transit. Did anyone else do this?

They sent the Fedex "pack" for return, I didn't like how see thru it was - so I went to the Fedex box and pulled out a new cardboard envelope, as I was about to put the papers in it, I notice a ladybug on it. My little token of good luck ? I hope so!

Welcome to the new Mom's that have surfaced - we can all anxiously wait together!

Last year we had a specific date that they would be calling, that was so much easier to handle!

My poor husband has training and other things up in the air for that weekend (training weekend) - but he's being so patient & optimistic for me, putting it all on hold until we hear from Disney!

I have 3 kids 7 , 5 & 3

~Karen

 

[KarenP99]

Oh and to Poohmomof5 - For the last minute thing I might even try walk-ups.

We've had very good luck with that (like at Liberty Tree Tavern). Sometimes they say it will be 30 minutes, other times we've been seated immediately.

Just because people can make all kinds of ADR's doesn't mean it works out for their schedule at the time, and they don't show up.

 

[poohmomof5]

Oh and to Poohmomof5 - For the last minute thing I might even try walk-ups.

We've had very good luck with that (like at Liberty Tree Tavern). Sometimes they say it will be 30 minutes, other times we've been seated immediately.

Just because people can make all kinds of ADR's doesn't mean it works out for their schedule at the time, and they don't show up.

I agree, we have had tons of success with that even when we have all 7 of us! I am really excited, that reminds me, I haven't set my countdown clock yet!

 

[koolaidmoms]

Welcome to the new finalists on this thread!

I too look forward to a vacation alone. One thing I have always said is I would love to go by myself to WDW - not pushing a stroller, holding a toddler or completely exhausted by children. I have been a SAHM for 8 years and my youngest just went to kindergarten in September.

I also realized I never posted my name - Marci

An extra sprinkling of pixie dust to all of us!

 

[mousemommamegan]

!!!

One other piece of (guilty) entertainment....get any of the Top 10 lists of snacks to try in the World and as you tour - video each of you trying something and giving it a good old #1-10 rating!

Oh my goodness what a FABULOUS idea! We sure get our fill of Stacey counting down the top 10 on every trip - that would be one entertaining segment on our home DVD!!

LOVE it princess!! We just came home a few weeks ago, but that is one thing I will most definately tuck away as a "must do" for our next trip!!

 

[BellaBuggy]

It's definitely a lot different on a solo trip! Last year when I went to training I had never been away from my kids at all. My youngest was still nursing, so that was a hurdle. And I was very very nervous about it. BUT, we were soooooo busy I didn't have much time to think about it! At night it was late and I was exhausted when I got to the room, so I was sad for a bit but quickly crashed out. And sleeping alone in my own bed was pretty nice. And eating meals, hot meals, without kids...well, you get the idea. It felt great to go home though!

 

[themeparkmom]

Another finalist de-lurking...

I'm Leigh from Florida. We live about two hours from Disney and visit as often as we possibly can. We love to stay on property, especially when there are Florida resident deals! I have one DD-5, and we frequently bring along an assortment of young nieces and nephews, too.

I had my telephone interview on Wednesday, and I think I really blew it! I was having a rough day at work and it was hard to divorce myself from that and concentrate. I feel like I gave really general answers to questions that I should have answered very specifically. And of course, when I got off the phone, I immediately thought of better answers to just about every question!

 

[dsiind]

CONGRATULATIONS ROUND 3 FINALISTS!​

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18 AND COUNTING!​

CANADA (2)
jojo14
bjbelanger (the daugher of)

ENGLAND (2)
DisneyJo
Suey12

UNITED STATES (14)
PartyOf5 - Connecticut
dsiind - Indiana
disneyslp - Georgia
5fromabove - Massachusetts
mom-2-sophie-n-aiden - Pennsylvania
Mindful Jodi - Massachusetts
beautygirlsmom - New Jersey
piratefreak - Illinois
KarenP99 - New Hampshire
koolaidmoms - New York
3pirates1princess - Illinois
Momov3 - Alabama
fatimalovesjesus - Georgia
threedisneyboys - Louisiana

All, please correct any misinformation.

Any other 3rd rounders lurking? Please come out and enjoy the party with us!

I think you were missing Princessofthecastle here, and since this there has been a new add: ThemeParkMom.

Thanks for keeping the talley! I can't be sure, but am I the only guy on this list? I know there is a guy on Mouse for Less, but I am wondering how many other guys were in the last 31 or so?

 

[3pirates1princess]

One thing I've been wondering, in trying to notice patterns from the 2nd and 3rd rounders, are there ANY finalists who have OLDER children? It seems like they only pick moms/dads with young kids, say under 13 or so. That is a large part of the guests who go to wdw but they are missing another segment with ladies only planning, retired couples planning, graduating seniors planning, etc, as possible panel members.

I hear where you're coming from, Donna. I had some similar thoughts concerning another demographic. I do know, however, that we are coming from so many different backgrounds and experiences... ideally, we should be able to cover most people groups sufficiently. For instance, I have 4 young children, but my parents are Disney-loving retirees living about 1.5 hrs away from the World. They purchased scooters (fiery, sporty red ones ) for the purpose of riding them around the parks. My dad has specific dietary restrictions and we have gleaned great information about how Disney handles that through his experiences. I, personally, am in the process of trying to convince a group of my girlfriends (who don't value Disney World the way I do) to come on a Girls weekend with me and am having a BLAST with the potential for that crazy trip ! They'll surely be fans when I'm done with them! My husband and I are going on an anniversary trip withOUT the kids (there is some mommy guilt involved here ) and are planning for some significant Disney romance . I definitely realize that people have very different views on what their magical vacations would look like and I agree that it is important that we be able to think outside of our own Disney boxes. Thanks for bringing up such an important point for us to ponder!

Not so patiently wading through the thick suspence!
Heather

 

[beautygirlsmom]

Wow! So many of the panelists will have DisBoard connections!! That's awesome!

My real name is Anna, and my "beautygirls" are 17, 7 and 3, so we run the gamut here. We live in Bellmawr, NJ - just a few minutes from center city Philadelphia.

 

[KarenP99]

I toured the parks a lot solo when I was on the college program - it is a very cool experience!

However, now a solo trip would have a whole new meaning....

Like taking a 3 hr plane flight and actually getting to finish an issue of People magazine, and NOT having to squeeze into the lavatory 3+ times...eeeew!

 

[5fromabove]

One thing I've been wondering, in trying to notice patterns from the 2nd and 3rd rounders, are there ANY finalists who have OLDER children? It seems like they only pick moms/dads with young kids, say under 13 or so. That is a large part of the guests who go to wdw but they are missing another segment with ladies only planning, retired couples planning, graduating seniors planning, etc, as possible panel members. Just thinking out loud here; i'm sure anyone that has been or will be chosen would be very good at planning any type of trip but I was just wondering about the ages of the children of current finalists or past panelists.

Thanks and good luck to all of you hopefuls! I hope this week goes fast for you all!

Our kids are 16, 12, 8, 6 and 4. We have quite a span...conquered potty training and the first breakup in the same year . On our upcoming April trip, our oldest DD (17 by then) will be bringing her best friend and we'll be joining friends and extended family-a party of 19 of us in all. I think the age range on that trip will be from 3 to 73. I love planning those kinds of trips and that's what I love about Disney...how it caters to people in every age range.

Good luck everyone.

 

[DVCsince02]

CONGRATULATIONS ROUND 3 FINALISTS!​

​

​

20 AND COUNTING!​

CANADA (2)
jojo14
bjbelanger (the daugher of)

ENGLAND (2)
DisneyJo
Suey12

UNITED STATES (16)
PartyOf5 - Connecticut
dsiind - Indiana
disneyslp - Georgia
5fromabove - Massachusetts
mom-2-sophie-n-aiden - Pennsylvania
Mindful Jodi - Massachusetts
beautygirlsmom - New Jersey
piratefreak - Illinois
KarenP99 - New Hampshire
koolaidmoms - New York
3pirates1princess - Illinois
Momov3 - Alabama
PrincessoftheCastle - Delaware
fatimalovesjesus - Georgia
threedisneyboys - Louisiana
themeparkmom - Florida

All, please correct any misinformation.

Any other 3rd rounders lurking? Please come out and enjoy the party with us!

 

[beautygirlsmom]

Oh my gosh! Did you guys get the email that they are calling TOMORROW???? I don't know how I will get to sleep!!

 

[Mindful_Jodi]

Yes, I got it, and I don't know how I am going to sleep either!!!

 

[PrincessoftheCastle]

Awesome, Lovely, Surprise e-mail that we will find out tomorrow! This is an incredibly exciting week!!!!!!!

Good Luck to ALL! It has been a pleasure going through this experience with such a lovely group!

 

[threedisneyboys]

Within 24 hours we will all know. I am shaking right now from the suspense! My math may be way off, but the way I see it, at least 4 of us are guaranteed spots on the panel. Is this correct? I'm not sure how I came up with that bit of logic???? My poor family is not going to want to be around me tonight. Good luck to us all! Love, Jackie

 

[disneyslp]

I dont know how I am going to sleep either. I guess it is a Tylenol PM nite for me. I wanted to tell them they could call me at midnite . The suspense is killing me. I think that my daugher is more nervous than I am if that is possible.

 

[PartyOf5]

Good luck, everyone! It's going to be a long night!

 

[beautygirlsmom]

Tylenol PM? Are you kidding? I'm staying up all night cleaning my house so when the call comes, they don't see the cobwebs in the corners ;-) LOL - not even with Tylenol am I getting sleep My husband won't know this place when he walks in from his trip on Thursday night. I feel like I have enough adrenalin to paint the house!