Disney Mom Panel..not impressed

[beautygirlsmom]

Oh, and for the few haters that were here on the thread earlier that commented negatively on the appearances of my panel sisters (and seem to have left the dialog to those of you with legitimate concerns and issues), I can assure you that to the very last one they are beautiful women, both on the inside and out, and I love them dearly. I hope that you or your children are never judged based on their appearances, as you have judged them, as that goes well beyond the pale, and is a shameful lesson to teach anyone.

And this is why we love him back - he makes us cry. Real tears.

There are certainly things that could be done to make the Moms Panel a BETTER Moms Panel, but I absolutely see tremendous value in it as it is. Yes, we call CMs to get some questions answered, but in some cases, it's easier for us to do it.

I answered a question from a woman who lost her toddler son without ever having the chance to take him to WDW. She wanted to do something on an upcoming trip to memorialize his all to brief life, and she didn't know what her options were. Honestly, I could barely READ the question without crying, and i can't begin to imagine what would have happened if this woman had tried to make her own phone calls. I made several, spoke with many people, but I think if I were calling about my own child, I wouldn't have been able to get words out.

It's also MUCH easier for some people to write their questions down instead of feeling embarrassed by having to speak to someone. We've answered questions about the cost of feminine hygiene products in the vending machines in the ladies rooms. For someone, that was a crucial part of planning their vacation, but can you imagine calling Central Res, having a big burly man named Gaston answer the phone, and now you have to ask HIM if he knows?

And as for Disney spending their money on stuff like Moms Panel pens, sticky notes, Mickey Moms Club swag, etc. - I'm of the opinion that at least that's all stuff I can use. I would LOVE it if I could head back to DVC with my 15th anniversary painting or the African art they sent when I bought at AKV and have them drop my annual dues! Whew - the money I could be saving could almost buy me more DVC points!

 

[bicker]

As per their habit of the past few years...

Disney isn't doing anything different now than they did in the 1980s. I remember having these same conversations way-back-then. This is the way things have always been. We simply don't remember it because we generally remember the past fondly, and familiarity breeds contempt.

 

[rie'smom]

Disney isn't doing anything different now than they did in the 1980s. I remember having these same conversations way-back-then. This is the way things have always been. We simply don't remember it because we generally remember the past fondly, and familiarity breeds contempt.

We've been going to Disney since 1971. I'm not a sentimental person. Things have changed more in the past few years than they had over the previous 2 decades and the changes, for the most part, have not made Disney World a better place.

 

[DisneyScraps]

I have never been impressed with the Mom's panel it's not them it's more I don't need it. I checked it out a few times, realized that I dated on of the male Mom's a looooooong time ago and moved on.

The Dis really gives me everything I need. Between tour Guide Mike, the Ultimate Guide, My Passporter and this board I have become pretty comfortable with planing a trip. I see not everyone is that way and for them the Mom's panel is probably a nice comfy place to ask questions.

I don't think we should be so hard on them or Disney. If they give out incorrect information I am sure it rare and the CMs do too. This board of full of people talking about the misinformation they get while booking. Sometimes I feel like I know more about a package than the CM I am talking to. I think it's more for a cheap PR than anything.

Lisa

 

[bicker]

Things have changed more in the past few years than they had over the previous 2 decades and the changes, for the most part, have not made Disney World a better place.

We'll just have to agree to disagree. I distinctly remember folks complaining about how the light bulbs weren't kept 100% burning, at the front of the BoardWalk resort, and how horrible it was that they were going to close Mr. Toad's Wild Ride, and both of those were over ten years ago. Same-old some-old afaic, "since the Internet began".

 

[LeesyUD]

The only issue I have is that it is called The MOM'S Panel. There are so many people like me out there that do not have kids that Disney is alienating. I also do not like that they do not include men on the panel. I think there are alot of people that would like to see a guy's perspective too. Just my 2 cents.

I have seen a mix of advice on there...some good but some incorrect information too. I appreciate in a way what Disney is trying to do but I don't feel that they are doing it right.

There is much better info on the disboards for family's looking to go to Disney.

And just so there is no upset, I am not commenting on any of the Women on the panel, just how Disney promotes and operates it.

 

[SaraJayne]

The only issue I have is that it is called The MOM'S Panel. There are so many people like me out there that do not have kids that Disney is alienating. I also do not like that they do not include men on the panel. I think there are alot of people that would like to see a guy's perspective too. Just my 2 cents.

I have seen a mix of advice on there...some good but some incorrect information too. I appreciate in a way what Disney is trying to do but I don't feel that they are doing it right.

There is much better info on the disboards for family's looking to go to Disney.

And just so there is no upset, I am not commenting on any of the Women on the panel, just how Disney promotes and operates it.

There are men on the panel. Which is why it shouldn't be called the "Mom's" Panel.

 

[zalansky]

The only issue I have is that it is called The MOM'S Panel. There are so many people like me out there that do not have kids that Disney is alienating. I also do not like that they do not include men on the panel. I think there are alot of people that would like to see a guy's perspective too. Just my 2 cents.

.

They do include men on the panel, I believe there are 2 now? Correct me if I am wrong! And that was the only thing I have mentioned negatively on this thread, that the fact Disney calls it a moms panel - yet there are men on it and people who are not moms. Just call it something else, thats my only beef

 

[DisneyScraps]

There are men on the panel. Which is why it shouldn't be called the "Mom's" Panel.

Problem is Mom's Panel sounds more warm, Parents Panel? People Panel? They want it warm and fuzzy. I think Disney Experts would be nice but again, not as warm.

So for now we are stuck with the "Mom's Panel" that includes Dads and I think and Uncle.

Lisa

 

[SAHDad]

Problem is Mom's Panel sounds more warm, Parents Panel? People Panel? They want it warm and fuzzy. I think Disney Experts would be nice but again, not as warm.

So for now we are stuck with the "Mom's Panel" that includes Dads and I think and Uncle.

Lisa

But if Ace can change their slogan, why can't Disney go with something that, frankly, doesn't sound so exclusionary?

Moms Panel may sound warm and fuzzy, but it also sounds like it doesn't want to deal with men.

(And yes, I know there are men on the panel. I pointed that out, IAPP - my main beef with the Moms Panel has always been the name and the consequent near-gender exclusivity. That, and the inexplicable fact that so many of the panelists actually seem to like ABC Commisary! )

 

[LeesyUD]

They do include men on the panel, I believe there are 2 now? Correct me if I am wrong! And that was the only thing I have mentioned negatively on this thread, that the fact Disney calls it a moms panel - yet there are men on it and people who are not moms. Just call it something else, thats my only beef

Ahhh didn't realize they included men now...thanks for the info. Then I have to say it is even more stupid that they call it a moms panel

 

[SAHDad]

Ahhh didn't realize they included men now...thanks for the info. Then I have to say it is even more stupid that they call it a moms panel

They have had at least one man on the panel every year. I rather imagine that Disney did not assume that there would be as many men applying as there have been. . . after all, why would a man want to plan a Disney vacation?

 

[Scurvy]

I admit, I've never had any interest in the Moms Panel because to me the name implies that it's of a group of moms talking about navigating Disney parks with little kids. That isn't something I'm interested in hearing about, so I have assumed their information would be of no use to me. The only specific thing I've really seen from the Moms panel was when some members were on here trying to think of a name for the fiber optic sidewalk outside of Innoventions, and their ideas were so "cutesy" that it just reinforced my idea of the group. If the name had made it sound like the group's advice and answers were aimed at everyone instead of just moms, I might have been more interested in seeking out their information.

That said, I do follow a few specific panel members on Twitter and I greatly enjoy the opinions and information they share, though I don't know if they are representative of the things the panel as a whole shares or not. I didn't even realize they were panel members until quite a while after I started following them.

I agree with others that everything that appears on an official Disney site should really be fact checked. Nothing should be posted on there by someone who is officially representing Disney without it being approved by someone who actually works for Disney.

 

[longhorns2]

I'm a Mom's Panel lover! Groupie. Addict. Whatever. I think the people they choose are fabulous.

I know one personally, and also got to know a few of the panelist during the selection process this last year and can honestly say they are my go-to people! As far as diversity, I think they get it right, year after year. I adore the group of new folks as well as old!

Mistakes happen. CMs do it all.the.time. I love that the panel is allowed to draw from their own experiences to help folks plan their own magic.

Doug- nailed it in his response. If you don't know where to go, Disney gives you a start with the Moms (and Dads, and now Auntie!)

Rock On, Mom's Panel.