PlanDisney Panelist Search 2025 Applications Open July 8

[AnnabelleTheTalkingTree]

I submitted a couple of hours ago! I finished my video just in time, because I think I'm coming down with a cold. How is everyone else doing? You got this!!!

I just submitted mine as well. Much happier with my video than last year. It is out of our hands now. I am excited it is a shorter wait than last year. I want to say last year it was another month after submission before we found anything out.

Congrats to both of you for getting your apps in! I submitted Saturday night - I feel good about my written answers and I think I'm as happy with the video as I was going to be. It's nothing fancy, but I just tried to not overthink it. It's so hard to know what to do/how to act when you have no idea what they're looking for! I was also a little overwhelmed after seeing some super professional quality videos that have been submitted in previous years.

Now the waiting part is going to be hard. As a first timer I'm really surprised with how impatient I'm feeling! I know how slim the odds (still) are, but it's hard to keep a level head. I keep vacillating between "OMG WHAT IF?!?!" and "hey girl you know there's no chance right?" It's like there's no middle ground. I have no chill

 

[Panikim]

Congrats to both of you for getting your apps in! I submitted Saturday night - I feel good about my written answers and I think I'm as happy with the video as I was going to be. It's nothing fancy, but I just tried to not overthink it. It's so hard to know what to do/how to act when you have no idea what they're looking for! I was also a little overwhelmed after seeing some super professional quality videos that have been submitted in previous years.

Now the waiting part is going to be hard. As a first timer I'm really surprised with how impatient I'm feeling! I know how slim the odds (still) are, but it's hard to keep a level head. I keep vacillating between "OMG WHAT IF?!?!" and "hey girl you know there's no chance right?" It's like there's no middle ground. I have no chill

I COMPLETELY get it! I was a first timer last year. I made the mistake of looking at videos submitted last year after the deadline. People were posting theirs on a facebook page. HORRIBLE IDEA. I still managed to get so emotionally invested that I cried an embarrassing amount when I got the thanks but no thanks letter. I hated my video in the moment last year but look back at it now and it isn’t so bad. I love the written questions being added this year. I think that was a smart move since the panel is mostly written anyways. I definitely feel more relaxed this year and keep reminding myself it is what it is. In keeping with past years, we should have R3 emails in 8-10 days after deadline. I am guessing the 28th.

 

[AnnabelleTheTalkingTree]

I COMPLETELY get it! I was a first timer last year. I made the mistake of looking at videos submitted last year after the deadline. People were posting theirs on a facebook page. HORRIBLE IDEA. I still managed to get so emotionally invested that I cried an embarrassing amount when I got the thanks but no thanks letter. I hated my video in the moment last year but look back at it now and it isn’t so bad. I love the written questions being added this year. I think that was a smart move since the panel is mostly written anyways. I definitely feel more relaxed this year and keep reminding myself it is what it is. In keeping with past years, we should have R3 emails in 8-10 days after deadline. I am guessing the 28th.

At least the wait might be shorter than the wait to hear after Round 1, then! I didn't realize last year Round 2 had no written component - I'm so glad it does now, since that's definitely my stronger suit. Honestly I'm having so much fun with this process, and we have a qualifying trip planned for the spring, so I'm just happy feeling like I'm getting my feet wet and knowing that I can apply again next year. I'm trying to keep my hopes WAYYY DOWN LOW bc I know the likelihood is a no thank you. I'm hoping it will be a little easier to take the sting out of it, because rationally we know how many applicants there are and how few spots on the panel. It's not really personal, at that point, it becomes about what they're looking for and also a bit of a numbers game.

 

[iheartglaciers]

I submitted Saturday night - I feel good about my written answers and I think I'm as happy with the video as I was going to be. It's nothing fancy, but I just tried to not overthink it. It's so hard to know what to do/how to act when you have no idea what they're looking for!

I'm sure your video is great! I think it's mostly to get a feel for your personality to help them put together a diverse and balanced panel. There are always a couple flashy videos, but I think most are just people talking into the camera.

I'm also glad the wait won't be as long for this round! We should know in about two weeks!

 

[Panikim]

So I looked back at last years dates. Last year the deadline was Tuesday the 19th, R3 emails went out on the 29th, and panelist found out on November 5th.

If everything follows suit, we would be looking at
R3 emails around the 28th, interviews the 31-2nd and panelist finding out around the 4th.

My husband is convinced that they start reviewing them as they come in. What do y’all think?

 

[AnnabelleTheTalkingTree]

So I looked back at last years dates. Last year the deadline was Tuesday the 19th, R3 emails went out on the 29th, and panelist found out on November 5th.

If everything follows suit, we would be looking at
R3 emails around the 28th, interviews the 31-2nd and panelist finding out around the 4th.

My husband is convinced that they start reviewing them as they come in. What do y’all think?

So funny because I told my husband I wanted to try to get my application in on the earlier end, so it wouldn't be compared to all the ones that come after - thought maybe I'd have a better chance that way but HE swears that they wouldn't start reviewing until after the deadline and that they would probably be randomized.

My thought, especially with the dates you just posted, is that they MUST review on a rolling basis as they come in (but what do I know?). It just seems like there are probably a lot of applications still, and if they waited to do them all until the 19th that only gives them EIGHT business days to do it. Although when I do the math, that means they'd only need to get through 50~ applicants a day (based on that random guess of 400 applications total) which is 6/hour if you're using a standard 8 hour workday. Which seems doable, though I'm guessing there's more to the evaluation for each candidate than just watch the video, read the answers and and click yes or no. So it might eat up more time than that. SOOOO LOL basically I have no idea. This whole process makes me think of sorority rush - like they must have a rating system

 

[iheartglaciers]

My husband is convinced that they start reviewing them as they come in. What do y’all think?

So funny because I told my husband I wanted to try to get my application in on the earlier end, so it wouldn't be compared to all the ones that come after - thought maybe I'd have a better chance that way but HE swears that they wouldn't start reviewing until after the deadline and that they would probably be randomized.

My thought, especially with the dates you just posted, is that they MUST review on a rolling basis as they come in (but what do I know?). It just seems like there are probably a lot of applications still, and if they waited to do them all until the 19th that only gives them EIGHT business days to do it. Although when I do the math, that means they'd only need to get through 50~ applicants a day (based on that random guess of 400 applications total) which is 6/hour if you're using a standard 8 hour workday. Which seems doable, though I'm guessing there's more to the evaluation for each candidate than just watch the video, read the answers and and click yes or no. So it might eat up more time than that. SOOOO LOL basically I have no idea. This whole process makes me think of sorority rush - like they must have a rating system

I always thought they must start reviewing them as soon as they come in because of the quick turnaround. I wanted to get mine in earlier, but there's no way I could've put my best foot forward if I did. Especially since they incorporated a lot of new questions this year! (in previous years they often used similar questions for many of the written and video prompts).

I wonder if the team splits up the R2 applications (like they must do for R1 since there's no way they all look at each one!!) and then they all review the narrowed field together to make the final decision. I believe there is also consideration of the returning panelist pool because they create a diverse and balanced panel from both groups of people.

 

[Panikim]

I always thought they must start reviewing them as soon as they come in because of the quick turnaround. I wanted to get mine in earlier, but there's no way I could've put my best foot forward if I did. Especially since they incorporated a lot of new questions this year! (in previous years they often used similar questions for many of the written and video prompts).

I wonder if the team splits up the R2 applications (like they must do for R1 since there's no way they all look at each one!!) and then they all review the narrowed field together to make the final decision. I believe there is also consideration of the returning panelist pool because they create a diverse and balanced panel from both groups of people.

They would have to split them up in both rounds. It just makes sense. I have seen somewhere between 30,000-40,000 apply in R1 alone. How true that is . But I have also heard that is cut down to 300-400 for R2. Again, . With the turnaround time, it just doesn’t seem feasible if they didn’t.

 

[Panikim]

So funny because I told my husband I wanted to try to get my application in on the earlier end, so it wouldn't be compared to all the ones that come after - thought maybe I'd have a better chance that way but HE swears that they wouldn't start reviewing until after the deadline and that they would probably be randomized.

My thought, especially with the dates you just posted, is that they MUST review on a rolling basis as they come in (but what do I know?). It just seems like there are probably a lot of applications still, and if they waited to do them all until the 19th that only gives them EIGHT business days to do it. Although when I do the math, that means they'd only need to get through 50~ applicants a day (based on that random guess of 400 applications total) which is 6/hour if you're using a standard 8 hour workday. Which seems doable, though I'm guessing there's more to the evaluation for each candidate than just watch the video, read the answers and and click yes or no. So it might eat up more time than that. SOOOO LOL basically I have no idea. This whole process makes me think of sorority rush - like they must have a rating system

Dang! You did some math!! But 400 is what I have heard is a pretty average number for R2. Accuracy of that….

Let year I turned mine in towards the end. I wanted to get it in sooner this year but two of the questions didn’t say anything about 100 words. I had my answers ready to go. Too bad they were 200 words and 187 words.

 

[AnnabelleTheTalkingTree]

Dang! You did some math!! But 400 is what I have heard is a pretty average number for R2. Accuracy of that….

Let year I turned mine in towards the end. I wanted to get it in sooner this year but two of the questions didn’t say anything about 100 words. I had my answers ready to go. Too bad they were 200 words and 187 words.

They would have to split them up in both rounds. It just makes sense. I have seen somewhere between 30,000-40,000 apply in R1 alone. How true that is . But I have also heard that is cut down to 300-400 for R2. Again, . With the turnaround time, it just doesn’t seem feasible if they didn’t.

It’s SO hard to hit that 100 word limit. One of the questions for me was MUCH harder to fit in the hundred words than the others!

If those round 1 numbers are even CLOSE to being accurate then just making Round 2 is a huge accomplishment

 

[Panikim]

It’s SO hard to hit that 100 word limit. One of the questions for me was MUCH harder to fit in the hundred words than the others!

If those round 1 numbers are even CLOSE to being accurate then just making Round 2 is a huge accomplishment

That’s why I have told others that have made it to R2 that it’s pretty amazing and to be proud. It’s also the only comforting thing that held me together last year when I got the thanks but no thanks email. Learned to not get too emotional invested.

But I agree. One question in particular was hard to keep at the 100 mark!

 

[AnnabelleTheTalkingTree]

That’s why I have told others that have made it to R2 that it’s pretty amazing and to be proud. It’s also the only comforting thing that held me together last year when I got the thanks but no thanks email. Learned to not get too emotional invested.

But I agree. One question in particular was hard to keep at the 100 mark!

It's so hard not to get invested. Going into it I really thought I could stay detached. I didn't allow myself to pour too much time or energy into it, because I'd seen the numbers and knew what the odds were of even making Round 2. I also realized that I screwed up some stuff with the nomenclature (seriously, fitting everything in 100 words and having to use 5 full words for Grand Floridian every time ). So my hopes were really low and I'd mentally written it off and was more in the headspace of "I've learned something I can apply when I try again next year."

But after submitting for Round 2 I'm finding it harder to stay level headed. I think it's because I put a lot more energy into my responses this time (and ESPECIALLY that video - I really had to push outside of my comfort zone for that). I just have to keep reminding myself that statistically, it's probably going to be a no, and that's OKAY. It's not rejection in the true sense of rejection. When they have like 20,000 applicants and can take maybe FIFTEEN you realize it's nothing personal. And like the lottery, you can't win if you don't play!

 

[Panikim]

It's so hard not to get invested. Going into it I really thought I could stay detached. I didn't allow myself to pour too much time or energy into it, because I'd seen the numbers and knew what the odds were of even making Round 2. I also realized that I screwed up some stuff with the nomenclature (seriously, fitting everything in 100 words and having to use 5 full words for Grand Floridian every time ). So my hopes were really low and I'd mentally written it off and was more in the headspace of "I've learned something I can apply when I try again next year."

But after submitting for Round 2 I'm finding it harder to stay level headed. I think it's because I put a lot more energy into my responses this time (and ESPECIALLY that video - I really had to push outside of my comfort zone for that). I just have to keep reminding myself that statistically, it's probably going to be a no, and that's OKAY. It's not rejection in the true sense of rejection. When they have like 20,000 applicants and can take maybe FIFTEEN you realize it's nothing personal. And like the lottery, you can't win if you don't play!

I GET it!! I look back and compare my two videos and last year I was very chill and I feel like you can see the nerves. This year I was much more out going and animated. Pushed myself in that aspect as well. Already thinking towards next year and how I am.gokng to approach next year's video. Kinda hoping that will help me not get my hopes up. But honestly having done something so different, I don't know what else they are looking for. First one was sitting and talking with some editing. This one was much more involved. Went out to a botanical garden. Looked like a darn film shoot my my daughter and her friends in tow. Cue cards so I.wojld have to redo over and over again.

I don't know.

 

[iheartglaciers]

It's so hard not to get invested. Going into it I really thought I could stay detached. I didn't allow myself to pour too much time or energy into it, because I'd seen the numbers and knew what the odds were of even making Round 2. I also realized that I screwed up some stuff with the nomenclature (seriously, fitting everything in 100 words and having to use 5 full words for Grand Floridian every time ). So my hopes were really low and I'd mentally written it off and was more in the headspace of "I've learned something I can apply when I try again next year."

But after submitting for Round 2 I'm finding it harder to stay level headed. I think it's because I put a lot more energy into my responses this time (and ESPECIALLY that video - I really had to push outside of my comfort zone for that). I just have to keep reminding myself that statistically, it's probably going to be a no, and that's OKAY. It's not rejection in the true sense of rejection. When they have like 20,000 applicants and can take maybe FIFTEEN you realize it's nothing personal. And like the lottery, you can't win if you don't play!

Totally agree that it's hard not to get invested when you pour so much of yourself into the application. Especially my first year, I had never video recorded myself before, so I also had to really push outside of my comfort zone!

On the nomenclature... it's obviously important, but I think not using the exact full name isn't always a deal breaker. Like maybe it's okay to say "Boma" instead of "Boma - Flavors of Africa", but you probably don't want to say "Cinderellas Castle". Although I saw a current panelist say that she accidentily said "Happiest Place on Earth" in her WDW video! So little mistakes may not be the hugest deal and they figure they can teach you how to do nomenclature at training.

And agree on what you said that rejection doesn't mean you wouldn't be an amazing panelist. I've seen many people who made it to R3 one year and then didn't make it out of R1 the next year. That makes me think that lots of "perfect" applicants get left behind in R1 just because of the sheer number of applications they're reviewing.

 

[AnnabelleTheTalkingTree]

I GET it!! I look back and compare my two videos and last year I was very chill and I feel like you can see the nerves. This year I was much more out going and animated. Pushed myself in that aspect as well. Already thinking towards next year and how I am.gokng to approach next year's video. Kinda hoping that will help me not get my hopes up. But honestly having done something so different, I don't know what else they are looking for. First one was sitting and talking with some editing. This one was much more involved. Went out to a botanical garden. Looked like a darn film shoot my my daughter and her friends in tow. Cue cards so I.wojld have to redo over and over again.

I don't know.

I bet the botanical garden was GORGEOUS and looks great on film! I'm sure it turned out great, and maybe trying a different angle will help this year!

My first inclination was to do it sitting down, selfie style too! I thought that seemed most intimate/comfortable to me and I'd read that lots of panelists actually did theirs that way. But in the end I felt like the question really dictated my "style" and I wound up buying a tripod and doing it standing up. The background just being a large landscape photo that I took on one of our trips that we have framed on the wall, and happened to be relevant to the question I chose.

One thing I really wanted was no editing - I felt like I wanted it all in one take for some reason. I don't have any fancy/cool video editing skills to impress anyone with, so I felt like it was important to at least come across as "natural" and as "me" as possible. That theory led me to ditch the cue cards because all the takes I did using them, it was SO obvious I was reading directly from them. I had to memorize the dang thing in the end I COMPLETELY obsessed over what to wear, but wound up just wearing something that felt like myself - which for me is relatively understated as far as Disney-wear goes. I don't really do tons of theme park gear, just ears and some simple Disney jewelry. Still not sure if that might hurt me, not outwardly showing my enthusiasm through my clothing choices, but it was most authentic to me.

 

[AnnabelleTheTalkingTree]

Totally agree that it's hard not to get invested when you pour so much of yourself into the application. Especially my first year, I had never video recorded myself before, so I also had to really push outside of my comfort zone!

On the nomenclature... it's obviously important, but I think not using the exact full name isn't always a deal breaker. Like maybe it's okay to say "Boma" instead of "Boma - Flavors of Africa", but you probably don't want to say "Cinderellas Castle". Although I saw a current panelist say that she accidentily said "Happiest Place on Earth" in her WDW video! So little mistakes may not be the hugest deal and they figure they can teach you how to do nomenclature at training.

And agree on what you said that rejection doesn't mean you wouldn't be an amazing panelist. I've seen many people who made it to R3 one year and then didn't make it out of R1 the next year. That makes me think that lots of "perfect" applicants get left behind in R1 just because of the sheer number of applications they're reviewing.

Well I will say, I'm proof that at least in Round 1, they're probably not as concerned with nomenclature as we might assume. Because never having applied before, I put more priority on fitting into the 100 word count than on the correct terminology, and I shortened a bunch of terms to make room - and here I am still hanging in on Round 2! My theory is that they are probably primarily focused on your writing. The primary job of a panelist is writing responses. It's hard to teach someone to write, easier to teach nomenclature.

 

[Panikim]

I bet the botanical garden was GORGEOUS and looks great on film! I'm sure it turned out great, and maybe trying a different angle will help this year!

My first inclination was to do it sitting down, selfie style too! I thought that seemed most intimate/comfortable to me and I'd read that lots of panelists actually did theirs that way. But in the end I felt like the question really dictated my "style" and I wound up buying a tripod and doing it standing up. The background just being a large landscape photo that I took on one of our trips that we have framed on the wall, and happened to be relevant to the question I chose.

One thing I really wanted was no editing - I felt like I wanted it all in one take for some reason. I don't have any fancy/cool video editing skills to impress anyone with, so I felt like it was important to at least come across as "natural" and as "me" as possible. That theory led me to ditch the cue cards because all the takes I did using them, it was SO obvious I was reading directly from them. I had to memorize the dang thing in the end I COMPLETELY obsessed over what to wear, but wound up just wearing something that felt like myself - which for me is relatively understated as far as Disney-wear goes. I don't really do tons of theme park gear, just ears and some simple Disney jewelry. Still not sure if that might hurt me, not outwardly showing my enthusiasm through my clothing choices, but it was most authentic to me.

I bet yours looks great as well. I definitely feel like this year's feels more like me but now talking to y'all, I am doubting the editing. Maybe that is my downfall. I don't know anymore!!

 

[AnnabelleTheTalkingTree]

I bet yours looks great as well. I definitely feel like this year's feels more like me but now talking to y'all, I am doubting the editing. Maybe that is my downfall. I don't know anymore!!

Oh I wouldn't think that! The reason I went with the no editing was because I saw some previous year panelists whose videos WERE edited and beautiful and just so much better than what I know how to do. I figured I'd try to just stay away from editing entirely and TRY to make my "weakness" work for me in some way. Trust me, I WISH I knew how to edit!

 

[Panikim]

Oh I wouldn't think that! The reason I went with the no editing was because I saw some previous year panelists whose videos WERE edited and beautiful and just so much better than what I know how to do. I figured I'd try to just stay away from editing entirely and TRY to make my "weakness" work for me in some way. Trust me, I WISH I knew how to edit!

I'm definitely not a wiz at it. I learned on the fly last year. Adobe has some amazing video editing software that made life super easy and high quality looking. I knew one take shots weren't an option for me with my ADD. There was no way of making through a minute without stumbling over my words. Not with nerves raging.

 

[AnnabelleTheTalkingTree]

I'm definitely not a wiz at it. I learned on the fly last year. Adobe has some amazing video editing software that made life super easy and high quality looking. I knew one take shots weren't an option for me with my ADD. There was no way of making through a minute without stumbling over my words. Not with nerves raging.

I'm already coming up with ideas for a video for next year, should I make it to Round 2 again! I'm going to have to learn a little about editing I think though. I still think I like the idea of a simpler video, but being able to kick it up a notch probably wouldn't be a bad idea.