I'd like to thank the wonderful Cast Members at the WDW Moms Panel for inviting me to return as a panelist in 2011. I look forward to helping guests create magical vacations!
My journey began in 2008 and it's been a memorable one.
During this past year, I've missed the creative process of research and writing.
Soon, I'll be sharing more of my Disney cruise in the Mediterranean as well as some of my Disney memories. I hope to inspire families to travel to a Disney destination!
Although I've been on "hiatus" this year from the WDW Moms Panel, being chosen for the inaugural 2008 year was a life-changing experience for me. It took a mom out of the doldrums of daily duties to a challenging, believe in yourself again experience. I regained confidence that had been lost since I left the working world.
Each stage of the application process gave me inspiration. And the day that I received the phone call that I had been selected as one of the 12 panelists for the first ever WDW Moms Panel, I was beyond elated. I was singing "When You Wish Upon A Star" all through our house!
I applied for the panel because I wanted to share my love for the WDW resort with other families. I saw a way in which I could inspire people to make that first time trip to Walt Disney World. I wanted others to feel that same magic that I felt walking with my son down Main Street for the first time. I hoped families would find it easier to plan a trip with my help so that they could get the most out of their vacation time and dollars.
It's now time to take a chance and make your dream come true too. Being a part of the magic has been an experience that I'm grateful for every day. I have a tremendous respect for the Cast Members that helped make my dream a possibility. I consider Leanne to be my fairy-godmother. Not only did she give me my wings but she helped me sprinkle pixie dust among countless WDW guests via my involvement with www.disneyworldmoms.com.
The phone call announcing that I had been selected for the panel changed my life. I will always be grateful for that moment. It just may have been the craziest, most exciting moment of pure joy and elation that I've ever felt.
Putting pen to paper has always been easy for me. It's my preferred method of communication. I'm in my element when I'm writing words on a page - handwritten or typed. But the phone interview for the WDW Moms Panel took great courage for me. I overcame my fears as I only wanted to hang up that phone knowing that I did my best.
In 2009, I proudly served on the panel again answering questions on the Disney Cruise Line. If you have an expertise and are willing to share it, join us.
If you dream of being a part of the magic of the WDW Moms Panel, let this be your year!
As a member of the WDW Moms Panel, I have experienced magic in ways that I never dreamed possible. Helping families plan their vacations to WDW and aboard the Disney Cruise Line is such a rewarding journey.
Apply now at http://disneyworldforum.disney.go.com/recruiting/
Don't wait. 20,000 applications will be accepted!
And don't think that the odds are too great. 10,000 applications were accepted when I applied in 2007 for the inaugural panel. Had I not dreamed a fantastical dream, made a grand wish and believed in pixie dust, then I would not have filled out the application.
Fill out your application. Speak from the heart. Follow directions. Remember this is a writing job. And then add in some Faith, Trust and Pixie Dust.
Best wishes!
Magic Meets 2009 was a bit surreal for me. For years, I've been just one of the guests attending due to my family's passion for all things Disney. I attended in order to meet some of my Disney heroes including Deb Wills of AllEarsNet.com, Jennifer Marx of PassPorter.com and many other authors, podcasters and fellow-Mouse crazed fans.
This year, I was there as a Guest Speaker. I also helped man a table where members of the WDW Moms Panel (www.disneyworldmoms.com) gave out freebies with the Moms Panel logo (the hand gel was a huge hit) and answered questions about our experiences.
In a conference room where I (along with Disney Moms Beth, Erin and Karen) waited to speak to approximately 100 people I had goose bumps glancing across the crowd. These people wanted to hear about our experiences on the WDW Moms Panel and to tell them about the application process. For years, I had sat in similar rooms waiting for guest speakers to chat about their experiences with WDW, the Disney Cruise Line and other Disney adventures.
I was nervous. But I felt pixie-dusted once again. When I applied for the WDW Moms Panel, I wanted to share my love of the Mouse's House and help other families discover the magic. I loved to write and I breathed Disney. In and out. Every day. The same can be said for zillions of other Disney fans. Being accepted on the Panel was a dream come true. And the experiences, friendships and magic that I've encountered have been a blessing.
Justin Muchoney (Disney CMO, me, Disney Mom Erin, Disney Mom Karen and the one and only Deb Wills)
Are you a Disney fan with a passion for writing, helping other families explore the magic that Disney offers and ready to be part of a magical voyage?
If so, you'll want to stay tuned here as applications for the 2010 panelists will begin at 9:00 a.m. EST on September 10th.
Best wishes to each of you. And remember,
"a dream is a wish your heart makes".
