Fifth Annual Walt Disney World Moms Panel Search

[Carol]

It All Started with an “M” and it Wasn’t “Mouse” but “Moms!” - Disney Parks Announces Fifth Annual Walt Disney World Moms Panel Search

Annual call for entries expands to include first-ever Disneyland and runDisney specialists

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (Sept. 12, 2011) — Love sharing your knowledge of Mickey’s California crib? Raced around every attraction at Walt Disney World Resort? If so, your dreams have come true! Disney Parks today announced the fifth annual Walt Disney World Moms Panel search. For the first time in the panel’s history, the call for new park-savvy panelists to lead the online trip-planning forum has expanded to include Disneyland and runDisney specialists. Disney fans from all over the world are encouraged to apply at www.disneyworldmoms.com/search2012 today through September 16.

Entering its fifth year, the Moms Panel currently boasts 43 panelists whose expertise spans Walt Disney World Resort, Disney Cruise Line, Disney Vacation Club, Adventures by Disney and — coming in 2012 — Disneyland Resort offerings. Over the last five years, millions of guests have visited the site, accessing an index of 70,000 expertly answered questions about how to plan memorable Disney vacations. The Moms Panel offers guests vacation insights on a variety of platforms including exclusive “How-To” videos from panelists and celebrities, dedicated Facebook content, personal Disney Parks Blog posts and in-park meet-ups.

“We started the Moms Panel in 2008 with 12 panelists, a simple website, and the goal of helping first-time visitors plan their perfect Walt Disney World vacation,” said Leanne Jakubowski, who oversees the program. “We are very excited to expand our search to include new specialty areas. It is important that the Moms Panel is made up of real guests and represents a diverse spectrum of thoughts and perspectives so we can offer honest, heartfelt and useful information to help people make their time with us magical.”

“As a member of the Walt Disney World Moms Panel, I have had the opportunity to not only share my personal Disney knowledge, but to truly touch the lives of others by helping them to create priceless family memories,” said Kim LaPaglia, a member of the inaugural panel. “I encourage parents, grandparents and guardians — anyone who shares a passion for planning Disney vacations — to apply.”

How to Apply
Disney Parks will accept applications for the 2012 Walt Disney World Moms Panel from 9:00 a.m. EDT on September 12, 2011 until September 16, 11:59 p.m. EDT., or when 20,000 applications have been received. Those interested should visit www.disneyworldmoms.com/search2012 to enter. The first steps of the application process begin with a series of written questions and submissions. The final round of applicants will participate in a brief phone interview. Once the search is complete, the top candidates will be named to the Walt Disney World Moms Panel in January 2012. Panelists must be available to attend a training session at Walt Disney World Resort in December 2011.

About the Walt Disney World Moms Panel
The Walt Disney World Moms Panel is an online forum where guests can get tips and insights for a Disney vacation from real moms, dads, grandparents and even an aunt who have mastered the art of planning Disney vacations. Guests can pose questions to the panelists, as well as gain access to other vacation-planning tools for booking a Disney vacation. Featuring just 12 members during its inaugural year in 2008, the panel now boasts 43 park-savvy panelists as a result of the popularity of the site and an ever-growing number of questions submitted by curious parents. For more information and to meet the panelists, visit www.disneyworldmoms.com.

[Christine]

I won't be applying again this year. I attended the mom's panel event at Epcot last year- with a fellow intercotee- (snacks and a talk in the expo building where party for the senses is held, then fireworks at the reserved space in the front of world showcase lagoon).
The entire thing put a bad taste in my mouth. I spoke with the "leader" afterwards because I didn't understand why this was a "mom's" panel when there are single men on it that don't even have children ? Why not just name it the Disney "FAN" panel? Then you can make it as diverse as you'd like.

It felt like losing a "blond middle aged women named Christine" contest to a bunch of purple elephants named Harold.

And what I hoped would be a nice panel to help folks plan their trips to Disney, is more like a celebrity wanna be clique.


It may seem like sour grapes but it's just my two cents

[KylesMom]

Interesting take on the "celebrity wanna be clique", as a few of our long-standing INTERCOT members are/have been members of the Mom's Panel & they've never given off that vibe, Christine. I'm sorry you felt that way after participating in the event.

At any rate, I'll be curious to see how quickly they reach the 20k applicants. Surely it won't last until Friday . . .

[Christine]

Interesting take on the "celebrity wanna be clique", as a few of our long-standing INTERCOT members are/have been members of the Mom's Panel & they've never given off that vibe, Christine. I'm sorry you felt that way after participating in the event.

At any rate, I'll be curious to see how quickly they reach the 20k applicants. Surely it won't last until Friday . . .

Definitely not trying to offend. Just relaying our experience. They had the panelists seated with the rest of us. And when I attempted to speak after the show on the way to
the fireworks area with the several "pink shirts" to see where they were from, when they became panelists, they were hardly receptive.
In fact I was told "you can look on our Website to read more about the panel"

The pink shirts sat at one section, the rest of us to the outside. I thought it was ridiculous.

Again, just my experience. Not exactly sure what the purpose of the event was, having us non-
panelists there? It was billed as a kick off to the application process. But it didn't bode well for the organization in my eyes.

So apologies if I offended any panelists on this board. Im sure there are lovely folks on the mom's panel. I wish I'd met them that night indeed !

[Joannelet]

This is my third time trying!
Thanks for relaying the info and for the reminders!! Cannot wait for November to hear and hopefully it will be good news!

[Disney Hungarian]

Being that I am a single male with no kids that has applied to join the panel; could someone please enlighten me as to the conflict of having someone like me on the panel. I would like to think that if I made it on to the panel, that I wouldn't have to be dodging stones thrown at me.

[Melanie]

I didn't understand why this was a "mom's" panel when there are single men on it that don't even have children ? Why not just name it the Disney "FAN" panel? Then you can make it as diverse as you'd like.

To be completely honest, I don't really understand this aspect of it either. It really doesn't make sense.

Interesting take on the "celebrity wanna be clique", as a few of our long-standing INTERCOT members are/have been members of the Mom's Panel & they've never given off that vibe, Christine.

And this is totally true! I love our "Mom's" Panel MOM's, and one I am proud to call a friend!

[Erilee]

Hi everyone!
I'm a first timer applying to the moms panel. Does anyone know the time frame of which they let you know if you made it to the next round? It said they will email you in November, but is that only for the finalists considering the meeting is in December? Thanks!

[Hammer]

Sorry, Natalie, I disagree with you. So, just because some woman decides to give birth or adopt, her knowledge for planning a WDW vacation is more valuable than mine, Jeff (Scar or JPL), Jason, Michael, Mikki, or any other person who does not have kids for whatever reason? Just look at the number of moderators who do not have kids and i may have missed a few!

There are other groups that vacation at WDW. Lest anyone forget, WDW has been one of the top honeymoon destinations for many years and many honeymooners want to do things besides the stuff that is geared to families.

[mudpuppysmom]

There are other groups that vacation at WDW. Lest anyone forget, WDW has been one of the top honeymoon destinations for many years and many honeymooners want to do things besides the stuff that is geared to families.

THAT is exactly what I tell people when they ask, "WHAT? You are going THERE AGAIN!?!?!?!"

Each trip is different for us (we do have kids now though). Even with the kids.....times change and what used to be cute and a must do is not any longer "cool" to do. Without kids is a totally different ballgame, but just as fun.

I guess I should have said -- Disney is a place for "kids" of ALL ages.....even "old" kids!

[BrerGnat]

Sorry, Natalie, I disagree with you. So, just because some woman decides to give birth or adopt, her knowledge for planning a WDW vacation is more valuable than mine, Jeff (Scar or JPL), Jason, Michael, Mikki, or any other person who does not have kids for whatever reason? Just look at the number of moderators who do not have kids and i may have missed a few!

There are other groups that vacation at WDW. Lest anyone forget, WDW has been one of the top honeymoon destinations for many years and many honeymooners want to do things besides the stuff that is geared to families.

Oh, Christine, I think you misunderstood my point. I totally agree with you! I think there are people of all types who are stellar WDW vacation planners.

My beef is with the fact that Disney calls it the MOMS PANEL. If it was called anything else (besides maybe the Disney DADS Panel), it would be fine. I have an issue that Disney originally marketed it as a panel full of MOMS, and it's now just a panel for anyone who fits the bill of having visited WDW in the past 12 months (which, to be frank, puts an unreasonable restriction on eligibility, IMO).

They need to change the name. Or change the eligibility requirements. Or both.

[Melanie]

I definitely think Christine misunderstood.

Change the name!!!! It makes no sense.

The 12 month thing isn't new this year. I remember answering that question when I applied a few years back.

[BrerGnat]

The 12 month thing isn't new this year. I remember answering that question when I applied a few years back.

Yeah, I know, but I think that's a pretty harsh requirement. What if you went 14 months ago? Or 13? Does it make you more of an expert if you went within the past 12 months, even if you've gone, perhaps 20 times?

I sort of feel like they should ask you how many times you've visited in the past 10 years, and then leave it up to them to decide what number of trips would qualify you as an "expert".