What's the Disney Mom Panel (#DisneyMP) you ask? (I learned about it last year while on a Disney/Babble Latina Mom press trip. And I got to visit Disneyland!!) The Disney Mom Panel serves as an online resource for anyone who's planning a Disney vacation. You can search for an answer or submit your question and someone on the Disney Mom Panel will answer it.
I knew from the moment I heard about the Disney Mom Panel it was something I wanted to be part of. Not only because I love Disney. But because I know I have something of value to share.
Our first trip to Disney in 2011 was carefully planned. Traveling with a special needs child I researched and printed out maps and an itinerary. It was our first time flying as a family and it was my very first trip to Walt Disney World. A Disney vacation was something I always dreamed about as a kid. Being able to fulfill my childhood dream with my son, giving him something I had always wanted - there isn't any other vacation destination that can compare to Walt Disney World.
While I had never visited Walt Disney World, Disney has always been a part of my life. My first Halloween costume I remember? Tinkerbell. I was Tinkerbell 4 years in a row. I grew up with and loved every single Disney Princess movie. My all time favorite Disney character is Goofy and I collected every single Goofy item I could. The first moment my husband and I bonded was over Star Wars. We named Norrin after a Marvel Superhero. And our first date night after Norrin was born? Disney Pixar Cars! Walking through The Magic Kingdom for the very first time, there was already this connection to the park - this sense of familiar and sentiment.
Since that first trip, we've visited Walt Disney World twice. Each time creating special memories. Each visit, I cry. Because Disney has been such an important part of our life, I want to help other special needs parents with their Disney experience. I want to help make it memorable for them.
So I applied for the #DisneyMP back in September. All I had to do was answer a few questions and send in a photo of my family. Then I made myself forget about it. I knew how many #DisneyMP hopefuls there are and didn't think I'd have a chance of moving on. I heard about folks applying for years before moving on to Round 2. And then I got the email congratulating me on making it to Round 2! Yes...I cried. It made our evening at the Magic Kingdom even more magical.
The turnaround for Round 2 was quick. Within a week I had to submit a video and answer a few more questions. I did my best and hit submit before I could second guess myself.
Here's the video I didn't submit...
Who the heck am I kidding? I have done nothing but second guess myself since I hit submit. I'm nervous you guys...because I want this. And I'm trying not to think about it. I'm trying to believe that what I submitted was good enough. My video wasn't anything fancy. I wasn't decked out in Disney gear (though did you peep the earrings?), I didn't film at a special location (I think some people actually made their video at Disney) and I didn't do any editing. I was just myself.
I was on Twitter earlier and saw that emails may be going out on
If I do make it to Round 3 - YAY!
If I don't - well, there's always next year.
Either way - all I really want to do is help families like mine make the most of their Disney vacation. And I can do that from anywhere. So if you have a question about Disney, feel free to ask me - I am always happy to help!
Sending lots of faith, trust & pixie dust to all the #DisneyMP 2015 Hopefuls!!
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11/11/14 update - Unfortunately I didn't make it to Round 3. Yes, I am disappointed but I feel honored to have made to the 2nd round on my first try. Now I know what to expect and how to prepare. And if I can, I'll apply again next year.