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 . . .

[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! :thumbsup:

[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 ! :) :thumbsup:

[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! :mickey:

[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]

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.

I have no issue with people of all kinds being on the panel AT ALL. Just don't call it a "Mom's" panel.

[LottaLubes]

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.

Sean - trust me, you would be welcomed with open arms! Some of our best "moms" are men! :mickey:

Christine - I was at the Epcot party and I had a great time going from table to table meeting everyone. I can't speak for the other moms but I remember being the only one with a pink shirt at my table. In fact, I've become FB friends with the people from my table and we are in touch often. I'm sorry you did not enjoy yourself.

Anyway, sending more positive thoughts and pixie dust again to all my fellow Intercotees!

[Christine]

I have no issue with people of all kinds being on the panel AT ALL. Just don't call it a "Mom's" panel.

Exactly! I think Disney is missing out on so many fabulous ppl by calling it that. I have two gentlemen friends & couple of friends with no kids who would be awesome on a panel like this- but don't feel it's for them. It should just be a FAN panel- that way no one is excluded by "title" (even though yes, I understand it's done)

And lottalubes, i wish I'd have met you! That would have been much more encouraging :)

Good luck to all!!!

[Jennifer_and_Chris]

I just finished my entry....

I hope this year I'll make it past the finalist stage!!! Oh, well, here's to hoping!

I didn't sweat the answer this time. I just typed and finished in about 10 minutes. I usually antagonize over the answer reading over and over, rewording over and over, etc.

This time I just typed off the cuff and hit enter. Hope it works!:thumbsup:

[Christine]

Good luck Jennifer!!!

[Melanie]

Sean - trust me, you would be welcomed with open arms! Some of our best "moms" are men! :mickey:
!

But do you understand what some of us are feeling here? Or maybe you aren't allowed to say? I honestly don't get it.

[KylesMom]

I have my own ideas about this one.

Moms Know Best - and when they started the whole shebang a few years ago to compete with unofficial sites like us, it was the right name. Now, just like the Disney Dining Experience a few years ago (Tables in Wonderland - really????) , they have confusion in how to market it. They want to cover every demographic, but at this point they don't / can't change the motto of "Mom knows best" - or Mickey Moms Club. As I type this, I remember the initial package they sent with mousepad, pins, etcetera. It was pretty cool.

I totally agree (after getting one of the coveted red box packages complete with all of the Mom's panel stuff for a party- even though it showed up two weeks LATE for my party) that they need to re-think the name. However, now that the club has been marketed as such, how do you change the name without causing total confusion?

At some point, Disney's marketing department needs to come up with a solution. I just hope it's better than the Tables in Wonderland name, which has no bearing on Florida residents or Annual Passholders - and what the benefits are!

[LottaLubes]

But do you understand what some of us are feeling here? Or maybe you aren't allowed to say? I honestly don't get it.

Oh, I totally understand your feelings. I'm OK with the name but if it were to ever change, I'd be OK with that too. I just wanted to address Sean's concern about being a single male on the panel and dodging potential stones. We would certainly welcome him! :mickey:

[BrerGnat]

I don't understand why they didn't just keep it to MOMS. I mean, wasn't that the point?

Did somebody threaten legal action for "discrimination" or something? Is it because it was a contest that it had to be "open to all legal residents of the U.S.A."?

There has to be more to it than just the name. I bet Disney wanted it to be just moms, and then they started getting flack from "non-moms" claiming discrimination.

Just my 2 cents, but I don't understand how a single man (or woman) can be on a "Mom's" panel. It's just weird.

[disney obsessed]

It's all about marketing. Mom evokes a feeling of being cared for. Todays society has many forms of caregivers. If 98% of people were asked about who took care of them, it would be mom.

Everyone has their own ideas and experience. I am somewhat surprised that someone had a 'not so magical experience" with the event, but not really. It's all about the marketing and the bottom line of getting people to spend money. With that being said, I have applied for the first time. I completely understand that they will probably profit more from me that I would by getting a free trip. And I am OK with it.

IMHP

[TheDuckRocks]

I finally entered this year mainly as a Grandma that is the Disney vacation planner for family and friends. Being retired I think it would be fun to have another outlet for my love of WDW and keep the old brain cells going. Realistically with 20,000 applications being accepted chances are slim that I will be picked. But I do remember a quote from a tiny friend that, "A dream is a wish your heart makes".:fingers:

[Dawn,DeniseandDiane]

Dawn,Denise& I are single aunts who are "moms" to all of our neices and nephews. We love each as if they were our own. We have a total of 72! It is wonderful to hear them say that they have always had 4 moms.We even get calls and gifts on Mothers Day! What an honor! We are mid 40's, own our home together,are identical triplets and the resident trip planners for all we know. We can do some things that Mom and Dad cannot always do for them. We love to take a few on vacation with us on most every trip. I would love to be a "real" mom. But, I except the fact that is just not in the plans. I would love to be excepted on the Disney Moms Panel. This is the first yr I have applied, because of the term "Moms panel". I was happy to see that there was others besides "mom" on it. I know the chances are slim but I believe I have a great deal to offer others. My favorite thing is to help someone else. What a wonderful thing to be able to spread "true Disney magic"
Hey, it doesn't cost anything to dream!!

Good luck to all who are trying as well!

Dawn,Denise&Diane:wave::wave::wave:

[mudpuppysmom]

I read the questions, thought for a minute, then typed. I didn't leave myself time to really think about what they might be looking for or not -- I just typed, so we'll see where typing from the hip gets me this year!

[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!

[Scar]

Just my 2 cents, but I don't understand how a single man (or woman) can be on a "Mom's" panel. It's just weird.What if the single woman was a mom?

[BrerGnat]

What if the single woman was a mom?

Okay, smarty pants. ;)

I shouldn't have even said "single". I should have said "childless". My bad.

[Scar]

I was just trying to tactfully correct you before an irate single mom lashed out at you. ;)

[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".

[McLiberal8]

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?

This is my worry.. I went last year, from Sept 9-12. I entered my application on Sept 12th this year, the 1st day they could be accepted. I came JUST within the year period, but only on the 1st day. I hope it still counts. If not, that's pretty petty!

[BrerGnat]

This is my worry.. I went last year, from Sept 9-12. I entered my application on Sept 12th this year, the 1st day they could be accepted. I came JUST within the year period, but only on the 1st day. I hope it still counts. If not, that's pretty petty!

I think you'll be okay. But barely! See, I think it's so weird that they are so picky about this part of it, but not picky about actually having to be a mother, for the MOMS Panel. Just sort of backwards...

[iheartdisney]

I'm curious if anyone who applied this year made it? I applied but got my reject email a week or so ago. I'm really curious as to what they look for. I've been going about every 18 months since they opened in 1971. I help friends and family plan trips. I have children that range in ages from 7-19. I've gone pregnant, with infants and elderly relatives. I've chaperoned school trips. I thought I'd be at least worth a second look. :(

[Melanie]

Check out this thread (http://www.intercot.com/discussion/showthread.php?t=183518) for more current postings. Quite a few INTERCOTees made it to round 2. :clappy: Waiting for notification of those who are going on to round 3 any day now. :thumbsup:

[meldan98]

I really wish that they would do a Disneyland panel. We really can't do annual trips to Disneyworld, so there is no way I'd ever get picked to be on a WDW panel.

Good luck to all the Intercotee's that made it to round 2.

[Buttercup]

Yep, I got my reject letter a couple weeks ago as well.
I do remember the first year when I got a package with a mousepad, giant magnet, pins and stickers, just for applying. I still have all that stuff and use my Micky Moms Club mousepad every day!
I'm guessing that they named it that because wasn't the original intent to be for Moms sharing info about the park with other Moms on stuff like baby care centres, rider switch, etc. -- stuff that maybe families coming to Disney for the first time would be interested in knowing. Granted, Dads like to know this stuff too so I understand the need for a name change! But I never thought of it as a weird competition of "who knows more about Disney World". I just thought it was an information sharing/opinion collecting thing between families, at least at the start.

[ghasty]

So what was the time frame for round 3 to be notified? I made it to round 2 this year and everytime the phone rings or a disney marketing email hits my iphone I jump

[brdavis]

Round three has been notified... the new panel members have already been selected (& notified). No, I'm not one of them... but just thought I'd update.

--
Brian Davis