So much has happened in the span of two years, it’s hard to imagine that just a short time ago my dream was to join the amazing panelists on the Walt Disney World Moms Panel, and that dream actually came true. Since the site here took off at around the same time and my last year was filled with special events and opportunities, new friends and experiences, I felt like I needed to remember the dream that started it all. It’s still pretty amazing if you stop and think.

I’m so grateful for the chance to help guests out in an official capacity on an official Walt Disney World site, not to mention the wonderful cast members I’ve met, fellow panelists I’ve worked along side and friends I’ve made because of the panel. It’s such a special opportunity of a lifetime and I am so appreciative, every day, for that gift. I only hope that I can pass my excitement, love and knowledge of Walt Disney World on to the people I come in contact with and, well, make Walt proud too.

If you’d like to ask me a WDW vacation planning question directly, you can head over to my bio page at DisneyWorldMoms.com and click on the “ask Suzannah a question” link. I’d be happy to help! While you’re there, check out all the new faces ready to lend a hand as well. I hope to be highlighting some of them here on the sight in the coming months!

In putting together the video I’m about to share below, I remembered when I first started looking into DisneyWorldMoms.com and watching the official video Disney released announcing the 2009 panel. I recall watching the video and seeing the faces of the moms and dads on the panel and just thinking, “That will never be me. I can’t imagine.” (but at the same time secretly hoping) The people on the panel seemed like rock stars to me; people you admired from afar but could never be a part of their world. Despite that, I had a dream…and now not only am I one of the chosen few Walt Disney World Moms Panelists, I call each and every one of them friend.

The internet is an amazing place in its ability to bring people together. Even if I hadn’t been chosen for the panel, I still might have been able to meet everyone I’ve met in the past year, through twitter, facebook, message boards and even because of ZannaLand. That is another gift for which I am truly grateful. The fact that I was chosen just made this past year all the sweeter and full of magical twists and turns and showers of pixie dust.

I’ve spoken a bit before here about my personality. One of the biggest shocks when people meet me in person is that I’m not the real-life personification of my online persona. I wish I was…but the truth is I’ve always struggled with being shy and I’m usually the person that will shrink back into the background if given the chance. It’s something I embarrassingly never even thought about when I applied to the panel – “oh, I’ll have to actually speak on video and meet people and *gulp* be outgoing!” So that is another gift of this past year – learning to be more sociable. I’m still taking baby steps I’m in that department and each time I meet someone from twitter or facebook or a fan of the Moms Panel, I get a little more comfortable. THAT is thanks to the patience and understanding of  my fellow Moms Panelists and everyone I’ve met that’s really shown me it’s okay to just be me. I’m getting there!

Anyway, enough rambling about me! I just wanted to take a moment to drink in all that’s happened since one year ago and the amazing journey that started with the thought, “I can do that.” As Walt himself said, “If you can dream it, you can do it.” I realize many people who have attempted this particular dream may be a bit heartbroken right now…and that’s understandable. Many of us took several years to achieve it, some have made it but moved on to other paths. That’s the important thing; keeping your passion alive and seeing what pathways open up for you. Every Disney fan is an amazing person full of heart and soul, pink jacket or not.

In the course of reflecting on this past year, I finally got around to something I’d wanted to do for months now – make a video slide show of all the Moms Panelists to date! No matter what year we joined the panel, we all have something special to bring and an amazing bond among us. I put this together as my little thank-you love-letter to the Walt Disney World Moms Panel, the panelists and those behind the scenes that have made dreams come true for going on 4 years now. The video is pretty heavy on last year’s training trip, simply because that’s what I had the most pictures and memories of. However, we truly are one big pink family and cannot wait to meet and welcome the newest panelists as they start their magical journey. For more on our 2010 training trip, check out fellow Moms Panelist and all-around great guy, Marc Lorenzo’s video (which puts mine to shame!).

I will be returning to the panel again in 2011 so you’re still stuck with me! Much love and thanks to *everyone* that’s followed along and made the past year so very special to me.

Unfortunately, I did not have my real camera and my cell phone pics are not the best, but I wanted to share the inside with you just the same. Hopefully I’ll get another chance to visit. I know the D23 Sip and Stroll attendees were able to experience both this lounge and the one for Spaceship Earth, so who knows what future events may take place here.

This sign as you enter was enough to make my visit worthwhile.

The lounge is quite long, and overlooks the opposite side of the tank you see from the Coral Reef restaurant.

This photo is pretty blurry, but you can see the famous clear acrylic piano in the background.

It's amazing to realize you're on the second floor and still have great views of the sea life within the tank. I hope the Moms pictured will forgive me for using these candid shots!

If you’d like to check out pictures from the other VIP Lounges I’ve been lucky enough to visit, check out the Wonders of Life lounge and the HP Mission: Space lounge. Still have a few to cross off my list, but I have hope!

I never did get around to finishing my reports for the trip, but you can read the first day of training, hopefully I’ll finish it up before December! You can catch the entire trip report from Kaylene J. at her blog FiveTimesBlessed.blogspot.com (see links to all of the days on the left of that page), Kathie F. at WhatNowKathie.com, and Amanda W. at her site, OhAmanda.com.

Have you applied to the 2011 panel? I’d love to hear from you if so!

The Walt Disney World Moms Panel {image ©Disney}

Amanda P. has a great sense of humor and her love of Disney and her family (she recently had a baby girl, joining her other two princes at home!) shine through. I hope you enjoy getting to know her a little better -

How did you first get interested in the Disney parks?

As a child I used to watch re-runs (I didn’t realize they were re-runs) of the Wonderful World of Disney on the Disney Channel starring Uncle Walt—was fascinated by him. Then about third grade, I read a biography about Walt Disney. I was so sad to find out that he was no longer living. We had our first trip to Walt Disney World within a few months of me reading that biography.

Besides Disney, what are you most passionate about?

My children. They are my full-time job, and I want to make sure I’m always learning how best to parent them.

Amanda P. with Mickey and Minnie during 2010 training.

Tell us about your family – are they Disney fans too? What are some of your most memorable family experiences?

My husband didn’t become a real fan until after our honeymoon. Once he saw how happy it made me, he was hooked too! My boys are BIG Disney fans. They think it’s ‘normal’ to go to Walt Disney World every year and are at the age where they THINK they are able to navigate their way around the parks solo. At least for now, they tell us where to go! LOL

What is your dream job (Disney or otherwise)?

My life-long dream job is to be a Mom…once I hit retirement age, my dream is to work for Disney. My husband and I have this crazy idea that we’ll work as tram operators. He’ll drive and I’ll do the spiel.

What is your favorite Disney restaurant and why?

California Grill. We celebrated our 4th anniversary there, and it was just magical. It holds a special place for both of us.

What is the first thing you do when you arrive at Disney visit? What is your MUST DO during each visit?

Cheer when we go under the “Walt Disney World” sign. I think I take a picture of it every time! LOL Our MUST do is ride “it’s a small world”.

What do you wish there were more of at Disney? Less?

More ‘boy’ stuff/less ‘princess’ stuff. It seems that the princess stuff is just so overwhelming, and up until the birth of my daughter this year, I always had to sift through it. Now I guess I just have to deal with all of it!

What type of music are you into?

Right now? Imagination Movers, They Might Be Giants…I only listen to kiddie music because they’re always in the car with me!

What’s the last book you read that you really enjoyed?

Book…yeah…I don’t get a lot of time to read for pleasure. Most of my reading is for research. I get on kicks where I read about something random in a magazine article (in passing), and then become obsessed and then read EVERY THING I can about that topic.

Describe YOUR perfect Disney vacation (could be solo, with family, friends anything, no limitations).

It would include my family. We would be staying at the Poly or Grand Floridian and we’d stay for two whole weeks—relaxing and doing ‘everything’. Yeah, cause you KNOW two weeks would be enough time to do ‘everything’. LOL

…

Thank you so much Amanda for letting us get to know you a bit more! Remember to look for Amanda P. at the Walt Disney World Moms Panel, where you can ask all of your Disney World vacation planning questions.

Now, onto the point of my post. So you say you want to be on the Walt Disney World Moms Panel, eh? Well I’m here to explain how it all works. Of course, the actual process of choosing the applicants is top secret and not something we panelists are involved in, but that doesn’t mean I can’t give you a little info on how things go down.

First, the misconceptions - Most people think you have to a) be a mom and b) have kids to be chosen for the panel. This is simply not true. While the panel has the moniker of “Moms” panel it really is not exclusive to moms at all. Each year up until last year, one dad was chosen with each new panel. Last year, six dads joined the team. While there has not been a panelist without children chosen yet, they are still welcome to apply. The questions we receive on the panel range from what time Fantasmic shows on a certain date, how to make a celebration at Walt Disney World special, recommending hotels or restaurants, to which attractions are the most enjoyable for certain guests. There are just as many questions that have nothing to do with being a parent per se, as there are questions about how to handle the parks with kids. Bottom line, Disney is looking for knowledge, passion, and the ability to convey those two things clearly as you help guests plan their vacations.  The official qualifications from last year include visiting the WDW resort within the last 12 months along with some other must-haves.

Well, why don’t I let the Pink Princess herself, Walt Disney World Moms Panel and Social Media Manager Laura Spencer share some tips for what they are looking for, in her own words:

• The competition is VERY stiff. The Walt Disney World Moms Panel website is based on writing, so poor grammar and typos will probably get you eliminated almost immediately. Proofread your applications.

• Things like calling the Magic Kingdom ‘Disney World’  or the monorail the ‘train’ to the parks are subtle hints to reviewers that let them know your knowledge level.

• Just be you. It’s not possible to know everything about Disney Parks. Fine dining, Disney architecture and multicultural family travel were my areas of expertise when I applied for the panel, so that’s what I talked about.

• If your friends and family cannot help themselves from calling YOU for their Disney trip planning advice, somehow show that passion on the application. You have to literally “jump” off of the page to be picked from applicants that seem to get better each year.

• Do your friends and family recommend you to other people to help them plan their Disney Parks vacations? If you cannot answer ‘yes’ to that question, then perhaps the Walt Disney World Moms Panel isn’t for you.  Current and former panel members have such a high passion for all things Disney, that everyone in their inner and outer circle knows it. Panelists were usually known as the ‘go-to’ person in their communities for Disney trip planning advice before they ever made it onto the panel.

Great words of wisdom. The first year I applied, I tried to fit in as many things as I could to “prove” what I knew and why I “deserved” to be on the panel. I realized that coming from that frame of mind – “I know it all, I SHOULD be on this panel!” is not the way to go about it. I feel, personally, that you must show your true self in your words and show what you DO with all that knowledge you have. There are thousands of Disney experts out there, but do you want them to help plan your vacation? And do they want to help?

As far as the actual process - the Walt Disney World Moms Panel search page will switch over to a form for writing your essay questions, in 100 words or less, on the date applications begin. If you already have a log-in for WaltDisneyWorld.com, simply use that to log-in and begin writing your answers. If you do not, you’ll be able to register before you start. You will then answer three questions, which could be about you, your family, what makes you a great Disney vacation planner, or other topics to help those reading get to know you a little better.

That email you use to register will be where all future communications from the Moms Panel are sent. You will receive a confirmation email that your application has been received. If you do not receive this email, do not panic. It could be lost in your spam folder, or somewhere in space between Disney and your computer. As long as you received the confirmation page on the site where you applied, your application has been received. While Disney cannot guarantee replying to all the applicants that do not make the cut, in the past emails have been sent out thanking you for your time and efforts and inviting you to the Mickey Moms Club.

One word of warning – do not write your answers in a word processor and copy and paste them into the form. Coding and invisible characters can be pasted in, making your answers virtually impossible to read. The form does note this, but it can be easy to miss in the excitement. You want to make sure all your words come across clearly!

If you move on to the second round, there will be another set of three essay questions to answer, most likely looking for specific examples of how you’ve helped others plan successful Disney vacations. I know many people want to know the questions ahead of time to prepare answers and not have to worry about being under pressure to fit it all in, in 100 words or less, under pressure. My view on this is that it doesn’t help. You are then so focused on trying to find the ‘right’ thing to say, you lose yourself in the process and that will be evident to those reading your responses. Let the real you shine through, spontaneously.

The third round then turns to a phone interview. You’ll be asked a few more questions and if you make it to this point, you’ll probably think your replies were horrible when you get off the phone. Pretty much every single panelist I spoke to last year thought they failed the phone interview miserably (myself included!) and obviously, that was not the case! My advice here is to relax, be yourself and try to speak as if you are just talking to a friend about Disney. That’s easy to do right?

…

As I did last year, I will update this page with information when applications open and as each new round starts. I can’t wait to meet the 2011 panel!

Have you applied in the past? Will you again this year? I’d love to hear from you here and have you keep me posted on how the process goes for you. Wishing all of my friends who joined me on this path last year, as well as those reading this now, the best of luck this year. I hope you will get to receive the exciting message I was honored to be given last year. No matter what happens, be confident in your knowledge and passion for our favorite place – Walt Disney World. Pixie dust to all!

Update: From Laura Spencer at the Mickey Moms Club Illuminations Party, the 2011 Walt Disney World Moms Panel search will begin on September 13 and run for 5 days, until September 17. Best of luck!

The Walt Disney World Moms Panel {image ©Disney}

The few times I’ve hung out with Cathy I’ve loved her sense of humor and personality. We’ve had a lot of fun on twitter too – she and Disney Dad Jonas are killer at 80′s movie quotes! I hope you enjoy getting to know her a little better -

How did you first get interested in the Disney parks?

I remember watching the original Mickey Mouse Club (they were REPEATS, I’m not THAT old!) and just loving it!   I wanted to be in the “New” Mickey Mouse Club, but unfortunately the fact that I live in Ohio and can’t sing, dance, or act kind of ruled me out from that!

I actually did not visit WDW until I was 16, but since then have made about 50+ trips to my favorite vacation destination!

Besides Disney, what are you most passionate about?

I am a typical mom, I just adore my kids! They are 10 and 7 and are so much fun! I can’t imagine a day without them.

Cathy with Mickey and Minnie at last years Moms Panel training trip

Tell us about your family – are they Disney fans too? What are some of your most memorable family experiences?

Well, if this tells you anything about my kids, I currently have the entire monorail system set-up in my family room, complete with switch tracks, Cinderella Castle, Spaceship Earth, and the Contemporary (still checking ebay for Grand Floridian and Polynesian – know of anyone selling these??!!)

The family trip my family will never let me forget was the big family gathering I planned for my 40th birthday. My husband and kids, my brother and his family, and my parents all planned to be in Disney to celebrate my birthday. Wouldn’t you know it, exactly one month before my birthday, I got the call that I had made it on the 2009 Moms Panel, and training weekend was the same as my birthday! Of course, I couldn’t have asked for a better birthday present than being selected on the panel, but my family likes to remind me that they traveled across country for my birthday party – which I did not attend!

Oh, and my husband will leave me if I don’t mention that he proposed to me in front of Cinderella Castle. We love to bore our kids every time we pass by the location and say “this is where daddy . . .” and they finish up “yeah, we know, where you asked mom to marry you. WHATEVER!”

What is your favorite Disney restaurant and why?

Certainly it is not the best food on property, but nothing says Disney Dining like Chef Mickey’s! We have had so many fun family meals here with our kids, family, and cousins. There are just so many great memories. And where else can you dine with Mickey and his pals? This is as fun as it gets!

As far as best food, we like to dine in France, and when we are ready to really eat til we can’t move, it’s off to Whispering Canyon Café. My favorite counter service is Wolfgang Puck Express, so yummy!

Of course I had to share this picture! The unofficial Moms Panel purse! From left to right: Disney Moms Margaret, Jennifer, Tanya, Jodi, Diane C, and Cathy S!

What is the first thing you do when you arrive at Disney visit? What is your MUST DO during each visit?

It is always straight to Magic Kingdom! Even before we had kids, this was always our first stop on our WDW vacations.

What do you wish there were more of at Disney? Less?

My number one request: I would love more counter service restaurants in Epcot. My son thinks Electric Umbrella is the best restaurant ever (is he really my child?). There really there aren’t many good choices.

More parking at Downtown Disney Marketplace – and don’t tell me to park over in that far lot – I’m lazy and want close parking!

What type of music are you into?

I really enjoy all kinds of music and I am totally addicted to my ipod and itunes. Best invention ever.

What’s the last book you read that you really enjoyed?

Well of course it is “The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Walt Disney World!” (Doug, you can thank me later!) But after tearing myself away from that, I like “chick” books, anything by Sophie Kinsella, Danielle Steele, or any book about women with shopping addictions. Not that I know anything about shopping too much! I love to read, but nothing that is deep, I read purely for entertainment! {omgosh I LOVE Sophie Kinsella for fluff! We have to talk!! ~Z}

Describe YOUR perfect Disney vacation (could be solo, with family, friends anything, no limitations).

I love WDW Mom reunion vacations. Yes, I miss my kids, well a little bit. But it is so fun to linger at a nice dinner, shop for hours, and just hang with the girls! (We haven’t convinced any of the dads to ever join us – why is that??!!) Now when is our next WDW Mom get-together???

Feel free to share your little “interesting tid-bit” from training or some other surprising fact about you. (that you don’t mind the internet knowing!)

My deep dark secret – I worked in retail at a Warner Bros. Studio Store when I got out of college, and had to wear a Bugs Bunny T-shirt to work everyday. SHHHH! I had to sneak past the Disney Store on the way to work, I didn’t want Mickey to see me!

…

Thank you so much Cathy for letting us get to know you and your family a bit more! Remember to look for Cathy at the Walt Disney World Moms Panel, where you can ask all of your Disney World vacation planning questions. You can also find Cathy on twitter @DisneyMomCathy and blogging about her family at http://cathyschikowski.blogspot.com. Be sure to look for her the next time you’re in the parks too!

The Walt Disney World Moms Panel {image ©Disney}

I was lucky enough to spend some time with Maria during training. I think we are similar in that we are both on the shy side, but fun-loving once we get comfortable. Maria is so incredibly sweet and her love for her absolutely adorable family shines through. I am proud to call her a friend and hope you enjoy getting to know her a little better!

How did you first get interested in the Disney parks?

It was always the most fun vacation destination when I was growing up. Now as a parent, it’s just as much fun, if not more fun, to see my kids enjoy all the magic at Walt Disney World. I still have fun when I’m there, and it’s never gets old. I love exploring and learning new things about Disney, or just enjoying something that’s new to my children. They are at that age where they are just starting to meet height requirements and are becoming more patient and curious so it’s like a whole new experience each time we visit!

Besides Disney, what are you most passionate about?

My family. I’m blessed to be able to stay home with my kids and have a flexible work/school situation. I also enjoy anything science related (geology, meteorology, astronomy, physics, chemistry…the list goes on). I also like getting outdoors for fun. For fun on rainy days, I will voluntarily sit through marathon runs of Lost, Star Wars, or Star Trek with the boys in my house. Pretty much if it’s anything typically associated with being a “geek”, I’m likely to be a fan.

Minnie and Mickey with our Maria!

Tell us about your family – are they Disney fans too? What are some of your most memorable family experiences?

I’m a lucky lady with a wonderful prince and two little princes in training. Are they Disney fans? Yes. Yes. And Yes. DH has been to WDW at least three times more than I have and takes pride in his VHF collection of Disney movies from back in the day, along with his other Disney collectibles. My children have Disney around them at all times; they don’t know any better but to be as enthusiastic about Disney as we actually all are. One thing we all love is learning about Walt Disney and how Walt Disney World came to be. We really appreciate the vision and innovation behind it all. It helps drive home the whole “think big and work hard” approach that we try to teach our boys about.

What is your dream job (you can answer at Disney, not Disney, both or neither!)

Non Disney, a dream job of mine would as a planetary geologist. At Disney, I would like a job in France at Epcot’s World Showcase. Something about the food there and being able to practice my (rusty) French makes me happy.

What is your favorite Disney restaurant and why?

Citricos, because of the Gateau of Crab. I crave it when I’m away from Disney! My other favorite is Hoop Dee Doo. The food is great and dinner is fun. It’s pretty impossible to go and not laugh.

Disney Dad Chris, Amanda W, Joel, Allison, Jonas, Suzannah and Amy, with Maria, Andi and Aladdin in the front! Loved this night! (photo courtesy of Terry M.)

What is the first thing you do when you arrive at Disney visit? What is your MUST DO during each visit?

Mickey ice cream is always a must. We like to go to Disney without much of an itinerary. Maybe we’ll have a dining reservation or a show we must catch, but other than that, we get to the park we want to go to and just wing it.

What do you wish there were more of at Disney? Less?

I wish there were more places in Disney that offered free refills. It would also be nice to have more resort to resort transportation.
I wish there was less humidity there, though I should be used to it since I live in Florida!

What type of music are you into?

I like Pop. I’m somewhat stuck in the 80s and 90s still, so I like music from then. There’s this online radio thing called Pandora, and one of the most often played stations is the “Disney Channel Stars” one. I just like playing music the kids and I can dance around to without the worry of bad words or things like that.

What’s the last book you read that you really enjoyed?

I Am Going! (An Elephant and Piggie Book) by Mo Willems. Oh wait, did you mean just for me? Well, in that case, The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon by Stephen King.

Describe YOUR perfect Disney vacation (could be solo, with family, friends anything, no limitations).

It would be one that included extended family and friends, but still allowed plenty of my own family’s time on our own together to play in the parks and wander the resorts at our own pace. We would all be staying Club level. There would be a table available at any dining location we desired without needing advanced reservations and with little to no wait. I would love to be able to ride Toy Story Mania! with my boys over and over again, without waiting in line. Then there would be a parade or show or something where my older son was picked from the crowd to participate, because he is a ham and loves to be in the limelight. In fact, he was bummed that he didn’t have his question taken at Turtle Talk with Crush, so having that happen would be enough. Oh, and a stay at Cinderella’s suite in Magic Kingdom would be nice.

…

Thank you, Maria for sharing a little more about you and your family with us. Remember to look for Maria at the Walt Disney World Moms Panel, where you can ask all of your Disney World vacation planning questions. You can also find Maria on twitter @OrbitMom. Also, since Maria’s a Floridian, you just might see her next time you’re in the Parks too!

The Walt Disney World Moms Panel {image ©Disney}

If the 2010 Moms Panel training trip were to have an official mascot of sorts, it would be Chris. I don’t mean that in a ‘he’d look great in a chicken-suit’ kind of way. Rather, he is someone I’d nominate for class president if we had such a thing. He was actually the first person I met at our reception when we were all nervous and excited to meet one another. He came right over and introduced himself (and to my surprise knew who I was) and was just such a wonderful, positive, exuberant  presence in the room. This presence continued throughout training. He had not a bad word to say about a single person and was such a great storyteller we were all captivated by his words. His love of Disney AND his family was ever-present throughout training. It was easy to see why he was chosen to help others in a Disney capacity, since he is a teacher by profession and helps guide children on a daily basis. I was left with the knowledge that his students are very lucky indeed, as am I to know him! Please meet Chris –

How did you first get interested in the Disney parks?

I remember my first trip to Walt Disney World way back in the early ‘70s. At the time, it was only the Magic Kingdom, River Country, the Contemporary and the Polynesian. Man, how things have changed! I wasn’t even on Main Street USA before I had my first character encounter (Pluto), so the “magic” struck early. Back then, it was more or less a free-for-all to get pictures with characters. You may have 4 different kids standing beside a character facing one of 4 different directions and there would the parents clicking away. It was more exciting and unpredictable doing it the old way, but I think I enjoy the organization that exists now even more. In addition, I remember watching the Wonderful World of Disney on Sunday nights wishing that I could live in Cinderella’s Castle, so when I finally saw it in real life, I was awestruck! I still morph back into that little, wide-eyed seven year-old EVERY time I enter the parks, particularly the Magic Kingdom!

Besides Disney, what are you most passionate about?

My wife and girls!! I have two daughters (11 and 6) who are my pride and joy. They are “my beauties”, and they make life so much richer. They were blessed with their Mom’s brains, my athletic ability, and each has an incredibly kind heart. They make me so proud to be their “Dad”… and my wife, the “leveler” as I call her, keeps me balanced. She has a great perspective on life and gives great advice. Plus, she melts every time she meets Pooh, which is quite adorable!

Chris with some new friends inside the Hollywood Studios "Prop Shop"

Tell us about your family – are they Disney fans too? What are some of your most memorable family experiences?

My wife and daughters may not be as fanatical about Disney as I am, but they are close. We have a blast whether we are at “the World” or “the Land”. My wife and I have been married for almost 17 years and I consider myself one lucky guy to have landed someone with looks, brains, a sense of humor, and that child-like sense of fun. One of my favorite Disney memories was when my oldest was 4. We were outside of the Pirates of the Caribbean and spotted Captain Hook and Mr. Smee. I prodded her to go over but she thought Captain Hook was too tall, so I motioned to him to maybe crouch down a bit. Instead he got on his knees and welcomed her in for a big hug. As my daughter walked away, she turned to him and said quite sternly, “now you be good to Wendy”, to which Captain Hook folded his arms across his chest with a defiant “NO” nod. My Emily paused, looked at me, looked back at Captain Hook, and instructed him to, “Well, just think about it, Mister!”

What is your dream job (you can answer at Disney, not Disney, both or neither!)

My “dream job” in descending order would be to be the CEO of the Walt Disney Company, Chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, President of Walt Disney World (I actually got to meet Meg Crofton and she is awesome) OR Disneyland, and finally, General Manager of the Magic Kingdom. After these, anything that involves being a part of the magic becomes a statistical tie. So, while I am waiting for one of those positions to become available, I am currently immersed in my dream job of creating leaders of the future (aka teaching fifth grade)

What is your favorite Disney restaurant and why?

I LOVE everything from a great steak at The Yachtsman to a hot dog at Casey’s Corner, but I must admit that my favorite restaurant at Walt Disney World is Chef Mickey’s (breakfast over dinner). The food is good, but the atmosphere and character mix are what make it great.

Princess Tiana and Prince Naveen meet another prince among men: Chris!

What is the first thing you do when you arrive at Disney visit? What is your MUST DO during each visit?

Every trip starts (and ends) with the Magic Kingdom. Even before the bus rounds the bend by the Contemporary, I crane my neck to catch my first glimpse of Cinderella’s Castle. That’s when the feeling really hits. I would say it takes my family and me at least 30 minutes to even get past Main Street USA. We always stop for the obligatory photo in front of the floral Mickey below the Main Street train station, and then we savor the view of both Main Street and the castle before we hit the attractions. So, clearly, Magic Kingdom is a MUST do, as is at least one character breakfast (lunch or dinner cuts into park time). Space Mountain, Tower of Terror and Aerosmith Rockin’ Rollercoaster are must-dos for the Mrs. While my oldest needs to ride all of “the mountains” and for my youngest, it’s “spending time with my family and riding ‘it’s a small world.’” Another must-do for me is as many viewings of Spectromagic and Wishes as possible during the trip.

What do you wish there were more of at Disney? Less?

I wish there were more showings of Fantasmic!, Wishes and Spectromagic. I wish there were more seats at Cosmic Ray’s . As for less, less lines would be nice, but as Alison V. remarked several weeks ago, less lines means less need for more magic in the form of park hours and new park attractions, so I guess lines are OK (insert Grumpy face here).

What type of music are you into?

I like everything from New Age (Enigma, Enya, Yanni), to Motley Crue to ‘80s music to, of course, any music from Disney movies, parades, or theme park shows.

What’s the last book you read that you really enjoyed?

Lee Iacocca’s Where Have All the Leaders Gone? A real no holds barred look at what’s wrong with the direction we’re heading AND the direction we’re getting.

Describe YOUR perfect Disney vacation (could be solo, with family, friends anything, no limitations).

First and foremost, it would have to be with my family. As for accommodations, a Castle view from the top floor of the Contemporary or Bay Lake Tower would be a must (unless Cinderella’s Dream Suite is available). Wait, this is MY perfect Disney vacation, so the “Dream Suite” IS available, so we’ll stay there. Each day would start with a character breakfast and then a one hour head start in each park (our own personal “Extra Magic Hour”). Not to avoid lines, but rather, to experience walking the parks in the quiet hours of the morning like Walt did. And it would be great to be able to go to any restaurant at any time to eat…no ADRs. Finally, I think it would be fun if my girls could ride with their favorite princess during Spectromagic and join Mickey on the Disney Railroad platform for the “Good Night Kiss”. I guess after that, perfection would come in the form of just being at Walt Disney World.

Joel, Chris, Amanda W, me (you can see how short I am and how tall Chris is!) and Jonas on our *sob* last day of training. We were trying to look tough...did it work? Love you all!

Feel free to share your little “interesting tid-bit” from training or some other surprising fact about you. (that you don’t mind the internet knowing!)

I am not sure how interesting any of my “tidbits” might be to the rest of the world, but here goes…

I played Division 1 college football (Boston College); I have portrayed Santa Claus, Barney the Dinosaur, and Davey Crockett’s angel (twice!!); I have been a bodyguard for rich and famous people; I have been in a television commercial for a grocery store; I am afraid of heights; I am a good speller; I make a mean spaghetti sauce, Mickey Mouse pancake, and am a whiz at the grill; I own a pink shirt; I was Class President in high school; I hate to lose at anything; I cry each time I watch “Terms of Endearment”; I love Halloween; I am strict but not mean; I hate the heat and crowds, but LOVE being at Walt Disney World (my wife still doesn’t understand this one); I love sitting on a bench overlooking any ocean; I love strawberry shortcake; I don’t have a favorite car; I give great hugs; I was voted “Most Popular Boy” in 8th grade, and “Most Outgoing” and “Most Creative” in 12th grade; I am loyal to the end; I can do laundry; I love life!!!!! {I think that’s a LOT of interesting tid-bits!! ~Z}

Chris, thank you so much for giving us some insight into your family and life. I’m so happy our paths crossed and consider you an inspiration to all who want to enjoy life to its fullest. Remember to look for Chris at the Walt Disney World Moms Panel, where you can ask all of your Disney World vacation planning questions. However, I think we need to get Chris onto twitter, what do you think?? Until then, maybe you’ll see Chris next time you visit Walt Disney World, (or next time the Hoop Dee Doo Revue needs a strapping volunteer angel) too!

The Walt Disney World Moms Panel {image ©Disney}

When I first began posting on twitter and started this blog, one of the first Disney Moms I discovered on twitter was @mefries. I soon discovered that she was the life of the Moms Panel party. In fact, it was Margaret’s tweets about meeting up with her “Moms Panel BFF’s” and all the fun they had together that really made me more obsessed with becoming part of the panel. So there you have it, this is all Margaret’s fault. Now that I’ve met Margaret and spoken with her in person and on the phone, I can see why she is so beloved among Moms panelists and Disney fans alike. She is just SO fun and full of life, she has such a great sense of humor and love of Disney – it’s contagious. I’m so happy and honored to have Margaret here to share some more about herself with all of us –

How did you first get interested in the Disney parks?

When I was a little girl, I recall wanting to visit Disney World so much, but our family vacations were always spent visiting out of state friends and family. Growing up, I watched all of the Disney classics over and over and was thrilled when a girlfriend moved to Tampa my freshman year of college. She invited me to spend my spring break with her, and we drove back and forth from her house to Disney World a number of times that week. I still remember the feeling as we drove to Magic Kingdom that first day, and I could barely contain my excitement as we entered the park and headed down Main Street. My first view of Cinderella Castle was a memory I will never forget. I was immediately hooked and made a number of trips down to visit my girlfriend and the parks. Luckily I met someone a few years later who enjoyed the Disney parks almost as much as me and had vacationed there many times as a boy. We knew Disney World was a place very special to both of us and a place we wanted to share once we had children.

Besides Disney, what are you most passionate about?

Certainly my family and friends. I am blessed to have so many wonderful people in my life starting with my husband and my boys, and I could never tell them enough how much their love and friendship mean to me.

The other passion in my life is sports. I am a sports nut! Unfortunately athletic ability was not something I was blessed with, so I make up for my shortcomings with my passion as a fan. I love most sports but especially baseball. I am a Die-hard Cubs fan, with Cubbie blue running through my veins. I also coach a number of my sons’ teams and love working with the kids to teach them the love of the sport.

Diane C. and Margaret plant a tree during the Disney Social Media Moms event

Tell us about your family – are they Disney fans too? What are some of your most memorable family experiences?

My husband Mark, and I have been married for 16 ½ years. We have three crazy, loud, adventurous boys. My oldest, Zachary, will be 14 in a couple of months and entering high school in the fall (eeks). Jacob just turned 10 and my youngest, Matthew was 8 just a few days ago (although I still consider him my baby). Luckily my husband was a Disney World fan when I met him, and the love of Disney was something that came naturally in our children. The boys have been visiting since they were babies and it is has come to be an escape from the craziness in our daily lives. My oldest son’s first trip was when he was ten months old and we have visited over forty times as a family since then. We are Disney Vacation Club members and there is never a week that goes by that we are not laughing at a past Disney World memory or anxiously finding a way to get back there again

Like any Disney family, I have so many incredible family memories but a few favorites pop to mind:

After enjoying a late breakfast at Cape May Café, I exited the restaurant to find my two youngest boys, about 4 and 2 at the time, laying flat on their stomachs in the resort lobby hallway. Lying right next to them, also on their stomachs, were Chip and Dale. The boys were playing with small matchbox cars and Chip and Dale were having a great time playing cars right along with them. They all laid there for some time with no thought of where they were, happy in their own little world. It was so funny to see Chip and Dale kicking their feet in the air right along with Jake and Matt

I am very close with my maternal grandmother, who is rather young and active still to have three great grandsons. She had never been to Disney World so we took her for her 75th birthday. It was such an amazing week with the boys so excited to show her around and share the Disney parks with her. One of the greatest things was to see the boys’ smiles and her tears of joy when Pooh and Eeyore helped lead the guests at Crystal Palace in singing Happy Birthday to her at dinner.

Recently my favorite memory has come from the boys’ fascination with Hidden Mickeys. Given that we travel to Disney often, the boys quickly picked up on the habit of searching for Hidden Mickeys throughout the parks and resorts. This has become such an interest for them that they have each bought their own set of Steve Barrett’s Hidden Mickey books. They get so excited when they find a new one and will actually stand and wait to point it out to other guests. We have spent many afternoons riding and re-riding the same attraction until we spot the last Mickey that we haven’t crossed off yet.

What is your dream job (you can answer at Disney, not Disney, both or neither!)

First and foremost it would be a job simply at Disney. While serving as a Mom Panelist, I have been able to experience a little taste of what it is like to “work” with such an amazing group of Cast Members and I would love to be a part of that family in general. However, if I could pick one specific role it would be an Imagineer. Now the frightening part is I am not sure I have even a tenth of the imagination that this talented group does, but to be in a position to dream and design ways to share the Disney magic would be a dream come true for sure!

What is your favorite Disney restaurant and why?

Crystal Palace is our family’s favorite Disney World restaurant. The boys love the buffet choices and I could eat the flan there all day long. The main reason it is our favorite however has nothing to do with the food. This restaurant holds so many memories of wonderful times together from character meals for my sons’ first trips to my grandmother’s birthday dinner, that it means a great deal to us as a family.

Clockwise from left: Margaret, me, Kathie F and Diane C at breakfast during Disney's Social Media Moms

What is the first thing you do when you arrive at Disney visit? What is your MUST DO during each visit?

Actually the first thing we do as a family has changed during the last few years. We typically stay at the Boardwalk or Beach Club resort, so we use to walk to Epcot once we arrived and head straight to the Land pavilion. Our first stop (and last before heading home) use to be Food Rocks. Now don’t get me wrong, I love Soarin‘ but for nostalgic reasons, I really miss Food Rocks. The boys loved the funky singing food and cheesy remade songs and I think we loved that there was little line and we could get them into an attraction and make them happy almost immediately. Since Food Rocks has disappeared, we often begin our trip by heading to Magic Kingdom and the required stop at Aloha Isle before heading over for our first of many spins on Pirates of the Caribbean.

We definitely must see Wishes and Illuminations during our stay and I refuse to leave Disney World without at least three or four trips on Pirates of the Caribbean and just as many Dole Whip floats in my belly. Every trip has to include a round or two of miniature golf and a stop at the lego play area. Even if we are not staying there, we must hang out on the Boardwalk at least one night and enjoy the free entertainment. My kids love the comedians and magicians that perform there. We have seen them so many times that they know most of them by name, and all of their shows but we still must sit and watch every performance. My middle son will not leave until he has rode all the various forms of Disney transportation and we have often spent an afternoon using monorails, boats and buses just moving around property to make him happy.

What do you wish there were more of at Disney? Less?

I really think there is a perfect balance at Disney World. This balance is what makes it a perfect vacation destination for all as there is something there to please everyone. I do wish there was an easier way to move from one resort to another. We love to resort hop but rarely have a car with us, so it does become an exhausting process to take multiple forms of transportation to get from one Disney resort to another.

I would love for there to be shorter lines, or more hours in the day to enjoy while there but I’m not thinking either one is possible. Ah wait, I do know one thing…I wish there was more of Captain Will Turner there. {I’m on board for that! ~Z}

What type of music are you into?

I would like to say I enjoy most music but as I think of the various types I notice there are a number I don’t care for as much. I typically stay away from rap, blues, jazz, techno. I have to turn all of that off. I enjoy country, as it is what I grew up listening to since my family is from the south. Now days I would consider myself a top 40, classic rock gal. My absolute favorite artist is Billy Joel and my favorite band would be REO Speedwagon, but I have spent plenty of money and time at concerts ranging from Amy Grant and the Beach Boys to Rush, Metallica, the Police and Bon Jovi. I also have plenty of Radio Disney selections in my car like Jonas Brothers and Mitchel Musso and we listen to Disney movie collections quite frequently.

What’s the last book you read that you really enjoyed?

The last two books I read were actually Ridley Pearson books (who I was lucky enough to just meet and chat with and he is awesome). I read Kingdom Keepers III Disney in Shadow and can’t wait for the next book in the series. Then knowing I was going to have a chance to chat with Ridley, I purchased the first book in the Peter and the Star Catcher series. The boys and I enjoyed Peter’s adventures so much that I just went and purchased the next two books in the series. I like to read numerous books at the same time so I also just finished Nicholas Sparks’ book, The Last Song, and yes I cried.

Describe YOUR perfect Disney vacation (could be solo, with family, friends anything, no limitations).

I actually have a three favorite Disney vacations:

Certainly the first is with my family and extended family. Especially now that the boys are old enough to help plan the trips and give their input it makes it wonderful to know the vacation is something that they helped create.

I took my first solo trip a few years ago and while I was concerned that I would look odd alone at Disney, I quickly discovered how it is a perfect place to travel alone. There are so many incredible tours you can take and exhibits and shows that you can wander through. I loved having the chance to actually take my time and look at all the details and special touches that go into Walt’s dream and this incredible place.

The last favorite Disney trip has become one with my fellow Disney Moms Panelists. We have become such a close group of friends and I miss them all so much since we are spread out everywhere, so to have the chance to spend time with them, in my favorite place, is a perfect combination.

Feel free to share your little “interesting tid-bit” from training or some other surprising fact about you. (that you don’t mind the internet knowing!)

Hmm not sure that I have anything interesting about me to share. First and foremost I love people and I love to talk. I love meeting new people and consider myself outgoing and friendly. I tend to be a bit obsessive, meaning there is no halfway with me. I love the saying go hard or go home meaning take everything you do, and do it full steam ahead. Of course this obsessive behavior leads to things like me watching the Pirates of the Caribbean movies over 400 times due to a slight infatuation with Will Turner aka Orlando Bloom. Yes I know it is an illness J I am a Disney trivia/history nut. I love to learn about why things are where they are or the story behind every prop or attraction and will peek behind every curtain and chat with every Cast Member if given the chance. Oh and contrary to the belief of my fellow Moms, I do sleep, I just don’t sleep very much.

I have recently begun co-hosting a Disney podcast called Mr. Frank’s Wild Ride which is broadcast on the WDWNT network and can be found at www.mrfrankswildride.com.

When I was a teenager I use to spend all my extra money and time to go to Cubs games hoping to talk to now, Hall of Famer, Ryne Sandberg. I once waited over four hours for a chance to have my picture taken with him and for my 16th birthday all I wanted was a ticket to the Cubs Care charity dinner so I would have the chance to meet him. (which I did, yeah!)

I was chosen as a Presidential Classroom scholar while in high school and spent a week in Washington DC as a guest of the government and during college was a delegate with the Mock United Nations representing the Ukraine.

Pretty cool! Thank you so much Margaret for sharing a bit more about you and your family! Remember to look for Margaret at the Walt Disney World Moms Panel, where you can ask her all of your Disney World vacation planning questions. You can also keep up with Margaret on twitter @mefries and listen in to the Mr. Frank’s Wild Ride podcast too! And just maybe you’ll see her closing down the parks next time you visit Walt Disney World, too!

The Walt Disney World Moms Panel {image ©Disney}

I know I mentioned with Andi’s post that once we started to find out who ‘made it’ we all began to locate each other on facebook. Well, Allison definitely made an impression because her userpic at the time was her in a head-to-toe Tinker Bell costume. We definitely knew Disney had picked someone full of pixie dust when we saw her! We all begged her to bring the costume with her to training in December, but I don’t think it was the best outfit for the frigid temperatures we experienced! In any event, Allison was an absolute joy to meet in person. She was just so funny, she always had a little comment or quip to make us all giggle. She is also an amazing source of Disney trivia as she proved during our trip.

Another side to Allison though is the wonderful heart she possesses, as a mom, wife, and friend. As you can see on the group video for our panel, she can and will cry at the drop of a hat – and I think that’s a good thing. Allison truly knows what it means to be blessed and she is a living reminder to us all. When I was having a bad day a few weeks back, Allison reminded me to be grateful for the good things I had in my life, which I was. Her generosity and kindness is evident every time she speaks and like all my other panelists, I am so very thankful to know her! Now, it’s your turn to meet her –

How did you first get interested in the Disney parks?

I’ve been going to WDW since the year it opened. We would drive over from Daytona every year for the day. I immediately fell in love with it. I knew that it was a very special place and that wonderful things happened there. My mom still tells a story of me as a little girl back at the beach the day after one of our visits to Magic Kingdom. I was standing in front of the refrigerator (back then you got a full size refrigerator in your room) opening the door and waiving my arm then closing it. I’d stand there for a few seconds and then do it again. She asked me what in the world I was doing and I told her I was letting people on and off the monorail. Yep – my obsession started at a very young age for me.

Besides Disney, what are you most passionate about?

Trying to be a good Christian and a good mother. I’m also passionate about my family and friends. Oh and making people smile and laugh. It takes their minds off their worries if only for a second. I’ve got a lot of built in goofiness so it usually comes pretty easy for me – ha!

Allison meeting the Big Cheese, Mickey! photo ©Moms Panelist Kaylene J.

Tell us about your family – are they Disney fans too? What are some of your most memorable family experiences?

My boys are big Disney fans. I tell them that the day they stop loving Disney, they have to support themselves – only kidding. Their first visits were before they were a year old. I’m having so much fun watching them grow up Disney and see their interests change. Its fun to watch them become older and tall enough for the attractions. I really thought my little one would love Test Track the first time he road it at 4 ½ – he loves cars – but it scared him a little. That’s okay, he’ll grow to love it.

Seriously, I have celebrated everything at WDW – birthdays; holidays, our engagement; our honeymoon; anniversaries; announcing my pregnancy to the grandparents and both of my boys’ first haircuts at Harmony Barbershop. I have taken my friends on last minute trips to WDW in times of need to cheer them up – it’s the perfect cure! The biggest celebration for me was this past December. My son (8 years old) with cerebral palsy who after years of therapy was finally be able to walk unassisted down Main Street U.S.A. in Magic Kingdom. It truly is the most magical place on earth to celebrate! {You can read about that experience on the Disney Parks Blog, in a post written by the queen of all princesses, Laura Spencer, who was there with Allison, Reagan and family. I dare you not to cry tears of joy upon reading it. ~Z}

What is your dream job (you can answer at Disney, not Disney, both or neither!)

I’m already living it as a Disney Moms Panelist J I’m having so much fun!!!! But I also want to be a Disney Ambassador!! It would be an amazing rush and so much fun!!! When I retire from my current job, I’m heading to Orlando to work for Disney. I would love to be in PR or Guest Relations. I’d love to be a character too but I’m too claustrophobic now to wear a head and I’m too old to be a face character now – sigh. Wait – maybe I could be the Fairy Godmother – she’s cool! I’d also love to be voice a character in a Disney animated movie!

I almost had a Disney dream job in 2007 when careerbuilder.com sponsored a contest called the Disney Dream Cast Member Contest (or something close to that). There were 5 categories in which people could send in a video of themselves as a Cast Member that they would love to be: Parade Performer, Jungle Cruise, Haunted Mansion, Pirates and of course Princesses. Winners received a 4 day trip for 4 to Disneyland. While there, winners were given the chance to fulfill their dreams as Cast Members for a day in their category. I chose Haunted Mansion because it is my favorite ride. I had a lot of fun and was chosen as a finalist by the judges. From there, it went to an on-line vote. The competition was very “stiff” in the Haunted Mansion category and I was blown away by the special effects that people used in their videos. Me and my plain ole handy cam didn’t win . I even sucked it in and squeezed my pasty white jiggly body into my wedding dress for part of my video although I couldn’t get it zipped up by a long shot. Although it would have been super fun to win, I was honored to be among the finalists (they were awesome). However, being chosen as a member of the Disney World Moms Panel is way better. Check out the video if your mere mortal stomach can handle it – and please feel free to laugh!

What is your favorite Disney restaurant and why?

Super hard question. I love California Grill. You can’t beat the view for the fireworks at the Magic Kingdom. I’m also a big fan of Narcoossee’s – yummy! Its fun to watch the fireworks from there too –great food and awesome fireworks next to water is a wonderful way to end a magical day. If my kids are with me, I love Chef Mickey’s or Crystal Palace – lots of fun to watch their faces light up when the characters are heading our way.

Standing l-r: Moms Panelists Allison, Maribel, Amanda A, Andi. Seated l-r: Dorothy, Amanda P, Diane G. Photo ©Moms Panelist Maribel

What is the first thing you do when you arrive at Disney visit? What is your MUST DO during each visit?

Get teary when I drive through the huge Walt Disney World sign on my way in. Then we head to Magic Kingdom and squeal when we go under the railroad track into Town Square. My must dos changes depending on who I’m traveling with. If its my kids, we have to ride Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin for Reagan and the Tomorrowland Raceway for Jake. Of course I love ending the day snuggled up with them watching the fireworks. I have to enjoy that now – they won’t always think I’m the coolest person ever. We also have to visit our main man, Mickey. If I’m flying solo, I have to spend at least ½ day at Downtown Disney eating and shopping – my Disney Visa Rewards really come in handy then. I also enjoy hitting the parks solo too and take advantage of single rider lines. It’s a great way to meet other guests and spread some magic.

What do you wish there were more of at Disney? Less?

I love riding rides so the more rides the better. I love big rides with big thrills and would love to see more of those. As far as less goes, I’m sure most people would say crowds but a larger number of guests allows for avenues to create more magic. For those that do not like the large crowds I suggest buying Disney stock and then you’ll be happy you see the crowds and hope for a good return on your investment – ha!

What type of music are you into?

I like all types of music but it has to have a good beat to make you want to get up and dance – I need all the exercise I can get.

What’s the last book you read that you really enjoyed?

Well – we’ve read “Toy Story 2” about a dozen times this month and that was a good read – oh wait – if you’re talking about adult books I loved reading “Be Our Guest” which focuses on way to apply the Disney way of thinking to increase customer relations in any business – very interesting.

Describe YOUR perfect Disney vacation (could be solo, with family, friends anything, no limitations).

My perfect Disney vacation would be with my family – staying at the Contemporary Resort with a view of the Magic Kingdom. Of course I want perfect weather which for me is in the low to mid 80s. We’d alternate days between a park and relaxing at our resort. We’d take in all the extras – okay – I’ll just say I want to do it all every time – ha! I love trips with my extended family and friends too.

Feel free to share your little “interesting tid-bit” from training or some other surprising fact about you. (that you don’t mind the internet knowing!)

Interesting tid-bit, huh? Well before I had kids I was a thrill seeker – skydiving; bungee jumping (although once was enough for me); para-sailing – I would try anything once. Now that I have kids I have more of a need to take care of myself so that I can be here to take care of them. Once upon a time I got to be a dancer for a country music video. We danced for two days straight and you can only see me for about a millisecond in the video – ha! It was fun though. Unfortunately my friends’ careers never took off like we had hoped – they were being showcased at the same time Billy Ray Cyrus was so we know which one rose to the top of the charts – it broke their achy breaky hearts – LOL!

I was a cheerleader in middle school and high school and I still can’t get rid of my spirit fingers – hehe! I really want to go to Disney to watch the cheerleading contests sometime with one of my BFFs. We were always partners when doing stunts. There are still times when we’re together that we have fleeting thoughts that we could still probably do some of those things but fortunately stop ourselves before we try.

Thank you so much for sharing a bit more about you and your family, Allison! Remember to look for Allison. at the Walt Disney World Moms Panel, where you can ask her all of your Disney World vacation planning questions. You can also keep up with Allison on twitter @MamaDis. And just maybe you’ll see her the next time you visit Walt Disney World, too!

These informal interviews are meant to be a jumping off point from the bios that appear on the DisneyWorldMoms.com site where you can learn about every panelist’s background and experience with Walt Disney World, and see their personal videos as well. Once you check them out there, you can get to know the panelists a little better here!

The Walt Disney World Moms Panel. Doug is not pictured here in this 2010 training group photo, but is still very much an active part of the panel! {image ©Disney}

Doug had been one of the few existing panelists that I had not met, either during training in December or at other events at Walt Disney World. That was remedied in February, when Doug was in the World for an interview with Peter Greenberg because of his expertise. Oh yes, Doug has taken his knowledge to the next level and actually wrote a book on it (ok two books)! Doug is responsible for the Complete Idiot’s Guide to Walt Disney World, first published in 2007 with continued updated editions each year since. Before that, Doug published Plan Your Walt Disney World Vacation in No Time, so it’s clear he was an obvious choice to join the Moms Panel, even as a dad! So lets get to know Doug a bit more, in his own words -

How did you first get interested in the Disney parks?

As a child our family lived outside the US due to my dad’s job. When we got to go home every summer, we always came by Tampa to visit a relative, and Disney park visits were a regular summer treat, since back in 1972. My “Aunt Dorothy”, who was basically my grandmother, and I would sit together at the Enchanted Tiki Room together, and when I go there to this day I can still feel her sitting next to me.

Besides Disney, what are you most passionate about?

My kids. They are such a blast to watch, I would do anything for them.

Tell us about your family – are they Disney fans too? What are some of your most memorable family experiences?

Every night my daughters ask me to tell them about one attraction, one restaurant, or one resort as a bedtime story. But my most memorable experience is when I went to the parks with my then 4-year old niece. I had been going annually seemingly since the Magic Kingdom opened, but that was the first time as an adult that I got to see it again through the eyes of a child. That moment was what re-energized my passion for Walt Disney World.

What is your dream job (you can answer at Disney, not Disney, both or neither!)

Series editor/author for the Official Walt Disney World travel guide series. {I’d hire you! Makes perfect sense to me. ~Z}

What is your favorite Disney restaurant and why?

California Grill. The first meal I had with my wife after I proposed, and it was as romantic of a moment as such a moment should be, but rarely is.

Doug during the 2009 Moms Panel training trip (in 2008)

What is the first thing you do when you arrive at Disney visit? What is your MUST DO during each visit?

Ride the Monorail.
Once in the park, however, a visit to the Enchanted Tiki Room.

What do you wish there were more of at Disney? Less?

More table service restaurants in the Magic Kingdom. Less bus transfers to get from resort to resort.

What type of music are you into?

A little of anything, and not much of one thing.

What’s the last book you read that you really enjoyed?

The Basque History of the World.

Describe YOUR perfect Disney vacation (could be solo, with family, friends anything, no limitations).

Wife and girls, Polynesian concierge room, with a Magic Kingdom view. Family and friends arriving on the third to last day, so that we have “just us” time, but also get to share some great memories with all of them too. A table full of Disney Moms is hard to argue with (literally)!

Feel free to share your little “interesting tid-bit” from training or some other surprising fact about you. (that you don’t mind the internet knowing!)

I bought Disney stock when I was a Sophomore in High School when the company was rumored to be going under. It ended up instead paying for Graduate school. Now THAT is Disney Magic! {I should say! ~Z}

Thank you so much for sharing with us, Doug! I loved learning a bit more about your background and what made you a Disney fan. Remember to look for Doug at the Walt Disney World Moms Panel, where you can ask him all of your Disney World vacation planning questions. You can also follow Doug on twitter @INDoug. And just maybe you’ll see him the next time you visit Walt Disney World, too!

The Walt Disney World Moms Panel {image ©Disney}

When the calls had been made last November and the 2010 Walt Disney World Moms Panelists had been named, we began to find each other on facebook and message boards. When I first read Andi’s info, that she was a ballet teacher in Alabama and saw her beautiful photo on her facebook page, I will admit, I was a bit intimidated. She just seemed like the perfect Southern Belle and I worried that my galumphing self would be of zero interest to this pageant beauty. When we finally met in December at Moms Panel training, she lived up to all my expectations of her charming, gracious persona. What I did not expect was the hysterical sense of humor, wit and even a bit of self-deprecation thrown in for good measure. In short, she was a real person, one I could, in fact, identify with and feel at ease talking, laughing and sharing memories with. The Southern Belle is very much there too, which makes me want to be a better, kinder, gentler person. I consider myself truly blessed to know Andi and was so happy our families got to meet, even briefly, last month. I look forward to the next time we can all get together and am so grateful and honored to call her friend. Please meet my friend, Andi –

How did you first get interested in the Disney parks?

Since my first visit in the spring of 1976 (please don’t tell me how old you were then or if you weren’t alive!), I have been in love with all things Disney…especially the attention to detail. My family — consisting of my mom, dad, 12-year-old brother and me — drove down from my small Alabama hometown to The Contemporary where we stayed for three glorious nights. To this day, that resort is still my favorite! I remember my dad said that it was unbelievable to pay $100 per night to stay there. (I wish we could’ve locked in that rate!) I remember eating prime rib for the first time at the Concourse Steakhouse, and I marveled at the monorail passing straight through the resort. My mom and I were awestruck at the topiaries which looked like the characters, and my brother and I eagerly tuned our car radio to the station which gave us instant information about the park…singular!

Besides Disney, what are you most passionate about?

As a follower of Christ, I am most passionate about my relationship with God and His allowance for that relationship through the person of Jesus Christ. I am who I am, and I’m blessed with everything I have in life because God has richly infused His life into mine. I feel very unworthy to carry His name wherever I go because I do a lot wrong on a daily basis. However, when I allow for His Spirit to truly live in this broken vessel, there is nothing more peaceful, satisfying or attractive than living in His good and perfect will.

Amanda W. {ohamanda.com} and Andi at Toy Story Mid-way Mania! {yes, I'm stalking them in the background }

Tell us about your family – are they Disney fans too? What are some of your most memorable family experiences?

My husband of almost 19 years, Scott, is an attorney who is probably a bigger Disney fan than I am – well, he’s literally a big guy, but he’s also more obsessed, too! Through the years, we’ve vacationed and traveled to many places. However, it is at Disney Parks where he can truly melt into the carefree boy I fell in love with many years ago. Together, we have three sons – ages 15, almost 10 and 6 – and one daughter, age 12 ¾. We are all huge Disney fans, and it was no surprise to any of our friends and family that I had been selected for the Disney Moms Panel. In fact, they asked if it was actually a support group to help moms and their families with their Disney addictions!

Our family lives in Alabama, and we are big Crimson Tide fans, too. (They won the college football national championship this year in case you didn’t know!) We even named our new Samoyed puppy Crimson Tide! If they didn’t before, all of my Moms Panel family now realize that college football is a subculture in the South, and each one of them even can belt out the battle cry of the University of Alabama, “Roooolllll Tiiiiide!” (I especially love to hear them all imitate a Southern accent!) One of our favorite things to do at WDW is to count how many UA shirts or hats we see in the parks and give the wearers a little shout-out, too! I think we stopped counting after 100 a few weeks ago on Spring Break.

What is your dream job (you can answer at Disney, not Disney, both or neither!)

I am a former public relations/marketing director and freelance writer who now — instead of using my education and experience in that field — use my 20+ years of dance training to teach ballet to preschoolers. I love what I do, but I think the primary reason I teach ballet to the youngest dancers is because they don’t think twice about my “need” to wear a tiara on a daily basis and pretend I am a princess. They totally get me!

For Disney, I would love to play the part of a princess (if I wasn’t so old)…I could really get into playing Snow White, Belle or Pocahontas….or even Tiger Lilly! (I would love to play one of the others, but I just think my features are too dark.) The next best thing to playing a princess would be to dance on stage or as a parade dancer…although my knees would probably give out and my partner may have trouble lifting me!

What is your favorite Disney restaurant and why?

I have different favorites for different reasons or memories. My favorite signature restaurant is The California Grill since my husband and I enjoyed our 10th anniversary celebration there watching the fireworks at Magic Kingdom, and we filmed our Moms Panel videos in the restaurant! (Besides, in my three visits there, the food and service wow me each time.) My favorite character meal is Chef Mickey’s because of the variety of food and being able to see Mickey. We’ve also been there the most and enjoyed it with several families with whom we traveled. My favorite quick-service restaurant is The Colombia Harbour House at the MK because I love their albacore tuna sandwich and I enjoy getting a table upstairs which sits over the walkway between Fantasyland and Liberty Square. My favorite snack is the Toll House Cookie Ice Cream Sandwich from Sleepy Hollow Snacks at the Magic Kingdom. (Go, Team Toll House! It’s a Moms Panel friendly “fight” between Toll House Cookies and Dole Whips as the best snack!)

Andi with everyone's favorite couple, Minnie and Mickey!

What is the first thing you do when you arrive at Disney visit? What is your MUST DO during each visit?

We usually drive to Disney, and going through the arches where it states, “Welcome to Walt Disney World,” is particularly spine-tingling for us. In fact, we always yell, scream and hold our arms out the windows as we pass through. For this spring break, with a new driver among us, we let our oldest son drive through the arches for the first time. First haircuts, lost baby teeth, braving new rides, growing tall enough for certain attractions and now driving on WDW property have all been rites of passage that my children have experienced at their “home away from home.” By cementing some of these memories at WDW, we feel as we have preserved them forever, and they come flooding back to us the moment we enter the property. For us, Disney World is more than a vacation destination. It’s a living scrapbook of family memories. {I just have to comment on how wonderful this is, I feel the same way and I love how eloquently you’ve put those feelings into words! ~Z}

For each member of our family, the list of “must do’s” are different and growing longer every year. However, we all agree that we must begin and end on Main Street, and we must get a hug and photo with Mickey. After all, Walt always said, “I only hope that we don’t lose sight of one thing – that it was all started by a mouse.”

What do you wish there were more of at Disney? Less?

I wish there were more character meals at all the parks. I am such a practical planner, and to be able to eat, rest in the air conditioning and see characters is such an efficient use of my vacation time. Also, since we’re such frequent visitors, I would enjoy seeing and visiting with characters such as the villains or the secondary characters such as Daisy, Clarabelle, Roo & Rabbit (from Winnie the Pooh) or the Country Bears.

I wish there was less whining, complaining and arguing at WDW. I wish we all could just agree to leave all that outside and enter with thankful hearts….and I’m certainly including myself and my loved ones in that number as well. I think that so many times we all have certain expectations of how things should be and when those thoughts aren’t realized (even at WDW) we lose sight of all the wonderful things that we DO have. If I overhear other guests upset about a particular detail of their trip, I have to fight my instinct to turn around and say, “You know, that’s disappointing, but look at where you are…do you know how many people only dream of visiting a place like this?!” {I love this attitude! So true… ~Z}

What type of music are you into?

Although there are certain songs that I don’t like, I truly enjoy all genres of music…it all depends on my mood. My favorite “flavors” are classic rock, Broadway, classical, praise/worship and Disney music from movies and the parks, of course.

What’s the last book you read that you really enjoyed?

I’m such a fickle-minded reader and a hyper personality that it takes one that grips me from the beginning or steps on my toes to capture my attention. I recently read and loved, Time Traveler’s Wife. My husband said that it even made me a better and more loving wife after I read it! It’s a very romantic novel which makes you appreciate who you have for how long you have them.

Describe YOUR perfect Disney vacation (could be solo, with family, friends anything, no limitations).

Since we usually drive nine hours to WDW from Alabama, we have some time in the car to play games. One that we’ve come up with is “Design a Day at Disney.” Each member of our family shares what park, restaurants, attractions and entertainment they would enjoy if money, time or anything else was not a constraint. We even choose our favorite character to come alongside us!

For my perfect Disney vacation, I would take my immediate family and our best friends’ family to enjoy a week in a Grand Villa at Bay Lake Towers with a Magic Kingdom view. (My husband and I enjoy the fact that each of our best friends is married to one other, and together, they also have four children with similar ages.) Then, our immediate family of six would take a four-night cruise aboard the new Disney Dream!

Andi's adorable, polite, wonderful children!

Feel free to share your little “interesting tid-bit” from training or some other surprising fact about you. (that you don’t mind the internet knowing!)

Take out my obsession with all things Disney, and I’m a fairly boring person. I do love to dance, and I can play the flute, the piano (a little), twirl a baton, speak a little Spanish and even less French and eat chocolate like it’s going out of style. I worked as a lifeguard for a water park when I was a teenager and actually have saved a few people from drowning — including a couple of my own children! I’m a bit of a clothes horse, and I get a little carried away with containers and bags. I always need to know where my children and my iPhone are, and I expect grown-ups to act like adults. God has granted me supernatural patience with other people’s children and a tolerance for chaos like I never thought I could withstand. I’m learning to be choosy about volunteering, but I tend to take over when I do donate my time. I could talk the paint off a wall, and I love to write when no one is around. I’m bossy, stubborn and downright silly when I’m acting out of my own will — and decisive, tenacious and fun to be around when I allow God to be in control of who I am and what I’m doing. He has blessed me beyond anything I deserve, and the Disney Moms Panel (the opportunity, the people who serve on it and for it) is truly a blessing from Him for which I am entirely grateful.

Thank you so much for sharing your photos and a bit more about your family, Andi! I loved learning a bit more about your background and outlook on life. Remember to look for Andi. at the Walt Disney World Moms Panel, where you can ask her all of your Disney World vacation planning questions. You can also follow along Andi’s journey at her blog Wife and Mom University and keep up with Andi on twitter @wifeandmomuniv. And just maybe you’ll see her the next time you visit Walt Disney World, too!

The Walt Disney World Moms Panel {image ©Disney}

If you have not had the pleasure of meeting Anna, you may not realize it, but your life is not complete.  Prior to meeting her at the December Moms Panel training trip, I had started to follow her on twitter and facebook and got to know a bit of her incredible sense of humor. In person (like me) she is actually very soft-spoken and quiet, so I also instantly felt connected with her since most of the other moms expected me to live up to my twitter persona of being a crazy person. What you might not realize is that behind Anna’s hysterical stories and way with words, is that she has a heart bigger than all 42 acres of the Walt Disney World Resort. She is one of the most caring, compassionate and giving people I have ever had the pleasure and honor of meeting. I know you’ll love her just as much as I do:

How did you first get interested in the Disney parks?

Well, since I’m old enough to have been a waitress at the Last Supper, my first trip to Disney World was when there was just one park and two hotels. My dad took my sister, my grandmother and I down to Disney, and we spent 4 days. It was the best 4 days of my young life, and we got to do and see everything there was there at the time. My sister and I started plotting ways to stay on the way to the airport home. It was the start of an obsession that lives on.

Besides Disney, what are you most passionate about?

My mother likes to say if there’s a cause, I’m behind it. She lies Actually, I was very active in Irish politics for quite a while, with a former US Ambassador to Ireland among my clients. My oldest daughter was a champion Irish step dancer, so I spent many weekends traveling to feisanna (the word used for dance competitions). My father was the recipient of donated kidney, so I volunteer my time to the local organ donor awareness organization, and I walk annually in the National Kidney foundation walk at the Philadelphia Zoo. We make sandwiches monthly for one of the homeless shelters in Camden, NJ; and I am currently collecting books for Project Night Night and several area schools. And I have a whole gay rights thing going. Don’t think I’m a total do-gooder, though, as I hate cats and have a strong dislike for some old people.

Anna and our "bosses" during 2010 Moms Panel training. Photo ©Kathie Flood

Tell us about your family – are they Disney fans too? What are some of your most memorable family experiences?

I am mom to three daughters – Brighid Lora, age 18; Eilis Mary, age 9; and Granuaile Frances, age oh so close to 5. Jim and I have been married 19 years, and while he’s a take it or leave it kind of Disney guy, two of the three girls are die hards like me. The middle one sides with her father, and while she loves it when we’re there, it’s not the first place that comes to mind when you ask her where she’d like to go. I have a special memory for each daughter at Disney. My best day ever with Brighid was when she was about 5. We went last minute to Magic Kingdom (we lived in Orlando at the time), and walked up at Crystal Palace, where we were not only given a table, but Brighid was Chef of the Day and got to open the lunch buffet! We left there, headed to Haunted Mansion, and the parasol cart was there. We walked over, and there was a parasol that had Brighid’s name on it!! Having a name that you NEVER see anywhere, we were shocked, but even more shocked when the CM told us we could HAVE the parasol, as it was actually a misspelling of another child’s name LOL! On our way out for the day, Brighid was invited to participate in the parade. It was just a whole Brighid day, and I can’t remember a happier day for her as a kid.

Eilis’ big day came when she was a year old. She showed no interest in walking anywhere, at all, ever, having parents and a big sister to carry her everywhere. We were at EPCOT, and we had stopped to have a snack, and she was sitting on the foot rest of her stroller, having wiggled her way out of the stroller. You could have knocked me over with a feather when shortly into the snack attack, this kid stands up and starts to wander away, as if she had been a professional walker her entire life. No training wheels on that kid – Jim and I just kind of stared at her and at each other before we realized she was actually leaving us. Not our finest parenting moment, but magical never the less.

And Granuaile’s story you can hear on my Moms Panel video. She was terrified of the characters, but on her 3rd birthday, walked right up to the window at Character Connection to peek at them from afar. Goofy cam running over to her tiny pressed against the glass face, and he crouched down to be eye level with her. I was sure she’d tackle people in a race to get away from the window, but he put his hands on the glass, and she put hers on the glass, and they just kinda hugged each other a minute. I get misty eyed just recalling!

What is your dream job (you can answer at Disney, not Disney, both or neither!)

Seriously, I want to be a Secret Service agent, but not the kind that runs alongside the presidential motorcade (heaven forbid there be exercise involved). I want to be the one that hangs out at the White House, walks the First Dog, picks up the first coffee and newspaper in the morning – stuff like that. If I can’t do that when I grow up, I want to be a cruise director. One with an Australian accent. .

What is your favorite Disney restaurant and why?

Oh my. The questions get harder! If I can only choose one, it would be Jiko. We’ve never had a bad meal there, and we’ve celebrated most of our last 6 anniversaries there. I also really love Animal Kingdom Lodge, so that adds to my love of this restaurant.

What is the first thing you do when you arrive at Disney visit? What is your MUST DO during each visit?

We usually drive, so our first thing is typically to grab something quick to eat and relax at the resort! Beyond that, we don’t really have any first night traditions, and we change up which park we hit first depending on what’s going on and what we want to see. And as a result of going so often, we don’t really have a must do each visit. We always feel like whatever we don’t get to that visit, we’ll do next time.

What do you wish there were more of at Disney? Less?

Honestly, I think Disney is a perfect balance. I can’t think of anything I’d like to see more or less of. I’m excited over each new addition, and saddened by the loss of some of the old, but adding or taking away things is a job they seem to have well under control.

What type of music are you into?

I have to laugh at this question. It’s a bitter bone of contention between my husband and I. Not a fan of country and western music, but anything else is pretty much fair game. My go to bands include U2; Gaelic Storm; Black Eyed Peas; and Sting, but my iPod is loaded with all types of music.

What’s the last book you read that you really enjoyed?

I read a lot, but the last book I read that really touched me was Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen.

Describe YOUR perfect Disney vacation (could be solo, with family, friends anything, no limitations).

Getting there and not leaving would be my perfect Disney vacation! But my favorite ones are the ones we go on with extended family. I love it when my parents and my brother and his family all join us. It’s like the best holiday celebration, where no one has to cook, clean up, or stress out! My kids love having their cousins there to do the rides with them, and I love it when my parents can be there to enjoy seeing the kids have fun. The best part are the big family meals, where even if we’ve spent the day apart, we are all together, sharing the magic of Disney. It’s a beautiful thing.

Anna and Cathy at the August 2008 Mickey Moms Club Illuminations Party. I actually saw them both, but was too shy to say hello. Silly me. Photo ©Marc Lorenzo

Feel free to share your little “interesting tid-bit” from training or some other surprising fact about you. (that you don’t mind the internet knowing!)

Well, the tidbit I used for training last year was my brief career with a drag racing team. My race car driver name was “Ghia Garland”, and I was basically hired because each drag race team was supposed to have some number of female employees. They sent me on a few photo shoots, I did a couple of interviews, and they taught me a bunch of stuff about the car and about drag racing, but I was never allowed to actually touch the cars.

I’m not all that interesting, but I met Jim when I was the manager of an orthopedic rehabilitation facility. His mother had been hit by a truck, and after inpatient rehab, she was sent to us as an outpatient. I was engaged at the time, but she came up to me one afternoon and asked if I would be willing to take her son to a movie or something, as he had just relocated back to the area after being in the Navy. I figured there was no harm in seeing a movie, but after that movie, I called my fiance and broke up with him that night. It really was love at first sight – we’ve been together ever since.

My most embarrassing moment – at Disney, of course, Brighid was about 8 and got sick. We were at DHS, and she started throwing up. Being the Disney expert that I am, I couldn’t remember where the closest ladies room was, and walked her nearly all the way through the entire theme park, vomiting into her hands, until I got my wits about me and remembered where the bathrooms were. As if that wasn’t enough, the next day, she said she felt fine, so we met some friends at DTD. We grabbed a table at Ghirardelli’s, and I went inside to pick up a gift, leaving Brighid with her father. He decided he needed to use the bathroom, and left her unattended at the table. Of course, Brighid started vomiting again. Out I walk, all happy and Disney-fied, and there’s Brighid, covered in vomit, while people at surrounding tables are running for their lives. Fine Mommy moments there, I’ll tell ya.

Clubs in High School – I was in the big sister’s Baby Sitters club. My mom worked 3-11, and my stepfather 4-12, so I took care of my 2 younger sisters after school. Good times

Extra things you might want to know – brevity is not my strong suit. {and we’re glad it’s not!! ~Z}

Thank you so much for sharing a bit more with us, Anna! I personally loved the little insights into your family life and Disney memories. Remember to look for Anna. at the Walt Disney World Moms Panel, where you can ask her all of your Disney World vacation planning questions. You can also keep up with Anna on twitter @beautygirlsmom. And just maybe you’ll see her the next time you visit Walt Disney World, too!

I have a special place in my heart for Dannée, because she was one of the first two moms I met during our December Moms Panel training trip and boy did she make me feel welcome and at ease. She just oozes fun, personality and humor. I also had the pleasure of getting together twice recently when her family was visiting Walt Disney World and then Tampa. Our families were able to meet and interact and just have a general great time. {Who doesn’t bond over cheesecake?!} I consider myself so lucky to know Dannée – and now you will be too:

The Walt Disney World Moms Panel {image ©Disney}

How did you first get interested in the Disney parks?

As a child, I loved Mickey Mouse and wanted to go to Disney World. We had such a great time that I knew I wanted to go back. In Middle School, I traveled with my Foreign Language Club for our Epcot field trip and fell in love all over again. It was not until I was an adult and returned with my husband that I could control our vacations and we have been vacationing at WDW ever since.

Dannée N. and Amanda A. during our first reception.

Besides Disney, what are you most passionate about?

My family, Girl Scouts, Community Service through my sorority, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and health care for the underserved.

Tell us about your family – are they Disney fans too? What are some of your most memorable family experiences?

Yes, we are all Disney Fans! We even dress the part at Halloween. My most memorable family experiences would be our vacations to WDW. We enjoy getting away from the day to day and spending time together. I want to create as many lasting memories while we can!

What is your dream job (you can answer at Disney, not Disney, both or neither!)

My dream job is to provide health care services to Disney employees and their families in Orlando, Florida (or Hawaii ).

What is your favorite Disney restaurant and why?

My favorite Disney restaurant is The Plaza Restaurant at Magic Kingdom Park. Once you have had a Strawberry shake there, you will know why!

What is the first thing you do when you arrive at Disney visit? What is your MUST DO during each visit?

The first thing we do when we arrive to WDW is explore the resort. We enjoy checking it all out and looking at what activities are available for us. We try to plan our “free” days as resort days. My must do is Downtown Disney – I love window shopping and I love buying even more. I also must have Cotton Candy each trip.

What do you wish there were more of at Disney? Less?

I wish there were more shows that are based on the Disney movies we love. I wish there was less off and on rain (although we have the ponchos down to a science).

Disney Mom Dannee N. with her Lapu Lapu at Kona Cafe

What type of music are you into?

All music genres. Currently I am enjoying these artists on my Ipod: Maroon 5, various artists from the Sex and the City Soundtrack, Jay Z, Mariah Carey, Mary J. Blige, Robin Thicke, Prince and the Revolution, Trey Songz, various artists from The Princess and The Frog Soundtrack, DMX, Toni Braxton, New Edition, Jon B., Beyonce, and Nina Sky.

What’s the last book you read that you really enjoyed?

The last book I read – Jodi Picoult’s My Sister’s Keeper. The last book I read that I really enjoyed – J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows!

Describe YOUR perfect Disney vacation (could be solo, with family, friends anything, no limitations).

My perfect Disney vacation is with family and friends, doing whatever we chose to do with no financial restrictions and no time restrictions. We would have dinner receptions every night in different areas of the Theme Parks. We would have Character Breakfasts every morning. We would be able to stay at each resort for as long as we like and Cinderella’s Castle Suite on the weekends. We could eat all the Turkey legs, cotton candy, Strawberry Shakes and Candy Apples that we wanted. We could ride the attractions with unlimited immediate fast passes. We could leave when we missed home, but would that be ever?

Feel free to share your little “interesting tid-bit” from training or some other surprising fact about you. (that you don’t mind the internet knowing!)

I took swimming lessons, but I do not know how to swim.

Thank you so much for sharing a bit more with us, Dannée! Remember to look for Dannée. at the Walt Disney World Moms Panel, where you can ask her all of your Disney World vacation planning questions. You can also keep up with Dannée on twitter @DisneySunFlower. And just maybe you’ll see her the next time you visit Walt Disney World, too!