Last year I don’t think anyone really knew what to expect from Social Media Moms. One thing we knew, it was Disney, so it was going to be full of extra magic. We were definitely given the royal treatment and perhaps even a little spoiled with such great speakers like Guy Kawasaki, Chris Brogan, Maxine Clark, Marissa Jaret Winokur, Mary Ellen Hooper and Kathy Ireland. I know I l earned so much and became full of blogging passion by the end of the conference. We may have endured an unexpected cold snap, but pixie dust pulled us through and the surprises and special touches seemed to never end. (Feel free to check out my flickr stream of the 2010 Disney Social Media Moms Celebration!)
One of my favorite moments was Chris Brogan’s speech, which makes me SO excited that he’ll be back this year. Another unexpected surprise was bumping into Chef Robert Irvine, who was there filming Dinner: Impossible and cooking for the amazing volunteers that Disney was honoring. Imagine my shock when I had the chance to meet Chef Irvine again later last year and discovered that the picture of Disney Moms Panelist Kathie and I with the Chef was in his desktop screensaver! These are just some of the amazing memories Disney is able to deliver, sometimes without even trying! I was also lucky enough to have the winning seat at our table for the Cinderella Build-a-Bear centerpiece and was able to take that home to share with the family. I cannot wait to see what magic this year brings.
As if knowing some of us were spoiled last year, Disney has upped the ante and given us accommodations at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa. This will allow me to check off almost all the Deluxe resorts on property (the only one I haven’t stayed at is Yacht Club, but I’ve stayed at Beach Club a million times and toured every hotel on property, so I’m not counting that!) 😉 I am excited to be able to share this experience with my family.
I’m also super excited that I get to hang out with fellow Moms Panelist and bloggy idol Oh Amanda. I haven’t seen her since Moms Panel training and can’t wait to be in the World with her again! Of course I’m thrilled to see lots of friends and people I met last year AND meet lots of new friends too.
Another highlight I’m looking forward to is the opening presentation and tour by Disney Fairytale Weddings. I have mentioned before that a Disney wedding was always my dream, since the pavilion opened the year we moved down and I worked at the Magic Kingdom. Sure, I had my reception at the Dolphin, but it’s not quite the same. And yes, it’s now been 14 years since I said “I do” but I still hold out hope that I can have a magical vow renewal on property at some point. Maybe for the 20th… 🙂
Anyway, our pixie dust princesses in charge of the Social Media Moms Celebration have hinted that there will be “special guests” during this presentation. I am crossing my heart and hoping it is the one and only David Tutera. To say I am a fan of him and his show is an understatement. I cry at pretty much every episode and wish he was around when I got married! I will try to hold myself back from hugging him to death in the off chance they let hundreds of mom bloggers near him… 😉 I really think he needs to do a special vow renewal episode, no? I’ve already got a built in flower girl and ring bearer!
Attendees, what are you most excited about the upcoming Social Media Moms Celebration? Did you attend last year or is this your first time? Have you been to Walt Disney World before? Share a bit about you and your blog – don’t forget to link it below! And be sure to say hello if you happen to see a crazy red head trying to camp out in the wedding pavilion!!
If you’d like, check out two posts I did last year for attendees planning for their Disney vacation:
Top 5 Must Sees for First Time Disney Visitors
Solo Parenting Tips to Visit Walt Disney World
Explore my Disney News section as well – including Fast Facts on Disney’s Wild Africa Trek and some Disney Merchandise highlights to be on the lookout for!
Thanks for visiting and see ya real soon!
OH SUZANNAH!!!!!!!! You think I am exaggerating the all caps and exclamation points? Well, I’m NOT. I am BEYOND excited to see you! It has been WAY WAY WAAAAAAY too long!
I know!!! I’m so very excited!!!! #Iwilltotallybetextingyouwhilesittingnexttoyou! 😉
Can not wait to meet you!
Likewise!!! 😀
I can not wait to meet you and Amanda and everyone else! I am so excited to soak up so much knowledge and learn more about Disney as well! This is my 11th (I think, I’ve lost count, lol) time to WDW, but I have never been more excited than I am about this trip!
Cannot wait to meet you either!! 😀 It will be so much fun!!
I’m hoping that David is there too! I had to cancel the reservations I had for his Saturday Luncheon, so it would be amazing to see him on Thursday!
I was so tempted to book that Saturday event so my fingers are crossed it’s him!!
Last year was beyond magical. Can not wait to see you again next week 🙂
Likewise!! I promise I won’t be shy this year and I’ll say more than “hi” in the hallway!! 😉
I’m soooo excited and really think we all should do a Disney Vow Renewal! 🙂 Fingers crossed that David would be there too…..I saw he’ll be at Disney, so maybe? 🙂 This is my 2nd time but this time I’ve got to meet you for sure! Was a bit too shy last year – my first conference! Thanks for the great info yesterday on kids bathrooms at Disney – I really appreciated it!
I was totally shy last year too. I remember sitting behind @youngmommy on the bus and being so afraid to say, “Hi, I know you!” (we eventually did meet up and it was great) This year I’m going to TRY to be super outgoing! 😀
You’re welcome for the info, any time!! See you soon!!
Hard to imagine that it was a year ago that I met you for the first time! Amazing events have happend since! I can not wait to see you again and continue the amazing times with some of my most favorite Mommies!!!!!! #MonorailCrawl
It really is crazy that it was only a year ago…feels like we’ve just known
each other forever!! See you soon!!!
I can’t wait to put faces to so many Twitter names! I’m usually a bit shy but I promise to put my “big girl” ears on and say HI to everyone I run across.
Tracie, I totally am too! There were so many people last year that I was too
shy to say hi to (Chris Brogan was one of the few people I got the guts to
talk to!) and this year I’m promising I’ll be less shy!! Can’t wait to
finally meet you for sure!!
This year will be my first year attending and I’m so psyched! Can’t wait to meet everyone.
Woo hoo!! Can’t wait!!
This will be my 2nd time to Disney Social Media Moms and 4th time to Disney World. My family is coming with me and we are so excited! Looking forward to seeing everyone from last year and meeting new attendees!
Awesome!! It will be so much fun!!
So, how is it that you get to be a part of the Social Moms group? What a dream come true. I’d love to get in on the fun!
This year it was a registration process, follow @DisneySMMoms on twitter for updates, that’s how this year’s conference was announced. 🙂
My family and I are really looking forward to experiencing the Disney magic (and to spending time with the other attendees…like YOU!). 🙂
Can’t wait to meet!! 😀 It will be so much fun!
Looking forward to meeting you! I can’t believe it’s in less than a week!
Can’t wait!! It’s in 2 days now!! 😀 😀 😀
Coming down from Singapore..can’t wait to meet you!!
How exciting!!! Can’t wait to meet you either! 😀
Looking forward to seeing so many friends and new faces!
Thanks for the linky! Definitely an amazing time!