Disney Parks Moms Panel 2015

[SAHDad]

I'll apply again, as I have every year. Not sure if I will keep going for the runDisney slot - I had sworn it off (thanks to the emphasis on the Princess/Tink races), but adding Avengers and Star Wars gives me hope that a guy might make the runDisney cut.

 

[Andrea]

Hi everyone,

This will be my first year applying for it. I am very excited and I hope most of you guys get picked. It sounds like it takes years to get picked !

 

[sookie]

Is there only one slot for various topics?

 

[kathyk671]

Is there only one slot for various topics?

It depends. I think they chose a total of about 17 last year (?), and of those, most were WDW. I think runDisney had only one, possibly DVC and DCL also. I'm not sure of the exact breakdown, but you kind of get the gist. Most questions to the site relate to WDW, so they have several panelists for that specialty, fewer for others. Some of the previous years' panelists are asked to stay on, too, so even though only one new person may be chosen for, say, runDisney, you would still see a few people listed as runDisney specialists on the site.

Does that make sense?

 

[kathyk671]

What say we take inspiration from Suzanne's "boot camp" thread last year and post some sample questions 'n' such to help get us all geared up?

Unlike I understand was the case in previous years, there weren't really any trivia or trick questions last year. Well, there was a "Little Mermaid" question asking if you prefer "gadgets and gizmos aplenty or whozits and whatzits galore," but there was no "right" answer to that one. They can always throw us a curve and put the trivia back in, but for now we'll just focus on last year's format.

To begin at the beginning, here's Round 1, Question 1:

In 100 words or less, what is your favorite Walt Disney World restaurant? Why? (*This can be any kind of Disney Dining location - table service, counter service, quick service, character dining, etc.)

I didn't save my R1 answers (I did NOT think I'd get past the first round), but I probably would have said the San Angel Inn at Epcot's Mexico pavilion. As a kid, I would see the tables perched by the water as I floated by on the Rio del Tiempo ride, and thought it looked heavenly. As an adult, I finally got to try it, and I loved everything from the wonderful Mexican fare to the captivating jungle and pyramid scene in the distance. And of course, I love to look out over the water and see the boats float by on the ride!

 

[kathyk671]

Addendum to my last post: I posted the Round 1 Question 1 for the WDW specialty. Here are the questions for the other specialties for that round. (Thanks to arborlita for compiling all of the questions during last year's discussion thread!)

Disneyland, DCL & Wide World of Sports seem to have the same R1 Q1 question:
1. In 100 words or less, tell us about your own Disney Parks vacation planning experience and how you have helped others plan vacations.

DVC Specialty R1 Q1:
1. In 50 words or less, why did you decide to become a Disney Vacation Club Member?

I don't see R1 Q's for runDisney, so we'll skip ahead to R2 Q1:
1. In 50 words or less: from a runner's standpoint, what sets a runDisney event apart from other endurance events?

I think I copied those correctly. If not, they can still be a good jumping off point to get us pondering some possible answers.

 

[Shea&Van]

Hey everyone!

Thanks for starting this thread! What a great idea!

I've tried this once before and didn't get past the first round...I'm trying again this year and I'm really excited to just enjoy the process and hope for the best.

We had a lovely trip in December and are planning our next adventure (and first cruise) for next March. Trying to squeeze in a quick weekend trip before then if my SWA companion pass comes through (fingers crossed!).

Anywho...loved your answer Kathy (re: fav restaurant), I can tell you are a professional communicator with those awesome words that paint a picture...tough competition here I see - LOL! Just kidding!

Well, good luck to everyone. I'm really happy to be here and I can't wait to get to know you over the next few months. Good luck to all the hopefuls!

Have a happy Friday DisPals!

 

[Merl1977]

I first applied for the 2013 group. Decided to try again this year. Fingers crossed

 

[ticofan]

Thank you, Jackie, for starting this thread! I am not sure if I am ready to start fretting yet, but -- Only 86 days to go!!

This is my favorite Moms Panel site to follow, but last year I did get into Twitter because Gary and Gang were so fun. I look at Facebook too, but the Dis is my favorite!

I'm in! This will be my 6th year applying and, like you, will go in with no expectations. If I'm selected, that's fantastic, and if not, there's always 2016!

I think yours is a great attitude. Keep the journey fun!!

The new panelists officially started their gig in January, but the selection process begins in September. They whittle the pool of applicants over three rounds of written questions, a video submission (round 2), and a telephone interview (round 3), leading to the final selection in mid to late November. The new panelists take a free training and "get-to-know-ya" trip to WDW in December, and then start taking questions in January.

I am trying to remember.... When did the answer to the Moms Panel question come. Was that after the phone interview?? Did all the Round 3ers answer a practice question?? Anyone remember???

Good luck to everyone!

 

[kathyk671]

Thank you, Jackie, for starting this thread! I am not sure if I am ready to start fretting yet, but -- Only 86 days to go!! This is my favorite Moms Panel site to follow, but last year I did get into Twitter because Gary and Gang were so fun. I look at Facebook too, but the Dis is my favorite! I think yours is a great attitude. Keep the journey fun!! I am trying to remember.... When did the answer to the Moms Panel question come. Was that after the phone interview?? Did all the Round 3ers answer a practice question?? Anyone remember??? Good luck to everyone!

Hey! Welcome aboard the DisneyMP 2015 crazy train!

The question came just after the interview, I think. I remember some people were calling it "Round 3a" and I also remember that it was the very last thing I did before the final e-mail. I think my answer was pretty good, but way too long. After submitting it, I looked up the "real" MP answer to that question, and yeah, hers was much more succinct. Lesson learned for this year!

 

[cruisecrasher]

I'm super excited to apply for DCL again this year! I'm more excited that the Wonder will be coming back to homeport in my neck of the woods for the 2015 holiday season!!!
84 days to probable application date!

 

[PixieJenna]

Hi!

Jackie, thank you for starting this thread! I am so thrilled to apply for the first time this year! I have been so absorbed in all things MP and cannot wait for the process to begin. So with that said, I am so hopeful for all of us this year and I hope I can learn some things from all of you.

 

[kathyk671]

Up for some more Q's from last year's application period? Here's R1 Q2!

WDW specialty:
2. In 100 words or less, what is your all-time best Walt Disney World Resort vacation memory (either as a child or as a parent)?

DLR specialty:
2. In 100 words or less, what is your favorite attraction at Disneyland Park? Why?

runDisney specialty: (again, this is actually a R2 question, since I didn't see R1 in the original post)
2. A friend asks your advice on running his/her very first endurance event. They are nervous (and possibly even a bit intimidated) at the thought of participating in an organized race with tens of thousands of runners (and many of those being seasoned runners). In 50 words or less, what do you say to ease his/her mind about a runDisney event?

DVC specialty:
2. In 50 words or less, please tell us which Disney Vacation Club Resort is your favorite. Why?

DCL specialty:
2. When Did You First Hear About Moms Panel?

WWoS specialty:
2. What sports have you traveled with a team for competition at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex?


And again, I didn't save my R1 answers because I really just did this for kicks last year, didn't think for a minute that I'd advance. But I can take a guess at what I would have said! (I'm a couple words over so I'd need to edit, but you'll get the idea...)

My favorite WDW memory was as a mom-to-be. My husband and I tried for years to start our family, including a year off as I was treated for early breast cancer. We got the green light to try again, and were finally successful! When it came time to learn our baby's gender, we had the tech seal the results in an envelope to be opened at our favorite place in the world. With Spaceship Earth as a backdrop, my husband pried open the envelope and announced "it's a boy!" We hugged, we laughed, we cried, and then we feasted at the F&W Festival.

 

[PixieJenna]

Up for some more Q's from last year's application period? Here's R1 Q2! WDW specialty: 2. In 100 words or less, what is your all-time best Walt Disney World Resort vacation memory (either as a child or as a parent)? DLR specialty: 2. In 100 words or less, what is your favorite attraction at Disneyland Park? Why? runDisney specialty: (again, this is actually a R2 question, since I didn't see R1 in the original post) 2. A friend asks your advice on running his/her very first endurance event. They are nervous (and possibly even a bit intimidated) at the thought of participating in an organized race with tens of thousands of runners (and many of those being seasoned runners). In 50 words or less, what do you say to ease his/her mind about a runDisney event? DVC specialty: 2. In 50 words or less, please tell us which Disney Vacation Club Resort is your favorite. Why? DCL specialty: 2. When Did You First Hear About Moms Panel? WWoS specialty: 2. What sports have you traveled with a team for competition at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex? And again, I didn't save my R1 answers because I really just did this for kicks last year, didn't think for a minute that I'd advance. But I can take a guess at what I would have said! (I'm a couple words over so I'd need to edit, but you'll get the idea...) My favorite WDW memory was as a mom-to-be. My husband and I tried for years to start our family, including a year off as I was treated for early breast cancer. We got the green light to try again, and were finally successful! When it came time to learn our baby's gender, we had the tech seal the results in an envelope to be opened at our favorite place in the world. With Spaceship Earth as a backdrop, my husband pried open the envelope and announced "it's a boy!" We hugged, we laughed, we cried, and then we feasted at the F&W Festival. [/QUOTE


Thank you for sharing that! What a beautiful story and moment.

 

[kathyk671]

Thank you! It was truly amazing after all we'd been through. I should add that it was also my DH's birthday. He had the honor of opening the results because I accidentally *cough* peeked at the pregnancy test and saw that it was positive before he did. Had to make it up to him somehow!

 

[PixieJenna]

I am glad you are okay and can share more memories with your growing family!!!

 

[pazfam]

I'm so happy to join the waiting room. Last year I made it to round 2 for the first time and the FB and Twitter posts was almost overwhelming. This year I'm going to try to focus on this waiting room and tweets from Gary! Good luck everyone!

 

[mjaclyn]

Hi Everybody!!! So glad to be joining the waiting room again! This will be my 8th year applying (am I nuts?) but the ride is a lot of fun. Especially when you get to know other people in the process. Jackie, I really hope this is your year!! And Rich, you TOTALLY need to be runDisney dad! If anyone is new to the process, I encourage you to check out a podcast episode we did a few months ago. I was able to interview Gary Buchanan and ask a lot of questions about the application process.

http://mousequestpodcast.com/2014/01/episode055/LISTEN HERE or Download on iTunes

We will also be doing another Moms Panel show in August, so if anyone has any questions they'd like answered, feel free to PM me or email question@mqpodcast.com.

Looking forward to this year's adventure!

 

[cindermomma]

I am in to try this again!

 

[ticofan]

It is nice to see familiar names from previous years! I would like to say familiar faces, but I guess it would be familiar icons!!

I am excited to see the new questions in September! And see who are the lucky ones to move on.



Good luck to all.