Wrapping up my Disney Parks Moms Panel gig

Eight of the ten members of the 2016 panel reunited in November.

Imagine you have an opportunity of a lifetime that not only gives you a chance to work closely with one of your favorite brands but it comes with a pile of new wonderful friends. That’s what happened when I was offered the chance to be a Disney Parks Moms Panelist this year.

I’m just wrapping up my year-long gig in a splendid way: By enjoying my panelist reward trip with a week at Walt Disney World Resort and then experiencing a week-long holiday Disney Cruise Line trip. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime adventure that combines a cruise we’ve saved for two years AND spend time in the parks. Park time initially wasn’t in our plans when we booked the cruise!

Disney Parks picks out a new group of panelists each year. The newbies get to attend a training at Walt Disney World Resort. It’s an intense and wonderful way to get to know a group of people who also adore the Disney experience. Last December, I had a chance to train with nine other wonderful people. We make a great team. As the year went on, we’ve become more than just co-workers. We’re family. We cheEAR each other on, we laugh at our funny life moments, and cry together when we are hurting. I’ve also had a chance to get to know a number of other panelists from previous years. We only knew each other online until this past month. That’s when I had a chance to attend the Disney Parks Moms Panelist Reunion. It’s an unofficial (but official) event each year where all of the past panelists have a chance to meet and geek out together.

My winning Disney Springs scavenger hunt team!

During our reunion, present and past panelists got to play in the parks, eat yummy food, and we even had a super fun scavenger hunt through Disney Spring. (My team won!)

This month wraps up two years of a lot of Disney. Over the last 24 months, I’ve had a tremendous number of opportunities to enjoy the parks. I’ve loved getting to know panelists and Disney Cast Members. As I continue to focus on my full-time job (which never fell out of my view… but Born Just Right saw fewer posts this year) and helping Born Just Right move forward as a non-profit, I will never forget this incredible experience. Thanks to my amazing panelist team, my wonderful friends, and my family for being okay with watching me sit with my computer on my lap a lot this year.

2017 is the TENTH panelist group and I know they’re going to have an amazing year. I can’t wait to step back and watch all the magic happen.

I’m so thankful I had a chance to meet and spend time with so many panel members – past and present – during the reunion.