Personal Pixie Dust – My Experience As A Disney Parks Moms Panelist
Lately, I have received many emails, calls and messages asking various questions about my new endeavor. I can’t tell you why I was chosen, or how the process works, but, for those wondering, I thought I’d explain why I wanted to be a part of the Disney Parks Moms Panel and what being a panelist means to me.
(fairies.disney.com)
My Love & Passion For The Magic Of Disney Parks
Walt Disney World is one of the few family resort destinations that is truly both ageless and timeless. No matter how old I become, or the number of trips I have taken, I still get that heart-racing excitement every time I start planning a vacation. One year we decided to bring my mother-in-law with us for our annual family vacation. For many years, it pained me to have someone so close and so admired ask every time we planned a trip, “Why Disney again? Why don’t you try something new?” Although she had no ill feelings towards Walt Disney World Resort, as she had never been, she just didn’t “get it.” I planned our vacation with her using every tip, trick and magical experience up my Fairy Godmother sleeves. I wanted so much to show her every ounce of “The Disney Magic.” The first day we went to the Magic Kingdom: reservations made, itinerary in hand, she was going to DRIP with pixie-dust when we were done! We walked under the bridge, stepped onto Main Street, U.S.A. and one look at her face showed me nothing else was needed to have her believe; her beautifully aged face had the same look of wonder and magic as my young son’s and, I’m sure, as mine! In that very moment I realized, you can’t make someone feel the magic, they truly have to just believe.
As I found out that morning, Walt Disney World Resort can do it all on its own, but sometimes Guests need a little guidance in how to find their magic.
Being a Disney Parks Moms Panelist
My new “job” (if you could call it that) is to spread as much pixie-dust as possible and help guide Disney’s Guests down their path to finding the magic and believing. Being a Disney Parks Moms Panelist isn’t about being in an elite group; it’s not about the training trip, the “pink jackets” or the “matching shirts.” Although our team is made up of phenomenal individuals, many of whom I can call friends, for each of us, it is about more than that. Our passion is to help Guests not just enjoy their Disney vacation, but to truly believe in the magic. Disney is always changing, and each Guest’s needs and situations are different, so it takes more than just knowing Disney and recommending your favorites. As panelists, we have to adapt our recommendations to each situation and constantly update our knowledge to ensure each Guest truly gets a magical, one of a kind experience. It’s the “Disney Difference!”—that special thing that made each of us fall in love with this happy place and want to share that love with our Guests.
Take The Chance
Knowing that, as a panelist, I could guide guests down their path to discovering the true magic of a Walt Disney World Resort vacation made applying to the panel a no-brainer. The fear of rejection is always daunting, but I’d do pretty much anything in order to know I was able to give a Guest the same feeling of magic and wonder I was able to give my mother-in-law through just a bit of personal pixie-dust.
Dawn
January 19, 2014 at 5:23 amGreat job, beautifully written! Also, thx for the MQpodcast.com mention! Can’t wait to read more:)
Lauren
January 19, 2014 at 6:36 amThank you Dawn! Already working on my next piece.
Amiyrah
January 19, 2014 at 6:04 amWhat a great way to start your blogging career! This sums up exactly how each of us feels about this great experience. I’m so honored to be on this journey with you.
Lauren
January 19, 2014 at 6:37 amThank you Amiyrah. Honored as well! #DisneyMPSis
Lisa
January 19, 2014 at 1:22 pmBeautiful post. I hope to make the panel someday to be able to help spread magic and pixie dust too.
Lauren
January 20, 2014 at 4:26 amThank you Lisa! Keep following your dream!
Aleisha
January 19, 2014 at 1:23 pmGreat first post Lauren! And what a fabulous way to start your blogging endeavor! And while I may not be on the panel I agree with everything it is truly all about the guests, and its fabulous to see such amazing passion among the panelist
Lauren
January 20, 2014 at 4:27 amThank you Aleisha.
Allison@Slice of Heaven
January 19, 2014 at 1:53 pmAwesome post! You put into words exactly what we do. Congrats on the new blog.
Lauren
January 20, 2014 at 4:27 amThank you MP sis!
Lori Ketcherside
January 19, 2014 at 2:03 pmI know the feeling! As much fun as it would be on the panel, helping others find the magic for themselves is so fun.
Even without the jacket.
Lauren
January 20, 2014 at 4:28 amYes, Lori! Keep following your dream and sharing your passion everyday!
Karen
January 19, 2014 at 4:24 pmEnjoyed reading your post! Your passion and excitement shine through.
Lauren
January 20, 2014 at 4:29 amThank you Karen!
Dawner
January 19, 2014 at 4:43 pmYES!YES!Yes! You took the words right out of my mouth!!! Definitely feel the same @Disney and the Disney “magic” !! Great post !!
Lauren
January 20, 2014 at 4:29 amThanks for stopping by to read!
Madalene
January 20, 2014 at 1:12 amGreat first post Lauren! Can’t wait to read more 🙂
Lauren
January 20, 2014 at 4:29 amThank You!
Tania
January 21, 2014 at 7:51 pmLoved this, Lauren! It’s really great, isn’t it? So happy to be able to share this experience with you!
Lauren
February 3, 2014 at 1:08 pmThank you MP Sis! I am also glad we are in this journey together!
Rebecca W.
January 31, 2014 at 10:57 pmTerrific job! Sorry it took me so long to get to it!
James
August 11, 2014 at 4:01 pmGreat post! Beautifully written! You captured what I love about the Moms Panel. Is not about telling people what you love about WDW, it’s helping others find those things that THEY will love!
Lauren
August 11, 2014 at 4:18 pmExactly James. Sometimes Guests just need a little help discovering their own magical time. Thank you for stopping by!
Terri Torrez
August 12, 2014 at 5:08 amI’m curious about the workload. How many hours? How difficult is it to juggle family, day job, etc? I’ve really cut back on committments this year and I’m starting to worry about ramping up again.
disneyshore67
October 16, 2016 at 10:23 amHaving applied for 10 years and being so close to sharing the magic, I believe it is in us al. What an incredible honor to serve on the panel it must be.
I’m thinking the puzzle is a very elaborate makeup of specific Moms/Dad’s and maybe someday around the river bend, I might just be the piece they are looking for.
Until then, I’ll keep spreading pixie dust and sharing my planning tips with anyone who can’t wait to believe in the magic Walt Disney World Resort offers guests.
Thanks for sharing your dream come true.
Lauren
October 16, 2016 at 8:55 pmCongratulations on your 10th year applying! While it was an absolute honor to be a part of the Panel and be able to help Guests find that magic everyday, you’re right–it’s in every Disney fan. Anyone who gets teary-eyed watching fireworks no matter how many times they’ve seen them, anyone who loves to get a hug from their favorite pal, or anyone who knows the amazing feeling of having a Disney countdown, no matter how many days it includes. The fans, friends and other Guests I’ve met in the process are priceless. I have no idea how panelists are selected, but you never know when the slipper may fit. Keep spreading your passion for helping Guests enjoy their magical vacations because Panelist or not, that’s all it’s really about.