Disney officially announces the 2010 Disney Mom's Panel

Disney today officially announced the 2010 Disney Moms Panel. This year's panel is bigger than ever with 21 new panelists and 22 returning panelists.

As before, Disney held an online search to find the right Disney fans from all across the country (and Canada) to answer questions submitted by even more Disney fans.

I can tell you from personal experience that the selection process is rigorous. I made it to the second round, but, sadly, did not get selected for the third and final round of evaluations. One of my Disney friends did make it though, and went on to become a Disney Dad, er, Mom! So congratulations to Marc Lorenzo and all the new Disney Moms.

Disney News release:

What do a ballet teacher from Alabama, a lawyer from North Carolina and a NASA rocket scientist from Maryland all have in common? An affinity for all-things Walt Disney World Resort! Announced today, 21 new panelists from the United States and Canada, hailing from different backgrounds, are named official members of the 2010 Walt Disney World Moms Panel, www.disneyworldmoms.com. Additionally, due to the popularity of the site and an ever-growing number of questions, Disney welcomes back 22 panelists from 2008 and 2009 - totaling 43 members for 2010 to serve as online Disney-savvy vacation gurus, providing helpful tips to guests planning a Walt Disney World vacation.

The Walt Disney World Moms Panel is an online question-and-answer venue that serves as a free resource for families looking for a touch of pixie dust to add to their Disney vacation. The panel is led by everyday parents who have mastered the art of planning a vacation for their own families and are excited to share their pearls of wisdom with others. Through a comprehensive application process, the new panelists proved that they have the knowledge and desire to answer any and all questions that come their way.

Whether organizing multigenerational gatherings and large family reunions or navigating the parks with special needs children and adults, the panelists are accessible online with an abundance of their own Disney vacation experiences, memories and tips for making every moment magical. Additionally, the Moms Panel will include panelists who are skilled in Disney Cruise Line and Adventures by Disney vacations.

Each panelist brings a unique perspective to the vacation planning process, providing personal answers to questions which remain online as a reference for future site visitors.

"This is the largest group of panelists we've ever had," said Meg Crofton, president of Walt Disney World Resort. "Because interest in the Web site has grown so quickly, and we had so many highly qualified applicants, we started out searching for 10 knowledgeable parents, and eventually selected 21. Now we'll be able to share even more Disney park secrets and travel tips with families visiting the Moms Panel site."

The Moms Panel was created to answer the demand made by families going online to research vacation planning options. After only its second year, the panel touts nearly 45,000 original questions answered to-date.

Get to Know the New 2010 Walt Disney World Moms Panelists:

Amanda Allen; Raleigh, N.C.
Suzannah DiMarzio; Wesley Chapel, Fla.
Dorothy Drakos; Dundas, ON
Bernie Edwards; Columbia, Md.
Kathie Flood; Greer, S.C.
Portia Gadson; Cleveland, Ohio
Chris Gildea; Boston, Mass.
Diane Gonzales; San Antonio, Texas
Kaylene Jablecki; Cape Cod, Mass.
Joel Kennedy; Milwaukee, Wis.
Jonas Lehmann-Karp; Hastings-on-Hudson, N.Y.
Marc Lorenzo; Corning, N.Y.
Maria Marquez; Doral, Fla.
Terry McKinney; Charleston, S.C.
Dannee Neal; Indianapolis, Ind.
Amanda Pursch; Austin, Texas
Amy Rueffert; Talking Rock, Ga.
Andi Sims; Birmingham, Ala.
Allison Valdes; Johns Creek, Ga.
Amanda White; Atlanta, Ga.
Maribel Zambrana-Garcia; San Juan, PR

Visit www.disneyworldmoms.com to catch-up on our returning alumni panelists:


Kara Bacon; Omaha, Neb.
Kay Belin; Valparaiso, Ind.
Bret Caldwell; Evanston, Ill.
Diane Campagna; Bristol, R.I.
Beth Choisez; Floral Park, N.Y.
Margaret Fries; Oak Lawn, Ill.
Jodi Grundig; Natick, Mass.
Doug Ingersoll; Carmel, Ind.
Diane Luba; Plymouth, Conn.
Darcie Maranich; Vail, Ariz.
Tanya McNally; Basking Ridge, N.J.
Michelle May; Lebanon, N.J.
Joanne McCabe; Ottawa, ON
Heather Murry; Social Circle, Ga.
Brigitta Noer; Nanoose Bay, BC
Whitney Pickering; Laurel, Miss.
Karen Prince; Plymouth, N.H.
Heather Roberts-Nault; Louisville, Ky.
Cathy Schikowski; Richfield, Ohio
Anna Skamarakas; Bellmawr, N.J.
Jennifer Wilkes; Acworth, Ga.
Erin Foster; Scarsdale, N.Y.

About the Walt Disney World Moms Panel


Entering its third year, the Walt Disney World Moms Panel is an online forum where guests can get insider tips and insights for vacationing at Walt Disney World Resort from real moms and dads who have mastered the art of planning a Walt Disney World vacation. Each panelist was selected to share their vast knowledge of the resort and personal secrets of success with other families who are considering a trip to Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. Guests can pose questions to the panelists, as well as gain access to other valuable park insights and vacation planning tools for booking a Walt Disney World vacation. Featuring just 12 members during its inaugural year in 2008, the panel now boasts 43 park-savvy parents as a result of the popularity of the site and an ever-growing number of questions submitted by curious parents. For more information and to meet the moms and dads, visit www.disneyworldmoms.com.

Applications now accepted for 2010 Disney World Mom's Panel

If you're interested in becoming a Disney World Mom (or Dad) and joining the 2010 Disney World Mom's Panel, now's the time to submit your application.

http://disneyworldmoms.com/2010

Good luck!!!

Joan Lunden, Brad Garrett join Disney World Moms Panel

From CNBC.com:

Want the "celebrity scoop" on visiting Walt Disney World? Look no further. Families can now access park tips from celebrity moms and dads via the Walt Disney World Moms Panel site, www.disneyworldmoms.com. Disney Parks welcomes television personality Joan Lunden and actor/comedian Brad Garrett, as they go on camera to share vacation advice based on their family travel experiences. Lunden and Garrett are just another two parents, like the real parents on the Walt Disney World Moms Panel, who have mastered the art of planning a Disney vacation.

"We are thrilled that celebrity parents and our very own Moms Panelists are excited to share their personal planning strategies with other families," said Meg Crofton, president of Walt Disney World Resort. "The new videos and fresh ideas add another component to the question/answer format, further proving the Moms Panel as a great planning resource for guests." "Honorary" Members of the Panel -- Star of "Everybody Loves Raymond" and "Til Death," comedian Brad Garrett, hams it up to the camera while giving moms and dads some unique and interesting travel tips.

Joan Lunden -- Television journalist, author, motivational speaker, blogger and mom to seven (including two sets of twins!) describes her many memories at Disney Parks and gives her own tips for keeping travel stress to a minimum.

Earlier this year, Academy Award-nominated actress Angela Bassett welcomed the 2009 Moms Panel to the site with her own Disney vacation secrets.

Additionally, the Moms Panelists have joined the spotlight to provide helpful videos on ways to "Celebrate You!" an exploration adventure in "Kim Possible, The Adventure" design T-shirts at a new Downtown Disney store and kids discover nature at "Kids' Discovery Club." Moms Panel Very Own Videos "Celebrate You!" -- Walt Disney World Moms Panelists Margaret Fries, Karen Prince and Jennifer Wilkes take you through private birthday parties, Walt Disney World style! "Kim Possible, The Adventure" -- Panelist Joanne McCabe and her daughter become special agents and battle dastardly villains around Epcot with the "Kim Possible World Showcase Adventure," Walt Disney World's new interactive game.

"Hanes Design-A-Tee" -- Margaret Fries, Walt Disney World Moms Panelist and two of her sons take a break from the theme parks and design their own shirts at this Downtown Disney store.
"Kids' Discovery Club" -- Join Walt Disney World Moms Panelist Heather Roberts Nault and her children as they play and learn about nature at Disney's Animal Kingdom.

Offering up family traditions and one-of-a-kind vacation advice, the "How-to" videos will continue to grow as new celebrities visit the Parks and panelists continue to share their secrets.

To view the celebrity videos and pose questions to the Walt Disney World Moms Panel, visit www.disneyworldmoms.com.