My WDW Moms Panel Training Adventures!!! Includes my night in the Castle!

[DisneyJo]

Thanks for the replies everyone, I really was treated like a VIP the whole trip, trouble is I may get used to it

What exactly is the Disney Moms Panel? I am delighted you are in it as it looks like a terrific adventure to be involved with.

It's part of the main WDW web site, it's basically a panel of 16 people (12 until January 5th) and upcoming guests can e-mail their questions in. Although there are many forums like the DIS on the internet many people don't realise and don't make it past the main WDW site. So Disney came up with the idea of the Moms panel as a way for them to ask questions and get personal replies from people just like them ie Moms not Castmembers. We're allowed to be completely honest even if that means telling people to hire their strollers offsite or that we think a ride is rubbish, it's all uncensored, well unless we swear obviously Click here to see it!


BTW everyone once I go live on 5th January can you all send me (you can click on my name) some really, really, really easy questions to give me practise please

 

[wicket2005]

Hi Jo, thanks for that explanation. No problems asking you a question on your site but can you remind me on this thread to do it? In the meantime I will think of a really hard question for you , only joking will make it an easy one.

My hubbie was shocked when I said I would have jumped at the chance that you got, he didnt think I would do something like that by myself. Are you mad, I thought get treated like a VIP and see all those special things.

 

[DisneyJo]

Hi Jo, thanks for that explanation. No problems asking you a question on your site but can you remind me on this thread to do it? In the meantime I will think of a really hard question for you , only joking will make it an easy one.

My hubbie was shocked when I said I would have jumped at the chance that you got, he didnt think I would do something like that by myself. Are you mad, I thought get treated like a VIP and see all those special things.

Only easy questions remember Hopefully if there is enough UK interest they will definitely want another UK panellist next year, about September time look for the application form, I'll post a thread on the UKCB if I remember, and apply

 

[DisneyJo]

We arrived in Japan to see most of the “Moms” lined up on the restaurant steps and the camera crew there. We had been told we would be shooting some kind of Grand Gathering video but though that it would actually be in the restaurant. Jodi and I took our places on the steps and smiled away

Luckily this time we didn’t have to say anything, we just had to sit in the bright sunshine and look pretty

Filming took about 30 minutes and we were then led into Teppan Edo, one of my favourite restaurants. We had a whole section to ourselves and during our meal more filming was shot. The food was absolutely gorgeous and our chef was great, I really do love this restaurant because it combines delicious food with entertainment.

Notice all the makeup on me after my videoshoot, even Doug had it on too!

All too soon we were being whisked out of Teppan and back onto our bus. We had a Guestology Tour at MK to get to! Lisa our Guide met us at our normal backstage entrance and gave us all a head set so we could hear her from afar. The tour lasted probably about 2 hours and was very informative, Lisa was fantastic and very interesting. During the tour we rode Haunted Mansion and she told us how the imagineers really do go in-depth when they’re developing rides. She told us a story about a lady and her pearl necklace, I won’t spoil it for you incase you ever do a tour but just keep an eye on necklaces next time you ride!

The camera crew kept us company during the tour. At one point it was so funny watching these two boys, they kept pretending to drop something the other side of the camera so they had to walk in front of it, little did they know that at that point the camera wasn’t running

Once the tour was over we all received a special pin and then everyone except Doug and I boarded the bus for CSR. Laura had plans for Doug and I, another video I thought that my videoing was all over but oh no Laura wanted a short video from us, Doug with the Dad angle and me because I’m English.

We did the shoot near Main Street Station and Laura told me roughly what to say, I mucked it up several times and when I finally got it right a train pulled into the Station so it ruined it Several takes later they were happy with me and I finally relaxed! Doug then did his shoot, I kept my distance though so I didn’t distract him.

Once he’d finished Doug decided to head to Epcot, where we would be meeting in abut 40 minutes time, I got a lift with Laura in Michaels car back to CSR. I literally had time to run to my room, chuck some trousers/pants on and freshen up before getting back on the bus to Epcot. Today was one packed day

 

[wils]

you must be exhausted by now! Looks like great fun (expect for the photos and videoing!)

 

[Booknut]

Jo, seriously, this is the best TR in the world EVER!!!

I'm loving every second of this, I can't wait to see that video, i'm sure its brill! Already have a nice easy question in mind

 

[wicket2005]

Thanks Jo for posting.

 

[cazzie]

What a great report and a fantastic experience. We walked past where they filmed you in Italy on the morning of the 8th and wondered what all the filming gear and makeup box was for I wonder if it was for the mom's panel. Looking forward to reading more.

 

[DisneyJo]

you must be exhausted by now! Looks like great fun (expect for the photos and videoing!)

I was beyond tired, somehow I kept going though

Jo, seriously, this is the best TR in the world EVER!!!

I'm loving every second of this, I can't wait to see that video, i'm sure its brill! Already have a nice easy question in mind

You're too sweet, thanks That easy question sounds as though it may be tough

Thanks Jo for posting.

Thanks for reading

What a great report and a fantastic experience. We walked past where they filmed you in Italy on the morning of the 8th and wondered what all the filming gear and makeup box was for I wonder if it was for the mom's panel. Looking forward to reading more.

We started filming at about 9.30am when it was still closed, I finished my actual filming about 11.15am and I know a few had to go back and reshoot. Where we filmed was opposite Italy right on the waters edge

 

[jns]

another great day
can't wait to see the videos

love this report not looking forward to it ending
are there any of the other Mons reporting about there trip ?

 

[The Fetherstons]

Excellent, Excellent Jo I am really enjoying your TR

 

[DisneyJo]

love this report not looking forward to it ending
are there any of the other Mons reporting about there trip ?

Thanks and a couple are writing blogs, not sure if they want them publicised but I know Anna does, hers can be found here and she is hilarious

Excellent, Excellent Jo I am really enjoying your TR

Thanks


I've suddenly remembered that before we boarded te bus to Epcot for the filming we had a visit from a very special guest, Meg Crofton the President of WDW. She was really lovely and took the time to speak to each and every one of us, we then had some photos taken!

 

[Chilly]

Will definately e-mail you some questions when you go live!

 

[Beth__WDW23/6/02]

I've been a lurker but wanted to reply and say fantastic TR,I have shown DP all your pics especially of the cinderellas castle DD3 said "that lady has pretty p'js"
It sounds like an amazing wonderful time,

 

[Pinky166]

WOW WOW WOW....I am so jealous Jo!!!

I have just spent an hour or so reading from begining to end. (I was in WDW at the same time but never saw you guys.)

What wonderful memories you will have forever & such lovely gifts!!

Looking forward to reading more.....

 

[tennisfan]

Another great installment Jo, fab photos. I look forward to the next update

 

[DisneyJo]

Will definately e-mail you some questions when you go live!

Remember only easy ones

I've been a lurker but wanted to reply and say fantastic TR,I have shown DP all your pics especially of the cinderellas castle DD3 said "that lady has pretty p'js"
It sounds like an amazing wonderful time,

Awww bless her Glad she liked the photos

WOW WOW WOW....I am so jealous Jo!!!

I have just spent an hour or so reading from begining to end. (I was in WDW at the same time but never saw you guys.)

What wonderful memories you will have forever & such lovely gifts!!

Looking forward to reading more.....

Thanks so much for reading, pity you didn't see us, we would have been very easy to spot

Another great installment Jo, fab photos. I look forward to the next update

Thanks, it's on it's way

 

[DisneyJo]

Back on the bus at 5.30pm ready for our 6pm dinner at Bistro De Paris. We went in the back way and were soon right by France. World showcase was very busy this evening but thanks to our bright pink jackets we didn’t get lost

I again skipped an appetiser, I just couldn’t eat everything, for entrée I had the lamb and it just melted in my mouth, the food at Bistro was just gorgeous. The waiters were pretty nice too, especially the one who liked my accent We all had a lovely meal and again shared lots of laughs, all too soon we were told we had to leave and had no time for dessert.

On my way back from the bathroom I overheard a lady commenting on the Moms Panel and what was it, so I did a quick bit of pimping for the site, it obviously worked as she said she’d definitely visit!!!!

Next stop was VIP seating for the Candlelight Processional, we had our own guide lead us from France to our seats with a nice glowing stick. At one point one of the Moms, probably Jackie, took over and was waving the stick around for us to follow

We had lovely seats, about 4 rows from the front on the right hand side. Having never been at Christmas time this was yet another first for me and it was lovely. The music, the singing, the narration, it was all just magical. I even loved the very loud trumpeters who stood right by us and half deafened us A nice touch was a signer, she put so much effort into each and every word she signed and was a pleasure to watch even for those that weren’t hard of hearing .

Once the performance was over we were led to our own private viewing area for Illuminations, we also had a dessert buffet, which was gorgeous.

As part of the dessert buffet we were given special glasses to wear for the fireworks and OMG they are awesome, it turned every little light into a Mickey Head. As each firework was released it looked like 2 MH’s flying into the air and then when it burst it was like hundreds of MH’s filling the sky, absolutely fantastic. It must have been hilarious standing near us as we were literally ooohing and ahhhing at each firework, people near us must have wondered what we were seeing that they couldn’t We were allowed to bring them home and you can also use them on your Christmas tree lights

Here are a few photos, it was very hard to capture the actual firework ones though but I think you can get the idea!

Suddenly with the end of Illuminations we all realised that our training had come to an end, what a perfect way to do it though! Leanne announced that she was not coming back to the hotel with us so lots of hugs and thank-you’s were exchanged and we had one final group photo, although some of the Moms seem to have been cut off!

We took our final bus ride back to CSR and again had lots of hugs, we were all leaving at different times tomorrow so we weren’t sure who we’d see again so we just hugged everyone just incase

Some “Moms” headed for the bar and I managed about 5 minutes before the tiredness suddenly hit and I headed to bed.

 

[thelittlemermaid83]

The fireworks sound awesome, plus that food looks delicious.

I'm hungry now lol.

 

[jns]

sounds like a great evening
sorry to see this trip coming to an end

will you get to met up with all the Moms again