Becoming a 2017 Disney Parks Mom Panelist!

Happy to share about my amazing new 2017 gig with Disney!

Selfie with the boss!

 Many friends and relatives have asked me how I became a Disney Parks Moms Panelist. They probably saw tons of pictures appear on social media during training, which took place in early December. I couldn't help but share and I was also getting tagged in photos showing an amazing time at Walt Disney World with my fellow mom panelists (twelve of us, to be exact).

But my answer to the question about how I became a panelist is very simple: I don't know.
I applied along with thousands and thousands of other Disney-loving mommies from around the world. I answered all application questions honestly and from the heart. I also made sure to double check my grammar and punctuation on every single submission. I let them know I was bilingual and confirmed that neither myself or anyone in my immediate family worked for Disney or a travel agency. I also submitted the dates of our last Disney vacation (you must have stayed at a Disney Resort at least once in the last 12 months).

Friends, there must have been a perfect amount of pixie dust on my application because I never imagined I would move on to the final round, let alone get selected!

Before I knew it, I was experiencing the most unforgettable Disney trip with some really nice, witty, intelligent and sweet Disney mommies (and one awesome dad from Canada), with whom I plan on being in touch with for many years to come, I mean, to infinity and beyond, if possible! The experience was practically perfect in every way...

All Disney quotes aside though, being on the Disney Parks Moms Panel is an honor. It's a highly coveted spot where we have a unique opportunity to serve as ambassadors or representatives of Disney Parks. We do so by answering questions from families planning a trip to the Happiest Place on Earth. We were selected because of our enthusiasm toward all things Disney and we are given the liberty to offer our favorite suggestions, recommendations and advice to families visiting the parks. It's certainly a very involved assignment and one that doesn't come with a salary but in good ol' Disney fashion, we are fortunate to receive magical benefits for taking on this once-in-a-lifetime role.
You can visit the Disney Parks Moms Panel website for more information.
My picture and biography are on the website now (woo-hoo)! I will be answering questions in English and Spanish about the Disneyland Resort.
By the way,  the 2018 panel search will open later in the year. Make sure you sign-up to receive Disney Parks Blog information directly to your email inbox for the exact dates.

For Disney Parks Moms Panel hopefuls, all I can say is don't give up! A couple of this year's mom panelists applied for 10 years before getting selected for 2017, which happens to be the 10th anniversary of the Disney Parks Moms Panel program!
After a conversation with one of those mommies, it seemed as though 2017 was the best possible year for her to have participated, given personal and professional situations.
In other words, things happen for a reason and If you can dream it, you can do it!

 En español
Mucha gente me ha preguntado cómo le hice para terminar entre el grupo de mamás panelistas de Disney de 2017. Quizá vieron las fotos que subí o fotos donde me etiquetaron durante la semana de entrenamiento en Walt Disney World. Y es que ni como contener la emoción de estar entre un grupo de doce mamás (y un padre canadiense) que fuimos selecccionados por Disney para esta asignación.

En realidad no sé cuál fue la razón por la que me escogieron. Presenté mi solicitud junto con miles de personas fanáticas de Disney alrededor del mundo. Contesté todas las preguntas con honestidad y  corazón. Me aseguré de enviar las respuestas sin faltas de gramática u ortografía. Les avisé que era bilingue y confirmé que nadie en mi familia trabajaba para Disney u alguna agencia de viajes. También les proporcioné las fechas de mis ultimas vacaciones a Disney (se requiere hospedaje en un hotel de Disney al menos una vez en los últimos 12 meses). 

Será que Campanita estaba de mi lado y le puso suficiente brillantina a mi solicitud porque ¡jamás imaginé que llegaría a la última ronda, y mucho menos que sería seleccionada!
Este papel como mamá panelista de Disney es uno que me enorgullece mucho. Es un puesto muy solicitado que nos brinda la oportunidad de servir como representantes o embajadores de Disney. Esto lo hacemos contestando todo tipo de preguntas sobre los parques a familias que planean viajar a Disney. Fuimos seleccionadas en parte por nuestro conocimiento sobre todo lo referente a Disney y tenemos libertad de contestar preguntas, ofrecer consejos y dar recomendaciones basado en nuestros gustos y preferencias. Yo estaré encargada de contestar preguntas sobre Disneyland en inglés y español. Aquí pueden conocer más sobre las panelistas.
¡Estoy a sus ordenes!

Xoxo,

I was selected to serve as a 2017 Disney Parks Mom Panelist, an independent contract position with magical benefits. All opinions are my own.