Crashing the Disney SM Moms Celebration

Lets just start this off with "I *so* should have been there".

Disney hosted a first ever Social Media Moms Celebration (SMMC). And for reasons that make me the mommy that I am, I did not sign up to go. With that being said, I watched the Twitter-verse in envy the weeks & days leading up to the conference. A lot of mommy-bloggers that I have grown fond of...yes, shameless shout outs will be posted at the end ;)...Jen, Debbie, Lynne, Jackie, JL, Traci, Amanda..all were going to be there. How could I *not* have signed up to go & meet these fabulous people??

*cue "light bulb going on" type music*

I have an annual pass. These mommas were going to be in the parks enjoying some down time. I can go to the parks whenever I want....so, maybe, just maybe, I'll go on one of the days they are there..SCORE!!

*Ok, so it didn't take rocket science to figure that deduction out. Maybe a little of it (ok, maybe most of it) was slightly embellished for the purpose of interesting reading..but you get my point ;)*

In a completely unrelated coincidence, another Twitter friend of mine, Ali, was having a “tweet-up” Thursday night at the Polynesian. The SMMC itinerary had listed most of Thursday afternoon free. Perfection-Thursday it was! As the day grew closer, I realized just how important Thursday was. Disney was gearing up for a major press event for this conference & Thursday was the main event day. Yay me!

Just a few days before, I found out that another Twitter/blogger friend, Aurora, was also going to "crash the party". How exciting!! Now, I wasn't the *only* one to not be attending the conference!! I was so excited, but nervous too. I mean, online everyone got along fabulously, but what if we didn't "click". What if they had all bonded so much over the course of the first day of the conference, I was just an outsider? What if they thought I was an over-zealous nut just showing up & crashing the party? Oh, the things I put myself thru!! Still, it felt good to know that I wasn't the only one just "showing up".

We set out Thursday morning. I followed the Press Releases (ßDisney Blog Posts) all the way up. Things like

• 600,000 people already signed up/volunteered hours thru Hands On Network
• Ty Pennington was there
• He said "Move those balloons"
• The picture of the largest can sculpture does not nearly look as majestic on your cell phone as it does here
• Demi Lovato & Joe Jonas were at the park
• Did I mention Ty Pennington was there?

I think I am still floored that 600,000 people have volunteered already..and the program had only been in effect for 6 weeks. That is an incredible amount of man-power & community fellowship. But, we'll save that for another blog post.

We like Toontown

As January draws to a close, we have successfully visited the world 4 times this month. I am off to a great start! And luckily, I picked the only non-rainy day of the weekend! :)

As Mini-Me played with her camera for this trip, Future Headache & Princess Peanut decided to play. After riding Goofy's Barnstormer for the first time last weekend, Princess Peanut decided she needed to "ride again". So off we went to Toontown.

Can I say that I am sad that they are demolishing Toontown? First of all, I am totally thrilled about the Fantasyland expansion. It is so needed. Really...just try to walk thru Fantasyland & you will see what I mean. It is super-crowded. More room & more attractions are definitely exciting thoughts, although I am scared to see what the construction will look like!! I overheard on twitter that they are starting on Winnie the Pooh's playground. That saddens me because that is one of Princess Peanut's favorite play areas. But anyway, back to Toontown.

The only thing that saddens me about Toontown leaving the Kingdom will be the loss of Mickey & Minnie's houses & Donald's boat. (Goofy's Barnstormer is staying.) As we walked thru the houses this weekend, I can't imagine Magic Kingdom without them. I know many children are thrilled to walk thru these attractions & see how their beloved mice live. Everything started with the mouse...his presence should remain strong in the parks...especially the Magic Kingdom. I know they are moving to Expo Hall, but it just will not be the same. :(

It will be a long haul with construction. It will also be weird to not see Dumbo front & center with the Carousel. But it is a nice thought that Princess Peanut might be able to ride Dumbo without having to wait 45 minutes ;)

Speaking of construction, lots is being done on Main Street during this slow month. Just this week scrims were put over the Plaza Ice Cream Shop & a large blue scrim was put over the Tomorrowland Terrace Noodle House/Wishes Dessert Party seating area.

For some good news, the 20% Annual Passholder Discount has been extended to March 1st! Yay!

Looking forward to our trip next week..planning on meeting up with an old grade school friend (who I have not seen since the 8th grade) & then going to see the shuttle launch afterwards at the Cape.

Til then, have a magical day!!

We are *Disney*

"It's a world of laughter...a world of tears.  It's a world of hope & a world of fears."  

Go ahead, feel free to sing along.  I am sure you know the words.  We are Disney people.  By "we", I mean myself, my other-half & our 5 children.  We are starting our 2nd year as Annual Passholders, and couldn't be happier.  

I have always been a Disney fan.  Living in Florida makes that easy.  Living less than 90 minutes away makes it even easier.  As a little girl, we visited the parks at least twice a year.  Since becoming Passholders, or "Disney People" as we call it, we visit more than that.  Waayy more.

So, I bet you are saying to yourself, "how can someone go to Disney that many times & not be bored?"  I have been asked this question so many times.  Each time a different answer.  After so many times & so many different answers, I decided it's time to document all of our memories & adventures.

Consider this an "additional adventure."  

I hope you join us!