2013: A New Year, A New Disney Role

We are giddy to announce 
"A Whole New World" for the Disney Sisters

 We have joined the Babble family as contributors 
for 
DISNEY VOICES

You may ask what are Disney Voices?

We are a group of bloggers sharing all things Disney on Babble.com. Whether it be about Disney movies, television, apps or books we'll be talking about it at Disney Voices. Want to know anything about the Disney Parks or other magical destinations... Disney Voices will be covering it! Everything from crafts, fashion, games, recipes, photography, quizzes, family memories, etc. all with a Disney twist! Pretty awesome right?

As you already know we practically eat, drink and sleep Disney so sharing our love in a new space is thrilling! It's a whole new world!!! Stay tuned for even more "crazy sister antics" sprinkled with Pixie Dust in 2013! Needless to say we are over the moon about being a part of something as special as Disney Voices and we want to thank you for all of your support of Disney Sisters.
We hope you'll stop by next month and say hello...  

See Ya Real Soon!

Disney Parks Blog Shares Story Telling Magic

"We like to tell stories so good they're contagious!" -Thomas Smith

We've been reading and loving the Disney Parks Blog since it began in September 2009. As the one and only official blog for all of the Disney Parks they naturally have all of the latest and greatest Disney News the moment it breaks. But they also have a unique almost magical way of telling stories. When we heard that we would be given the chance to meet Disney Parks Social Media Director, Thomas Smith and Gary Buchanan, Social Media Managing Editor in the #DisneySMMoms Breakout Session called "Fire and Ice" we were intrigued and ecstatic. It was an honor to meet these two Heroes. Let us assure you, they definitely lived up to the hype. They were silly and serious, business but approachable and caring. These gentlemen both exemplify what a Disney Cast Member should be!

They put on a show, taught us a little of what they know and it was awesome!

Photo courtesy of our friend Josh Hallett 
Thomas Smith and Gary Buchanan

We learned the Disney Parks Blog works like a well-oiled machine.
 They have a large crew, a "posse" of 70 writers. Did you know Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Chairman, Tom Staggs is an author on the blog? Several posts go out each day.
Seeing their editorial calendar made us melt.

What drives Disney Social Media Program?

Curiosity = Ideas

Ideas on Story Telling shared by Tom:

*Explore, experiment and try new things.

*Ask yourself questions like: What if? and Why not?

*Share your experiences!
Experiences that are anticipated before they happen, talked about while they're happening and afterwords.

*Bloggers should be like trusted guides that let you experience their story through a journey.

*Always remember: "Creativity Lights The Way!"

Thoughts on Creativity from Gary:

*Gary shared his all time favorite quote:
"It doesn't matter where you take things from, it matters where you take them to."-Jean Luc Godard

*You can build on an idea that's been done before and you make it your own.

*Gary suggests to "date an idea, don't marry an idea."

*And he shared his favorite Walt Disney quote:
"If you are coasting, it means your are going downhill"-Walt Disney

*Keep your foot on the gas pedal!

*Creativity is coloring outside of the lines.

*Have fun and play with no rules.
Through play you go from Ha-Ha moment to Ah-Ha moment.


Here's our tweet stream during the session.
There were so many great ideas, and quotes. We wanted to share their brilliance.

Photo courtesy of our friend Josh Hallett

Photo courtesy of our friend Josh Hallett 


Follow Disney Parks Blog on Twitter @DisneyParks
Like Disney Parks Blog on Facebook
We have more to share about Disney Parks Blog coming soon!

Full Disclosure: We were invited to the Disney Social Media Moms Celebration. Walt Disney World offered a special discounted rate for all attendees and their families. This is a once in a lifetime experience and we are grateful to Disney for allowing us to participate. We'll be sharing unique things seen and heard throughout the Celebration. Please keep in mind these our own personal thoughts and opinions, not those of the Walt Disney Company.

The Celebration, Magic, and Memories of Disney Social Media Moms #DisneySMMoms

Celebration

A few weeks ago we attended our first Disney Social Media Moms Celebration, and it was just that, a celebration. There were inspiring speakers, once in a lifetime moments like Meg Crofton taking the time to speak to us, (if only we'd taken a picture with her), and countless family memories were made because Disney invited our whole family to join the Celebration.

Disney calls this event a Celebration rather than a conference. What a fitting title because we feel like we're still celebrating. Celebrating the Magic, the Memories and the Media Moms (and Dads) that we met while at Walt Disney World.

Magic

It was extremely exciting and magical meeting so many awesome bloggers that we have only had online relationships with until now. It's such a cool experience walking up to a perfect stranger and asking them if they are "@EnterTwitterNameHere" & hoping they say yes. Then once they say yes, telling them your blog and hoping that they know who the heck you are. Next big hugs, smiles and a sigh of relief when you make a connection and with any luck you have just started a lifelong relationship.

Being a parent, blogger and Disney fan are things that most of the attendees have in common. Add that to the fact that we are a select few experiencing this unique event together, and the bond just got stronger. It's kind of like summer camp where some of the friendships made will be for life. Except now we all keep in touch not by writing letters, and not even with email but with Social Media. We get to hear and see day-to-day happenings with each other on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, through our You Tube Channel, Flickr Phtotstreams and of course, the old fashioned way, by reading each other's blogs.

We wrote this today not only to share with you all the wonderful people we met, but also because we don't want to forget a single Magical Moment.

From the minute we headed over to registration the magic began with the first two people we saw,

Jackie Gailey of Jackie's Magical Moments and Mitch of Gay NYC Dad we exchanged hugs and felt as though we'd known each other forever.

En Route from registering we met Beth Levine, The Angel Forever and her husband Jason Levine, Techy Dad, then Alyssa Enders of Clever Compass and Christy Matte of More Than Mommy (and yes, there was more hugging).

In the Yacht Club Hotel lobby we met the lovely ladies Jyl Johnson Patee of Mom It Forward, of Amy Bellgardt of Mom Spark, Jenny Ingram of Jenny On The Spot, & Haley Shivers of Love Life Family and then Some.

At the front desk we met Amanda Tinney of Disney Everyday, checking in with our friend Suzannah of Zannaland.

After breakfast we became fast friends with Shannon Hurst Lane of Traveling Mamas, Jennifer James of Mom Bloggers Club and Catherine Connors of Her Bad Mother. It was hugs all around and we all really missed not having Tracey, our other sister there with us.

During the Conference we were so happy to meet Becca of Our Crazy Boys, Amy Lupold Bair aka Resourceful Mommy, Connie Roberts of Brain Foggles, MJ Tam the Chicagonista, Corinne McDermott of Have Baby Will Travel, Jill Amery from UrbanMommies, Annemarie from yoyomama,
Trey Burley of DaddyMojo, Lorraine "Wifey" Robertson of Run Wifey Run, Andrea Updyke of LilKidThings and Adam Cohen of Dada Rocks

We sat with Bay from Queen Mother Blog and Jen of The Suburban Mom.

In the Conference Hallway we chatted with Lori Nash is Miss Lori, Nadia Carriere of Childmode and her adorable baby, Lindsay Maines of Rock & Roll Mama, and Carol Cain of NYCity Mama.

After hearing Amy Jo Martin speak Becky was so moved and overcome with emotion she stepped out and was greeted with open arms and a big hug from Leanne Jakubowski. You are so kind, Leanne.

Waiting to board the bus we had a great visit with Karen aka A Magical Mommy
and Stacie aka The Divine Miss Mommy

Lisa Druxman of Stroller Strides was our Dinner Date at Animal Kingdom.

On our walk through Animal Kingdom we stopped to take a photo with Maria Bailey of Mom Talk Radio and Molly Gold of Go Mom Inc.

While running from buffet table to buffet table, at the Animal Kingdom Party we met WDW Moms Panelist Ashley of Mama Of All Trades, Tammi of My Organized Chaos, Candy of Mommypalooza,  Jayme with Build-A-Bear Workshop, Amy from Mommy Mentor and Nirasha of Mommy Niri.

We shared a bus ride with Shelley Caran of On The Go in MCO and JL Knopp of the Disney Driven Life after dinner, headed back to the hotel from Animal Kingdom.

Back at the Yacht Club, we got to ride the elevator with Cooper Monroe of The Motherhood.

We bumped into Mike O'Brien from A Father Knows Less at the hotel gift shop. We had a late night  rendezvous shopping for snacks with Susan Pazera from Macaroni Kid.

Before getting on our bus headed to the Art of Animation Resort dinner, we caught up with
  Jeanette Kaplun of Todobebe and Jenn aka Super Jenn.

Poolside at the Art of Animation Resort we celebrated with Danielle Smith of Extraordinary Mommy, Piera Jolly of Jolly Mom, Sami Cone from Sami Cone, Nicole of SAHM Reviews and
Melanie Sheridan from Mel, A Dramatic Mommy.

We had a ball dancing the night away with Jenn and Shelley, our mom at The Art of Animation Resort.

On the docks of Disney's Yacht Club Resort we ran into Colleen Padilla of Classy Mommy &

Joyce Brewer from Mommy Talk Show.

Walking to the hotel from the bus we introduced ourselves to Jennifer Hutchinson of Mami To Mommy.

Before the breakout sessions we said hello to Charmed Valerie at the Coffee Bar.

We planned our next Disney Cruise together with Alex Busy Working Mommy, Jackie Gailey of Jackie's Magical Moments, Ashley of A Cup Of Disney and her husband Robin Reeve of The WDW Dads.

In the Cruise Breakout Session we met Maria T Ramos from A Savings WOW and Maricris Guadagna of Zensible Mama.

In the Disney Parks Blog session with Thomas Smith and Gary Buchanan we got to know
Lou Mongello of WDW Radio, Pilar Clark with One Mom Media and also Disney Social Media Magic and we finally got to meet Laura Spencer face to face!

 Back in the Yacht Club lobby, the last night of the conference we met Teach Mama, Carolina Mama with her sweet boys and Tech Saavy Mama.

At the Yacht Club Bar we met Debbie aka TV Producer Deb, and Renee Stylus of Good Enough Mother.

Spending time at DisneySMMoms with friends we see frequently proved to be magic as well.

Ciaran, Momfluential,  Marsha, Sweat Pants Mom,  Caryn, Rockin Mama,  Shelby, Glitterful Felt Stories,  Suz, Alive in Wonderland,  Marcy, The Glamorous Life Association,  Lisa, Babes in Disneyland,

Kristen, Rage Against The Minivan,  Kelly, According to Kelly,  Ana, Spanglish Baby,  Kimberley The Go-To-Mom and Susan and Janice, 5 Minutes for Mom.

Although we connected with so many people, there are many more we missed...
The heart remembers what the mind forgets!

We look forward to meeting you IRL in the near future. 

Memories...

Thank you to everyone for being a special part of our first DisneySMMoms Celebration!
We will never forget you!!!

Full Disclosure: We were invited to the Disney Social Media Moms Celebration. Walt Disney World offered a special discounted rate for all attendees and their families. This is a once in a lifetime experience and we are grateful to Disney for allowing us to participate. We'll be sharing unique things seen and heard throughout the Celebration. Please keep in mind these our own personal thoughts and opinions, not those of the Walt Disney Company.

Disney Social Media Moms Celebration Or Bust

Disney Social Media Moms Celebration Or Bust!

It's finally here! 
The week we've been waiting for. 
Tomorrow we will be heading across the country to attend the Disney Social Media Moms Celebration at Walt Disney World Resort. It will be our very first year and we couldn't be more excited! We're not quite sure what to expect, but with Disney you can bet it will be Magical!

We can't wait to see some old friends Momfluential, Zannaland, Glitterful Felt Stories, Babes In Disneyland, Rockin Mama, The Go To Mom, Sweatpants Mom and 5 Minutes For Mom. And meet some new friends Blue Suit Mom Media, Resourceful Mommy, Mom Bloggers Club, Traveling Mamas, Macaroni Kid, Go Mom Inc, The Divine Miss Mommy, Mom Spark, and One Mom Media just to name a few.

We stumbled across this shirt on Sunday Night at Disneyland and had to share. 

We think it's quite fitting, don't you agree? That Mickey Mouse necklace is pretty cute too!

Make sure to follow all of our live coverage 4/26-4/30 from the Disney Social Media Moms Celebration:

Disney Sisters Facebook

Disney Sisters Twitter

(The official Hashtag is #DisneySMMoms)

On Instagram we are @DisneySisters

Disclaimer: We were invited to the Disney Social Media Moms Celebration. Walt Disney World offered a special discounted rate for all attendees and their families. This is a once in a lifetime experience and we are grateful to Disney for allowing us to participate. We'll be sharing unique things seen and heard throughout the Celebration. Please keep in mind these our own personal thoughts and opinions, not those of the Walt Disney Company.