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Disney Social Media Moms – On The Road in Philadelphia

1393513_10152138253778297_5151995707477833798_nYesterday, I attended my very first Disney Social Media Moms Conference.  What an awesome way to be baptized in the “real” social media community! Pixie Dust, Pin Trading, Practically Perfect in Every Way!

The atmosphere was really like a celebration – fun balloon bouquets, table centerpieces that were adorable and social media geek-tastic, and the most amazing goody bags ever assembled.

CenterpieceThe morning was set to begin early, with registration starting around 7:45ish.  Because I live about 45 minutes away, and traffic at that time of day is a total crap shoot, I stayed the night before at the Crowne Plaza hotel in King of Prussia, where the conference was being held.  So glad I did!  We had terrible storms overnight the night before, and some of the local roads by my house were still pretty bad from the weather.  I rolled out of bed about 6 AM, and headed to the lobby at 7 AM to see that people were already beginning to arrive!

Not long after, the crowd had gathered to check in.  There were Disneybounders, moms in mouse ears, moms in Maleficent ears (ears? horns? what the heck are they?), and moms sporting Disney Veras and Dooneys – everyone was showing their Disney Side somewhere.  For as close as the quarters got, everyone was so chatty and friendly!

Registration Waiting

There was time once inside to admire the decorations, meet some new people, and try to snag a FastPass+ to meet Gary Buchanan – Disney’s Social Media savant (there were none available, but I waited in the line, which I’m pretty sure was double the wait to see Anna and Elsa at the Magic Kingdom).  I got to meet people I had only met online, and quite a few Disney Parks Moms Panel fans came over to say hello.

Jedi Duck The conference speakers gave awesome tips on making the most of your mobile phone by using it for video, making sure you tell a story, and even being the best you that you can be.  The most powerful message, however, came from Maria Bailey of BSM Media and Mom Talk Radio.  She encouraged us to look our children in the whites of their eyes when we speak to them, and I have to admit, as a mom who works, goes to school, and manages a house, I’m usually talking to my kids while doing something (okay, a few somethings) else.  We need to take that time, connect with them, let them know we are there, present, and attending to them.  These, after all, are the greatest thing we will ever create – no matter how creative we are.  Love this message.

For a first experience, this was a great start.  It wasn’t so overwhelming that I felt out of my element, but there was some great content and there were some awesome people.  So glad I received this invitation, and I hope I get to do it all over again next time!

Krispie treat

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Showing Our #DisneySide

With the New Jersey weather about as warm as we could hope – and the temperature in the kitchen from all the cooking as warm as the Magic Kingdom in July – we celebrated our Disney Side!  The place festooned in traditional Mouse colors of red, yellow, and black; and guests festooned in their best Mouse gear, we enjoyed food, Frunch (straight from a recipe from Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge), and even an attempt at Dole Whip (nothing beats the real thing), and some Disney games.

Here are some photos from the festivities!

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Teeny tiny tuna salads in Mickey Mouse “bowls”
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Baskets of popcorn and cotton candy – just like at the Magic Kingdom!
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Cakes by Carrington – so cute!
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Wicked awesome Krispy Rise Treat – super sized!

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Showing My Disney Side

No one loves to throw a party as much as I do.  Well, unless you consider my husband, who knows the house undergoes a thorough scrubbing in preparation for a party.  I guess, therefore, he loves to throw a party more than I do, since he doesn’t do any of the scrubbing but benefits from a clean house.

But I digress.

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When I found out I was selected to host a Disney Side @Home Celebration, I thought it was the most fan-freaking-tastic way to combine my love of all things Disney and party planning!  I didn’t peek at anyone else’s posts to see what was in the box, so it was a complete surprise when the amazing celebration in a cardboard box showed up today!

The first thing I saw when I opened the box was this adorable overnight bag –

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Even making me think about Walt Disney World or a Disney Cruise is enough reason for me to throw a party, but wait, there’s more!  In addition to some great Bingo games, RunDisney chEAR posters, ESPN Wide World of Sports bracelets and bumper stickers, instructions for face painting with a Disney flair, Disney trivia cards, a Disney vacation planning DVD, and recipes/activities, the box came with:

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Boxes of HP Photo Cards, so we can capture the memories and share them with friends!
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Adorable cookie cutters – or sandwich cutters – as the case may be!
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An iPhone case
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Yummy Craisins snack boxes!
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Stickers! Who doesn’t love stickers!
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Measuring cups from The Chew! Do you think Mario Batali packed these himself?
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Mickey paper goods – napkins, plates, cups, cupcake wrappers, and decorations
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Sweetie posters – how cute would these be as a Valentine gift?

I can’t wait to celebrate with some Disney friends!