Celebrating the Start of the Third Year: Disney Expands Walt Disney World Moms Panel And Seeks New ‘Mouse’ Experts for 2010

Search for 10 panelists opens online Sept. 10, ends Sept. 20

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. Is Disney your go-to family vacation? Are you a master at coordinating everything from character breakfasts to family reunions? If so, then Disney Parks would like you to apply to be on its third annual Walt Disney World Moms Panel. Disney Parks announced today its search for 10 park-savvy parents to reside on the 2010 Walt Disney World Moms Panel, www.disneyworldmoms.com, where they’ll join panelists from previous years to make this the largest panel to date.

Similar to asking a friend or neighbor for advice, this online forum, led by parents sharing their ultimate park smarts, serves as a resource for families planning a Disney vacation. Beginning today, Sept. 10, the Moms Panel search begins online, www.disneyworldmoms.com/2010 and will close on Sept. 20, or when 20,000 applications are received, whichever comes first.

Parents who pride themselves on being Walt Disney World vacation experts are encouraged to visit www.disneyworldmoms.com/2010 for what will be a magical seat on Disney’s Moms Panel.

“We realize moms and dads are online now more than ever, engaging in social media to research tips, connect with others and identify what’s best for their family. The Moms Panel provides an online space where they can interact and receive feedback from parents just like them,” said Meg Crofton, president of Walt Disney World Resort. “And the response has been phenomenal – more than 25,000 questions have been answered to date. With each new post, we reveal more of the magic of Disney. We’re looking forward to another year of moms creating and sharing that magic with others.”

“As a member of the Moms Panel, I have an amazing opportunity to help guests plan Walt Disney World vacations and craft trips that yield memories lasting a lifetime,” said Tanya McNally, a panelist and mother of two from Basking Ridge, N.J. “As a special needs mom, I know firsthand that each family’s vacation is different, and I feel most rewarded when I make tangible contributions to families with diverse backgrounds, budgets and abilities to plan trips as unique and wonderful as they are.”

Beginning late this year through 2010, Disney Parks will unveil new features and Web enhancements to the Moms Panel site to further engage and educate inquiring guests on all their park-related questions.

How to Apply:

The Moms Panel search begins online, www.disneyworldmoms.com/2010, Sept. 10, and will close on Sept. 20, or when 20,000 applications are received, whichever comes first. The application process begins with a series of questions and three brief essays – about his or her family, why he or she is a great Walt Disney World vacation planner and his or her favorite Disney vacationing tip. Following the search, the 10 best candidates will ultimately be named to the Moms Panel in January 2010. In exchange for sharing their Disney knowledge, panelists will receive a vacation at Walt Disney World Resort for themselves and three other people.

“The goal of the panel is to create a resource for vacation planners to obtain valuable insights from moms just like them on what might be considered vacation challenges,” said Crofton. “As most parents look to friends and family for advice, consider the Moms Panel an extended network of real parents who have helped plan hundreds of Disney trips and who are literally, Disney know-it-alls.”

To learn more about the 2010 Walt Disney World Moms Panel Search, please visit www.disneyworldmoms.com/2010.

About the Walt Disney World Moms Panel

Entering its third year, the Walt Disney World Moms Panel is an online forum where guests can get insider tips and insights for vacationing at Walt Disney World Resort from real moms and dads who have mastered the art of planning a Walt Disney World vacation. Due to the overwhelming response since its launch in 2008, Disney increased its panel from 12 to 16 members for 2009, featuring 15 moms and one Disney dad. Each panelist was selected to share their vast knowledge of the resort and personal secrets of success with other families who are considering a trip to Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. Guests can pose questions to the panelists, as well as gain access to other valuable park insights and vacation planning tools for booking a Walt Disney World vacation. For more information, visit www.disneyworldmoms.com.