I was invited to attend the Disney Social Media Moms Celebration at the Walt Disney World Resort May 9-12, 2013. The conference fee permitted me access to special events and experiences made available to conference attendees and their families. I am voluntarily writing about these events and experiences. These are my own thoughts, opinions and photographs unless otherwise stated.
This post is a thank you post...thanking all the amazing people who worked so hard to put this conference together and more over to pull it off. There are so many people who contributed, but I would like to take a moment to thank the people who kept our bellies happy...the event catering folks!
 |
| Chef Robert Gilbert @DisneyExecChef |
Our first event was Winnie the Pooh's Wonder & Wander Experience. It was at the Contemporary right next to check in. We arrived just prior to lunch and Pooh's snacks were beautiful, yummy and a very welcome treat!
There was plenty of honey and peanut butter to go around. Just mind the bees and don't get caught!
The TRYit Family Celebration at the Epcot WorldShowplace Pavilion was an amazing introduction to what the Celebration who have to offer.
After dinner we all headed out to WorldView Plaza for the IllumiNations Dessert Party. I have attended other dessert parties at Epcot, but this one out did them in location, view and tasty delights!
On Friday morning 40+ of us worked up an appetite rising early and participating in the runDisney fun run at ESPN Wide World of Sports. The breakfast spread before us was a welcome sight once we go ourselves turned around for the morning sessions.
 |
| A Comfort Breakfast hosted by Hanes |
No one clears a room better than Stormtroopers! When it was time for lunch they let everyone know it was time to leave the room so that the buffet could be set. Of course they many have underestimated our desire to take pictures with them!
 |
| Fire & Ice Creative luncheon with Disney Infinity character toys. |
 |
| Perhaps a little dessert |
 |
| I let Mike choose for me. "I pick that one and these other two!" |
The afternoon sessions included an introduction to Disney Heath Institutes new TRYit campaign. We enjoyed sampling it all weekend long.
 |
| Disney's TRYit campaign was a big part of our evening meals. |
For dinner Friday night we were off to Hollywood Studios for a closed set party complete with red carpet!
 |
| Red Carpet Social on the set of Lights, Motors, Action Extreme Stunt Show |
 |
| Tuna anyone? Just TRYit it is yummy! |
Saturday dawned and I was once again out running up an appetite. Figure eights around the Contemporary will make a girl appreciate breakfast. Just ask Merida!
 |
| Royal Celebration Breakfast - It's Merida's coronation day! |
 |
| Scotch pancakes oh my! |
 |
| Dining in Scotland! |
For lunch on Saturday we were on our own. We chose to take advantage of a very special Be Our Guest testing card that we received at the airport. More about that experience later.
For dinner we were off to TRYit a little more. Lucky for us Fantasia Gardens has two large covered eating area. This was the only rain the 4 days we were at WDW and it was well timed.
 |
| TRYit Eat and Tweet Outing - Fantasia Gardens Miniature Golf Course |
 |
| You know them and love them...Rice Crispy Treats a la Disney! |
After a wonderful dinner we played a few holes of miniature golf and then headed for Magic Kingdom and nighttime rides under the lights.
Sunday of course was Mother's Day and Disney made sure that we were taken care of in grand style.
 |
| Mother's Day Brunch |
 |
| A plated meal service for attendees and their families! |
This is just a taste of the celebration. I will add more details later, but I wanted to share how spectacular the food service was thanks to the Celebration planning team and the special events catering team at Disney. I hope this post made you hungry for more. I would dine with this crew any day. The effort and skill with which they took care of us was amazing. They were well planned offerings which left me satisfied without feeling overfed, as can sometimes happen at conferences. There were just enough choices, but at the same time not so many that I over ate. Thank you one and all! My family really enjoyed your efforts!
Wow, this looks awesome!! I am hungry now!! :)
ReplyDeleteThe food was outstanding! They really did manage to strike a perfect balance of wonderful, but not too much!
DeleteOh my goodness, you must have been in absolute heaven with all the food creations and displays!
ReplyDeleteThe food was amazingly understated. They were able to do quantity food service without compromising the quality. I know that is what Disney does, but I was impressed! After the Mother's Day morning run I would have been good with a buffet. The plated meal service was nice and all, but this runner wanted some more bacon. I was lucky that my niece passed on hers and I was able to get an extra couple of slices. I probably could have asked for more, but it was very much a go with the flow kind of weekend and honestly it did not even cross my mind at that point.
DeleteI thoroughly enjoyed following along with you at your event Erin.
ReplyDeleteYour posts on Instagram & Twitter kept me hungry & excited for more!!!!
I am so glad you got chosen to experience #DisneySMMoms Conference 2013!
Looks like it was a FANTASTIC year to go!
Nicole
I am glad you enjoyed everything I was posting Nicole. I live in the moment! So it is not a surprise that that is how I share best on social media. I like the idea that I can share with those who are not able to attend and participate themselves. It is part of my motivational nature I think. I really enjoyed myself at this conference much like I do at runDisney events. It is okay to be who you want to be and put yourself out there. You know me...I like to have fun on the run and I will talk to anyone! Getting to know people in real life is just as important as all the stuff that is shown and said on social media. I consider myself very lucky to be developing friendships with folks from around the country via social media and runDisney racing! I know we will meet again at another runDisney race someday Nicole!
DeleteHi Erin, this is great, thank you very much for thinking of the team and me, we really do appreciate it. We are so happy to know that you enjoyed your time with us here at The Walt Disney World Resort and can't wait for you to come back in November. Please let us know if you need anything before you arrive.
ReplyDeleteThank you again for everything,
Robert
PS - I still owe you some cupcakes ºoº
Robert,
DeleteI think you are going to need to "carve" a little time out of your day to join us for our progressive meal! Those cupcakes are going for a ride November 8th!
Erin
THIS looks like it was an amazing amazing opportunity! It was fun to follow your trip for sure!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for following Sarah! We had a ton of fun. It was a fantastic mix of conference, celebration and family fun Disney style!
Delete