Our time at Disney World was… I’m going to say it… magical.

Lots of family time, and lots of being silly.

We were spoiled by the amazing Social Media Celebration staff, and one of our generous gifts was a PhotoPass+.

I’m sure if you have been to Disney, you have seen the PhotoPass photographers around the park. They’re at all of the park icons (the Hollywood Studios hat, the castle at Magic Kingdom, etc…) and in front of several rides. They’re also at several dining locations. Oh, and those silly photos they take on the rides? The ones that catch you at the scariest part of the ride? Those are also linked to the PhotoPass.

The PhotoPass+ is the newest, most comprehensive PhotoPass product. Buying the PhotoPass+ ($199.95) gives you access to all of the photos on the following Disney World attractions: Space Mountain, Splash Mountain, Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin, Tower of terror, Rock ‘n Roller Coaster, Expedition Everest, and Dinosaur. Also, the following Disney World dining locations are part of the PhotoPass+: 1900 Park Fare, Ohana, Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show, Chef Mickey’s, Cinderella’s Royal Table, Tusker House, Hoop Dee Doo Musical Revue, Princess Storybook Dining.

The part that is the best for me, though, is that the PhotoPass photographers are included. I love that I can be in the picture, and not just behind the camera.

Having the PhotoPass+ gave us the opportunity to be super silly, and get some very memorable photos. I loved that the most stressful decisions of the day were “what should we do in this photo?”

And now… for the pictures of our trip that make us smile the biggest…

See what I’m talking about? Big smiles all around.

The fun part about the PhotoPass is that you can share it among families or groups. I’m sure you noticed Amy’s wonderful family up there with us!

If you’ll be in the parks for any length of time, the PhotoPass+ is the way to go! Being in the photo instead of behind the camera is what makes magical memories!

 This post is the second in a series about theWalt Disney World Social Media Moms Celebration and our post-conference vacation. Come back next Thursday to hear all about the fun of navigating the parks with two older children! If you would like to view the series of posts, click here. 

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Our family was invited to the 2012 Disney Social Media Moms Celebration. In exchange for a conference fee, I was provided with room accommodations, park passes, several meals, and admission to conference events. I was not asked to write about our experiences at the conference.

A few weeks ago, I received my new planner in the mail.

I’m a visual person and my iPhone calendar wasn’t cutting it for blog deadlines, which will probably be important for my new job. Though it was great for appointments and meetings I need to see “windows” of time for projects, and I decided that an old-fashioned planner was what I needed.

I looked at Target and Hallmark, and didn’t love anything I saw. Their planners were either too big or too small, and there was no way to personalize them. I looked on Etsy and nothing popped out at me. Then I remembered a company that I was introduced to at BlogHer ’11 last year – Paper Coterie.

Paper Coterie is a fun, new company – this month is their 1st birthday, actually! Their products are beautiful and colorful, and able to hold a lot of your beautiful photos.

This is my planner in action. I began entering important dates and am refusing to show you the finished (as of now) monthly schedule. It’s a little scary right now, but I bet I won’t forget a thing all month.

The planner has plenty of space for my blog ideas and little things that I want to remember:

And when I need a mini-break or a ready, set, pause moment, I have some inspiration to look at:

The best thing for me is the hard plastic cover (you can see it on the top picture) that protects my four favorite photos.

This Is My Life Planner is $36 and worth every cent, in my opinion.

Paper Coterie is always having a sale of some sort, it seems. They want to get their product in your hands – this week, all of their Memory Keeper Boxes are $20, and include a free gift.

This is one company i’ll keep going back to.

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I was provided with a This Is My Life planner from Paper Coterie in exchange for this completely honest review. I’ll never recommend a product that I don’t love, I pinky swear. 

My dear friend Darcie from Such the Spot is kicking off my series on the Walt Disney World Social Media Moms Celebration with a post about using the Moms Panel to help plan your Disney World vacation. I received help from Darcie as well as others on the Moms Panel to help plan our post-celebration vacation (we stayed for 3 extra days), and their advice is beyond helpful. Read on to find out how the Moms Panel can help you plan your next trip to Disney World!

In late September, 2007, I was busy planning a four-generation trip to Walt Disney World.  As I was on Disney’s website researching dining and ticketing options, I happened to see a little button that read: We’re looking for a few good moms!  Needless to say, it piqued my curiosity and I clicked over without hesitation.  Little did I know that what I would find would unequivocally change my life.  It seemed that Disney was in the beginning stages of putting together a panel of experts who’d be willing to share a bit of pixie dust in the way of Disney travel expertise for guests with vacation planning questions.  I felt I was a perfect match.  And lucky for me, the powers that be at Disney agreed.  I became one of twelve members of the inaugural Walt Disney World Moms Panel.

Fast forward nearly five years and here I am, still a member of the panel, still happily sharing tips and techniques on all aspects of Walt Disney World travel.  As part of her series of Disney posts, Becca asked that I share three ways that a prospective vacationer can benefit from the visiting the Moms Panel.  I was happy to oblige.

1. Search –  Here’s the situation: you’re almost set for your trip, just three weeks to go (SQUEE!) and suddenly it occurs to you that you don’t know the absolute, hands-down very best spot from which to watch the fireworks.  Or maybe little Jack just reached 42 inches (with extra-oomph soles) and you want to double check the height requirement for Space Mountain.  Or maybe you want to know if Cinderella’s Royal Table accepts dining plan credits.  Have no fear; the answer is probably within reach.  In my experience, the fastest and easiest way to get an answer to a specific (though frequently asked) question like that is to utilize the search tool on the Moms Panel site.
2. Browse – Let’s say you don’t have a specific question.  Assume you’re just coasting along in your planning, looking for some general tips on how to make the most of the vacation you’ve invested in.  Well, girlfriend, let me tell you that there is a wealth of information to be had right there at your fingertips.  The moms on the panel offer a diverse pool of perspective on all things Disney.  By simply reading through the Q & A’s you can pick up all sorts of tips that vary from favorite restaurants to best nightlife and everything in between.  Even after all of my trips and years of experience on the panel, I still learn new tips and tricks when I browse the site.  It truly is a great resource!
3. Ask – Maybe you’re knee-deep in your vacation planning and you come to a crossroads trying to decide between two popular dinner shows.  You wonder which show would be more appropriate for and appreciated by your family, especially considering that you’re bringing along both your eighteen-month-old daughter and seventy-year-old grandfather.  Oh, and you have food allergies to work around, not to mention a tight schedule because you absolutely have to make it back to Epcot to watch IllumiNations by nine.  Phew.  This situation, my friend, requires a customized answer from a seasoned traveler who has been there and done that.  But, wherever will you find such a resource?  Rest assured, one of the panelists would be happy to offer tried and true advice that will put your mind at ease.  In fact, you can even read our bios and opt to direct your question to the particular panelist who has experience with multi-generational trips.  Or food allergies.  Or…well, you get the gist.

As you can see, the Moms Panel can be helpful to guests with all sorts of travel questions.  Bring us your tricky, your probing, your specific questions.  Your questions that have gone unanswered.  Those that have caused you many a sleepless night.  Bring them and leave them at our virtual doorstep.  We’ll get your answer.  That’s what we’re here for.

 This post is the first in a series about theWalt Disney World Social Media Moms Celebration and our post-conference vacation. Come back next Thursday to hear all about Disney PhotoPass+!

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Our family was invited to the 2012 Disney Social Media Moms Celebration. In exchange for a conference fee, I was provided with room accommodations, park passes, several meals, and admission to conference events. I was not asked to write about our experiences at the conference.

I went to lunch with my friend Breanne yesterday, leaving the boys at home with their dad. Steve is nearing the end of his master’s degree program and is working on his capstone project, so I told the boys to behave and try to let Dad get work done.

Jack is going through some crazy phase. A friend was playing with a boxing glove and bumped Jack in the nose playfully, and Jack said that “he punched me in the face as hard as he could!” And yesterday morning, Michael was upset and said “stupid” under his breath – Jack came and told me that “Michael called me stupid like a hundred million times. Over and over again!” I put Jack in his room to think and that started the most dramatic crying/choking/coughing/gagging drama that I have ever witnessed.

So, we’re dealing with some stuff over here.

Before lunch was on the table, I texted Michael to make sure Jack didn’t go crazy again see how they were doing.

See how I was positive? It’s always good to be a positive parent.

Here’s what happened next:

Do you see that?

A video.

I can’t understand what is being said in the video. If I could, I’d put it up here so you could watch it. It’s the point. Michael is texting and tattling. And attaching video.

What’s next? Virtual grounding?

Before you read, can I ask you a favor?

My friend Karen is trying to win $250 for the local diaper bank. You can help by leaving a comment on her post about the diaper bank. That’s it! Just leave a comment, preferably telling her how awesome her friend Becca is. It’s part of an amazing thing that Amanda over at Parenting By Dummies is doing to raise money for her bum kidneys. I totally repay favors. 

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We rode and rode and rode…

Our final estimation is that we went on our family’s two favorites – Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster and Tower of Terror – a combined 25 times, and we found that there are downfalls of riding too many rides.

You went on too many rides at Disney World if…

1. …you have random bruises all over your body: I have three small circles in the shape of a triangle under my arm and the inside of my knees are black and blue. Michael has a strange long bruise on his waist, and Steve has a bruise on his shoulder blade that’s the size of a half dollar. After our fourth day in the park, we realized that our strange bruises were from the rides.

2. …when going downstairs in an elevator (whether that elevator is occupied by others or not), the boys raise their arms and scream – kind of like when going on the Tower of Terror.

3. …you have to sleep with one of your feet on the floor on the last night of vacation. I couldn’t. stop. spinning.

4. …before taking off in the airplane on the way home, the kids count down like Steven Tyler on the Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster. “Fiiiiive, Fooour, Threeee, Twoooo…”

And the final way to tell if you went on too many rides at Disney World?

5. Your youngest falls asleep on the fastest roller coaster in the park:

Kidding! It took lots of concentration to pretend to be asleep while going from 0-60 in 2.8 seconds. We had TONS of fun with Disney’s PhotoPass and have tons of fun pictures to share with you! 

I paid a conference fee to attend the Disney Social Media Moms Celebration and in exchange was given park passes for my family, a hotel stay, and meals during the conference. We paid for our airfare and to extend our family vacation. Disney did not ask or require me to post about the conference or our visit to Disney World.

Wow! What a family vacation!

I have tons to share with you, and plan on doing so through a series of posts about our experiences at Disney World and the Social Media Moms Celebration.

We are heading back home this morning and are definitely suffering from a Disney hangover. Here are a couple of pictures from our past few days:

Now, off to get some sleep on the plane!

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Our family was invited to the 2012 Disney Social Media Moms Celebration. In exchange for a conference fee, I was provided with room accommodations, park passes, several meals, and admission to conference events. I was not asked to write about our experiences at the conference. 

A quick update with some iPhone photos for you:

Yesterday was spent in some amazing conference sessions listening to an equal number of people I have never heard of and people that I have always hoped to hear speak. I’ll give you the highlights when I return!
Last night after Animal Kingdom closed, they reopened just for us. The Social Media Celebration attendees were the recipient of an amazing gift – a catered dinner, a live DJ, and an open (and empty) Dinoland!

We met characters:

We saw the Yeti when we rode – alone – on Expedition Everest:

We danced with Donald (thank you Courtney ;) and Daisy:

Saw some more characters:

And rode Jack’s new favorite ride, Primeval Whirl, 5 times without getting off:

The boys had a blast!

Today, I was off to Africa while the kids went to the water park with Steve:

A group of bloggers got to take a behind-the-scenes look at Animal Kingdom! We hiked, took photos, and crossed a set of scary rope bridges:

Do you see those crocodiles in there?
We saw a few amazing animals and then headed to a secluded area of the savannah for a traditional African lunch:

The way that Disney employees have handled my food allergies makes me want to come here for every vacation. I’ll definitely tell you more about that later, though:

It was a great night last night and a great day today!

Tonight… is a Nemo themed dinner party!

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Our family was invited to the 2012 Disney Social Media Moms Celebration. In exchange for a conference fee, I was provided with room accommodations, park passes, several meals, and admission to conference events. I was not asked to write about our experiences at the conference. 

Be patient with me… I didn’t bring my computer, so I’m posting from my phone. We are having an amazing time here at Disney World. Riding rides, eating Mickey shaped ice cream, and enjoying the sunshine.

The conference has been filled with inspiring speakers. I am so, so lucky to be a part of this!

Off to Animal Kingdom tonight for a special dinosaur themed party!

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Our family was invited to the 2012 Disney Social Media Moms Celebration. In exchange for a conference fee, I was provided with room accommodations, park passes, several meals, and admission to conference events. I was not asked to write about our experiences at the conference.

Our bags are packed.

Our house-sitter is on her way.

Our autograph books are ready, and our spreadsheet plan of action is printed.

We are on our way to the Disney Social Media Moms conference, and we’ll be sure to take pictures and make lots of memories to share with you!

You can see conference (and vacation) updates on my twitter and facebook pages, or just wait here for an update in a day or two.

See you real soon!

Click. Click. Click. Click. Click. Click. Click.

Swish. Shish. Swissssssh.

Those are two common sounds heard in our house.

The clicking of Michael turning on every light on the way to the shower after wrestling practice (because of this, I know there are six between the garage and the shower).

And the swishing of Jack opening the blinds in his room, the kitchen, and the living room when he wakes up in the morning.

Oh, and then there’s the ticking that helps my husband and I remind each other that we left lights on. If one of us walks out of a room with the light still on, the other kindly reminds them with a “tick…tick…tick…”

We need to work on Michael and his light obsession – maybe start “ticking” when he turns lights on? Jack is ok opening the blinds as long as it’s not late afternoon, which would mean that he’s letting the sunlight in and heating up the house – a serious concern in Arizona.

We do a little every day to be green, but we could always do more. Cox Communications found a way to do more when they opened Cox Conserves in 2007. Cox Conserves is a national sustainability program that was designed to reduce Coxs’ carbon footprint by 20%. Cox Conserves is a nationwide program, and has two programs that they run in Arizona: Solar Projects and Cox Conserves Heroes.

Another great program that Cox runs in Arizona is Project TWIG. Project TWIG (Turning Waste Into Growth) began in 2008 as an effort to recycle waste that would otherwise wind up in trashcans and landfills. Project TWIG collects materials and sells them to recycling companies in return for cash. The proceeds are given to local charities and help fund grants for youth-oriented education and development programs run by area non-profits. To date, Project TWIG has donated more than $39,000.

We do what we can to live greener every day, and we are teaching the boys how to respect their environment, as well. Here are five quick and easy things that we do to live a little greener:

1. Reusable water bottles The boys have metal bottles for school, Steve has a BPA-free plastic bottle, and I treasure my big Starbucks cup for water.

2. Recycle We have two bins that the city picks up once a week. One is for trash, and the other is recyclables. The boys know that every night after dinner, they need to take the recyclable materials out to the bin. Come trash day, our recycle bin is sometimes more full than the trash, which is a goal of ours.

3. Use natural cooling when possible Arizona is hot – there’s not doubt about it. During the spring and fall, we try to take advantage of natural cooling. In the morning, our blinds stay pulled shut and we open our windows to let in the cool air. When the temperature begins to rise, we shut the windows and keep the lights off, blinds shut, and fans on to circulate the air inside the house. When the sun sets, the windows open up again.

4. Regulate the thermostat During those hot summer months, our thermostat is set to automatically come on at a certain temperature. During the summer we set it as high as we can, and during the winter we set it as low as we can. We open our windows as much as possible when the sun sets and before it rises.

5. Stand by the shower rule Once you turn the shower on, you must stand by it and wait for the hot water. No turning the water on, going to the bathroom, grabbing your clothes, brushing your teeth, and then heading back to check on the water temperature. Can you tell we have a tween in the house? Our new rule is that you stand next to the shower and wait once the water is running.

How do you keep your family green? Do you celebrate Earth Day?

Keep up to date with Coxs’ conservation programs on their facebook, twitter, and YouTube pages.

Cox Communications is a company that I have stood by for many years. Their customer service is amazing, and they treat their customers with respect. I was compensated to write a post telling my readers about the Cox Conserves program. I was happy to write it because of my positive relationship with Cox Communications. All opinions shared are my own.