Being that I like to share, I thought I’d create a series of posts all about the preparations I’m making as a first-time invitee to the Disney Social Media Moms Celebration. Held from May 7 – May 10, this year it will be at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort. An invite-only, annual media event for only about 150 bloggers, social influencers, and their families, I consider it a huge honor to be a part of this group!
I fully accept that these posts will prove to either be insightful or helpful, or just show a little bit of crazy in me. Either way I’m okay with it. Really, my goal since I’m feeling green in the social media sea, is to share a fresh perspective and invite you along for the ride. I’m often online with a kid in a candy store vibe – overwhelmed yet excited by all that I see. I’m very open to learning, developing efficiencies, and sharing whatever I can.
My nature is to plan and then plan some more. Not in a totally obsessive way (although my husband may disagree) but because I genuinely enjoy researching and the anticipation it builds is part of the fun. I also like to do a lot of legwork on the front-end. My inner analysis is that I like to feel prepared even when I know that is not possible. Interestingly, once an event actually begins, I take the complete opposite approach. I usually just go along, enjoy the moments, and wing it. Seems to work for me and I usually apply this approach with vacation planning and work-related tasks.
Whether it is for the Disney Social Media Moms Celebration, another conference or event, or specific tasks, I usually pull my basics together.
Logistics
Flights are booked on Southwest Airlines. Thankfully, we were able to book tickets for the kids using our Rapid Rewards (Southwest’s frequent flyer program). We’ve decided to go big on this so I’m working on ways to extend our trip through the following week! How often does an opportunity like this come by? I’m going all carpe diem on this one.
Communication
We are going to tell my little people the exciting news this weekend! We have used countdown calendars in the past and it has worked out great. My 7-year-old loves teaching my 3-year-old how to count, so it will be a good exercise for both of them. We have also surprised them in the past and that went less than great.
This trip will be very different and thrilling. My understanding is there will be specific days for attendees only and other special events planned that incorporate the entire family. With the always brilliant execution by Disney, I am sure the events will be an incredible experience for all of us. It is really important that my kids understand where I’ll be when I’m attending the conference sessions and that dad is in charge over that weekend. My son and my daughter both enjoy being clued in and feeling like they are part of the action, too. I do try to communicate with them so they can anticipate and feel excited about family events. Hopefully they’ll take away the lesson that life would be quite boring if we always knew what to expect. How fun that some things can be a giant mystery or awesome surprise. I can’t wait to share this experience with my crazy cast of characters!
Up Next: Part Two of my preparations for the Disney Social Media Celebration: Tech and Networking.
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