Work it for the mouse

Don't think for a minute that I've forgotten to wrap up the story of my amazing adventures at Moms Panel training. It's just to incredible of an experience to just blurt it all out. Like I've mentioned before, I'm a bit of a perfectionist...I hate to do anything unless I have the time to do it right. Certainly this story that deserves that.

The day I was dreading. Our final day in training. Not because it was our last day, but because it was the day we would have to work it for the mouse. Today I had to do a video biography, just me and the camera and a (hopefully) understanding production crew. I have no problem admitting that I was nervous.

The nerves were not new to this day. I had known all along that this would be required. I thankfully have a wonderfully supportive seven year old at home that gave me some great encouragement. Macy told me to just "pretend like you're talking to someone about Disney, pretend like you're telling them all about it". I think this is a great approach, and I have every intention of keeping this in the front of my mind all day.

Before we boarded the shuttle to Epcot, we got the opportunity to meet Meg Crofton. I knew that the 2008 panel had met her, and I could only hope that we would be as fortunate. What I find amazing is that Meg Crofton, the PRESIDENT of Walt Disney World, took time out of her schedule to stop by Coronado Springs Resort to meet us...a bunch of regular ole' Moms (and Dad). I was in awe of her. She is warm, professional, poised yet incredibly approachable.

We arrived at Epcot and found ourselves in a beautifully quiet park. Our "set" was just outside of Italy and simply seeing all of the cameras & crew kicked the nerves into high gear. We had a group photo shoot, and were lucky enough to have Gary/Jerry sneak in for a few pictures with his adoring fans.

The official photo, not sure why it's so small!

We were briefed on the video process, and before I knew it the first four Moms were seated in their directors chairs talking away like professionals. Somehow I wound up at the end of the line, this was fine by me...although very unlike me. I was always the kid that would want to go first, get it out of the way, hope that by the middle of the bunch my performance was long forgotten. The process was time consuming, and during the filming we had a chance to get our makeup touched up, have a beverage...rehearse our lines. Although the only lines anyone had were ones they had brought with them. I had scratched down a few random notes with thoughts/ideas to help me along in the event that I froze like Jan Brady.

The set.

While we waited the photographer did our head shots and our shot with the main mouse himself! It took all of five seconds to do these shots!

Before I knew it, most of the Moms had left. Once their videos were done, they were free to go play until our next group video. This was actually a plus for me, as World Showcase was still not open to the public, and the rest of the Moms (with the exception of us final four) were gone. No audience, this was helpful for me. The video itself wasn't so bad, I felt comfortable but I also felt like I just kept saying the same thing over and over. I think if I said "enjoy" one more time I would have imploded! All and all I had a better-than-expected experience and was thrilled to have it behind me!

Producer John met up with us in the early afternoon to film our Moms Panel group video intro at the entrance to Teppon Edo at the Japan Pavilion. This was a lot of fun. Cathy and I wound up to each other again, we had this synchronized hand gestures thing going at our prior video shoot, so it was fun to be with her again. Unfortunately my way-to-excited-wave blocked her out a bit in the video...sorry Cathy!

I really wished that we had done this video first. Simply because I got to witness our professional host, John, show us how it's really done. I got to see that it is normal to mess up, normal to do several takes, normal to change your lines as you see fit. This would have helped me to know that it's okay not to be perfect! I guess that's the magic of editing.

Lunch was another first for me. First time eating at Teppon Edo. I can tell you that this will NOT be the last time. This meal was amazing, the the entire experience (with the exception of the video camera filming us as we ate) was incredible!

Our afternoon was at the Magic Kingdom. We were scheduled for a "Guestology" tour. As we arrived backstage behind Main Street of the Magic Kingdom we were greeted by a very pleasant cast member that would be guiding us on the tour. She issued all of us radios with ear pieces that would allow our large group to walk through the crowds in the Magic Kingdom and still hear every word she said. When we made our grand entrance onto Main Street I felt pretty important, guests looked at us like we must be important. Little did they know we were just a bunch of giddy moms (and dad) looking to learn a little more about a place we are all so passionate about.

The afternoon flew by, and before we knew it we were back at Epcot, waiting for dinner. Unfortunately I was still full from our late lunch, but still enjoyed our time at Bistro De Paris. I will admit that this is not my favorite restaurant, very heavy rich foods...and all I wanted was a salad.

I've always heard wonderful things about the Candlelight Processional, people rave about it...but I'll be honest I really had no idea what it was. All I knew was that it was really hard to get into, and I totally believed it when I saw the massive line waiting to get in. With our temporary Moms Panel Royalty Status we were escorted directly to our seats just prior to the show beginning. It was an amazing choir with narration of the story of Christmas.

Before long we were being escorted to our private VIP viewing area for illuminations. Here was a beautiful spread of desserts, coffee, and drinks for us to enjoy during our last event together. It was no secret, there was an amazing bond between the sixteen of us. Somewhat surreal that this could potentially be the last time we are all together. It truly had felt like I had known this group forever. Like old friends we laughed and chatted, not like it was the end of something...but rather as a celebration of the beginning.

Within 24 hours I was home. It took only minutes to fall back into my role as mother, wife, taxi driver, business woman...it seemed to take mere seconds after that to have my thoughts about my magical weekend replaced with lunch menus, homework and dance recital schedules. I am most grateful for the interest my family and friends expressed in hearing about my experience; It is because of this, and the power of the Internet that got me here, that I have been encouraged and enabled to document my journey as one of the very few and extremely proud Walt Disney World Moms.