Welcome Disney World Moms

Today marks the third crop of Disney World Moms debut into the world of answering the questions of other theme park guests and vacation planners. If they’re anything like the first two it should be another bang up year. I like when Disney uses social media in new and interesting ways and this certainly qualifies. Especially when the wdw moms take it to other channels (like twitter and facebook).

One thing Disney has done differently this year, however, is to have some of the moms on a part time basis. That means they currently have around 40 people answering questions now, including more men than ever before (I count 5 on the list).

Of course, The Disney Blog’s own Oh Amanda is on the panel this year. Hopefully we’ll hear reports on her experience from time to time/

The full press release is below the jump:

What do a ballet teacher from Alabama, a paralegal from North Carolina and a NASA rocket scientist from Maryland all have in common? An affinity for all-things Walt Disney World Resort! Announced today, 21 new panelists from the United States and Canada, hailing from different backgrounds, are named official members of the 2010 Walt Disney World® Moms Panel, www.disneyworldmoms.com. Additionally, due to the popularity of the site and an ever-growing number of questions, Disney welcomes back 22 panelists from 2008 and 2009 – totaling 43 members for 2010 to serve as online Disney-savvy vacation gurus, providing helpful tips to guests planning a Walt Disney World vacation.

The Walt Disney World® Moms Panel is an online question-and-answer venue that serves as a free resource for families looking for a touch of pixie dust to add to their Disney vacation. The Panel is led by everyday parents who have mastered the art of planning a vacation for their own families and are excited to share their pearls of wisdom with others. Through a comprehensive application process, the new panelists proved that they have the knowledge and desire to answer any and all questions that come their way.

Whether organizing multigenerational gatherings and large family reunions or navigating the parks with special needs children and adults, the panelists are accessible online with an abundance of their own Disney vacation experiences, memories and tips for making every moment magical. Additionally, the Moms Panel will include panelists who are skilled in Disney Cruise Line® and Adventures by Disney vacations.

Each panelist brings a unique perspective to the vacation planning process, providing personal answers to questions which remain online as a reference for future site visitors.

“This is the largest group of panelists we’ve ever had,” said Meg Crofton, president of Walt Disney World Resort. “Because interest in the web site has grown so quickly, and we had so many highly qualified applicants, we started out searching for 10 knowledgeable parents, and eventually selected 21. Now we’ll be able to share even more Disney park secrets and travel tips with families visiting the Moms Panel site.”

The Moms Panel was created to answer the demand made by families going online to research vacation planning options. After only its second year the Panel touts nearly 45,000 original questions answered to-date.

Get to Know the New 2010 Walt Disney World® Moms Panelists:

* Amanda Allen; Raleigh, N.C.
* Suzannah DiMarzio; Wesley Chapel, Fla.
* Dorothy Drakos; Dundas, ON
* Bernie Edwards; Columbia, Md.
* Kathie Flood; Greer, S.C.
* Portia Gadson; Cleveland, Ohio
* Chris Gildea; Boston, Mass.
* Diane Gonzales; San Antonio, Texas
* Kaylene Jablecki; Cape Cod, Mass.
* Joel Kennedy; Milwaukee, Wis.
* Jonas Lehmann-Karp; Hastings-on-Hudson, N.Y.
* Marc Lorenzo; Corning, N.Y.
* Maria Marquez; Doral, Fla.
* Terry McKinney; Charleston, S.C.
* Dannee Neal; Indianapolis, Ind.
* Amanda Pursch; Austin, Texas
* Amy Rueffert; Talking Rock, Ga.
* Andi Sims; Birmingham, Ala.
* Allison Valdes; Johns Creek, Ga.
* Amanda White; Atlanta, Ga.
* Maribel Zambrana-Garcia; San Juan, PR

Visit www.disneyworldmoms.com to catch-up on our returning alumni panelists:

* Kara Bacon; Omaha, Neb.
* Kay Belin; Valparaiso, Ind.
* Bret Caldwell; Evanston, Ill.
* Diane Campagna; Bristol, R.I.
* Beth Choisez; Floral Park, N.Y.
* Margaret Fries; Oak Lawn, Ill.
* Jodi Grundig; Natick, Mass.
* Doug Ingersoll; Carmel, Ind.
* Diane Luba; Plymouth, Conn.
* Darcie Maranich; Vail, Ariz.
* Tanya McNally; Basking Ridge, N.J.
* Michelle May; Lebanon, N.J.
* Joanne McCabe; Ottawa, ON
* Heather Murry; Social Circle, Ga.
* Brigitta Noer; Nanoose Bay, BC
* Whitney Pickering; Laurel, Miss.
* Karen Prince; Plymouth, N.H.
* Heather Roberts-Nault; Louisville, Ky.
* Cathy Schikowski; Richfield, Ohio
* Anna Skamarakas; Bellmawr, N.J.
* Jennifer Wilkes; Acworth, Ga.
* Erin Foster; Scarsdale, N.Y.

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. 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. Featuring just 12 members during its inaugural year in 2008, the Panel now boasts 43 park-savvy parents as a result of the popularity of the site and an ever-growing number of questions submitted by curious parents. For more information and to meet the moms and dads, visit www.disneyworldmoms.com.