Experiencing the Magic of the Disney Social Media Moms Celebration 2014

How does one ever begin to put into words what being a participant in the Disney Social Media Moms 2014 Celebration is like? How can you translate the emotions that have swept over you like a tidal wave and start to adequately explain that this is so much more than a conference-or celebration as it is known around here This is life altering experience that to quote my favorite song “I have been changed for good”. 

Each one of the speakers from Donald Driver to Maxine Clark to Doug Bowman to LeVar Burton to the incredible people of Disney including Tom Staggs, Leanne Jakubowski, Gary Buchanan, Thomas Smith, Jay Ward, Kathy Mangum, Erin Glover and Michael Colglazier brought powerful messages of triumph and inspiration through the telling of their own personal stories. But throughout it all, one message rang true from each and every one of them and that is you can truly be anything you want to be, no matter what your age, where you can from or how you started.  You should never let your surroundings or circumstances dictate your life-you have the power within yourself to do or be anything you want to be and do anything you choose. The only thing limiting what you do in the end is you.  When you look back, it’s not about the final goal that matters; the journey you took to get there is what really matters on the road of life. And it wasn’t just the speakers on stage-the energy that came from being in a room with so many incredible talented writers, each reaching out a genuine hand of friendship, camaraderie and support was the real take away of this celebration of family and of life. 

This weekend has not just inspired me, it’s reinspired me to do better with what I have and never give up on a dream.  Over the next few weeks I’ll be bringing you the highlights from each of the sessions but for now, here’s a look at  some of the magic that awaited us over the last few days. 

Gayle is a lifelong educator by day and avid blogger by night and is the owner and cofounder of the Disney Gals, one of the most popular Disney blogs around! Proud mommy to 5, Grammy to 4 she is blessed to share her life with amazing family and friends who encourage her to chase her dreams no matter where they may lead.  When not in the classroom, she can be found following her son as he dances his way through life, or working with young performers in free nationally recognized after school children’s theater program that she founded 13 years ago. On any given day you will find Gayle skipping her way through life with a giggle and a smile knowing that today is meant to be lived and enjoyed. To learn more about Gayle, click here.

The Adventure of a Lifetime Begins-Disney Social Media Moms Conference

The weeks of anticipation are over and today is the day my family and I are embarking on the trip of a lifetime-the Disney Social Media Moms Celebration to be held for the first time ever at my home away from home, the Disneyland Resort.  Families just like myself will all be converging upon the Disneyland Hotel, headquarters for this amazing conference for 4 days of more fun and magic than we could ever begin to imagine. To say I am excited, thrilled, honored, overwhelmed and so incredibly humbled to be selected for this most magical of conferences would be the understatement of all times.  So just what is this conference?  Now in its 5th year, the Disney Social Media Moms Celebration has quickly become one of the premier events of its kind and one of the only family-friendly conferences for social media influencers and opinion leaders. At the 4-day event, social media-savvy parents can learn, network, get inspired, and share their inspirations - and spend some quality family time together.  

The best part, aside from it being held for the first time ever at the Disneyland Resort, is the opportunity to finally come together with so many of the incredible friends I have made thanks to this world known as social media and finally meet them in person or be reunited with those I haven’t seen in much too long.

George says "Be Prepared"

 What else lies ahead for all of us still remains a closely guarded secret but then that’s part of the magic and nobody does it better than Disney. Be sure to follow along right here on Disney Gals to see what the future holds for Zack, Ariana, George and myself or on Twitter @disneygals as well as on Instagram @DisneyGalGayle.   While you’re at it, be sure to check out the Disney Social Media Moms Celebration at http://www.disneysmmoms.com/ or on Twitter https://twitter.com/DisneySMMoms for all the latest and most up to the minute details. Want to have the opportunity to be a part of the Disney Social Media Moms? A great place to begin is by attending http://www.disneysmmoms.com/disney-smmc-on-the-road/, which I was lucky enough to be a part of last June when it was held in San Francisco. http://www.disneygals.com/2013/07/disney-social-media-moms.html  

Special thanks once again to American Tourister who provided all of us with our own special piece of luggage that will certainly enable us to #PackMoreFun. 

George and I are on are way!

 In the meantime, life is an adventure meant to be explored, lived and enjoyed.  Who knows what magic will await you?

Disclaimer: I was invited to the Disney Social Media Moms Celebration at Disneyland and have offered a special discounted rate that was offered to all attendees and their families. In addition, I have received products to help make my experience even more magical.  I will be sharing the unique things I learn throughout the Celebration however these are my own personal thoughts and opinions, not those of the Walt Disney Company.

Gayle is a lifelong educator by day and avid blogger by night and is the owner and cofounder of the Disney Gals, one of the most popular Disney blogs around! Proud mommy to 5, Grammy to 4 she is blessed to share her life with amazing family and friends who encourage her to chase her dreams no matter where they may lead.  When not in the classroom, she can be found following her son as he dances his way through life, or working with young performers in free nationally recognized after school children’s theater program that she founded 13 years ago. On any given day you will find Gayle skipping her way through life with a giggle and a smile knowing that today is meant to be lived and enjoyed. To learn more about Gayle, click here.