I instead received a “Dear John” letter. You see, I have been blessed to have been invited and attended the last three conferences. Three in a row is the limit. Of course I hope for next year, but for now I am thrilled for everyone invited!
And I can share the trick to getting an invite! And tell everyone! Hard work, honest work, and a positive attitude!
And, I am a little jealous. Why? Because the conference is fantastic. I have learned so much in the last three years about Disney, and about the blog world. And most importantly I have met, re-met, and bonded with some of the most amazing parent bloggers that exist. That is the thing I will miss most about not attending this year.
And so what? It is not about me and the occasional greed I feel. So many friends will get to experience this amazing conference! I can see from my Facebook feed that I am friends with the right people because I have seen so many notices about people who received this invite!
This conference is also one of the ways that I, as a stay at home dad with a negligible second income for the family, was able to bring an incredible experience, with a lifetime of memories, to my family! One side benefit of this conference was that my feeling of value within my family unit increased.
And guess what? We were a family where my spouse used to believe that Disney was a fake world and he did not want to take our son! Now, my hardworking husband says that it is the only place that he is happy! What a turnaround!
Additionally, invited or not, we now visit the Disney Parks on our own. The social media people’s plan worked! We are planning our third WDW summer vacation, and the question is how many days at Walt Disney World! This will hopefully be our third August in a row where we have spent our own money, with no requests to anyone in the media office at Walt Disney World for anything. The only question/negotiation within the family? 10 days or 12!
Yes, the social media mavens at the Disney Parks have gotten us addicted. As a family we have wonderful vacations in Walt Disney World, worth every single penny we spend. And I have you all fooled! My #DisneySide is my Disney memories: “dad, remember that time we were in the Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor show!” I post Disney pictures and information at least every month and you think I go that often! Nope, only once or twice a year.
Lastly, there are some negative memories, no family story is complete without acknowledging that is part of life. And now I am smart enough to try to circumvent some of the fighting that inevitably occurs. I make it very clear to my son, before we leave town, that going on the Winnie the Pooh ride in Magic Kingdom is not optional, it is required!
And yes, I know my dream of moving into Walt Disney World is not at all practical.
No invite for me this year but I’m still holding out hope that one day it happens. However, I’m so excited seeing all the invitees in my FB feed. Everyone needs a little Disney magic in their life!
I hope our August vacations coincide! I’d love a chance to meet my real live Social Media idol!
At least your son knows the expectation beforehand!
I’m bummed I’ll miss you this year!
Thanks for sharing your tips for getting one of those coveted invites. I went to Disney OTR last year and had a fantastic time!
It’s fair to say that meeting you at the event in ’13 was one of many great points of that conference for me. Hope to catch you at another event this year–BlogHer, maybe?
Mitch! You are so awesome and your post so meaningful! It is truly people like you that show how to appreciate what has come to you via blogging:)
i got to go the first year but it was with Hanes. I was invited the next but couldn’t go and haven’t been invited again. I would be thrilled to be able to go again and take Truett but I feel like you in all aspects. I’m tickled for the ones going because I know what they’ll get to experience. You have fun when y’all go on your trip! This was a great post! You’re good people!
Aww that’s a shame you didn’t get to go this year. Boo to them! I’ll keep my fingers crossed that they invite you next year! I haven’t been to Disney world since I was a little kid. My kids haven’t ever been there. I would love to be able to take them someday soon. I know a lot of my friend go every year! It’s just so darn expensive!
Your Disney posts are great. Have fun in August!
I just love, love, love you! Being able to go to the past 2 celebrations was a dream, and it was made even better when I got to hug, laugh, and dance with you! Here’s hoping that we’ll both be able to do it again next year. You’re a class act, Mitch!
Good one Mitch! U cant place a monetary value on the memories and special experiences blogging has brought to ur family. While I didn’t get a Disney invite, i value what had come my way over the years and what has yet to come that will light up my sons eyes!
I just have to say that I too want to move to Disney World!
I have the same dream!
I can say I am jealous you have got to go 3 times, I have never had a chance to go yet, hoping for a invite one year. Trying my best to stay in their attention by posting. Send me an email if you think about it. I would appreciate it.
Tom
Great post and yes, Disney is addictive for our family too! I didn’t get an invite this year, but who knows, maybe next year I’ll get to go and I’ll get to meet you too! 🙂
WOW 3 yrs in a role. That is Fantastic. I would love to receive an invite. BUT alas I’ve never been on the radar. I’m contributing it as to a possible glitch in email that they invite me every year but for some nasty reason the invite gets lost in cyber space. ya that must be it. I’m honest. I’m hardworking and I love my kids . AND NO They have never been to Disney a family as large as ours is simply out of the budget to fund a trip that far away from home in Chicago.
I keep saying One day .. until then I’ll live through the excitement of others.
I’ve absolutely loved every minute of my past DSMMs learning more about WDW and DisneyLand and spending time with good blogging friends like you and meeting so many individuals and their families who I might not have gotten to otherwise. I love how Disney spreads the wealth via DSMMs invites in order to include new bloggers each year to provide them with memories like we’ve created over the years. Like you, I’m totally addicted to going to Disney and am already dreaming of my next Dole Whip, ride on Rock N Roller Coaster, and the gorgeous views from the top of Expedition Everest!
This will be my first year going and I can’t wait. My husband has the same attitude toward Disney that yours once did. I’m crossing my fingers that this trip will change his mind 😀
skipping down the road to hi ho, hi ho…it’s my first time to go!