The Disney Social Media Moms Celebration took place last weekend at Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, FL. This annual family-friendly social media conference brings bloggers and social media savvy people together to network, get motivated and inspired by guest speakers, and create magical family memories, Disney-style.
— Jamie Langdon (@LangdonJamie) May 7, 2015
We were not fortunate enough to be invited to attend the conference. But thanks to the wonderful people involved, we were able to follow along on social media. Here’s what we learned…
The tweets were flying fast and it was a little hard to keep up at times. It was obvious that the attendees and their families were having a magical time!
Welcome to @WaltDisneyWorld and the Disney Social Media Moms Celebration! #DisneySMMC pic.twitter.com/qBf7IdgGF7
— Disney Moms (@DisneyMoms) May 7, 2015
Getting Started
Walt Disney is credited with saying “The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing.” It was clear there was a similar theme being expressed at the DSMMC.
TRUTH RT @jonahbonah: You don’t have to be great to get started, but you have to START to be great. @ThomasSmith #DisneySMMC
— Sarah Mock (@HowIPinchAPenny) May 8, 2015
“Be curious. See differently. Get started.” – @DisneyParks Social Media Director @thomassmith at #DisneySMMC @DisneyMoms
— Mariana (@ohMariana) May 8, 2015
Creating Ideas
Sometimes what holds us back from getting started is not having that great idea. There was a lot of talk about creativity and brainstorming. You know the folks from Disney and Pixar are good at that!
Sooo cool to see more about the @DisneyPixar @PixarInsideOut creative brainstorming process!! #DIsneySMMC pic.twitter.com/CSnf0XFUtp
— Sara (@momendeavors) May 8, 2015
A BIG piece of me is in love with @DisneyPixar even more thanks to their overuse of post-it’s and index cards! #DisneySMMC
— Twiniversity (@Twiniversity) May 8, 2015
Brainstorm in a comfortable spot, put on some music and relax. The more you “try” the less successful you’ll be. #DisneySMMC
— Twiniversity (@Twiniversity) May 8, 2015
The crazier the “what if” questions the better – brainstorm sessions. Different perspective in the making! #DisneySMMC
— Vera Sweeney (@VeraSweeney) May 8, 2015
Don’t marry an idea, date it. If something doesn’t work, pivot and make it better. You just might need a different twist. #DisneySMMC
— Molly Gold (@MyGOMOM) May 8, 2015
You have to be a little playful to come up with great ideas. #DisneySMMC
— Heather D. (@GirlGoneMom) May 8, 2015
— Lauren Happel (@MidgetMomma1200) May 7, 2015
Dreams are Extremely important. You can’t do it unless you imagine it. #DSMMC https://t.co/FoNtSa0MRp
— suerodman (@suerodman) May 7, 2015
Turning ho-hum and ordinary into magical & extraordinary, creativity is the spark of life! #DSMMC @CitizenDisney
— Lucinda (@DizzneeMomma) May 7, 2015
Being Passionate
People can tell when your heart isn’t in it, no matter what it is your doing. Putting passion into what you do is very important. It’s even contagious.
“When you can put your power of passion behind it, you will create something special.” – @Donald_Driver80 #DisneySMMC pic.twitter.com/Td8NsijRf7
— Disney Moms (@DisneyMoms) May 8, 2015
Stars do not struggle to shine, rivers do not struggle to flow you will not struggle to excel b/c your passion @Donald_Driver80 #DisneySMMC
— Patty (@longhorns2) May 8, 2015
@Hey_Kayli talks about putting content out that you are passionate about. PASSION is a recurring theme at #DisneySMMC, love it!
— Jennifer Hutcheson (@Mami2Mommy) May 8, 2015
Sharing what you’re passionate about gets others to find what they’re passionate. #disneysmmc
— Holly Zegalia (@IlikeitFrantic) May 8, 2015
@StuffedSuitcase the following your passion and you will succeed. A great reminder when stuck or feeling overwhelmed w trends #DisneySMMC
— Krystal Chiarolla (@Brought2UbyMom) May 8, 2015
Sharing Your Story
Disney excels at the art of storytelling. They let you into their world, and then allow you to discover the message. A good story can be powerful.
“Everything we do revolves around a story.” – @DisneyParks Social Media Director @thomassmith at #DisneySMMC
— Disney Moms (@DisneyMoms) May 8, 2015
Look within yourself and find your values. Share that. Share your story. #DisneySMMC
— Jennifer Kaufman (@jnkaufman) May 8, 2015
Everybody has a story. Tell your story. Be willing to post things that someone else can say inspired them. – @Donald_Driver80 #DisneySMMC
— Wendy Wright (@TheWendyWright) May 8, 2015
Be willing, be committed, be persistent. Be willing to tell your story. What’s your passion? – @Donald_Driver80 #blogging #DisneySMMC
— Linda Scruggs, RN (@MOMtility) May 8, 2015
Making a Difference
We weren’t even there, but we were inspired by the words being shared about making a difference. If a little girl can stand up and work for change, so can everyone. We can all use social media to do good.
— GayleT (@DisneyGals) May 8, 2015
And now a sweet little girl, Vivienne Harr, is making me cry. She did a lemonade stand for 365 days to eliminate child slavery. #DisneySMMC
— Jacqueline Cromwell (@NerdMom) May 8, 2015
Move past our fear and make a stand. Such great advice. #DisneySMMC
— Cam Bowman (@CamBowman) May 8, 2015
— Ashley Saunders (@IrishRed02) May 8, 2015
“You don’t have to be big or powerful to change the world.” #DisneySMMC
— Stephanie (@SassyModernMom) May 8, 2015
Turn the camera around from the selfie & focus on the world @vivienneharr #standwithme #DisneySMMC pic.twitter.com/RRsS539Auw
— Whitney Wingerd -MWS (@WhitneyMWS) May 8, 2015
You don’t have to be big or powerful to change the world, you just have to stand for what you believe in. @vivienneharr #disneysmmc
— Kelly Denton (@EclecticMommy) May 8, 2015
YES YES YES ““It only takes seconds to say harsh words, but it takes that person a lifetime to get over it.” @Donald_Driver80 #DisneySMMC
— joeyfortman (@joeyfortman) May 8, 2015
Making Connections
Is technology isolating us, or bringing us together? The theme of connecting with your followers was a big hit at the celebration. It had a lot of attendees tweeting.
As humans in a digital world we are searching for intimacy and connection with others. #theoandbeau @MommasGoneCity #DisneySMMC
— Jennifer Kaufman (@jnkaufman) May 8, 2015
— Heather Mann (@dollarcraft) May 8, 2015
“The best kind of bragging is about other people!” Share about other people!!! –@chrisbrogan #DisneySMMC
— Sara (@momendeavors) May 8, 2015
“Those of us who make ourselves the MOST reachable & accessible will be the most successful” – @ChrisBrogran #DisneySMMC
— Colleen Padilla (@classymommy) May 8, 2015
“It’s so important for your viewers to know you care about them.” – tip from @Hey_Kayli on interacting with YouTube commenters #DisneySMMC
— Disney Moms (@DisneyMoms) May 8, 2015
RT @alissaenders: If you are not interested or exciting, why would your viewers be. @victorialim #disneysmmc
— On the Go in MCO (@onthegoinmco) May 8, 2015
“Emotional connection inspires people to share.” – Photo advice from Jessica Shyba (@MommasGoneCity) #DisneySMMC pic.twitter.com/V7c5gHrCKy
— Disney Moms (@DisneyMoms) May 8, 2015
“You might not remember what we say, but you will remember how you feel.” – @VictoriaLim on creating memorable content #DisneySMMC
— Disney Moms (@DisneyMoms) May 8, 2015
Final Thoughts
Lisa and I would both love to be invited to the Disney Social Media Moms Celebration. Just following along with everyone was incredibly inspiring. We can’t even begin to imagine how much more we might have learned by being there in person.
It was fascinating to see how different people were taking away different points from the presentations. In some cases, what stuck with one person was very different than what stood out for another. In other cases, certain themes seemed to strike a chord with everyone.
Those were the most powerful.
“We should never give up on our dreams, never ever ever.” – @vivienneharr, Chief Inspiration Officer at STAND pic.twitter.com/RiJI1qdkCy
— Disney Moms (@DisneyMoms) May 8, 2015
For now attending the Celebaration remains a dream…But a dream we will not give up on.
Thanks to all the attendees for sharing your experiences with the world, and allowing us to attend the conference with you from afar.
Linda Stevens Jones
Thursday 14th of May 2015
Thanks for sharing this, Lisa and James! Although not quite like being there ... it was fascinating to read and the next best thing!
baseballmickey
Friday 15th of May 2015
It was fascinating to follow along. There was so much going on, and to think this was really just a taste of it.