Disney Social Media Moms Celebration “On-The-Road” Lights Up The Great White Way

Talk about a tough act to follow!  When my husband and I were gifted an evening with Aladdin this past April, we thought it was an experience that couldn’t be beat.  That would have been true if it had not been for the morning of June 15, 2015.  Amazingly, I must have rubbed that lamp awfully hard… Enter Disney Social Media Moms Celebration “On-The-Road”- stage left!!

Disney Social Media Moms Celebration “On-The-Road”

Sitting ON THE STAGE of the New Amsterdam Theatre, it would have been understandable if history, the setting, and those Aladdin props tucked away off stage had stolen the spotlight.  Instead, it was clearly the Disney team that were the superstars.  The event’s “Playbill” looked a bit like this:

The Cast

Leanne O’Regan

Leanne O’Regan “opened the show” with a warm welcome and a smile as grand as Times Square. Though acting Director of Social Media at Disney Parks for over 16 years, it was obvious (and heartwarming) to see her genuine childlike enthusiasm and awe.  The enormity of the setting and moment oozed from Leanne and spread through the eager audience.  Above all, we felt as though we had made it to “the big time!”

Jamie Langdon

Jamie Langdon, Managing Director at Walt Disney World, set the tone for the day with “FITS” and Fun, Inspiration, Tips, and Surprises we got!  She reminded us that Disney likes to take risks and encouraged us to do the same.  (Deep breath.)  Jamie treated us to a peek into the year ahead for the Disney Parks and Disney Cruise Line.  At the time, I was on the fence about visiting Disneyland in its 60th year.  Unsurprisingly, after seeing some of the snippets, I jumped to the other side!

 

These previews turned into real-life magical moments.

Photos taken last week!

Jenn Fickley-Baker

Our next speaker stepped right off the pages of The Disney Parks Blog; Jenn Fickley-Baker, Social Media Manager for the Disney Parks, likewise advised us to be original, think outside the norm, and ask “what if?”  She suggests the use of “listing” to create ten or so different approaches to any topic.  Don’t be afraid to stand out! I used her strategy post-conference and ended up with with three distinct blog posts to accommodate all 25 approaches.  Illumination!!

Victoria Lim

Victoria Lim, Walt Disney World Public Relations Managing Editor, is well-known to many Disney Social Media Moms Celebration On-The-Road alum and did not disappoint this day.  Upon her suggestion, I have experimented with Videolicious to expand my own Disney Parks storytelling (Emotions Run High at Disney Parks and Disney Social Media Moms Celebration “On-The-Road“) and thought I would continue with this form of visual engagement. I dabbled with Magistro for this post and was impressed that I could combine video and photos into one story:

Josh Gosken

Also impressive was Josh Gosken, Digital Marketing and Social Media Manager for Disney Theatrical Group.  (This lucky fellow makes his home in the attic offices of the New Amsterdam Theatre!)  He gave brilliant examples of how Disney creates fresh, shareable content for tales that are often old as time.  Notably, this photo op outside the Aladdin show is but one bit of his handiwork. Imagine how many times that lamp has appeared on Instagram alone!

Of course, the surprise guest needed no fanfare nor introduction.  The “leader of the band” spent time with each and every one of us, including this glowing gal.

Moreover, I got to share Mickey’s elbow with pal Kimberly Markey.

So, if you haven’t guessed it, on this day the Disney team was the star of the show.  Their mixture of social media savvy mixed with innocent wonder sets them apart.  Though the house lights were kept low, their glow lit up this historic Broadway theater. And like us New Yorkers like to croon, if you can make it there, you can make it anywhere.

Thank you Leanne, Jamie, and the entire Disney Parks Social Media Moms Celebration Team, your Great White Way debut was a bonafide hit!!

Certainly follow #DisneySMMC and @DisneyMoms for a continued stream of pixie dust!  And take a look at how I created my DisneyBounding outfit with the help of my friends: It Takes a Village to DisneyBound | Disney Social Media Moms Celebration On-The-Road.

**  I received a magical invitation to the Disney Social Media Moms Celebration On-The-Road event and was admitted free of charge.  This magical recreation comes purely from the heart!