My family and I enjoyed the company of fellow Atlanta blogger Serious Krystyn, of Really, Are You Serious? and her sweet family. I’m fairly certain that our husbands would be best friends, if only mine were present at the event. (And if you were at the event, were you able to meet up with Krystyn? She’s totally awesome!)

We watched live performance art, as two very talented painters created Disney masterpieces right on the sidewalk of the Lights, Motors, Action! set of Hollywood Studios.

But best of all, we had the opportunity to let loose and just have fun. I missed Danger so much during the day, and while I know she was having so much fun with my parents at the Magic Kingdom, it was so wonderful to sing, dance, and play with her at the event.

(And check out the grand entrance by Gary Buchanan! He really did jump from a tall building!)

What makes an event special to you? Is it the decorations, the food, or the company?

I’m fairly certain that as far as events go, it doesn’t get much better than our Disney Red Carpet Social.

As an attendee of this invite-only event, I received complimentary items, special discounts and other benefits, such as food and entertainment, from the event organizers in order to experience the unique magic of the Walt Disney World Resort. All opinions come from the careful consideration of my own personal experiences, and were not influenced or purchased in any way.

The post Day Two, Part Two of #DisneySMMoms: Red Carpet Social appeared first on Classic Mommy.

We started off the official conference portion of the Disney Social Media Moms Celebration with a very delicious breakfast in the Fantasia Ballroom of the Contemporary Resort. It was a relaxed vibe, and attendees were able to enjoy tasty breakfast foods while chatting with new blogger friends and conference sponsor, Hanes, at the “Hanes Comfort Breakfast.”

To kick off the event, President George Kalogridis spoke to us about the Disney Parks, and the new and exciting things that are changing. One thing that he described were the interactive line queues. With the new interactive line queues, the magic begins before you step foot onto your favorite ride! Pretty neat, right?

Our event host was the energetic and amazing Rene Syler, aka @goodenufmother. She gave me a lot to think over. A few GEMS from the Good Enuf Mother: Find your passion – then hone it. Don’t compare yourself to others, or you’ll despair. And the best advice: Big rewards necessitate big risk! She was so full of wisdom that one post couldn’t possibly hold all of her remarks. Don’t worry – I will have an additional article on the Classic Mommy blog devoted solely to Rene’s words of wisdom very soon!

Next we heard from former Olympian Shannon Miller. She shared a lot of inspiration regarding personal and professional success. A few favorite quotes:

• With determination, hard work, and a little luck, you can accomplish anything.
• You don’t stumble onto a gold medal, and you don’t stumble onto success.
• There are no do-overs in social media. (And would your mom approve of your message?)
• Social media magnifies the power of mom.
• Love what you’re doing and it won’t feel like the hard work it is.
• Women shouldn’t feel guilty for taking time to themselves. We need to stay healthy for the ones we love!
• Sometimes what seems like a brick wall is actually a springboard to something else.
• Everything that you do matters.
• Anything is possible under the right circumstances. Visualize success! Dreams come true every day!

Ok, pretty much everything Shannon Miller said was inspirational and well-deserving of attention. She is an incredible woman who has lived a life that she can be proud of. She gives everything 100 percent, and I know that she is more than qualified to be a role model for moms everywhere.

We also heard from Jackie Huba, who taught us that Lady Gaga has a thing or two that social media moms can learn from. Her main advice? Focus on your “one percenters.” What are one percenters? They are the people that are your biggest fanatics. They will go above and beyond to follow you and promote what you do. Nurture them and treat them like the special people they truly are. Jackie pointed out that it is a common mistake to focus your outreach on getting new customers at the detriment of your current ones. (Cable company??) Jackie also posed the question: Do your readers know what you stand for? Something to think about as I get back into my daily routine.

Ashley Eckstein was another special guest. She created @HerUniverse as a means to provide fashions for fangirls of all ages and sizes, from onesies to plus sizes, and youth sizes, too. Ashley noticed that many girls in the sci-fi community would pretend to be guys on message boards and forums so as not to be made fun of or shunned. Her mission is to make sure that girls of all ages are able to enjoy sci-fi without fear of being bullied or ostracized for their interest.

Next we heard from John from Disney Infinity. He answered a question that I’ve wondered about ever since the first time I picked up my first game controller: Want to be an awesome game developer? Be good at learning new things. Design a game. The Disney Infinity game is a great place to start! Players can design their own adventure. And perhaps the best feature of Disney Infinity is that the game figures will work with ALL game platforms! No need to search for a Wii-specific figure or PS3, etc. Very cool!

Catherine Connors, from @herbadmother, took the stage to discuss the latest app from Disney: Story. She demonstrated how easy it is to weave stories together with the new Disney Story app. This app is so easy, my mom could figure it out (and she will, because I made sure to install it on her iPhone).  This app provides a way for everyone to share their story in a way that is rich and meaningful. Pictures and video blend seamlessly in this new interactive storytelling app, and while audio is not included in this version, it is coming soon! You can share your story creations to facebook or email straight from the app, making the storytelling process a breeze.

We were treated to a special presentation from Thomas Smith & Gary Buchanan during our lunch. They discussed the Disney Parks blog and what makes it work so well. (Hint: Personality!) A favorite lesson from this session: People connect with people, not logos. We also took a peek at the Disney Parks blog editorial calendar. With 7-15 posts per day, a calendar is absolutely necessary! The guys also demonstrated what sets Disney’s social media apart from other brands. Check out this wonderful video from Disney Parks to see why:

We also learned about the Disney TRYit initiative. Disney has a commitment to create healthier generations. They are the first in the entertainment industry to offer nutrition guidelines, and they have built 31 playgrounds so far this year in partnership with KaBoom! to get kids up and moving. Isn’t that amazing?!

Our next speaker was Marc Mero. He presented us with a very challenging and deeply touching message. His life experiences, while often sad and depressing, taught him a lot about life. His advice: The best way to accomplish your goals is to write them down then take action towards them! And I’ll never forget this little tidbit: Your friends are like elevators. They can take you up, or they can take you down. Marc travels to schools and talks about the impact of bullying. He is a very compassionate person, and this comes through in his talks.

Dayna Steele was our final presenter of the day. Her brand of humor was just my style. In reference to The Rolling Stones: They look like a pack of Shar Pei puppies! Seriously! Her big advice: Do whatever it takes to wow the customer. Go the extra mile. Dayna provided us with many examples to illustrate her point, including one anecdote about rocker Sammy Hagar, the band Van Halen, and a teenaged boy that they visited in the hospital. She posed the question: What is the one thing you do every day for success? (I make an effort to interact with a certain number of new people every day.)

The Disney Social Media Moms conference sessions would not be complete without the little surprises that makes Disney such a magical brand. We had fresh centerpieces on the tables for every session, delicious foods and drinks, great swag from event sponsors, and even surprise guests (R2D2, Storm Troopers, and Gaston joined us during the event!)

I realize that this is a long and detailed article, but there is still so much information that I just was unable to fit in. Is there a particular speaker that you would like to hear more about? I will be working more on creating detailed posts about each session, but in the meantime, if there is someone that you are particularly curious about, please let me know!

As an attendee of this invite-only event, I received complimentary items, special discounts and other benefits, such as food and entertainment, from the event organizers so that I could experience the magic of the Walt Disney World Resort in a unique way. The opinions shared in this article come from the careful consideration of my own personal experiences, and were not influenced or purchased in any way. 

The post Day Two: The #DisneySMMoms Conference appeared first on Classic Mommy.

We’ve checked in to the Contemporary Resort, picked up an information packet from the Disney Social Media Moms registration desk, and are trying our best to learn all about Disney’s transportation system so that no one gets lost or frustrated. While Disney’s transportation is pretty straight-forward once you know where you’re at and where you’re trying to get to, it probably would have been a good idea to brush up on “Bus, Ferryboat, and Monorail 101″ before leaving home. Just sayin’.

The magic was present from the very first moments of the Disney Social Media Moms Celebration – and celebrate, we did! Winnie the Pooh – and Tigger, too! – stopped by the Wonder and Wander event for pictures, cuddles, and story time. It was so nice to see these two right at the beginning of our adventure, as it helped the little ones to ease in to character interactions in a comfortable and laid-back environment. Danger especially enjoyed the sweet snuggles she got from her favorite tiger!

My family and I spent some of our free time wandering around Epcot, taking in the sights, sounds, and foods from the World Showcase.

We traveled from Mexico to China without breaking a sweat! How many people can say that?! And look who we ran into in China… Princess Mulan! So exciting!

Attendees were able to celebrate Mom’s Night Out in style at an elegant welcome reception at Epcot. We enjoyed sparkling beverages, hearty hors d’oeuvres, and light conversation with blogger friends old and new. Special speaker Chris Powell from ABC’s Extreme Makeover Weight Loss Edition greeted attendees with an inspiring and uplifting speech about how WE are in charge of our success and our failure, and it is up to US to be accountable to the promises we make for our own health.

Our families were able to join us for dinner at Epcot, and as part of the Disney TRYit program, we were able to nibble on tasty entrees, ranging from spaghetti to seasoned beef and mushroom dishes. We were joined by Mickey Mouse himself, as he danced on stage to the music of iCurrent (a very cool techno band that uses iPads as instruments!) Wreck It Ralph, Vanellope, Mr. and Mrs. Incredible, and Tarzan were available for character interactions, but Danger wasn’t interested in hanging with the Disney crew – she was all too happy to make new friends on the dance floor! And dance, she did!

After dinner, we were ushered out to watch the Illuminations: Reflections of Earth show from a special viewing area. Desserts were served, and boy, were they delicious! I cannot imagine a more perfect end to the day than watching the Illuminations show at Epcot. It was so wonderful!

Since we spent so much time at Epcot today, it only makes sense to ask you this: What is your favorite Epcot attraction? Do you like the World Showcase area, or do you prefer the rides at Future World? 

As an attendee of this invite-only event, I received complimentary items, special discounts and other benefits, such as food and entertainment, from the event organizers in order to experience the magic of the Walt Disney World Resort. All opinions shared in this article come from the careful consideration of my own personal experiences, and were not purchased or directed in any way. 

The post Day One: #DisneySMMoms 2013 appeared first on Classic Mommy.

You may remember that I am recovering from two surgeries. While I will admit that the recovery process is not as easy as I would have hoped, I’ve allowed my dreams of the Disney Social Media Moms Celebration to take over and push me toward better health (and most definitely, a better mindset!) I am so ready for this!

I am so excited to share all of the information that I learn at this conference with you – because the best part of learning new things is having the ability to share with friends. I’ll keep you posted with the details of the conference, the venue (Disney’s Contemporary Resort!), the events, and even the Disney theme parks and little extras that make Disney World the most magical place on Earth.

But first things first – what should I pack?

The post Living The Moment At Disney appeared first on Classic Mommy.

The Children’s Museum of Atlanta

Don’t miss out on the Museum’s feature exhibit Body Carnival: The Science and Fun of Being You. Say farewell to this exhibit on May 27! Special May programming includes story time, educational presentations by  the Imaginators,  brain exploration with the Atlanta Chapter of the Society of Neuroscience and the Center For Behavioral Neuroscience, and special events like: Meet the Holidays: Mother’s Day  on May 11 and 12 at the Museum. Check out the Museum’s calendar for May 2013 to choose the best date(s) to visit with your child.

Zoo Atlanta

Get prepared for an exciting month at Zoo Atlanta! On Sunday, May 12, Mom gets in FREE with the purchase of any full-price child’s or adult’s general admission ticket. In addition to the educational programs that the Zoo offers, the Zoo is hosting two adult-friendly events: Wild on the Rocks! and Brew at the Zoo! Zoo Atlanta is a great place to spend the day and learn alongside your child. Visit the Zoo Atlanta event calendar for May 2013 for more specific event information to plan your visit.

Stone Mountain Park

While any weekend is a great weekend to visit Stone Mountain Park, don’t miss out on the chance to celebrate Memorial Day weekend at the Park’s special Salute The Troops celebration, featuring concerts, fireworks, and more! Explore favorite attractions like SkyHike and Geyser Towers, and take a hike up the mountain and overlook the gorgeous Atlanta skyline. Stone Mountain Park is one of my very favorite Atlanta destinations, and with just one visit, you will see why. Check out the calendar of events for May 2013 for more information.

Center For Puppetry Arts

Don’t miss out on Jon Ludwig’s adaptation of the classic Brer Rabbit and Friends tale, through May 26! After the performance, bring your Brer Rabbit program to The Wren’s Nest to enjoy free admission. Check out the Center’s upcoming performances for families, teens, and adults for the 2013-2014 season.

LEGOLAND Discovery Center

Celebrate Mom, the ultimate superhero, at LEGOLAND’s Super Hero Weekend! Don your best superhero costume to receive 10% off admission. Adult night will be held on May 24 at the Center.

Fernbank Museum of Natural History

This month, enjoy several special events to extend the educational opportunities of the Museum. From Butterfly Bash to Fernbank Forest Bird Walk to Tadpole Tales, the Museum has a little something for each age group to enjoy. At Tadpole Tales, preschoolers will be treated with a reading of Are You My Mother? along with a special activity or song.

Atlanta Botanical Garden

With sculptures ranging up to 25 feet tall and 20 feet wide, the Garden’s new Imaginary Worlds exhibition is sure to delight and amaze! Special events also include Gardens For Connoisseurs, the Rose Show, and the Bonsai Society Show, in addition to the Garden’s ongoing educational opportunities. Visit the Atlanta Botanical Garden events page to plan your visit for May 2013.

Atlanta History Center

In addition to the Bank of America Free Admission Weekend, the Atlanta History Center offers several fun events for the month of May! From Magic Monday: Bugging Out to A Family History Conference, the Center offers a little something for historical buffs of all ages. Visit the May 2013 calendar to plan your visit to the Atlanta History Center.

Georgia Aquarium

Treat Mom to a very special Mother’s Day brunch at the Georgia Aquarium. Enjoy a decadent feast prepared by Wolfgang Puck Catering, while beluga whales and manta rays swim nearby. The Aquarium is a wonderful place to visit year-round, but Mom will especially enjoy visiting this Atlanta attraction on her special day.

The FOUR - Festivals, events, restaurants, and area attractions to visit this month: 

• Old Fourth Ward park (the playground and walking track are among Atlanta’s best!)
• Renaissance Festival
• Atlantic Station Tot Spot
• Pastries A Go-Go (child-friendly breakfast joint in Decatur)

What Atlanta event or attraction would you add to this list? 

The post Family-Friendly Events in Atlanta: May 2013 appeared first on Classic Mommy.

Two surgeries in one week. FIVE i.v.s inserted into my arms. Six and a half nights in the hospital. No, this week has not been fun. Not fun at all. 

If I’ve been quiet, it is only because I’ve been denied use of both my arms (that, and the intermittent internet coverage). I’m sorry.

If you’ve tried to reach out to me via email, please be assured that I will be in touch with you very soon. The one week where I really needed to be communicating, asking last minute questions, and responding to requests for press coverage — just so happened to be the one week that I was totally unavailable. Isn’t that usually how these things go?

So, please: Help me to fill in the blanks. What did you do last week? I know I missed out on a lot from last week (like Disney On Ice!) and I want to catch up on all things Atlanta before my trip to Florida this week! Feel free to post a link to your review of the Disney On Ice show – or anything fun and exciting that you did last week – below.

And you should probably know: I missed you. A lot.

The post Where Have I Been? Where Have You Been? appeared first on Classic Mommy.

I’ve created a new #ww series where I take my favorite Instagram-worthy pic and create a color palette inspired by the image: InstaPalette. This is week #6. 

Over the weekend, Danger and I tagged along with Daddy to work in Duluth. His office is where I do my best work. Somehow I managed to complete in five minutes what normally would have taken me an hour to finish. What can I say? I enjoy working!

A quick stop at the Chick-fil-A dwarf house before engaging in a little proposal writing and editing was just what we needed.

Where do you work/think best? 

The post Chick-fil-A Dwarf House: InstaPalette Style! #ww appeared first on Classic Mommy.

What To Expect At Build-A-Dino

Once inside, the experience is much like the Build-A-Bear shopping environment. Children pick out their favorite prehistoric creature and sound device, and then add a heart and stuffing to make it come alive. After that, it’s time to dress up your new friend a little and give it a name. At check-out, children are presented with a birth certificate and box “home” for their new prehistoric friend. 

Danger especially enjoyed this experience. She chose a green triceratops with a giggle chip and named her Lala.

It’s no wonder that these dinos are referred to as “Best Friendosaurs” – our little Lala has accompanied Danger ever since we brought her home!

The Build-A-Dino by Build-A-Bear Workshop store is located in Downtown Disney, and is only a short drive away from central Kissimmee. It’s a fun little destination for children to express their creativity and to make something that will be treasured long after vacation is over.

What’s your favorite place to shop at Downtown Disney?

The post Build-A-Dino At Downtown Disney: Where Best Friendosaurs Are Made! appeared first on Classic Mommy.

2,000 yards of fabric for costumes. 24,000 watts of sound. 12 1/2 hours to set the stage. 500 hours for rehearsal.  Yes, this extravagance can only mean one thing: Disney is coming to town! 

Disney On Ice presents Worlds of Fantasy is coming to the Arena at Gwinnett Center from May 1 – 5, 2013, and you do not want to miss it! After attending the Disney On Ice Presents Rockin’ Ever After show last October, I was very excited to receive tickets to the latest Disney On Ice performance just by sharing this information with you as part of the Feld Family Activator program.

Stories featured in this performance include Cars, Toy Story 3, The Little Mermaid, and Tinker Bell! I’m pretty excited to see the fairies of Pixie Hollow in action. I know that we are in for a real treat!

The contest for the four tickets to Disney On Ice presents Worlds of Fantasy concluded last week, and the winner has been notified. Join me in congratulating Pallavi on her big win! I just know she is going to have a wonderful time with her family at the show!

For those of you that would like to attend, I have a special offer just for you! Use the code BLOGD29 to receive $5 off tickets for the following show times: Thursday (7:30 p.m.), Saturday (11:00 a.m.), and Sunday (5:00 p.m.) Please note that this special discount is good for all phone and internet orders only.

What Disney character are you most looking forward to seeing? 

As mentioned above, I will receive tickets to this performance as part of the Feld Family Activator ambassador program. I will be reviewing this performance, as well. Check back on May 3 for my review article! 

The post Disney On Ice presents Worlds Of Fantasy Atlanta Special Offer! appeared first on Classic Mommy.

What Mom Really Wants:

• Noise-cancelling headphones.
• The hosts of TLC’s “Clean Sweep” to come clear out the clutter that’s accumulated over the years and breathe new life into her home.
• A personal chef for a month.
• And on that note, a weekly maid service. For a year. Or fifty.
• A ‘real’ hair cut from an actual salon. Craft scissors over her own bathroom sink just ain’t going to cut it anymore. (See what I did there?)
• Chocolate. Moms just love chocolate.

And if you are going to do something cliché, might I suggest that you do every single cliché thing that you can think of? For instance, instead of just flowers or a card or jewelry, give mom flowers+card+jewelry+scented candle+photo frame+purse+chocolate. It’s really not that expensive, nor does it take a lot of planning. But if you give mom just one of the above, you are showing her that she is not the awesome person that she is – and that’s really not cool.

While Mother’s Day certainly is not all about the gifts, let’s face it – if anyone deserves to be spoiled rotten, it’s your dear old mom. (Or the mother of your child, right Andre?)

What are you doing for your Mom this year? Or better yet, Mom, what’ll you have? 

To my Mom: I’m taking you to Disney World and providing you with a very nice dinner on Mother’s Day. Don’t get too crazy with your requests. 

The post What Mom Really Wants For Mother’s Day appeared first on Classic Mommy.