Have you heard about, or been invited to, a Disney Social Media Celebration on the Road? This fun gathering of Disney influencers is a day of learning more about Disney Parks and Resorts, developing skills for blogging and social media, and a whole lot of pixie dust that will fill you with hope and happiness.
What is Disney Social Media Celebration?
In 2019, the famous (and much sought-after) Disney Social Media Moms Celebration took a hiatus. Carrie and I were blessed to have attended one Disney Social Media Moms Celebration (we sadly had to say no to another invitation – I wish we didn’t!). It was truly a magical conference packed with learning more about Walt Disney World Resort and the Disney Company, as well as plenty of unique ways to enjoy time with family at Walt Disney World.
So when we found out the Disney Social Media Moms Celebration wouldn’t be happening this year, it was a little surprising.
Then we found out about the Disney Social Media Celebration. And we have to admit that the one-day event is as inspiring as the Disney Social Media Moms Celebration is (it just doesn’t have all of the travel that the Disney Social Media Moms Celebration used to have).
The On the Road Event, which uses the hashtag #DisneySMC, is held in major cities across the country. We were blessed to have the Disney Social Media Celebration actually take place in Orlando, Florida. Our Celebration, held in July, was the first time that the Disney Social Media Celebration was actually held in the location of Walt Disney World.
Disney Social Media Celebration: What to Expect
The first thing that I did when I got the invitation for Disney Social Media Celebration was to look up what other people had written about it. What I found was that Disney Social Media Celebration tends to be a little different in each location.
The core concept of Disney Social Media Celebration is that you gather together with other influencers and bloggers who love Disney, in order to learn, grow and get excited about the new offerings coming soon.
Our event was definitely much different than events held elsewhere, such as New York City. After all, when Walt Disney World is in your backyard, there’s a lot more opportunities during a conference!
Especially when Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is opening in just over a month!!! We got the very rare and unique privilege of getting a sneak peek inside Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge during our conference! Which, of course, was amazing! (And, of course, no photos or video.)
We were blessed with Disney gifts during the Disney Social Media Celebration, including books, water bottles and more. Our table was decorated with fun birthday party decorations, as well as Mickey-themed floral displays.
(By the way, here’s how you can add a Disney touch to your own floral arrangement at home.)
There were plenty of items on the table for use during the conference, as well. Including a notebook and pen for taking notes from the speakers, as well as Mickey Mouse tissues (And, yes, my entire table needed them! I’ll explain why in a moment.).
Our speakers during the Disney Social Media Celebration on the Road in Orlando included:
- Cappy Surette, Manager of Walt Disney World Executive Communications, talked about the art of storytelling. He wove a tale around the famous telegram that Walt Disney sent Roy Disney after he found he lost his company. He said, “Don’t Worry. Everything OK.” even in the midst of extreme hardship. In less than 36 hours, Mickey Mouse (then known as Mortimer) was born.
- Steve Guberman, Senior Manager SEO of Disney Parks and Resorts, explained the basics of Search Engine Optimization.
- RunDisney talking about what was new for 2020 (we even got a sneak peek of the medals before they were released on the Disney Parks Blog).
- Disney Springs shared their new merchandise options.
- Disney Wish Granting shared emotional, heartwarming and tear-jerking stories of how children and adults find magic and healing in a trip to Disney World. In fact, 50% of U.S. wishes from Make a Wish Foundation are to visit Disney.
- Ashley Eckstein, Creator of Her Universe, with an inspiring message to dream the impossible and watch it come true.
What I Learned in the Disney Social Media Celebration
When I walked out of Disney Social Media Celebration, I have to say quite honestly that I was inspired beyond words. Yes, we learned about what’s new at Disney Parks and Resorts. And, yes, we learned about SEO practices.
But above all, we were filled with hope.
And that’s a powerful thing to experience when at a conference.
Cappy Surette wove an inspiring and thought-provoking tale around the question, “What Would You Do If You Lost Everything?”
It’s a powerful question. And it really makes you think long and hard about what would you do. When he talked about Walt’s telegram (which was on the screen for us to focus on, and then we were gifted a copy as well), we all knew how the story ended. Walt Disney came up with Mickey Mouse, the Disney Company was born and they’ve made just a little bit of money and been a little bit successful in the years since. 😉
But at the moment that Walt sent that telegram, he didn’t know what the future held. He didn’t know what he would be.
Yet he was bold and audacious to say, “Don’t Worry. Everything OK.”
It’s all in your mindset. What you think, you believe. What you believe comes true.
Another inspiring moment was Ashley Eckstein talking about making her dreams come true. She proudly proclaims she believes in the impossible, and she is so positive and upbeat that I believe in the impossible with her. Eckstein talked about having a business that didn’t take off at first. And about having to prove that her concept – making women’s clothes for fan girls – was viable and needed in the marketplace (and, boy, has that ever proven to be true now).
She is perhaps one of the nicest people you’ll have the chance to meet. And such a great speaker on how to follow and chase your dreams. Eckstein actually took a lot of time to talk with us afterwards, not just a photo but actually talking for quite a while, asking us questions and wanting to know about our lives.
If someone in her position can take the time to do that, it inspires me to be the same when I am in a position to influence others.
Eckstein, who has since partnered with Disney to create her first book, said even today she believes one impossible thing before breakfast, just like Alice in Wonderland.
And you know what? I’m inspired to do the same thing, too.
If you don’t believe, you can’t achieve.
I know from talking with friends that were at the Disney Social Media Conference, as well, that there was something truly magical in our speakers. My friends have also commented that there were certain words, certain phrases that really resonated with them and stuck in their thoughts, too.
A week and a half later, we’re still talking about how inspired we are. That, above all else, is the true magic of Disney.
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