Have you ever had an experience that you were almost certain was a dream? Or a dream that was so fantastic that you didn’t want to wake up? You know that dream that makes you want to stay in bed and will yourself back to sleep.

The Celebration has ended and all the participants are forced back into the real world, but the positive messages and the encouraging talks will propel us to reach higher goals and Dream Big!

The following is a brief overview of a few of the events from May 5-8, 2016. But over the next several weeks I will provide more details of speakers, sneak peaks and events that happened throughout the celebration.

My family stayed at the Disney’s Beach Club Resort, and the Celebration was at the adjoining Yacht and Beach Club Conference Center. It is an awesome resort that has a most unusual pool area. The bottom of the pool has a sandy bottom! And the slide is Disneystyle fantastic.

Disneybounding as Mary Poppins with Mickey Mouse

Opening reception and social with statements given by Chris MacKenzie from Kimberly-Clark

We got to preview the beautiful costumes that will be used for the Rivers of Light show at Walt Disney World’s Animal Kingdom opening later this summer.

Participants and our families were transported to Animal Kingdom for a scrumptious outdoor air dinner buffet.

Family disneybounding as Mary Poppins, Bert and Michaels

Photo opportunities with characters from Zootopia and the Lion King were the rage. This was followed by a dessert reception and nighttime Expedition Everest ride.

Excellent Show displayed on the Tree of Life at Animal Kingdom – one of the Nighttime offerings starting at Animal Kingdom on Memorial Day weekend.

We watched an awesome Tree of Life Nighttime show. I am always amazed at the original and innovative ideas that Disney develops.

Gifts left in our room by Alamo

Social Media Moms were transported to Hollywood Studios before park opening for a breakfast buffet sponsored by Alamo.

Michael Roddy, Show Director spoke to us about Star Wars and the new shows coming to Hollywood Studios.

We were so excited to take photos with Stormtroopers and Kylo Ren or Chewbacca. My children were certainly jealous, but while we were taking photos, my family was at the Atlantic Dance Hall at the Boardwalk Resort for their own breakfast buffet and photos with Disney Pixar’s Joy and Sadness from the Inside Out movie.

The smile says it all – Jack-Jack is in his happy place!

We returned to the Conference Center for a full day of sessions which included (but was not limited to) the following:

Our emcees for the celebration were the wonderful Leanne O’Regan and Mark Daniel. I have a feeling they have done this a time or two.

George A. Kalogridis, President of the Walt Disney World Resort talked about making the guest experience seamless and the unique experiences that will be available at all 4 theme parks this summer.

Theron Skees brought the concept of Disney Springs to life with a carefully crafted timeline. Disney Springs is the reimagineered Downtown Disney. The timeline was created to help guide the imagineers into a vision for the shopping and dining areas. The Town Center area opened on May 15 with shops set to open in waves throughout the summer. 

Photo Credit: Preston Mack/Disney

Nancy Kanter from Disney Junior gave us a sneak peak at new programs being developed. You are going to want to watch for these shows. Mickey and the Roadster Racers looks absolutely adorable. Fancy Nancy will be based on the books by Jane O’Connor.

We were introduced to the newest Disney Princess – Elena of Avalor. She is inspired by the Latin and Hispanic world and family is everything to Elena! She is truly a princess after my own heart.

Princess Elena of Avalor

Suzanne Todd, Executive Director of Alice Through the Looking Glass talked about how inspirational Alice is. The biggest takeaway from Suzanne was how precious time is and how much loved ones mean to us.

We were treated to an extraordinary surprise; we were the first public audience to see Finding Dory. We watched the first 33 minutes of the movie, and when I say, “YOU WILL LOVE IT,” I mean it!

Charisma Star, YouTube Beauty Influencer, provided us with an inspiring message. Words have the power of life or death! You can build people up or tear them down with your words. Sharing your heart will keep people responding and make a connection with them. These are great takeaways for bloggers and social media influencers. We have the ability to bring people happiness and joy or to tear them down. This is in line with my message of “Finding Joy in life no matter what your circumstances are.”

Charisma Star, YouTube Beauty Influencer Photo Credit:Preston Mack/Disney

There were so many more speakers and messages. I am glad I took great notes! I know that I will be reviewing them often.

We had dinner with our families at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon which is a spectacular waterpark. The waterpark was closed, and we had dinner, dancing, and more along the beach. The Beach Blast  was sponsored by GoGoSqueez.

Photos with Goofy, Chip and Dale, and Donald and Daisy and then the evening ended with unique Mickey vision fireworks. Can you say totally wicked?!!!!

My husband and older son woke up bright and early to go on a Fun Run. I stayed behind to let Jack-Jack sleep. 

Pre-release viewing of Alice Through the Looking Glass in 3D or Doc McStuffins program. Our family opted to see Alice Through the Looking Glass, and I will post a full review later! Alice comes out at theaters on May 27. I admit that I was reluctant going into the movie, and we were pleasantly surprised!

I also took a Behind the Wall tour of the New Town Center Section of Disney Springs. It is a beautiful addition to an already wonderful shopping area. Although we weren’t allowed to take photos during our tour, the walls were down a few days later to give us a little peak!

Each evening we returned to our rooms and there were gifts and terrific items left for us. Each step of the way we were made to feel like royalty. Disney views social media influencers as worthy of notice, and we were encouraged to reach for the stars – To Dream Big.

Disclaimer: I paid a conference fee to attend the 2016 Disney Social Media Moms Celebration, but was provided with discounted and complimentary items. All opinions shared are my own. 

Sponsors included: Alamo, American Tourister, GoGoSqueez, Hanes, Huggies, Joffrey’s Coffees, and of course, Disney!