Local 'Disney Mom' having a magical time

AVON, Ohio - The 2011 Walt Disney World Moms Panel was announced Friday and a local mom is on the panel.

Monina Wagner of Avon has Disney in her blood; a picture of her in her crib at 4 months old with a Mickey Mouse doll started the ‘transfusion’. She had multiple trips to Walt Disney World Resorts in her childhood and honeymooned with her husband Tim at the Magic Kingdom. Her 7 year old daughter Amara has come under the spell of the Disney Pixie dust as well.

Wagner applied to be on the volunteer panel in September and three grueling rounds later made the cut. Thousands applied but only 15 made the panel this year. They hail from the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom.

Being selected began a training process in Florida this past December. Panelists serve one year but can be asked back.
According to Wagner, a media relations manager at the Cleveland Clinic, the panel is quite a diverse group.

“They are moms, dads and we even have a single woman this year. We all love Disney and we are chosen to share that love and we help other people try to plan their dream vacations to Disney,” she said.

“This year’s Moms Panel search generated the most applications we have ever received,” said Meg Crofton, president of the Walt Disney World Resort in a press release.

Have a question about a Disney cruise? Ask. Want to know where the closest restroom is to the entrance of the Magic Kingdom? Ask.

The site, www.disneyworldmoms.com , is a forum where visitors will have specific questions answered by the most qualified member because the panelists have varied talents and expertise.

“When you don’t do your research to go down to Disney World, sometimes it’s overwhelming. And for us, we try to get down there as often as we can and still there are things about Disney World that I don’t know about.”

Panelists are considered independent contractors and only receive a trip to the Walt Disney World Resorts as compensation. Even without that compensation Wagner’s favorite Disney trip is always the next one.

“I love planning my Disney vacation. Once we get home from our Disney vacation, I’m already planning our next Disney vacation and it brings me so much joy to do that, so to be able to help other people do that, it’s such an incredible feeling.”