The number one question in my DM's and inbox over the last month has been, how did you get invited to the Disney Creators Celebration? The short answer is, luck. The long answer might give you some insights on how you can get the attention of the Disney powers that be to hopefully secure a spot in this invite only conference.
First, what is the Disney Creators Conference? It's a week-long celebration for creators that begins with 3 days at Walt Disney World, and ends on a 3 day Disney Cruise. This event used to be known as the Land and Sea Disney Social Media Moms Conference (DSMMC) and was made up of mom bloggers who are passionate about all things Disney. About a hundred moms were invited from all over the U.S. to have unique experiences and get a behind the scenes look at some of the Disney operations. It seems like organizers have tweaked the formula for the event and opened it up to non-mom influencers and creators which is a great idea. There are so many Disney bloggers and influencers who aren't parents that could benefit from this type of insights. Dad bloggers too!
There was about a hundred creators on this trip and their families so you can imagine this was a lot of people to organize. And unlike DSMMC, there wasn't one common thread that made you say, Oh this is why they got invited! There were influencers with really big accounts, YouTubers, bloggers, TikTokers, and even people with very small accounts. Some people create beautifully curated pictures and videos, while others shoot mediocre, unfiltered pictures on their iPhone. The only thing I can tell you is why I think I was invited, although I may never know for sure because Disney guards this secret tightly.
How I think I got on the list for the Disney Creators Conference:
I create consistent, family friendly content.
I use Disney hashtags when appropriate.
I tag Disney accounts in my posts when appropriate.
I go to Disneyland events and Disney related events in SoCal when I can.
I post other non-Disney content but with the same level of quality. (Not just Disney content)
I like and comment on other Disney influencers posts.
I don't trash Disney online, even when I don't get invited to things.
This may be the secret formula or it may just be, as I said, luck. I'll never know because again, they keep their decision making process a secret. My guess is if you keep creating good content, network with other Disney influencers, comment on their posts, and keep growing your account then you will be on their radar. I don't know if they will keep doing this event every year or every two years but my hope is that it's every year. I've been lucky to be invited a few times and I don't take it for granted.
What do we do at the Disney Creators Conference?
First, it's not a free event. There is a conference fee. We also pay for our airfare and some meals at the theme park. So it's not an entirely hosted event either. Disney sets up the itinerary and ours included a conference day with speakers, dessert party at Epcot, breakfast at Pandora, dessert party on Batuu, private screening of "Onward", behind the scenes experiences on the Disney Dream, a private welcome and farewell party on the Disney Dream, and passes to rent bikes or tubes on Castaway Cay. They also arrange for transportation to and from the airport or Disney Parks if you need it.
I'll be sharing more highlights from this trip over the next few weeks on my podcast as well as here. If there's any part of this trip you'd like to know more about just ask! I'm happy to answer any questions.