People-watching is one of the activities I enjoy most at Walt Disney World.  What a gathering place for the diversity that is the human population!  All ages of folks from all over the world – all in one place where I can surreptitiously study them at will.  A while back I talked about the different Disney Dads I see on vacation.  Today it’s time for me to share some observations about the other half of the parenting pair.

5 Types of Disney World Moms

Crafty Mom – This one’s easy to spot!  I like to imagine the Pinterest boards she’s accumulated prepping for the big family Disney trip.  This mom’s family has matching tee-shirts or a coordinated Disney Bounding theme going on.  Sometimes there are crafty visors, unique Earhats, homemade autograph books and little cloth backpacks.  This mom is amazing!  Her energy and attention to detail are enviable and those post-vacation scrapbooks will be absolutely fantastic!  Deep down inside, I want to be this mom, but don’t have the patience it takes to complete all the projects.  Or even one.

Super Mom – This is the mom who absolutely beams at her children’s happiness.  She might like Disney in her own way, but positively loves the joy it brings her offspring.  Super Mom eats on the run (usually leftovers from kids’ meals) and has mastered the art of multi-tasking.  She’s there to catch the ice cream drips, hand out snacks, carry a giant backpack of supplies, and answer 347,639 questions with the patience of a saint.  She derives fun from watching her kids have fun.  There to make sure her family is comfortable and having the time of their lives, she’s in her element when she’s doing things for others.   I don’t know how she does it, but Super Mom doesn’t even appear to sweat in the Florida heat.  (Now, that would be a super power I could use!)  My favorite Super Moms are the ones who are clearly adored and appreciated by their husband and children.

Sporty Mom – Sporty mom is fit and athletic.  She and her kids love runDisney events and Sporty Mom can be spotted by her attire – she’ll be wearing an event shirt from a past race.  Sporty mom enjoys the resorts with exercise rooms and running trails best because every day begins with a good workout.  This mom serves and eats healthy food at home, but will splurge on a Disney vacation, knowing exactly how many steps she’s taken and how many calories have been burned.

Frazzled Mom – I always feel slightly sorry for this mom.  Perpetually worried and not having as much fun as she could, Frazzled Mom is busy doling out sunscreen, hand sanitizer, bug spray, and “don’t go to far” followed by “stay where I can see you”.  This mom in particular seems disconnected from the magic of Disney as if worry prevents active participation.  I’m the biggest advocate in the world for minding your children, so in the early years, I was Frazzled Mom and am here to tell you there’s a sweet spot to be found between being cautious enough and over-the-top paranoid.  This mom also tends to do too much scheduling because going with the flow isn’t in her DNA.

Kid-at-Heart Mom – This mom is having the time of her life with her family.  She’s wearing her favorite character t-shirt and a full pin lanyard.  She’s eating a Citrus Swirl or a Churro or has some chocolate spots on her shirt from a Mickey Premium Ice Cream Bar.  Kid-at-Heart Mom is as swept up in the Disney magic as her kids are and she can be overheard talking excitedly about Tower of Terror or Expedition Everest.  This mom knows how to relax and have fun while staying in the moment for her family.

Know a Disney mom?  Are you one?  Which type of Disney mom are you?