Connecting, Learning, and Magic: My Unforgettable Food Blog Forum Experience at Walt Disney World 2013

It still feels surreal to think that just a week ago, I was immersed in the enchanting world of Walt Disney World, surrounded by my loving family and an incredible community of fellow food bloggers. The occasion was the annual Food Blog Forum conference, an event I eagerly anticipate each year. Opportunities to meet online connections face-to-face are rare and incredibly precious, but for this particular conference to be held right in my backyard, allowing my family to join in the magic, made the experience truly exceptional. Blending professional growth with cherished family moments in such an iconic setting created memories that will last a lifetime.

A Magical Setting: Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

The Food Blog Forum was graciously hosted by Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, a venue that truly embodies elegance and grandeur. From the moment you arrive, you’re enveloped in an atmosphere of Victorian splendor and classic Disney charm. The resort is exquisitely situated on the serene waters of Seven Seas Lagoon, offering breathtaking views and a tranquil escape from the bustling parks. The scenery is nothing short of stunning, with meticulously manicured gardens, pristine beaches, and architectural details that transport you to a bygone era of luxury. It’s a place where the unexpected magic of Disney blends seamlessly with sophisticated relaxation. Where else can you casually encounter Cinderella’s magnificent glass carriage amidst guests enjoying the sun, just adding to the whimsical charm of the experience? Every corner of the Grand Floridian whispered stories of magic and wonder, making it the perfect backdrop for a conference focused on creativity and connection.

Returning to Food Blog Forum: My Third Year of Connection and Growth

This year marked my third consecutive attendance at the Food Blog Forum, an event I genuinely look forward to with increasing enthusiasm each year. For those interested in a glimpse of past experiences, you can find my recaps from last year and the year before. FBF distinguishes itself as a more intimate conference, typically hosting around 100 attendees. This smaller scale is precisely what I appreciate most. It fosters a genuine sense of community, allowing for deeper conversations and more meaningful interactions, rather than feeling lost in a vast crowd. My primary goal for this year was to truly engage with every single attendee, to broaden my network, and connect with new faces. However, as often happens when you’re surrounded by kindred spirits, the excitement of finally spending quality time with friends I’ve cultivated over years of blogging often takes precedence. These are individuals I might only encounter once a year in person, making every moment of shared laughter and conversation incredibly precious. While I didn’t manage to meet everyone, the quality of the connections I made and deepened was unparalleled.

Cherished Friendships: The Heart of the Blogging Community

Speaking of friends, the Food Blog Forum is always an incredible opportunity to strengthen existing bonds and forge new ones. The power of connecting with people who truly understand the unique world of food blogging is something I deeply value.

Take this girl, for instance. I often refer to Liz here on the blog, primarily because I’m consistently drawn to her site for inspiration, finding myself making delicious dishes from her fantastic everyday family recipes. Her approach to cooking mirrors my own – healthy, straightforward, yet bursting with incredible flavor. Liz has truly become one of my absolute favorite people. Meeting her in person for the first time was an absolute delight, and I’m already counting down the days until we can hang out again! We discovered so much in common, beyond the fact that we were both expecting at the time. Her grounded, incredibly positive personality radiates like a ray of sunshine, making every interaction a joy. She truly is my kind of person, and I feel so fortunate to have her in my life.

And these amazing women! You simply cannot imagine how much I adore this incredible group. Some of them I’ve been fortunate enough to chat with for years, exchanging thoughts and ideas across Twitter, Instagram, and our blogs. With others, I’ve had the pleasure of meeting in person on previous occasions, while some were completely new introductions, sparking exciting new connections. The collective energy, support, and shared passion among these women are truly inspiring. It was genuinely difficult to say goodbye, knowing it might be some time before we could all gather again. Every hug, every conversation, every shared meal was a reminder of the powerful community that food blogging has created.

(In this wonderful collection of memories, from top left: Brenda, Shari and me. Middle left: Denise, me, and Sommer. Bottom left: Liz and I. Top right: Brenda, Leslie, Sommer, Rebecca, Shari, Liz, and I (I spy Jen peeking in the back!). Bottom right: Stephanie, Audra, Liz, and Rebecca.)

It was also wonderful to finally carve out some dedicated time with one of my very first blogging buddies from way back when – Jenny. Jenny had recently welcomed a beautiful baby boy into her family, a joyous occasion seven years after her last child. Naturally, I couldn’t wait to pick her brain about how she was managing with such a significant age gap, given that my own children’s ages would also be quite spread out. I won’t sugarcoat it – the world of baby gear and parenting trends has undergone a complete revolution in seven years! It was incredibly fun to share laughs and commiserate over these changes with someone who could perfectly relate to the experience. These kinds of conversations, born from shared experiences both personal and professional, are truly what make events like FBF so invaluable.

Inspiring Sessions: Knowledge Sharing and Growth

Beyond the vibrant socializing and rekindling of friendships, the Food Blog Forum offered a series of truly outstanding sessions. These talks, led by accomplished bloggers, talented photographers, and insightful industry professionals, were brimming with valuable nuggets of knowledge. Each speaker brought a unique perspective, sharing their expertise and experiences, which proved incredibly beneficial for attendees at every stage of their blogging journey. (And while Nemo wasn’t a speaker, I certainly thought he was an adorable addition to the conference atmosphere!) The variety of topics ensured there was something for everyone, from refining photography skills to mastering the art of storytelling and navigating the ever-evolving digital landscape.

Embracing Technology & Creativity with White on Rice Couple

Todd and Diane of White on Rice Couple (pictured top left) delivered a particularly impactful session on the delicate balance of embracing technology while nurturing creativity. This is a challenge I often find myself grappling with, as I confess to being a bit of a tech-phobe, despite my best efforts to adapt. One profound takeaway from their talk resonated deeply with me: whenever you find yourself stuck in a blogging rut, it’s crucial to step outside your usual routine and seek inspiration elsewhere. They emphasized the importance of taking a break from the norm, actively seeking out new experiences, and truly shaking things up. Having been blogging for almost five years now, I can attest that, just like with any job or hobby, there are periods – days, weeks, even months – where inspiration wanes. When this happens, I’ve been consciously trying to deviate from my usual routine by exploring new parts of town for groceries or inspiration, sampling new restaurants or cuisines, or even jokingly, thinking about learning a new instrument. Hearing Todd and Diane validate this approach was incredibly reassuring. As always, I walked away from their session feeling immensely inspired by the boundless creativity and genuine warmth this couple consistently exudes. Their advice was a powerful reminder that sometimes, the best way forward is to temporarily step back and allow new perspectives to emerge.

Defining Success with The Steamy Kitchen Family

The Steamy Kitchen family (pictured top right), led by Jaden and Scott, provided a wealth of information and profound insights, as they consistently do. The central theme of their discussion, “defining your success,” couldn’t have come at a more opportune moment in my life. I absorbed so much from listening to their candid sharing, but most importantly, their talk reinforced crucial principles I already knew and must always keep at the forefront of my mind, both in life and in business: surround yourself with people you want to be like and work smarter, not harder. These aren’t just catchy phrases; they are foundational truths that can guide one towards greater fulfillment and efficiency. Their session served as a powerful reminder to actively cultivate a supportive and inspiring network and to continually seek out more effective and strategic approaches to my work, rather than simply putting in more hours. It was a resounding “YES!” to these invaluable pieces of advice.

(Our other fantastic speakers who shared their wisdom included – Middle Left: Elise, Babette, and Erik. Bottom Left: Lindsay, David, Julie, and Jeff.)

Gratitude and the Priceless Value of Family

I simply cannot express enough gratitude to Disney and to all the dedicated organizers of the Food Blog Forum: Jaden and Scott, Diane and Todd, Julie, and Lindsay. Thank you for yet another truly outstanding and memorable conference. It is an immense joy and privilege to be able to connect in real life with so many wonderful individuals who share a common space in this vast internet world. There’s something uniquely powerful about transcending digital screens and engaging in face-to-face conversations, sharing meals, and building genuine connections. You can’t help but leave such an event feeling profoundly energized, brimming with new ideas, and incredibly grateful to be a part of such a supportive and vibrant community. The collective passion and camaraderie are truly infectious, making you feel more connected than ever before to the broader world of food blogging.

While the professional insights and personal connections were invaluable, I must emphasize that the ability to include and share this incredible experience with my family at the same time was absolutely priceless. Seeing their joy and making new memories together at Walt Disney World, alongside my professional growth, elevated the entire event to an entirely different level of fulfillment. It’s a rare and beautiful confluence of work and life, and one I will always cherish.

For more insights, stories, and visual highlights from the Food Blog Forum – Walt Disney World 2013, please explore these wonderful recaps and pictures from my fellow bloggers:

Amanda of Kevin & Amanda
Amy of The Nifty Foodie
Angie of Big Bear’s Wife
Audra of The Baker Chick
Carla of Carla’s Confections
Caroline of Chocolate and Carrots
Erin of Eat, Bake, Drink, Cook
Jenny of Picky Palate
Julie of Table for Two
Karyn of Pint Sized Baker
Katrina of In Katrina’s Kitchen
Liz of The Lemon Bowl
Meagan of A Zesty Bite
Rachel of Baked by Rachel
Stephanie of Macaroni and Cheesecake