Tips on Becoming a Disney Blogger

I’ve been at this for over 11 years!

Here’s what I have learned in case it can help you find success in the Disney niche.

Background

For a quick recap of my experience here in the world of Disney, I started in 2014 essentially as a franchise of another popular site. After 3 years, I started running the business on my own and have ever since.

Here’s more about me.

I am the sole writer and contributor to my website and social media platforms. I write about Disney Parks with an emphasis on strategies that help guests avoid long lines for rides. I review hotels and dining and provide general park planning info that’s designed to help families. I also share fun things to do in SoCal to add onto your Disney trip.

Why I Have a Website Instead of Only Social Media

Simply put, by putting all of your work into a platform you don’t own, you have literally no control over your content. If Instagram deletes your page, it’s gone. Facebook, TikTok and the others, too.

My Facebook page was taken down for 81 days a couple of years ago, so I speak from experience. Thankfully, my website is a solid source of information and income, but during that time, I had zero options to connect with 118,000 faithful readers of 9 years who didn’t understand what was happening with my page. I lost 2,000 followers in under 3 months.

A website with a URL you own is the safest way to go. Use social media as a support for your website. Nearly every post I create on Instagram or Facebook includes direction to go to my actual website because it’s a wealth of information and provides much more than I can effectively share in a social media post. It’s also a significant source of income.

Manage Your Spending

From the beginning, decide on if you want this to be a hobby or a business. I chose “business” and with that in mind, I am careful with spending all around.

Disney clothes, jewelry, merchandise, etc etc adds up. You don’t want your paychecks dissolving with merchandise purchases, so set some boundaries there.

I also keep a very low overhead. Very proud to say I’ve never spent a penny on advertising in all these years. My site gets a lot of traffic and with that comes necessary management and because I’m a legit fool with technology, I do hire people to help me. And I have to pay for servers or hosts or whatever else keeps my site alive. Mailchimp, too, for my email subscribers. But, overall, I’m very frugal compared to most in this niche.

Who to Hire for Website Support

There are not enough words of praise in the English language that would adequately show my appreciation for my web designer, Kristiana Blake. She has transformed my site, and in turn, helped my business thrive.

She’s an absolute dream to work with and has affordable rates. Find more about her here.

Figure Out What You Want to Talk About

This took me a couple of years and I didn’t even know it was happening.

If you go into this industry covering basic news and park planning, it’s very tough to break in. Because everyone else is doing the same.

I started by writing about the basics. This helped build a foundation on my site of useful information that I update consistently. Eventually, my basic planning info developed into park strategies, which is now the bread and butter of my business.

Simply put, I show guests how to avoid waiting in line with detailed park strategies. I test them in the parks and share the results, too, which helps build trust in my readers. It brings me a lot of joy knowing I helped guests in a significant way during their trip.

So, I encourage you to find what you really want to focus on, rather than just aiming for general info. This will not only help you stand out, but you’ll enjoy what you’re doing, which aids in building long term success.

Give People a Specific Reason to Come Back to You

I learned this years ago as a buyer for Pier 1 Imports – Show your audience why they need to come back. For Pier 1, it was candles. They were a quality product that brought people back into the store (before the internet, kids) to buy more. And that lead to other purchases.

A current example? Trader Joe’s. For me, their hook is greeting cards. Thoughtfully sourced artists, designed on quality paper and only $.99 each? I’m back again and again for them. And while I’m there, I’ll buy other stuff.

As mentioned above, people return to my site for my strategies. And when they return, they see other posts of interest that can help with their trips, too. And all of that leads to repeat readership and a consistent source of ad revenue.

Decide Which Social Media is Best for Your Site

I’ve kept it simple with Facebook and Instagram. And I have an email subscriber list, but that’s it.

Those three – in addition to my website – keep me busy. Choose what you like the most and don’t spread yourself too thin.

Working with Disney

I’ve had the great privilege of working with Disney on many special projects over the years including my favorite – covering Cast Appreciation Week at Disneyland in 2018 as the sole blogger invited. It was an absolute dream. This post shares all about it.

I was also published in the OC Register which was so thrilling, as most of our work plays out online.

I have exactly zero tips on how to make this happen, unfortunately, as I have never “pitched” Disney. Meaning I’ve never approached them or asked for an invitation to anything. I’ve always thought that if I was a fit for a project or event that they would contact me.

I don’t have a “media kit”. I wouldn’t even know how to create one.

I do think that they initially found me from a couple of successful posts when I was in the park years ago when FASTPASS went digital. With all success comes a bit of luck and I was in the right place at the right time when the system changed (unannounced).

Word spread at rope drop that morning, so instead of heading to Tomorrowland as I usually recommend, I went to Big Thunder Mountain because I knew it would be empty. I captured good video and it spread.

My first project was in 2017 learning about MaxPass (one of six people invited!) and I’m guessing I was included because I was able to explain the digital FASTPASS effectively. All of this to say, being in the park has been an important part of what I’ve accomplished. And if getting Disney’s attention is your goal, being in the park might help you too.

Hosting an Event

Since 2016, I’ve hosted an event called Pearls in the Park that gathers readers of my website. I’ve thrown 8 parties with Disney on site, 2 off site, and a Disney Cruise.

The most wonderful community has formed as a result of it, with many guests returning each year to see each other along with the parks. We have new guests each year, too.

As your business grows, this might be something to consider. Here’s all about Pearls in the Park 2026. I’m so thrilled to celebrate 10 years of this amazing community and event next year. Join us!

Notes

• Notice the words “influencer” or even “creator” are not mentioned in this post. I don’t consider myself either of them. I’m more of an old school blogger, but you can apply most of what I’ve shared in this post to that part of the industry too.
• There are no requirements for this job. Prior to starting it in 2014, I had never made a dining reservation, dined at a character meal, stayed at a Disney Resort, etc etc. I knew the parks well and consider myself an effective communicator, but I learned as I went. And I shared what I learned. So don’t let anything hold you back if this is what you want to do.
• This job has been such a blessing in my life, allowing me to stay home with my kids and work around their schedule. My husband’s too. But it’s not without A TON of hard work.
• If I can answer any questions for you, don’t hesitate to contact me at Casey@DisneylandDaily.com.