An "Out of Disney" experience...

While The WED Page is offically dedicated to "The Walt Disney World of the Past, Present and Future"...not all Disney experiences happen at The World.

This past weekend I had one of my greatest Disney experiences of all time...and I was smack dab in the middle of Pennsylvania.

Fred Block's MagicMeets was the absolute epitome of what the Disney experience should be...Good friends, great times and whole lotta magic!!!

We arrived early so that we could help out with The Dream Team Auction. For those of you who do not know what the Dream Team is, it is a group started by Lou Mongello. It is a fund raising effort which helps to send sick children to Walt Disney World through the Make A Wish Foundation.
This year marked the 4th Auction to benefit this effort, to be held at MagicMeets. The auction was actually the brain child of a great friend, Pat Whitson. Pat does all of the coordinating for the event....no small task mind you, but she does it in a manner that all of those around her see nothing but a smooth well oiled machine when the auction takes place...and for this we are all TRULY thankful to her. In addition to Lou and Pat, there are a whole host of others who dedicated their time and efforts to making sure that this dream becomes a reality.

This years event raised $27,000 for The Dream Team Project...an absoulutely remarkable amount, which is a true testament to the generosity of the Disney Fan Community.

The Dream Team Auction is only part of this great event. There was also a fantastic key note speech by Disney's CMO (Chief Magic Officer) Justin Muchoney. This was an incredibly inspiring event, and I hope that you all get the opportunity to hear Justin speak sometime...it is absolutely time well spent.

There were also fantastic "Break-out" sessions, with presentations by Lou Mongello, Matt Hochberg, Mike Scopa, Deb Wills, Beci Mahnken, John Rick and others. I was not able to attend all of these, but the ones I did manage to make it to were great fun and very informative.

I was also hoping to attend April and Janet Baker's Very Popular Scrapping Meet on Saturday evening, but two tired toddlers and standing room only right through Midnight, made it quite difficult...maybe next time!!!

I heartily urge you all to try and make it , at some point, to a MagicMeets Event.

Last week at this time, I already felt as though I was part of a special community. A wonderful group of people who, like me, had a special place in their hearts for everything Disney. This past weekend changed all of that!!!

More than just a "community", I now feel as though I am connected to an incredible group of friends who share the same love as I do. Some of these friends have become even more than that...they are an extension of my family and will be an integral part of my life and the lives of my wife and children for years to come...and for THAT, I am truly greatful and blessed!!!

Please take the time to learn more about the great things that are happening with The Dream Team Project. You can connect to us through this link: www.wdwradio.com/Dream-Team-Project

You can also find out more about the great times ahead at future MagicMeets Events at: www.magicmeets.com

I would like to take a second to thank everyone who I met this past weekend...it was great fun to meet face to face with so many of you who have friended me on Facebook or have been following here on The WED Page...please stay in touch and I will certainly do the same.

To The Dream Team, Valerie, Lesa, Steve, Lori, Linda, Kathryn, Terry, Cassidy, Tracy, Lou, Pat, Janet, James, Kathleen, Kate, Erica, Tracy S., Amanda and Brian...I can't thank you guys enough for helping inspire Charlene and I to make a difference...we cannot wait to see you all again, real soon!!!!

And to everyone who donated, whether it was at the auction, online or elsewhere...thank you for helping us make a difference!!! I will be back next week with an all new trip back in time at Walt Disney World...see you then!!!

~Tony