Straight from my heart – A glimpse into what makes my fellow Panelists so very precious to me.
In 2012 the Walt Disney World Moms Panel added several new specialty positions. For the first time ever, this past year, guests have been able to receive vacation planning advice about visiting Disney’s flagship Park – Disneyland. Two new Panelists filled this important role: Amanda F and Ari.
Amanda currently lives in California with her husband and their beautiful little princess where they own a restaurant and visit Disneyland as often as possible. In fact, as “Disney Premier Passport” holders, they enjoy both Disney Parks regularly. Amanda grew up on the southern East Coast, where she visited Walt Disney World frequently, so she possesses a great deal of “coast-to-coast” Disney Parks knowledge. Amanda and her husband consider themselves “Disney Foodies”. They especially enjoy experiencing the Disney Signature Restaurants from Anaheim to Orlando.
Like many of us Panelists, Amanda applied to be on the Moms Panel multiple times before finally realizing her dream. In 2011, she had asked me to write an article about Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique for her blog “Disney Go To Girl”. We kept in touch after that and I was excited to meet her at the Moms Panel Fan Meet & Greet in Epcot that October.
Here she is with Whitney, Cassie and I. It’s fun to look back at this picture now knowing that 4 consecutive Panel years are represented.
from left: Whitney (’09), Amanda F (’12), Cassie (’11) and me (’10) – October 2011
Angelo, Amanda and Cassie at the 2011 Fan Meet
Angelo, Amanda and Cassie
Amanda, Laura and Disney blogger and Moms Panel Hopeful Ami
Amanda F, Laura Spencer and Disney Blogger Ami
Upon meeting Amanda in person, all of my initial “long-distance” impressions about her were validated…she is absolutely overflowing with Disney passion and knowledge. I kept my fingers crossed for her during last years Moms Panel search and cried tears of joy with her on the phone when she received the news that her dream had finally come true.
Along with other Alumni Panelists, I flew down last December to welcome the newest Members of the Moms Panel family. We first met up at the Boardwalk Inn…
From left: Ari (’12), Sue (’12), Marisol (’11), Amanda F (’12), Leslie (’11), me (’10) and Deborah (’11)
While enjoying the Magic Kingdom, we ran into the new Panelists briefly. Here are Marisol and Amanda on Main Street, USA
Amanda and Marisol
There she is, Miss Disneyland…
Beautiful Amanda 🙂
Marc took this beautiful photo of Elisabeth (’12), Lynn (’11) and Amanda (’12) during the Alumni / New Panelist Cocktail Reception.
Elisabeth, Lynn and Amanda – 12/11
I thoroughly enjoyed chatting with Amanda quite often in the first few months of 2012. There was one phone call, however, that took my breath away. In March, Amanda’s Dad was in a horrific motorcycle accident. Instantly, as we always do in these situations, our Panel family surrounded her with love, positive thoughts, prayers and hope. In fact, we activated a “prayer chain” that reached the online Disney community around the world in a matter of minutes. Miraculously, her father healed and I look forward to the day that I can meet him. This photo of Amanda and Terry was taken at the hospital when he delivered some “Pixie Dust” with love from all of us to Amanda and her Dad. It did all of our hearts good to see her beautiful smile that day.
Amanda and Terry – 3/12
The year flew by and soon it was time for the annual Moms Panel Reunion Weekend this past September. Along with other Panelists, we met up at Paradiso 37 on arrival day. From the closest end of the table and going clockwise: Wes, Deborah, Amanda F, Marc, Kirsten, Chris, Me, Marisol, Tron, Amanda A and Leslie. It was the perfect “kick off” to our amazing weekend.
Paradiso 37 – 9/12
Amanda and Marc
Amanda and Marc at Paradiso 37
On Friday night Laura threw a very special “Official Moms Panel Reunion Dinner” at Hollywood Studios. I love this photo of Marisol, Amanda and I.
Amanda, Marisol and I – 9/12
The next day, we had our Moms Panel Fan Meet & Greet at the California Grill. It’s fun to look at this photo and recall that just a year before this, Amanda had attended as a “Hopeful” and now she is one of our shining stars.
Moms Panel Fan Meet & Greet – 9/12
That night, Amanda and Ashley ran the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror 10-Miler together. Chris, Marisol and I went to the After Party to cheer them and other Panelists on as they neared the finish line. They paused for 2 seconds as they ran by so that I could snap this adorable photo…
Ashley and Amanda – 9/12
I look forward to seeing Amanda again next month as we head to Disney World to welcome the newest Members of our pixie dusted family. We’ll spend several days together enjoying the New Fantasyland and making countless priceless memories. I am so excited about the future Disney memories that we’ll make with our Panel family and I count her friendship as one life’s treasured gifts.
You can follow Amanda on Twitter: @DisneyGoToGirl
Want to get to know some more Walt Disney World Moms Panel Moms & Dads? I share a different Panelist with you each Monday! Here’s the link to all of them so far: http://www.memorymakermom.com/category/disney-moms-panel-monday/
Love ya, Amanda!
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