Bionic Buzz® got to cover DIS Family Reunion 2021 benefiting Give Kids the World Village at the Disney’s Contemporary Resort. Give Kids The World Village is a whimsical, 89-acre nonprofit resort in Kissimmee, FL, that provides transformative weeklong wish vacations to critically ill children and their families. When wish-granting organizations receive a request from a critically ill child who wants to visit Central Florida, Give Kids The World fulfills the wish – providing each child and his/her family with a magical weeklong stay at absolutely no cost. Each family receives transportation, accommodations in one of the Village’s 166 storybook residential villas, all meals and snacks, nightly entertainment, donated tickets to Orlando’s world-class theme parks and attractions, and priceless interactive experiences at the Village. Since 1986, Give Kids The World has welcomed more than 176,000 families from all 50 states and 76 countries to enjoy precious time laughing together, playing together, and creating priceless memories away from hospital stays and medical treatments. For more information about Give Kids The World Village – The Place Where Happiness Inspires Hope – visit https://www.gktw.org/.
Wheel of Fortunate Wisdom Panel with Pat Sajak, iconic host of Wheel of Fortune, shares anecdotes from his four-decade run on the show. Our own Steve Sievers asked Pat what Disney shows / movies his kids loved watching with him growing up.
Actress Jodi Benson – The original voice of Princess Ariel in Walt Disney’s animated classic, The Little Mermaid, offers her favorite lines from the movie along with one line that was very hard for her to do.
Animated Voices – Actress Linda Larkin, the original voice of Princess Jasmine in Walt Disney’s animated classic, Aladdin, and John Morris, the original voice of Andy from Pixar Animation Studios classic, Toy Story, reminisce.
Walt Disney Imagineering Magic – Tony Baxter shares 50 years of history creating, designing and constructing Disney theme parks and attractions worldwide.
Actor Panel – Ron Schneider (Dreamfinder at EPCOT), David Danipour (Dr. Stevens in Flight of Passage), and Kat Cressida (voice of lost girl at Tower of Terror and Bride at Haunted Mansion) delve into the world of Imagination, Flight of Passage, and the Haunted Mansion.
The Art of Reassurance: A Life in Themed Entertainment with Jason Surrell – Senior Creative Director at Universal Creative and former Senior Show Writer at Walt Disney Imagineering Jason Surrell shares stories and insights.
A Knack For Suspense – New York Times bestselling author Ridley Pearson, author of The Kingdom Keepers, discusses the tricks to the trade in this panel. During the Q&A we asked him what it was like working with Kevin Smith when developing a Disney+ series of The Kingdom Keepers. While it never saw the light of day we do ask on an update on for a future possible series.
Pamela Landwirth, President and CEO of Give Kids The World and Kellen Jackley, former Wish child and mixed Media Artist share their passion for the mission.
UP NEXT FOR GIVE KIDS THE WORLD VILLAGE:
A dancing lights show, tram tours and unique behind-the-scenes experiences highlight an array of exciting additions guaranteed to make this year’s second annual Night of a Million Lights holiday lights spectacular another dazzling success. Scheduled to illuminate the Central Florida skyline from Friday, November 12, 2021 through Sunday, January 2, 2022, Night of a Million Lights will once again provide the public with a rare glimpse inside Give Kids The World Village, an 89-acre, whimsical nonprofit resort that provides critically ill children and their families with magical weeklong wish vacations at no cost.
Tickets are on sale now at www.gktw.org/lights enabling guests to immerse themselves in an exquisitely decorated fairytale neighborhood which wish families call home during their stays. Guests can explore a sparkling tree trail; view larger-than-life holiday displays; take photos at one-of-a-kind step-in frames and backdrops; and enjoy a guided storytelling tour of 100 magnificently lit villas from the comfort of a tram, included in the price of the ticket. The event will run from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. daily, with staggered entry times to prevent crowding.