Deb's Digest

In January 2011, AllEars® reached an important milestone - 15 years online!! To thank everyone who has supported us over the years, we decided to have a year long celebration. All Ears has had meets in Walt Disney World, Disneyland, on the Disney Wonder cruise ship, and in New York City. The grand finale of our yearlong anniversary celebration is "A December to Remember", December 8-11, 2011 -- a long weekend full of special events held at various locations in the Walt Disney World Resort.

One week from today is the official beginning of our special celebration -- December to Remember

While some events are sold out, many others are open to all - no RSVP necessary. We have lots of new AllEars Trading Cards to hand out and team members now have their own individual cards as well! Be sure to see how many you can collect during December to Remember.

On Thursday December 8th, we focus on the Magic Kingdom/Resort area.

5pm Magic Kingdom. Closing in on almost 10 years, Mike Scopa has hosted his December Dole Whip Meet as a venue for all December guests to meet up, get reacquainted, and just share the joy of Walt Disney World, and of course, that delight know as Dole Whip. Join Mike as he celebrates yet another signature meet at Magic Kingdom's Aloha Isle in Adventureland.

Fort Wilderness Holiday Lights Tour! 6:30pm - 8:00pm. - Ft. Wilderness Campground - Hosted by Erin Blackwell. The Fort Wilderness resort's holiday decorations are becoming famous, featured on the Travel Channel and Orlando Attractions and a favorite with photographers. Now we're giving a tour of some of the greatest guest displays, ending with watching the Wishes fireworks! It's a great opportunity to enjoy spirit, the holidays, and the unique community planned by Walt Disney himself.

Meet at Pioneer Hall (where the Hoop Dee Doo is performed) at 6:30pm. We will wait fifteen minutes for everyone to join us while Erin Blackwell gives history and details that make Fort Wilderness unique. This is an easy walking tour, but Erin will also have an electric (golf) cart for up to 5 people to ride if they prefer. And, of course, Fort Wilderness is ECV friendly.

Friday, December 9th is Disney's Hollywood Studios Day.

AllEars® Meet and Greet at Rosie's All American Cafe on Sunset Blvd.
10:00 - 11:00 a.m. We held this meet in 2010 and it was such a great success we decided to do it again!!! Just head down Sunset Blvd towards the Tower of Terror. Rosie's is on the left side.

Saturday, December 10th is Animal Kingdom Day!

Smile and Say Jambo at Animal Kingdom 8:15 a.m.
Meet AllEars® Picture This! Photo Bloggers Scott Thomas and Barrie Brewer for a morning at Animal Kingdom. Early risers (or those wanting coffee) should meet outside the Rainforest Cafe. No tickets required.

Once the park opens AT 9AM, the group will get Kilimanjaro Safari FastPasses and then walk the Pagani Exploration Trail.

Sunday December 11th is Epcot/Resort Area Day

Team AllEars® Run/Walk/Wog Yer Buns Off - 7 a.m. Join Team AllEars® Co-Captains Michelle Scribner-MacLean and Mike Scopa as they go for a leisurely run/walk/wog (weather permitting) from the Boardwalk Bakery to Disney's Hollywood Studios and back. This enjoyable 5K+ route will take us past Storm-a-Long bay, along the path to Disney's Hollywood Studios, and a return back to Boardwalk. We will meet at the Boardwalk Bakery and be ready to run by about 7 a.m. Will the Osborne Lights be on? You never know...

The Around the World CHOCOLATE Challenge from 2:00pm -4:00pm

2:00pm at Epcot's World Showcase -- The French Arm, that quiet little spot that's located down the stairs along the water in the France pavilion.

Join your AllEars.Net co-hosts Laura Gilbreath and Deb Koma, as we go "in search of"...
CHOCOLATE! We have devised a scavenger hunt/game that will send AllEars.Net readers out into the World to answer questions and gather clues from those country pavilions in an effort to win prizes -- all involving CHOCOLATE, of course! The mission? Complete an assortment of CHOCOLATE challenges, to be revealed closer to the mission date.

Prizes will be awarded; all will involve CHOCOLATE in some way!
Special gift to the first 50 participants at the meet -- gift only available while limited quantities last.

So as you can see, there are lots of fun activities planned. We hope you'll join us for our December to Remember 15th Anniversary Celebration!

For More Information visit the December to Remember Area!

On May 13, 2010, AllEars® began publishing special Trading Cards. These unique cards are not for sale and may only be obtained directly from an AllEars® Team Member or by trading with other Disney fans.

These two-sided high-gloss cards measure 2 3/4" by 3 1/4" and feature different aspects of our favorite vacation destinations. Special Series trading cards include the Fan Meets, Photography, Transportation, Animals, Holidays and more to be announced. You can learn more about the trading cards on our website.

More than 39 cards have currently been released and more cards will be released throughout the year.

Our 2 newest cards debut today, September 30th, at the AllEars Meet and Greet at the Walt Disney World Dolphin's Picabu eatery!

We will also be handing out previously released cards honoring early Walt Disney World attractions as well as Halloween!

Be sure to get one of our AllEars® 15th Anniversary Celebration trading cards too!

Both Deb Koma and Jack Marshall are in town this weekend and they have their own brand new trading cards too! Be sure to ask them for one!

Cards are not available through the mail. although a limited number of card may be offered as part of a charity auction from time to time.

On May 13, 2010, AllEars® began publishing special Trading Cards. These unique cards are not for sale and may only be obtained directly from an AllEars® Team Member or by trading with other Disney fans.

These two-sided high-gloss cards measure 2 3/4" by 3 1/4" and feature different aspects of our favorite vacation destinations. Special Series trading cards include the Fan Meets, Photography, Transportation, Animals, Holidays and more to be announced. You can learn more about the trading cards on our website.

More than 35 cards have currently been released and more cards will be released throughout the year in Disneyland, Walt Disney World and on the Disney Cruise Line.

Our 3 newest cards debuted today, August 18, 2011, at the AllEars Meet and Greet at the Disneyland Hotel's Tangaroa Terrace.

If you see anyone from the AllEars team at the D23 expo or Disneyland Resort over the next few days, stop and say hello! You may just get some of our brand new Disneyland trading cards!

Cards are not available through the mail. although a limited number of card sets may be offered as part of a charity auction from time to time.

The July 8, 2011 All Ears Meet and Greet was held in the Sunset Lounge at Animal Kingdom Lodge's Jambo House. All Ears Team Members Deb Wills, Deb Koma, Steve Barrett and Cathy Bock had a great afternoon with everyone.

Rachel and Elaine from Chicago

Peggy from Florida

Steve Barrett autographs his Hidden Mickey book for his young fan Kyle.

Anthony and Ken

Vickie, Peggy and Sue

Faith

Dawn and her girls were visiting from Rhode Island

The girls really liked the AllEars Trading Cards

Dawn, Deb and Steve

Rebecca, Sue and Vickie

Steve and Deb chat with a couple staying at the Lodge.

Early on we took our one and only group photos -- people were coming and going over the course of the meet. From left: Rebecca and Sue from the UK, Steve Barrett, Tom Mangino from Florida, Dawn and her daughters, Rachel and Elaine, Chris Thomson and his two girls from Georgia, Cathy Bock, Deb Koma, and Sue Van Vleet, with Deb Wills in front.

One week from today, I'll be on a plane headed for the West Coast, to start a three-week Disney journey that will take me coast to coast on land and sea and into Canada and Alaska!

First stop is Disneyland for 2 nights -- gotta get used to the time change before I really get started!

We'll be having a Meet and Greet on April 26th at 9:00am. Meet at the La Brea Bakery Express in Downtown Disney! We have a new AllEars trading card to debut, too! Be sure to RSVP on our Facebook Event Page to receive a special gift when you arrive :)

On April 27th I head over to the Port of LA to embark on the first ever Disney Cruise Line Re-positioning cruise from LA to Vancouver! The 6-night cruise will bring the Disney Wonder ship to Canada for the start of the Alaska cruise season! Joining me will be AllEars® team member Laura Gilbreath (who will be blogging).

I have some fun excursions planned including a Napa Valley Tour, a visit to Muir Woods and Sausalito, and then a visit to Butchart Gardens (check that off the "bucket list")

While on board we will have a Walk to Raise Awareness for Breast Cancer on May 1 at 8:00am.

I love being on board when a Disney ship visits a port of call for the very first time. You never know what surprises will greet the ship. The Wonder will be visiting San Francisco, then Victoria and Vancouver, Canada.

Once in Vancouver, several of us will be disembarking and then embarking on the Disney Wonder for the first ever Disney cruise in Alaska! I am excited to be hosting a great group of folks on the AllEars® Alaskan Adventure! In addition to visiting four fantastic parts of Alaska, we have some special events and surprises!

Check out this great logo that Picture This! Photo Blogger Barrie Brewer designed:

We will stop at Ketchikan, Juneau and Skagway plus tour the glacier bay area of Tracy Arm! I really love visiting Alaska! It will be my third visit to Ketchikan and Juneau and second visit to Skagway. Each of the ports is very different and there is tons to do.

Last visit to Skagway we wandered about on our own, took the one-hour National Park Service walking tour and did a self-guided town tour. It's a quaint place that takes you back to the days of the Gold Rush. This trip I will be doing the White Pass Scenic Railway.

Juneau is one of the ports I could stay in for several days. On my first trip we took a helicopter over four glaciers (unbelievable surreal experience), then landed on a glacier and did dog sledding! We went over to the Mendenhall Glacier on our own. Did you know that Mendenhall is the most accessible glacier in Alaska and the only one accessible via road? It's a must-see if you visit Juneau.

My next trip to Juneau I did a Photo Safari that included a Whale Watching trip and a hike around the Mendenhall Glacier. This time, I will be taking the Deluxe Tour of Juneau, which includes a bus tour of the city, a visit to Mendenhall, a visit to the Glacier Gardens Rainforest, and finally an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of the Macaulay Salmon Hatchery!

In Ketchikan we have toured the Alaskan Rainforest, which included some amazing animal (bear) sightings and we've also done the float plane and boat trip of Misty Fiords. This time I will be taking the Lighthouses, Totems and Eagles excursion. This excursion includes a boat ride to see Eagles, a visit to Totem Bight State Park and finally a visit to the Guard Island Lighthouse.

And after the amazing 13 nights on the Disney Wonder I will be flying to Orlando for two jammed packed days of D23's Destination D.

whew.....

You can be sure I will be twittering and posting on Facebook during my trip.

And remember, Laura will be blogging during the two cruises!

So, for those who can't join us, be sure to follow our journey!

On December 5th, Walt's birthday, the 5th annual AllEars® VIP Illuminations party was held. As has become our tradition, we watched Illuminations with the holiday tag in a private viewing area and then hung around for a little extra magic!

While the weather held off in terms of rain, it didn't let up in regards to the temperatures. This was one of the coldest nights I remember spending in central Florida...perhaps it dipped in the low 30s?

No matter, over 100 folks came out to celebrate with AllEars and enjoy the magic that is Disney at the Holidays!

This time, instead of the full sugar fix that is part of the regular Illuminations Dessert buffet, AllEars ordered something a little extra special; gourmet cheeses, berries, chocolate ganache, and mini dessert pastries including eclairs, baklava and fruit bars.

Tables were set up for everyone who wanted a seat to watch the show.

Special "Mickey" viewing glasses were passed out for everyone! At first folks thought it was hokey, but once the fireworks began the laughter filled the air.

Once the park cleared we were escorted into Future World for a surprise ride on Spaceship Earth!

Afterward, folks gathered in the post show area for a group photo! Deb said a few words and all of a sudden Spaceman Mickey appeared !!!!!

He joined the group for a photo and then took turns with everyone to get that special photograph!

All Ears Team Members in attendance, from left to right:
Michelle Scribner-MacLean, Barrie Brewer, Deb, Mike Bachand, Erin Blackwell, Mickey, Jack Spence, Steve Barrett, Glo Konsler, and Mike Scopa.

The AllEars Team with many of our Guest Bloggers.
From Left to Right Standing: Kitty Smith, Michelle, Jeanine, Barrie, Mike, Jeff Onorato, Erin, Deb, Mickey, Jack, Steve, Glo and Mike Scopa. Kneeling: Ashley Livingston, John Kurowski, and Cedric Ching.

My unofficial award for creative photo of the night!

Each attendee was also given a gift bag with new 15th Anniversary AllEars merchandise, plus AllEars Trading Cards. We also introduced a special card released that evening, which commemorated Walt's birthday!

For our last bit of magic for this special night, Mike Newell of MouseWorldRadio recorded this video highlighting our evening. Be sure to scroll down after you watch the video for lots of photos from the event. Please let me know which photo you are in and I can email you a larger size as a keepsake.

Thank you Spaceman Mickey, Disney World Special Events, the many Cast Members, MEI and MouseFanTravel, Barrie Brewer Photography, Mike Newell on video and those who made donations to my Avon Walk for Breast Cancer and every single person who attended! Your laughter and smiles warmed my heart and you made this a very special evening!

On December 9th, we gathered at 9am at the Electric Umbrella for our final AllEars meet of 2010.

Another cold morning greeted us, but did not keep AllEars fans away. We had a great time trading cards and giving away some AllEars merchandise.

Here are the 2 AllEars Trading Cards released that morning.

Card #19 Celebrating the Holidays in Epcot

Card #23, part of our Transportation Series - the Tronorail!

Pictured below: Deb Koma, Mike Bachand, Kimberly and Bill Shultz

Pictured Below: Ray Sharpton, Steve Barrett, Deb, Mike Bachand, Margaret Kroll

Pictured Below: Kimberly Shultz and Karen Baily

Jerry and Aurora Watson

Pictured Below: David Mullett and Masayo

Pictured below: Tom Mangano, Mike Bachand, Deb Koma, Steve, Julie Bachand

Pictured Below: Kerry Wilson and Jack Marshall

Pictured Below: Steve Barrett

Pictured Below: Karen Baily, Andrew, Kimberly and Bill Shultz, Mike Bachand

Deb and Longtime Fan Mike Rudge. Mike even wore his 10 Year AllEars Shirt from 2006!

Pictured Below: Aaron DelPrince and Mark Rhodes

Following the meet and greet many folks continued on to watch Captain EO.

Thanks everyone for coming out. Please let us know by leaving a comment what photos are you in and your name!

On a very VERY chilly morning, a group of dedicated AllEars Animal Kingdom fans meet at Pizzafari for a walk along the Discovery Island Trails.

Today we released AllEars Trading Card #20, celebrating the Holidays at Animal Kingdom:

We kept warm inside Pizzafari until it was time to venture out.

Pictured: Cindy Kay Rhye and Renee Miller

Steve Barrett and Deb Wills

Scott shows Steve and Mike Bachand some Hidden Mickeys he found in a cookie box!

Deb shared with the group her first visit to Animal Kingdom during the Cast Member Previews in March 2008.

Time to head out to one of Deb's favorite Discovery Island Trails. When the park opened these were called the Tree of Life Gardens.

Along the trail.......

Saddle Billed Stork

Deb was really hoping to see the Giant Galapagos Tortoise but no such luck.

However, she started jumping up and down so excited that the Porcupines were out and about! First time Deb had seen them do anything other than sleep in the back of the shelter!

The Painted Stork

Soon everyone found themselves with a different view of the Tree of Life.

Erin decided on an up close and personal view of the Tree. Check out her cool jacket!

All too quickly it was time to say farewell... until next time!

Gloria and Mike Bachand

Steve and Deb

Sara and Doug

Thanks everyone for coming out on such a freezing cold morning!!! Please post a comment and identify yourself in the photos!

The first official AllEars Holiday meet took place on December 4th at Rosie's All American Cafe on Sunset Blvd in Disney's Hollywood Studios.

Thanks to the over 60 of you who took time out of your vacations to spend some time with the AllEars Team.

Deb Wills, Steve Barrett, Jack Spence, Mike Scopa, Erin Blackwell, Glo from PA, Michelle Scribner-MacLean, and Mike Bachand from the AllEars team were on hand to meet everyone, hand out new AllEars 15th Anniversary Lanyards and Buttons.

There were even a few drawings including one for 2 tickets to the special AllEars VIP IllumiNations Party on December 5th.

We also released 2 brand new trading cards at the meet celebrating the Holidays!

Card #16 is the Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights.

Card #17 is the Gingerbread Castle at the Grand Floridian Hotel.

Trading Cards were the hot commodities and everyone wanted to get some. Pictured: Cathy, Jack and Erik

We also debuted our new Team AllEars Trading Cards. Here Erin is passing her card out.

Erin Blackwell's Card:

Michelle Scribner MacLean's card:

Gloria Konsler's card:

Mike Scopa with fellow Disney fans

Gary and Cathy Mullen from PA.

Jack and Christy

Michelle Scribner-MacLean

Johnny Black

Deb and Happy Birthday Renee!

Ray Sharpton

Cindy Petzoldt

Marc and Dennis

Vickie Barrett and Matt Hochberg

Mike Bachand and Erin Blackwell

Mike Scopa and Lara Thompson

Alison and Erik

Kris and Shallon

'

Jack Spence and Bea

Time for some prizes -- All Ears Swag of course.

And the Grand Prize, 2 tickets to the AllEars VIP Illuminations event on Sunday night!

Congrats Debbie from Colorado!

AllEars Team Members

Meet Attendees! Thank you one and all!

The AllEars Facebook community has been holding meet and greets throughout the year.

Finally, there was one I was able to attend. Many thanks to Jennifer Norwood Martin for organizing the meet and greet! Thank you everyone for attending!!!!!

Please leave a comment with your name and the photo you are in!!!

Jennifer, Deb and Jennifer's mom Janice

Jennifer had everyone put their name in a hat for a cool Disney Poster Drawing!!!

Jennifer asked everyone to bring their Mickey Ears for the group photo. She had extras for folks too! After our "regular" photo, she asked everyone to throw the Mickey Ears in the air. It made for a fun time and a great photo!

Click HERE for Large Size Photo!

Click HERE for Large Size Photo!

Thanks again to Jennifer for hosting and to everyone who came!!!

On Thursday, October 7, 2010, AllEars Team Members Deb Wills, Jack Spence, Steve Barrett and Mike Bachand; hosted a meet and greet at Downtown Disney.

There was a great turnout and lots of magic in the air! Thank you to everyone who attended!!!!

We also released our newest Trading Card:

Learn all about the AllEars Trading Cards!

Please leave a comment with your name and the photo you are in!!!

Click HERE for Large Size Photo!

Far Left Robert Herms, Far Right Molly Brennan

Felicia and her mom, Jack Spence

Deb and Mike Bachand

Joan Finder and Jack Spence

Steve Hurley and wife with Mike Bachand

Liz and Robert Herms -- Met Liz a few months back and while chatting realized her husband and I went to the same High School, he a year behind. I had told her I lost my yearbooks long ago. She and Robert showed up at the meet with my Senior Year Book.

It was such a special moment to see my Graduation photo and relive some memories. I ran around showing everyone my photo from 1971! But the magic didn't end there.

Before they left, Robert gave me the yearbook to keep! I lost it and still tear up thinking about his generous gift and kindness. Robert and Liz I can't thank you enough!

Team AllEars Runner David with Masayo

Team AllEars Runner Tracy and baby.

Jack, Molly, Steve Barette, Sara, Andrew

Doug and Sara won the Disney Dollar Prize! At each meet I look for someone wearing something with AllEars on it that they obtained at a previous meet...... lanyard, button, whatever. The first person I see wins a Disney ten Dollar!!!!!

Deb and Jack Spence

Felicia and her mom

Rori (@roritravel) and Deb

David Lawless and Family with Mike Bachand and Deb

Friend of many years, Molly Brennan

Mary Jo Collin and I had been trying to catch up all week and kept missing each other. She surprised me by coming to the meet. I finally got a chance to meet her children.

Then she sprinkled pixie dust and said to meet her at Soarin at 5:30pm - she had 3 extra FASTPASSes!!! So Mike and Julie Bachand and I had a great time Soarin' thanks to MaryJo!

Once again, thank you all SO much for coming to the meet. It was a great afternoon!

The AllEars Meet, Greet and Ride was held on September 23rd at 1:30pm in Disney California Adventure at the Monster's Inc attraction! Together we would go save Boo!!!

Thank you Everyone for attending!!!! It was a great meet!

Please leave a comment with what photo you are in and your name :)

Despite the heat, we found a nice area to the right of the attraction with chairs and some umbrellas!

In this photo: Mike Tuchman

In this photo:Mike Tuchman, Karen

In this photo:Mike Tuchman, Karen

I was pleasantly surprised by friends from Maryland, Suzi and Vince - I had no idea they'd be at Disneyland.

In this photo: Suzi, Vince, Deb

Shawn and Laurel - Shawn has a great blog: The Disney Shawn Blog!

In this photo: Deb and Tom

In this photo: Tom, Shawn, Laurel, Henry, Dave, Becky

All Ears Swag handed out included 2 new trading cards, hats and lanyards!

Little did I know I was talking to the uber Scavenger Hunt guy who won FIRST PLACE out of over 700 teams at the D23 Scavenger Hunt on Sunday! Yea Henry from Touringplans.com

In this photo: Matt, Dave, Becky

In this photo: Deb and Karen

In this photo: Tom with Becky and Dave from Mousetalgia Podcast!

A great group of folks!!!!!

Inside Monster's Inc and loading the first car.

Matt, Shawn and Laurel are ready to come to the Rescue!

Afterward we hung out for a while and talked. Here is Mari and Tom.

In this photo: Mike, Henry, Shawn, Laurel

After the AllEars Meet, some of us headed over to the Mousetalgia Podcast Meet at the Haunted Mansion. Here are Podcasters: Becky, Dave, Jeff and Kristen!

Next blog - Destination D - Day 1 Morning!

We had a great turnout for our Disneyland Meet and Greet on the morning of September 4th. Lots of folks were in town for the Disneyland Half Marathon.

All Ears Fans came from all over the world including the UK!.

Please identify yourself by leaving a note in the comments! Thanks everyone!

Keep updated on future AllEars Meet and Greets at: http://allears.net/btp/teammeets.htm

We had a great turnout this morning for the Epcot Meet and Greet at the United Kingdom!

Folks came from all over the world: UK, Canada, and the US! West coast states including Arizona, California, and Oregon were represented too!

Two of the couples at the meet recently moved to Florida and not too far from WDW! Here are recent Floridians Sara and Doug.

Attendees were treated to AllEars Lanyards, highlighters, buttons and our brand new, very exclusive (thank you Barrie) AllEars Trading Cards #1-4!

Disney Dad Bernie, from the WDW Mom's Panel came to say hello!

One of our brand new Team AllEars - Running With Purpose members, MaryJean Kancel and her mom came -- Mary Jean I didn't get a photo of us!

You never know when magic will appear! Two lucky attendees won $10 Disney Dollars from AllEars!!

Hannah wore an original AllEars Lanyard!

Tiffany had a great Epcot tip that will appear in a future AllEars Weekly Newsletter!

Some folks from the Tagrel.com boards came as mystery guests :)

This is Clair from the UK who actually spotted me wandering around yesterday!

This is Deb, aka Glinda - one of the first people I met online some 16 years ago on Rec.Arts.Disney!

A few of us walked over to Morocco for lunch where we surprised Steve with his very own "Hidden Mickey"!

The meet was hosted by AllEars Team Members, Barrie Brewer, Steve Barrett and Deb

Thanks again everyone for a wonderful time!

Our Magic Kingdom meet on March 9th was to be a ride on the Liberty Belle, except it had a delayed opening of 11am. So, after some time meeting and chatting, we headed to the Haunted Mansion to visit the 999 Happy Haunts.

First, some Mix and Mingle.

Jack Spence, Caren Bachmann, Jeremy Marx

Rebecca Peluso, Laura Wickell, Julie Bachand, Dave Bell (far left with hat) and Betty Mercier next to Dave.

Jean, Amy Warren Stoll, Stephanie Mathias, Mike Bachand

Stephanie Mathias and grandson, and Deb. In the background, Larry Herman and Mike Bachand.

Here is our group photo before we rode the Haunted Mansion

Pictured Above: Deb Wills, Stephanie J. Mathias, Jack Spence, Debra Martin Koma, Laura Lochman Wickell, Rebecca Peluso, Julie Bachand, Caren Bachmann, Jeremy Marx, Amy Warren Stoll, Jeanine Yama, Michael Bachand, Dave Bell, Betty Mercier.

On our way to the Haunted Mansion!

Dave Bell, Betty Mercier, Stephanie Mathias, Mike Bachand, Debra Martin Koma, Julie Bachand

OOPS - Our group photo AFTER we rode the Haunted Mansion~! I hope no one was left behind......

AllEars® Team Members Debra Martin Koma, Deb Wills, Mike Bachand and Jack Spence

Thanks everyone for taking time out of your vacation to meet with us. If you wish to be identified, please let me know what photo you are in!

A Schedule of AllEars Meets can be found at: http://allears.net/btp/teammeets.htm

Friday morning was a great time to meet up with folks visiting Walt Disney World. We asked everyone to grab a FastPass for Soarin' and then come mingle with us in Sunshine Seasons at the Land. We were fortunate to grab a great location so hopefully everyone found us!

Steve Barrett, Jackie and Ron Callanan, Brenda and Glenda

Odean Lukow, Mike Dion, Cedric Ching, Jeremy Marx, Mike Scopa, Vickie Barrett

Vanessa Gordon, Mike Dion, Mike Scibetta, Cedric Ching

Jack Spence

Around 10am we got in the FastPass line for Soarin

Mike Scopa, Steve Barrett and Mike Bachand

Time to buckle up and Soar over California!

Odean Lukow

All Ears Team Members and Guest Bloggers: From Left to Right - Cedric Ching, Mike Dion, Deb Wills, Mike Bachand, Jack Spence, Mike Scopa and Steve Barrett

In this photo: Odean Lukow, Vanessa Gordon, Cedric Ching, Michelle Gates, Deb Wills, Jackie and Ron Callanan, Michael A. Scibetta, Jack Spence, Michael Bachand, Jeremy Marx, Mike Dion, Robin and Dave Stanley.

Thanks everyone for taking time out of your vacation to meet with us. If you wish to be identified, please let me know what photo you are in!

A Schedule of AllEars Meets can be found at: http://allears.net/btp/teammeets.htm

It was a cold and rainy morning at the Disney Hollywood Studios. Given the weather we were thrilled to see several folks come and visit with us.

Jean, Deb and friends

Casie and her children

ESPN 5K runners with their medals!

Matt and Marissa Hochberg

Jack Spence and Deb Wills

Thanks everyone for taking time out of your vacation to meet with us. If you wish to be identified, please let me know what photo you are in!

A Schedule of AllEars Meets can be found at: http://allears.net/btp/teammeets.htm

AllEars Meet and Greet
December 12, 2009

We'd like to thank everyone who attended the AllEars Meet and Greet on Saturday, December 12th. In addition to the opportunity to meet many of the AllEars team members, Steve Barrett organized a Hidden Disney Image Hunt as well.

AllEars members in attendance: Deb Wills, Linda Eckwerth, Erin Blackwell, Jack Marshall, Laura Gilbreath, Lee Zimmerman, Steve Barrett, Mike Bachand, Michelle Scribner-MacLean, Fred Block, Mike Scopa, Barrie Brewer, and Jack Spence.

Here are photos from the meet. Again, we thank everyone who visited with us and for all your kind words about AllEars. Happy Holidays!

Photographer Cathy Bock shares photos from the very first official AllEars Meet and Greet in Disneyland!

Thank you everyone for stopping by. We enjoyed meeting all of you!!!

We had a nice turnout for yesterday's meet at the Studios. Many folks just stopped by to say hello, grab a photo or two and headed back out. Several spent time chatting and having lunch together at the Backlot Express.

Special thanks to the lady that brought the Mardi Gras Beads from Port Orleans!
Thanks also to Matt Hochberg for being photographer!

Oh, if you are wondering why the photos have a blue tint to them, I forgot to change my light settings from Tungsten back to outdoors!

Friday May 8th a group of All Ears fans gathered as Jack Spence took us on a tour of Kidani Village. We had a great group of very friendly folks from as far away as Brazil!!!!

All Ears Team Members Jack Spence, Andrea (Anita Answer) McKenna, Linda Eckwerth, Mike (Dizney Mike) Bachand and myself were present. Linda is missing from the photo because she was taking the picture.

Jack showed us around Kidani Village lobby, animal viewing areas, the Library, Community Hall, Sanaa, and the pool area. Our room had just become available before the tour so we invited the group to see the One-bedroom Villa as well.

It was great meeting everyone! Hope you all had a wonderful time!

We've got more meets scheduled this month. Hope you can join us!

The weather was beautiful and we had a great turn out at the Meet and Greet at Animal Kingdom.

Matt Hochberg from WDWToday Podcast:

On the left, Jack Spence, AllEars Feature Writer and Blogger:

Special Offer - the first 5 folks to show up wearing an AllEars, Hat, Button or lanyard received a special gift! Here are the winning families and they each received $10 Disney Dollars.

I then asked Bri and Anna to come up and explained to folks they had a special role with Walt Disney World. I had an AllEars t-shirt for whoever knew who they were! Folks shouted out a few things and then someone said " Are they the moms?" And indeed, Bri and Anna are members of the special Disney World Mom's Panel, an online forum where you get personal answers to your questions about traveling to WDW and the Disney Cruise Line. Oh, and there is also a Disney Dad, a Disney Grandma and Moms from Canada (Bri) and the UK.

We had a few AllEars trivia questions and folks with the correct answer received either an AllEars hat or Tshirt.

Soon it was time for our group photo:

Thanks to Matt Pezzulo who I quickly volunteered to take photos of the Meet and Greet. Also thanks to Brenda helping distribute AllEars pins.

Special thanks to AllEars team members Jack Spence and Glo from Miami!

We spent lots of time chatting and getting to know each other and then realized the standby line for the Safari was 50 minutes. After a quick show of hands, we decided to head straight for the Flame Tree and grab lunch. About half the folks found their way to our area and we continued to chat with each other. It was a great afternoon.

It's been a while since we had an All Ears meet outside of MouseFest, so I decided to have one the weekend prior to Animal Kingdom's 10th Anniversary.

Let me digress just a bit. I flew in Saturday and stayed at the Dolphin. I had a wonderful room with a small balcony and view of Epcot's IllumiNations!!

Shortly after check-in, my Owner's Lockers were delivered! What did I ever do without them?!

I had a great breakfast before the meet at Fresh, with team member Linda Mac. Fresh is a Mediterranean inspired buffet on the first floor of the Dolphin. It serves Breakfast, Lunch and Starbucks coffee!!

For me, it's one of the best kept secrets in Disney. The food is made fresh, most of it to order and it doesn't have the frantic atmosphere of a Disney Resort eatery. Hence, I ate here actually 3 times during my stay.

As LindaMac and I entered Epcot and walked toward Future World, team member Jack Spence called on the phone to meet up. Right after we found Jack, we also found Elton - a Disney Dream Team Cast Member. With his great smile, I just had to take a photograph.

One of the things I typically forget to do at meets, is take a photo of the AllEars team. So this time, I made sure we did it as soon as everyone arrived. From left to right: Jack Spence, Deb Wills, Glo from Miami, and Linda Mac. (Thanks to the Cast Member who play photog)

Soon folks began to arrive. We had new AllEars buttons to hand out as well as hats to keep the sun out of your eyes. There were AllEars T-Shirts for the person who traveled the farthest (Illinois). And, oh yes, we had stickers too for all kids and coughadultscough in the group. It was a fantastic turnout!

Larger Image of Group Photo.

Here are meet photos of people arriving and headed into the attraction.....

...Loading into the Ride Vehicles for Journey into Your Imagination...

At the conclusion of the ride, many folks continued onto the second half of the meet, lunch in the Land at Sunshine Seasons.

On behalf of LindaMac, Jack, Glo and myself...thank you everyone for spending part of your vacation with us!!!