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3rd Annual Florida Convention Update - 8/9/08

8/10/2008 3:50 PM EST

Become a Florida Adventurer!

Florida Adventurer the 3rd Annual NFFC Florida Convention takes place soon at the Regal Sun Resort (formerly the Grosvenor Resort Walt Disney World) at Lake Buena Vista, Florida. The dates are October 3rd through October 5th, 2008.

In case you haven't heard, Pleasure Island, Downtown Disney's nightlife fun spot at the Walt Disney World Resort, will be closing the week before the NFFC Florida Convention. Included among the clubs and restaurants set to be shuttered is the very popular Adventurer's Club, which just happens to be the location of the convention's closing night dinner party.

Fear not, the Walt Disney Company is honoring its commitment to the NFFC. This means attendees at this year's 3rd Annual NFFC Florida Convention will be among the last—maybe even the very last—Disneyana fans that get to experience this truly one-of-a kind Disney  venue.

Join the fun as the NFFC, the place for Disneyana enthusiasts, bids a fond farewell to the Adventurer's Club. It promises to be a full evening featuring a buffet dinner, one of a kind in-depth tour of the Adventurer's Club, and some very special entertainment, especially designed for the Florida Adventurer.

Participation limited to the first 200 attendees on a first come first serve basis.

Just For You!

If being among the last to visit the fabled Adventurer's Club isn't enough for you fret not. There's plenty more to see and do at this year's 3rd Annual NFFC Florida Convention just for NFFC members.

What's as large as seven football fields, located at Walt Disney World, and not offered to the general public on any backstage tour? 

The Walt Disney World Merchandise Warehouse, the facility that receives everything from one-of-a kind collectables to thousands of "souvinears" for distribution throughout a network of more than 300 merchandise outlets around the vast Walt Disney World Resort.

Scheduled for Friday October 3, the first day of the 3rd Annual NFFC Florida Convention, the tour of the Walt Disney World Merchandise Warehouse is an exclusive NFFC members' only event.

Participation limited to the first 65 attendees on a first come first serve basis.

Part of Their World!

As part of an ongoing commitment to the arts and children and families in need the NFFC is pleased and proud to announce that this year's Part of Their World Dinner and Collector's Auction will be held in partnership with Give Kids The World, a non-profit organization dedicated to fulfilling the wishes of children with life-threatening illnesses who dream of visiting Florida theme parks.

The Part of Their World Dinner takes place the evening of Friday, October 3. Each table at the dinner will feature a Disney Legend or VIP guest host. The conversation will be lively and tales from the Disney career experiences of these very special individuals are not to be missed.

Following the dinner there will be a silent live auction of some remarkable donated items sure to tempt even the most discriminating Disneyana collector. Proceeds from the Part of Their World Dinner and auctions go towards helping the NFFC achieve its goal of raising funds to help sponsor a new villa at the Give Kinds the World Village.

Seating at each table is limited so now's the time to ensure you can take part in this once in a lifetime experience while at the same time helping out Give Kids The World with their awe-inspiring work.

This year's Part of Their World Dinner guest list is in the final planning stages. Be sure to keep checking in at www.nffc.org and future issues of the Fantasyline Express for more details.

Come Saturday Morning!

The English call it "fancy dress," we call it "Florida Adventurer's garb." Everyone attending the Saturday October 4 seminars is encouraged to don their favorite adventurer's attire.

This year's seminars will be held in the conference rooms of the Regal Sun Resort. Among those scheduled to appear are; Veteran Disney animator, producer and new NFFC Disney Legend, Joe Hale, actor Iake Eissinmann, one of the two young stars of Escape to Witch Mountain and Return from Witch Mountain. Eissinmann played Tony Malone, a role he'll reprise as an adult in the upcoming "re-imagining" of Walt Disney Pictures Race to Witch Mountain.

Additionally, Gary Sohmers will host a panel of experts talking about the life, legacy and artwork of Disney and NFFC Legend Ralph Kent. Gary Sohmers appears as an appraiser in Collectibles, Memorabilia and Toys on the PBS television program Antiques Roadshow.

Immediately following the panel discussion will be your chance to bid on items from Ralph's estate as Gary Sohmers auctions off some of Ralph's unique artworks. Proceeds from the auction will benefit the Ralph Kent estate.

A Legendary Luncheon!

Saturday also marks the date for this year's annual NFFC Lunch with the Legends. At each of the organizations two national conventions the NFFC honors those who have made an outstanding contribution to the ongoing magic and success of the Walt Disney Company.
The 3rd Annual NFFC Florida Convention will honor four new NFFC Disney Legends:
Jess Rubio—A Disney character artist who knew Walt and developed the character drawing programs at Disneyland and Walt Disney World.
Gretta Verity—Who began her career as a Disneyland tour guide and went on to develop the "Disney Look" for theme park cast members. She also worked in Walt Disney World's costuming department and was part of the ambassador program.
Phil Smith—The man behind the land. As an attorney for Walt and Roy he managed the purchase of "the Florida property." He also worked as part of the legal department during the construction and first years of operation of Walt Disney World.
Hank Daines (posthumously)—A decorator and designer who worked closely with and for Lillian and Walt Disney and Emile Kuri. Accepting on Hank's behalf will be his son Joe, who will share many of his dad's experiences from Hank's rich career as a decorator of Walt and Lillian's home, Disneyland and Walt Disney World.

Giant All Disneyana Show and Sale!

Sunday! Sunday! Sunday! The Regal Sun Resort becomes the place to be for Disneyana collectors, autograph seekers, and the just plain Disney crazed, as Disneyana memorabilia vendors and dealers from all over the country exhibit their wares along with several very well known authors signing their Disney related books.
The 3rd Annual NFFC Florida Convention and Giant All Disneyana Show and Sale is open to the public; however, convention attendees and NFFC members get first crack at everything. Doors open at 9:00 a.m. for registered convention attendees, 10:00 a.m. for NFFC members and at 11:00 a.m. the Giant All Disneyana Show and Sale opens to the public.
Speakers and special presentations take place throughout the day. The Giant All Disneyana Show and Sale ends at 5:00 p.m. Don't miss it.
Disneyana to Treasure: Is it time to thin out your collection of Disneyana memorabilia? Now's your chance to become a Giant All Disneyana Show and Sale vendor. There are still a few vendor tables available for this year's Show and Sale. Why not take advantage of this great opportunity to reduce your collection, make some money, and have a lot of fun at the same time. Go to NFFC Florida Vendor Registration and sign up today.

One Last Thing!

At the conclusion of the 3rd Annual NFFC Florida Convention and Giant All Disneyana Show and Sale, the World Chapter, the convention host chapter, will host a special meeting at the Regal Sun Resort.

Sound Like Fun?

What a way to spend a sunny October weekend! Plan now to join in on the fun. Register today for the 3rd Annual NFFC Florida Convention, Florida Adventurer. There's a registration form included with the July/August issue of the Fantasyline Express. There's also a copy of the form available for download on the NFFC website, check it out.

Save Some Dough!

Safari Package Registration, for the 3rd Annual NFFC Florida Convention is only $375 between now and August 28, it goes up to $400 after that.

The Safari Package includes:

·       Behind the scenes Warehouse Tour (limit 65) or alternate tour TBD

·       Friday boxed lunch

·       Part of Their World Dinner – to benefit Give Kids The World

·       All seminars

·       Lunch with NFFC Disney Legends

·       The Adventurer's Club dinner (limit 200)

·       Room Hopping

·       Two hour Show and Sale early admission

·       NFFC commemorative gift

The Regal Sun Resort is offering NFFC members attending the convention a special room rate of $109 per night, plus tax. Reservations can be made by calling the resort at (800) 624-4109, be sure to mention the NFFC, or you won't get your deal. Additionally, please indicate on your registration form your plans to stay at the Regal Sun Resort during the convention.

For up to the minute information about the 3rd Annual NFFC Florida Convention and events, please visit www.nffc.org or contact convention co-chair Mike Tuchman at (863)427-2858.
Until next time, Kungaloosh!





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