A Long Island, New York family has won a trip for 50 to the Walt Disney World Resort in Visit Orlando’s “Most Magical Gathering” Contest. Jennifer Young of Bayport, New York, got the exciting news that she had won the trip of a lifetime for herself and 49 of her closest family members and friends.
According to VisitOrlando.com, the grand prize trip includes so much more than just a couple of days at Disney with the family:
“The grand prize celebration for 50 people includes a three-night, four-day stay at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, two private catered group celebrations produced by a Disney event specialist from Disney Meetings & Events and theme park tickets. In early March, Young and her family will celebrate three special events – a shared 50th birthday party with her husband and her parents’ 50th wedding anniversary – and will be visiting during the 50th anniversary celebration at Walt Disney World Resort. The contest prize also includes roundtrip airfare to Orlando provided by Spirit Airlines.”
“It’s been such a long time since all of us have been in the same place at the same time and we’re looking forward to having a lot of fun together,” Jennifer said. “There is a lot to celebrate!”
Jennifer Young submitted a story about her amazing circle of family and friends who consider themselves a pretty tight-knit bunch. In the story, Jennifer says that they believe laughing together makes life so much better. Her story also described the impact that the global pandemic has had on her and her family and friends personally. Jennifer chose to enter the contest because she hoped that she could win and then share the amazing prize with that close-knit group to make up for time lost due to the pandemic.
When it came to milestones, Jennifer mentioned that she and her husband would be celebrating their 50th birthdays (just like Disney World), and her parents were celebrating 50 years of wedded bliss. But that’s not all.
Jennifer’s mother-in-law is celebrating her 80th birthday, and other family members’ celebrations included special events like high school graduations, college graduations, and even a sweet 16th.
Jennifer and her family were surprised with the news that she was the grand prize winner in a Zoom call last month. Representatives from Visit Orlando, Walt Disney World, and Spirit Airlines were online for the call and made the announcement to the family. Upon hearing the news, those members of Jennifer’s circle who participated in the Zoom call began cheering, clapping, and crying tears of joy–and they were spread out between New York, Delaware, and South Carolina.
“We are thrilled to welcome the Young family to our destination this spring and help them celebrate some huge milestones events with their beloved friends and family members,” said Casandra Matej, President and CEO of Visit Orlando. “There’s no better place than Orlando for Jennifer and her family to finally reunite, enjoy magical experiences, and create incredible memories they will cherish for a lifetime.”
Maryann Smith, Vice President of Sales, Services, and Events at Disney Destinations was on hand for the call as well.
“What a joy to get to host Jennifer and her family at Walt Disney World Resort during our magical 50th anniversary celebration,” Smith said. “Memories are made here every day, and we can’t wait to see what magical memories Jennifer’s family makes and brings home.”
The contest was first announced in October 2021 at the beginning of the World’s Most Magical Celebration at Disney World. Contestants were asked to do the following:
- Write and submit a story in 250 words or less, about why they and their loved ones needed a Magical Gathering, including what milestones they’d be celebrating.
- Submit the story with a family photo
- Send in submissions no later than November 29, 2021.
Once top finalists were chosen, they were then asked to submit a two-minute video, describing why their family deserved a Magical Gathering at Disney World.
Surely for Jennifer and her entire circle of family and friends, “magical” doesn’t even begin to describe the trip of a lifetime they’re about to enjoy! Congratulations to them all!
