As I sat down to drink my whipped cream-laden hot chocolate at Disney’s Beaches and Cream, I could tell it was just the beginning of the sweetness I was about to experience at the Magical Families Mommy Meet Up.

Over a dozen rain-soaked mommies, two precious little girls and one grandma swam our way to the Beach Club Inn for one of the weekend’s most anticipated gatherings. Dads and other family members hung out with kiddos so we ladies could enjoy a little focused conversation. And boy did we!

As the ladies gathered, we chit chatted about awful weather and amazing ice cream. But once everybody settled in to our sweet treats, a sense of expectancy began to swell. “How about we have each lady share her adoption story?” someone suggested.

So for the next two hours, my heart was completely overwhelmed as I heard stories about the journey each lady took toward becoming mom to her beautiful child(ren). Stories of changed plans and infertility, midnight phone calls, special birth moms, trips to hospitals and trips to Taiwan.

I think we were in such a zone, we were oblivious to other people walking by. But as they did, they certainly learned all kinds of adoption-related terms, such as open adoption, transracial family, home study and bonding. They heard about fantastic organizations like Bethany Christian Services and The Home of God’s Love. And I’m certain they heard tons of laughter and saw many tears.

As we wrapped things up and headed back to enjoy Walt Disney World with the main characters in each of our stories – our families, a smile wrapped around my ears. I was so filled with encouragement and renewed by/grateful for our time together as ladies who became mommies in super special ways.

Lucky us.

After we all resigned ourselves to bad hair days and soggy jeans we made the best of it and still had fun. I was really impressed by everyone’s “just go with it” attitude.

At 5:00 p.m., my family made our way to Nine Dragons, the restaurant that is a part of the China pavilion, so we could greet the other families who also adopted from China or Taiwan. While we were gathering there another large group of families who all adopted domestically were arriving at Liberty Inn at the American Adventure pavilion for their Affinity Dinner. This was one of my most anticipated events of the weekend. It did not disappoint.

I wish I had my camera fixed on the servers (almost all from China) as all ten families came up to the hostess station. Their expressions were priceless. All the Disney Cast Members were very hospitable and we had a fantastic server at our table.

Almost a year ago, when we were planning this weekend, the Affinity Dinners were what really excited us. Just the thought of a group of adoptive families eating a meal together in countries all around Epcot’s World Showcase associated with where their children are from gave us goosebumps.

While we were eating a young woman from Korea (not part of our group) asked my wife if all these children were adopted. When she said yes the girl got a big smile on her face and said, “I’m adopted too!” You could tell she was really excited about the idea of a Magical Families weekend.

After dinner, we met up for an indoor dessert party. This was supposed to be outdoors next to the World Showcase Lagoon, with a preferred view of the IllumiNations fireworks but most of us decided we had had enough of the rain by that point. The dessert party was a great way to wrap up the day.

To be honest, when the rain started to pour and pour and pour, I think my wife and I were a little worried people weren’t going to have a good time at Magical Families and might regret making the trip. But as soon as I sat down with a plate of the Banana Pudding Trifle (Yum!) one family asked, “So when are we doing this again next year?!?”

If you couldn’t make it this year, we missed you. If Magical Families continues next year hopefully everything aligns and you will be able to join the fun. A survey has been sent to everyone on our mailing list and we would love to get your feedback as plans are made going forward.

On to the recap…Friday, Melissa, Janie and Wendy arrived early at Disney’s BoardWalk Inn to prepare for the arrival of the rest of the Magical Families. Also a million thanks goes out to Michelle Barrett and her wonderful team at Bethany Christian Services who donned the lime green shirts and greeted guests in the lobby and pointed them in the right direction! We met several families throughout the weekend who adopted with the help of Bethany Christian Services and all of them had nothing but the greatest experience. We are proud to have Bethany as a sponsor of Magical Families!

As families arrived and checked-in most made their way out to the Boardwalk for pizza and getting to know one another. It was moments like this that Magical Families was created for. Adoptive families from all over sitting in a beautiful setting and building friendships.

And then the sky opened.

The rain didn’t cancel the Dad’s Night Out at ESPN Club but it certainly stopped several dads from attending. Six dads made it though and were glad they did. For more about the Dad’s Night Out check out Matt Mehaffey’s blog.

Magical Families are people passionate about adoption. We have adopted, been adopted, or are planning to adopt – internationally or domestically – or we simply have a passion about children finding forever families.

We’re people who love getting together with other adoption advocates to support, encourage and celebrate the unique opportunities and challenges adoption brings.

If you consider yourself a Magical Family then this is YOUR community. Share ideas, post comments, ask questions.

The first Magical Families Gathering will be held October 7-9, 2011, at Walt Disney World in Orlando! If you aren’t able to attend this year, stay tuned for plans in the works for a possible next gathering in the Fall of 2012.

Imagine the thrill of experiencing Disney with families who share the incredibly special common bond of adoption. We’re anticipating friendships that will last a lifetime!

If you are participating in the weekend, here are all the details you need to know:

CHECK-IN

• On Friday night between 4 and 7 p.m., have someone from your family come to the lobby of the Boardwalk Inn. There you’ll find volunteers in bright green Magical Families t-shirts. They will tell you where to go to check in to get your goodie bag and schedule. From there, we’ll let you know where various families are meeting for dinner so you can go ahead and start connecting.
•  NOTE: If you cannot make it to Check-In, plan to pick up your welcome materials at any of the subsequent “official” Magical Families events.

T-SHIRTS: Plan to wear your shirt on SATURDAY!

• If you pre-ordered shirts, they will be available for pick-up at Check-In.
• A very limited number of extra shirts will be available for $8 each.

GUYS GATHERING: Fri., Oct. 7, 8 p.m. at ESPN Club

• All guys are welcome to this gathering featuring sports on the big screen and food of your choice. Each guy will pay his own tab.

MOMMY MEET-UP: Sat., Oct. 8, 2 p.m. at Beaches and Cream (at Beach Club Resort)

• All ladies are welcome to this girl-gathering featuring ice cream treats. Each lady will pay her own tab.

AFFINITY DINNERS: Sat., Oct. 8, 5 p.m.

• Share the unique connection with families who adopted similarly to you.
• Dinner for those who adopted from Asia will be at the China Pavilion.
• Those who adopted domestically will dine at the USA pavilion.
• We will add additional venues as families RSVP at Check-in.
• Each family will pay their own tab.

GROUP & FAMILY PHOTOS:

• Watch for details about a time for the whole Magical Families Group to gather at EPCOT to document this special time together. A photographer will also be available to capture your family’s photo.

ILLUMINATIONS: Sat., Oct. 8, 9:30 to 10:30 p.m.

• If you have pre-paid tickets for this special gathering, please plan to meet at the United Kingdom pavilion by 9:30 p.m.

QUESTIONS:

• magicalfamilies@gmail.com

This whole event started because a couple adoptive families thought it would be a lot of fun to take our kids to Disney World and celebrate our common bond of adoption. Now this event has grown to over 80 people! Wow!

We are so excited to meet you and celebrate this special weekend with such a special group of people.

Order today to buy these shirts at a great price of $4.50 each, thanks to a generous sponsorship from Bethany Christian Services of Orlando. After that, they’ll be $8 each and only available for purchase/pick-up during the event weekend.

• Shirts are lime green with black and white print, featuring the Magical Families and Bethany logos.
• Made with 100% pre-shrunk cotton.
• Sizes range from 2T to XXXL. (Note: the shirts are running a little large so order accordingly).
• Costs are $4.50 for sizes 2T-XL and $6.50 for sizes XXL & XXXL (plus EventBrite fees for online payment).
• Shirts will be available for pick up at the Friday night “Meet and Greet” at Boardwalk Inn.

Wear your shirt any time during the weekend, but especially on Saturday. We’ll look forward to seeing lime green shirted Magical Families walking around Epcot that day!

Click HERE to order your shirts today!

Questions? Email magicalfamilies@gmail.com.

By Friday we’ll confirm our number of participants for the IllumiNations Dessert Party AND we’ll order one goodie bag for every family that has CONFIRMED they are participating. So, if you want to make sure you get in on the action, do one or both of the following by this Wednesday, September 14:

• Buy your IllumiNations Dessert Party tickets. (Park admission to Epcot is required in addition to the event ticket.)
• Confirm you are participating in the Magical Families Weekend by registering on our Event Brite registration page.

Only 25 days until this magical gathering of adoptive families!

To celebrate the unique connection adoptive families have with their children’s countries of origin, the Magical Families Gathering will feature special Affinity Dinners on Saturday, Oct. 8, from 5 to 7 p.m.

Meet for dinner at one of the following pavilions and enjoy meeting and eating with other Magical Families. (Each family will pay their own tab.):

• Domestic Adoption: America Pavilion … Meet at Liberty Inn (counter service restaurant).
• Asia Adoption: China Pavilion … We have such a large number of families with this affinity that we went ahead and made reservations at Nine Dragons (table service restaurant) for this group.  Families wanting counter service can still gather at Lotus Blossom Cafe but we’ll have the reservations available in case there’s not enough room. 
• Central/South America Adoption: Mexico Pavilion … Meet at La Cantina de San Angel (counter service restaurant).
• Africa Adoption: Morocco Pavilion … Meet at Tangierine Cafe (counter service restaurant).
• Russia Adoption: Italy Pavilion … Meet at Via Napoli (table service restaurant).

Anybody attending who has adopted from an area not listed? We can add more! Contact us at magicalfamilies@gmail.com.

One thing I’m most excited about during the Magical Families Gathering at Walt Disney World is the Guys Only Event at the ESPN Club on Disney’s Boardwalk. If you’ve never been to the ESPN Club, think sports bar on steroids. A “guys event” simply can’t go wrong when you combine great food and drinks with dozens of flat screens showing post-season baseball.

So here’s how it will work … on Friday, October 7, sometime between 4 and 7, come by the Boardwalk Inn for the Magical Families meet and greet. Get your welcome stuff and meet other families. Then, around 8 p.m., send the family off to a Park or bed and make your way over to to ESPN Club (also at the Boardwalk) for a relaxing evening hanging out with the guys … and a plate of Macho Nachos.

This man night is not just for adoptive dads. It’s for any guy who is a big fan of adoption and taking part in the Magical Families weekend.

And don’t worry moms, you have your time too. Check out Melissa’s previous post about the Mommy Meet-Up on Saturday afternoon.

Matt Mehaffey is one of the Magical Families Weekend coordinators. You can read more about his adoption journey at www.daddymatt.com. Read more about the ESPN Club.