MESA REUNION Rally 2017

Nearly 150 Fantasy guests, Ambassadors and staff gathered early in April at Viewpoint RV & Golf Resort in Mesa, Arizona for five days of fun, parties, seminars and entertainment at the 2017 Mesa Reunion Rally. Fantasy’s Reunion Rallies differ from other Fantasy tours and rallies, which are usually geared around such events as Mardi Gras, the Rose Parade, Kentucky Derby, Calgary Stampede or some other destination for RV travel. The Reunion Rallies are a fun time for Fantasy WagonMasters and guests to mingle and share their travel experiences. It also gives Fantasy the opportunity to honor both new and returning customers.Rally goers started the event with a Get Acquainted Social, an evening of games and a plethora of introductions. On the first full day, the group loaded luxury coaches for a guided tour of the area, including stops at Goldfield Ghost Town, the Superstition Museum and Canyon Lake – followed by a lunch at the famous Organ Stop Pizza where a private organ concert was enjoyed by all. That

evening’s party was all about Super Heroes – guests wore costumes representing not just super heroes we see in comic books, but epitomizing their own personal super heroes, regardless of who that might be. Costumes ranged from Thomas Edison to a school teacher to a favorite Rally Master. The singles winner was Kent Vest, dressed as Captain America while Sonny and Carol Gillespie won the couples contest, dressed as Wild West sheriffs.Another fun evening was spent at Barleen’s Arizona Opry for a delicious meal and extraordinary entertainment. Magician Eric Gilliam, who was the Teen Magic Champion at the World Magic Convention

in Las Vegas, wowed the group with his masterful illusions. Later, guests took to the stage to perform in Fantasy’s Got Talent – with comedian Sonny Gillespie winning yet another Mesa Reunion event. During this week of fun, rally goers also played Getting to Know You bingo – each bingo card is filled with different destinations instead of the traditional numbers. Game participants collect signatures from other players who have traveled to those destinations – a great way to develop comradery and learn more about others’ travel experiences. There was also a golf putting competition, travelogues galore, craft classes (where guests decorated wine

glasses), seminars, door prizes and, in true Fantasy style, lots of good food throughout the event.But it wasn’t all about the fun and games. Rally goers paid tribute to Fantasy’s charity efforts for the Make-A-Wish Foundation, an organization which grants wishes to seriously ill children. Fantasy’s Founder and CEO, Nel Filliger, has had a personal connection with Make-A-Wish for several years. Sadly, her 11-year old grandson Dylan Prunty suffers from mitochondrial disease – a rare genetic disorder

in which Dylan’s cells do not create enough energy to sustain his body. As a result, he has spent more than half his life in the hospital, undergoing surgeries and suffering from pain. Dylan deals with his situation by building amazingly intricate Lego sets, and his wish to the Make-A-Wish Foundation was for a trip to Legoland. “Not only was Dylan able to make the trip”, says Nel, “but alongside a team of Lego engineers, they designed and built a replica of Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, complete with a helicopter pad,

cafeteria, operating room and even Dylan’s own room and a character of his favorite doctor.”At the Charity Auction, guests were able to bid on a number of beautifully wrapped mystery gift boxes, containing prizes donated by Fantasy. Fantasy matched the donations, and the end result was a gift of $13,950 to Make-A-Wish Arizona. ‘We are so grateful to everyone at Fantasy Creative Tours for supporting Arizona wish kids by raising more than $13,000 at the R.V. Reunion Rally event in Mesa,’ said Erin Mortensen, external events manager for Make-A-Wish Arizona. ‘Your gift will help our chapter reach more children with life-threatening medical conditions, bringing them hope and joy when they need it most!’Many of the guests attending the Rally had been on previous tours, while others had never attended a Fantasy event. But everyone had the opportunity to interact with one another throughout the week, as well as learn more about future trips from Fantasy staff and WagonMasters. At the final night’s Farewell Dinner Banquet,

Nel recognized several guests who had been on more than ten prior tours by presenting them with Fantasy Lifetime Member jackets. Those who had traveled with Fantasy more than 13 times received Fantasy Lifetime Member camping chairs.Fantasy is already looking forward to the 2018 Reunion Rally, which will be held on the other side of the country – in Urbanna, Virginia, one of the oldest towns in the United States. The Rally will take place

at Bethpage Camp-Resort, twice selected as the ‘best RV resort in America’. There are lots of fun activities planned, including a river cruise, a tour of Chesapeake Bay and, of course, the comradery of fellow Fantasy guests.

2018 REUNIONRALLY URBANNA