A local homeschooler, identified as Zoe P., 15 of the Mountain Communities, was surprised to learn that hers was the winning entry chosen by filmmakers of DisneyToon Studios for a fairy house design contest associated with the new “Tinker Bell and the Great Fairy Rescue” DVD film to be released this fall.

Zoe and her family were flown to Florida last week where she worked with Disney personnel to build her design, then met the film’s producer, director and writer. Here’s Zoe’s account of the events:

Learning that I had won a trip to Walt Disney World was a dream come true.

As I rushed to the post office so my entry to the PixieHollow.com “Design a Fairy House Contest” would be postmarked by the deadline, I never thought I would win.

Upon returning home from voice class on March 4, we were all in shock to hear the message on the answering machine that I had won! We replayed it several times before returning the phone call.

My trip to Walt Disney World was amazing. We got to see the absolutely gorgeous countries in the Epcot Theme Park with all its thorough details; Animal Kingdom in its fanciful, unique “off the beaten path” way that leaves you wondering what’s around the next corner; Disney’s Hollywood Studios, formerly MGM Studios, which was similar to the Hollywood backlot in California Adventure; and The Magic Kingdom, which is reminiscent of Disneyland, on a larger scale.

I also got to participate in special events, including working with the horticulture team to bring my fairy house design to life and a ceremony in honor of my winning design.

By far my favorite part of the entire trip had to be all the wonderful people I met. The Disney cast members whom I spent much of my time with were extremely nice and helpful, especially when I was in front of the camera.

I was even given the opportunity to meet with two Imagineers. I met a marvelous sculptor who has developed her own mix of clay for sculpting all the maquettes she makes, and a man who has been involved with television and ride development.

This entire trip was truly amazing and a source of insight, as my dream is to one day become an animator or a conceptual artist for Disney.

This is part of the April 16, 2010 online edition of The Mountain Enterprise.

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