Disney World trip beyond expectations

When I learned I was going to Walt Disney World for the third time, I was beyond excited. I never dreamed the trip would include a brief concert by Eva Avila -- Canadian Idol winner 2006 --and a chance for me to meet her and chat with her afterward

But that's exactly what happened when I attended the October grand re-opening of the Canada Pavilion in Disney's Epcot theme park. In Epcot one of the main attractions is the World Showcase, which is Disney's version of Folklorama, except about a million times bigger.

During the grand re-opening ceremonies Eva Avila performed her song My Canada, which was featured in the new Canada video.

Part way through the song she was joined on stage by Minnie and Mickey Mouse. She later told me she was so surprised when they joined her, that she almost stopped singing! It just goes to show the power of Disney, when someone who has been through every round of Canadian Idol can get flustered by the presence of Mickey Mouse.

Later that night, while attending an invitation-only dinner party in Epcot, I spotted Eva among the other guests, chatting and proudly sporting a new Mickey Mouse T-shirt. Angela Saclamacis, a.k.a. amazingly nice Canadian Disney rep, asked if I would like to meet Eva. Trying to look calm, but failing miserably, I said I would love to. And so, that is how I came to find myself chatting with Eva, showing her the pictures I had taken that day and having my picture taken with her. Eva didn't have a lot of time, but she gave it happily to meet me. There were no cameras rolling, and no audience. There was no reason for her to be nice to me other than that she is a truly sweet individual.

While meeting Eva Avila is an amazing memory, an even better memory is what a wonderful person she turned out to be.

Beverley Lunney is a student at Ecole Seven Oaks Middle School

source: http://winnipegsun.com/Entertainment/SceneTeen/2007/11/20/4669872-sun.html

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