Our Cast Members

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Fred Block
Founder and Senior Event Coordinator

Fred was born and raised in New Jersey. He works in Telecommunications and is also a part time technology consultant. His wife Renee and daughters Julia and Hailey visit Walt Disney World several times a year and are very active in the Disney community.

When asked why he coordinates the event each year he says, "We sit at our computers and 'talk' to each other via online communities, chat rooms, and blogs almost daily, but this is the time and place where people can really get to know each other. It's all quite magical, really."

"This event is designed to sprinkle pixie dust on Disney fans in every way," Block says, "enough to hold them over until their next trip to Walt Disney World." MagicMeets has become a very popular billing for Disney Fans in the North East and has sold out 3 years in a row. This year, the event sold out to 550+ people in just 38 hours.

John M. Leary
Assistant Event Coordinator and "Creative Guy"

John has been a die-hard Disney fan since first visiting Walt Disney World when he was 8. Fascinated by the magic of Disney music, animation, and entertainment, John persued a career in graphic design and is currently a Senior Art Director at a large advertising agency on Long Island. He and his wife, Suzanne, enjoy getting away to 'The World' as often as possible.

"To me, creativity begins with curiosity and enthusiasm. It's being able to pull from as many influences as possible to produce something unique. And you find out that you can create extraordinary things."

In addition to his visual talents, John is also an accomplished pianist, gardener, neatnik, vegetarian and enjoys collecting View-Masters.

Colleen Jurkowitsch
Staff Coordinator

Coleen is a Disney-loving wife, and mother of two. She's been coming to the meets since the beginning in 2004. Her first year was strictly as an attendee. In her second year, Fred had expanded the size and location of the meet and was obviously in severe need of assistance - so she jumped right in. Photography is her fortee, and organization is her skill.

Laura Eckert Thompson
MagicMeets Correspondent

Laura Eckert Thompson — “DoomBuggyBabe” in various Disney fan communities — is a writer, editor and dyed-in-the wool Disney Geek. Born and raised in Berks County, Pa., she made her first trip to WDW for her eighth birthday on Halloween 1978. Since then, she’s made nine other trips to the House of Mouse, and, as always, can’t wait for it to be time to go again. She currently resides in Mount Joy, Pa., a Lancaster suburb, with her husband Brian, a fellow MagicMeets volunteer who actively encourages her Disney fixation.

"Hands down, the best thing (about MagicMeets) is the interaction with other Disney fans. Over the last two years we’ve met an astonishing number of fun people there. The spirit of good will and camaraderie permeates everything."

Cindy Garfinkel
Hersheypark Meet Coordinator

Cindy lives in New Cumberland, PA, just minutes from the MagicMeets site. She is a full time child grief specialist for a children's bereavement program and the wife of a self-proclaimed Disney Geek (who is also a MagicMeets volunteer) and the mother of a 4 year old daughter who is being brought up to love all things Disney.

Cindy took her first trip to Disney World at age 16 and has been there every year since. She and her family now travel to Disney World several times a year and have been there 30+ times. Cindy is a DVC members and an annual passholder to both Disney World, and locally at Hersheypark. Cindy plans and coordinates the MagicMeets Hersheypark meet.