By Carol Gifford

Watching professional athletes in action is exhilarating.  Meeting and talking to them in person is even more exhilarating. Fans now have a chance to do both.

Jersey-wearing, football-toting Carolina Panther fans can cheer on for the team during the season and then hang out, kick back and relax with players after the season on a newly created trip to Walt Disney World.

(AAA-sponsored Panther fan cruises were held the previously; for 2009 fans, players and Disney characters get a chance to play together.)

“You get to know the players as more than just football players, you get to know them as people,” said Jeff Falls from Grover, N.C. He and his wife, Kathy, have attended three Panther fan cruises to meet the players and vacation without their three children.
“We enjoyed it thoroughly. How many times do I get to get out there and compete against an NFL player – even if it’s just in a dodge ball tournament,” said Falls.

He said both fans and participants enjoyed last year’s dodge ball games, “well, maybe everyone except the man sitting on the upper deck who got hit by a ball thrown by a Panthers player that chipped his tooth.”

The AAA Carolinas’ Panthers Fan Trip is set for Feb. 26 to March 2, 2009 in Orlando, Fla. Seats are limited. Pricing is based on a choice of three resort lodgings: the Beach Club, Port Orleans – French Quarters, or the All-Star Movies, and includes five-day tickets to all four Disney World theme parks.

“When you first meet them, you’re star struck,” said Janine Splawn from Hendersonville, who has attended the last two Panther fan trips with her husband, David, and young son, Camden, 7, “but by the end of the trip, you’re not afraid to go up and talk to the Panther players.

TALKING FOOTBALL
Talk football with the Panthers. Find out how they prepare for games, scout and interact with opposing teams, execute plays and relax afterwards. Ask about the season’s defining plays – and, hopefully – the playoffs.

“We saw the players everywhere,” said Kathy Falls, “They were out by the pool, they were in the bar, eating at the restaurants or in the casino, and they always seemed excited to see us and were receptive to any questions.”

WHO ARE THE PLAYERS?
Panther teammates scheduled to appear include:  Jason Baker, punter; Jake Delhomme, quarterback; Jordan Gross, tackle; Chris Harris, safety; Brad Hoover, fullback Jeff King, safety, and Damione Lewis, defensive tackle.

“I love the Panthers, I’ve only missed one game since the team came here, and that’s because I was in the hospital,” said Ray Baker from Clover, S.C., who has season tickets with his brother Jim. The two went on the last three fan trips together. “We see them in the stadium with their game day faces on, but on the trips they talk to you like a normal person.”

Exclusive park events with the Panthers football players include an autograph signing session and questions and answers with the players at the Animal Kingdom Park, a player “chalk talk” breakfast in a private pavilion at Epcot’s World Showcase and fan farewell pirate beach party at Shipwreck Beach.

“Of course it’s always fun to get autographs,” said Splawn, who added the fans looked forward to the special Panther surprises from AAA Carolinas each day, items that could be autographed.

“Jason Baker is a great role model and really nice to my son,” she said. “Once when they were on stage, he put my son Camden in his jersey and had him up there answering questions.”

Photos from last year’s Panther fan trips, including one of Camden Splawn wearing Jason Baker’s jersey, are posted on the Panthers’ web site. When they returned home, said Splawn, Baker sent a jersey with his number on it to Camden.

FOUR DISNEY PARKS
Visiting the four theme parks is a good vacation any time, according to Gene Merritt from Wilmington who has been to Disney World about 20 times.

“I eat, drink and sleep Disney,” said Merritt, who took a three-generation family vacation, organized by AAA Carolinas in May. “Once you go to Disney, going anywhere else is a disappointment.”

Merritt has been going to Disney World on vacation for the past 40 years, and said whenever he asks his family where they want to go on vacation, they choose Disney because “there’s always something new, and it’s so nice and clean and well-maintained.”

He is also a Panther’s fan.

Durham residents Sha Brooks, who recently turned 50, spent her milestone birthday at Disney World, and her daughter, Caitlin, 16, who chose to take a Walt Disney cruise for her 16th birthday, said Disney World is their vacation destination of choice. They like the rides, especially Splash Mountain, Space Mountain, Expedition Everest and the Rockin’ Rollercoaster.

 “The money I spend there is well worth it because Disney always delivers,” said Sha. “You get to leave reality behind and go to a magical place. It just puts us in the best mood; we’re laughing all the time.”