Pfancook Experience - 2025

✨ The Story✨

Some stories stay with you forever, they shape who we are, why we do what we do, and how we see the world. Stephanie’s story is one of them.

In April of 2023, Stephanie, a devoted mom of three beautiful girls, wife to her husband Matt, and a woman who lived life with energy and kindness, woke up with severe abdominal pain. Stephanie was tough, rarely complained, and had always been the strong one. But that morning changed everything.

After multiple tests, she was diagnosed with Stage IV colon cancer, a battle she never expected to face. True to who she was, at just 38 years old, Stephanie fought with everything she had, courage, faith, laughter, and love. She continued to coach her daughters, smile through pain, and fill every room she entered with warmth and hope.

Even through surgeries, chemotherapy, and endless hospital visits, Stephanie’s spirit never dimmed. She found ways to dance, laugh, and make memories, even during the hardest days. 

In December 2023, Stephanie gained her wings. 💛 Though she’s no longer here physically, her impact continues to shine through everyone who knew her, especially through her family and the Light & Love Memorial Fund, created in her honor. 

Stephanie embodied everything Hardship Heroes stands for, strength in the face of hardship and light in the darkest times.

✨ The Experience✨

How can I even begin to describe how truly magical this special Disney Experience was? The weather was picture perfect, the sun shining gently through the clouds as if even the sky knew something special was waiting. The girls arrived to find a scene straight out of a fairytale! The air was filled with pure excitement and a touch of pixie dust. All three girls had their hair and makeup done and slipped into the most stunning custom dresses, designed by the girls themselves! We secretly got our hands on their beautiful dream dresses that they drew! The look on their faces as they saw their visions come to life was priceless. The girls’ smiles stretched from ear to ear, the pure joy, the pure magic. Not one thing went wrong, it was as if the day itself was magically enchanted!

Everywhere you turned, there was something extraordinary, from our very own Haunted Mansion inspired décor to a magical Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique experience designed just for them!  A DJ kept the atmosphere alive with music that had everyone smiling and dancing, and every detail, every ribbon, sparkle, and sound,  was pure enchantment.

The Cinderella carriage sparkled in the sunlight, waiting just for them, while Disney-inspired characters filled the air with laughter, hugs, and performances that made the magic feel so real.every single detail was absolutely exquisite!

To honor their mother Stephanie, who had such a deep love for all things Christmas, the girls also got to create their own Christmas village houses, a heartfelt, beautiful nod to their moms favorite tradition. It was emotional, meaningful, and truly special to see her spirit woven into the magic of the day.

And as the sun set, the evening transitioned into a dreamy fairytale movie night. The lights twinkled softly, candy and sweet treats lined the tables, and the girls cozied up with crisp white bedding, fuzzy socks, and silky pajamas. It was the perfect ending to a day that felt like a wish come true! A day filled with love, laughter, and moments that will hopefully live in their hearts forever! Thank you to the Pfancook family and their friends for being so much fun and for allowing us to share your story, celebrate your family and remember your matriarch Stephanie! 

✨ The Thank You's✨

There are no words big enough to express how truly grateful I am to everyone who helped bring this Disney Experience to life. What started as a dream turned into a day filled with laughter, joy, and pure magic, all because of the love, generosity, and hard work of so many incredible people.

A special thank you to Steph’s friends, her chosen family, Rita, Nadine, and Cheryl. You were there from the very beginning, helping to shape this dream into the unforgettable day it became. You helped nail down exactly what kind of experience we were gifting, and your heartfelt input meant the world. Including Steph and Matt’s oldest daughter, Alanna, in the planning process was one of the best decisions we made. She was an incredible part of our Disney planning team,  full of insight and excitement.  It made me feel deeply connected to her family as we brought this magical vision to life.

A huge thank you goes out to Ashley Clayton, our amazing photographer, for not only capturing the most magical moments of the day but also jumping in behind the scenes. From helping decorate, to making quick important decisions in the final moments when stress was high, Ashley is truly one of a kind. I am so thankful for her steady hand, creative eye, and endless support.

To DJ Clubd Sanchez, thank you for donating your time and incredible skill to keep the energy high and everyone entertained throughout the event.  We couldn’t have done it without your music filling the air.

To our amazing volunteers, Kelly Gillow, Erica Grant, and Lauren Enderes,  I can’t thank you enough. You were my saving grace when time was running out and decorations were still halfway done. Every time you asked, “What can I do?” I handed you something random, and without hesitation, you made it happen. A special thank you to Erica, who quite literally spent her entire day on a ladder bringing the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique drapes to life. (and they turned out stunning.) I am forever grateful.

Thank you to my mom, who spent months perfecting the most adorable Mickey shaped soft pretzels they were a total hit and made with so much love. To Signature Balloons, thank you for helping beautify our fairytale setting with your creative touch. To my husband, thank you for always being my forever sherpa, hauling, lifting, and doing all the behind the scenes heavy lifting to make this possible.

To my daughter, Lennon, thank you for being my little hype girl and creative partner through it all. You were my sounding board for every idea. From the custom dresses to the tiniest details, your excitement kept me going. Hearing you say, “Omg, they are going to love that!” or “That looks so good, Mom!” gave me the confidence to keep creating magic.

A big thank you to everyone who made last minute donations of candy, blankets, and special touches that made the day even more magical. Those small gestures truly made a big difference.

A big big thank you goes to Magic Hour Character Company, who brought this entire Disney experience to life. You went above and beyond with seven absolutely stunning characters who donated their time to make this day unforgettable for three amazing little girls. The dresses looked like they came straight from the parks, and each character had something special to offer, from Tiana’s breathtaking voice to Ana’s heartwarming personality. You were simply incredible, 10/10 highly recommend!

Finally, thank you to Running Springs Farm, our generous Contribution Sponsor, for traveling over an hour to make this dream come true! Your Cinderella carriage was the centerpiece of the evening, a vision straight out of a storybook! And you stayed until every single person got to take a magical sunset ride. You made this night one to remember forever.

To every single person who had a hand in this, whether through time, talent, or heart,  thank you. You didn’t just help us create an event. You helped create memories that will hopefully live in the hearts of these girls forever!