Amanda Panda
Amanda Miranda Panda manages the Wish Factory. She is also the host of the Wheel of Wishes and Token Balloon Darts. She has also made an appearance in a W Tales Book and has many items based on her. She is 16.
According to Plumpy, Amanda's favorite job at the Employment Office is Ms. Birdy's Assistant. Amanda also has four siblings: Peter Panda, Penny Panda, Patrick Panda, and Polly Panda.
Description
She is described as: "Amanda is a city panda at heart, but she and her family moved to Kinzville after her dad switched jobs. Amanda had a really hard time adjusting and making friends, even though her four younger siblings (especially her 10-year-old sister Polly) did quite well. Eventually, Amanda met Kimmy and things started to look up. Amanda is very artistic, into fashion, and a little self-absorbed. Her family is relatively strict, and her parents aren’t thrilled about her rebellious side. Her siblings love her and look up to her, but sometimes wish she wasn’t such a drama queen."
Biography
Amanda and her family had previously lived in the Big City, before moving to Kinzville when her father switched jobs. Her experience between after the move and before working at the Wish Factory is detailed in the Kinzville Times W-Tales article "Amanda Panda's Journey Home"[1], which is no longer available to read in full. Below is a summary of the tale.
After living in Kinzville for a year, her father had been called by his boss to return to the Big City for work. Amanda was thrilled, contrary to her saddened siblings. Later, after school, she had come home to begin packing, unaware that her father's boss was convinced to let the family stay in Kinzville. After hearing of the new arrangement, Amanda became incredibly angry and upset, causing her to make up her mind to run away and move to the Big City by herself.
Unfortunately, she never learned how to navigate Kinzville, and became tired and hungry after quickly getting lost. Kimmy Koala, a classmate, calls for her from afar, scaring Amanda and causing her to trip over the curb. Kimmy helps her up and learns of Amanda's plan, and decides to show Amanda how great Kinzville can be to convince her to stay. They visit the Curio Shop, the Webkinz Stadium, the Arcade, Le Snout, and finally the Magical Forest to watch a late-night fairy dance.
Amanda realizes what she's missed out on, and makes her decision to stay and go home. Her family, who had been searching for her all day (except Polly, who stayed home), returns home. The tale ends with the family embracing each other and Amanda promising to stay.
Polly Panda had contributed to the Tour of Webkinz World blog series by writing a report on the Wish Factory.[2] Within the report describes the history of the factory and how Amanda came to run it:
The Wish Machine was created by Goober, who wished to put to use the Wish Tokens that pets around Webkinz World were collecting. He began running it to grant pets' wishes, though it had become time consuming and kept him away from the lab. Around the same time, Amanda was searching for a job, and acquired assistance from Tabitha Von Meow. Knowing Goober's predicament concerning the factory, Tabby set up a meeting between him and Amanda, which led to Goober agreeing to let Amanda gain ownership of the Wish Factory.
Amanda became happy granting pets' wishes, thoroughly enjoying her job. Much later, Goober visited the factory and gave Amanda a crystal ball. The crystal ball currently functions as the Wish of the Day.
In 2016, Amanda ran for Kinzville Mayor in the Webkinz Votes 2016 Election.[3] She came in second place, right after Dr. Quack.[4]
Camp St. Bernard
As a kid, Amanda would attend Camp St. Bernard, a summer camp. When she first attended, she had a bad first few days there and was incredibly miserable and homesick. Though, late one night, PJ Collie (who was also attending) was able to make her feel better by hanging out with her all night and bringing in a bag of marshmallows to eat. Despite ending up in the infirmary from eating too many, she learned to love the camp.[5]
When Amanda got older, she became a counselor for the camp and is known for comforting kids who attend there. She especially helped her sister Polly and Roberta Rabbit with their troubles one summer.[6]Amanda also helps out with games and activities just like the other counselors, and especially likes leading indoor activities on rainy days. [7]
Books
Amanda Panda can be found in the following books:
- Amanda Panda's Journey Home
Webkinz Host Friends
The first time a new Webkinz World member makes a Wish of the Day in the Wish Factory. the member will receive a request to become friends with Amanda Panda. Even if they select "no", Webkinz members can later send a friend request to "Amanda Panda" to invite her to be their friend. Players who send a Webkinz World letter or package to Amanda Panda will occasionally get a letter or even a gift in return from her.
Trivia
- Amanda was included as a result in the "Host Quiz" posted by Sally Webkinz[8], which gives a few tid-bits about her:
- Her favorite color is purple.
- Her favorite food are cheese platters.
- She dislikes cleaning her room.
- She likes to go shopping at the mall.
- Her favorite school subject is art.
- Her favorite music is pop.
- Her other hobbies include cooking, crafting, and being active.
- She has made multiple posts on Webkinz Newz about party ideas, including a pool party[9], sleepover[10], movie night[11], picnic<[12], and tea party.[13]
- She went hot air ballooning and hang gliding.[14][15]
- Her basement was redone by Hailey and Elwin.[16]