How did you find the DIS?

[IHeartTink04]

Bob's passing has made me appreciate and love the DIS even more. I am so happy and proud to be a part of this community. I can't believe that I just stumbled upon the site one day and now it is something that I love and care for and spend so much time on. It is a great way to spend my time!

So how did I find the DIS? I was doing an internship at a company that basically couldn't find anything for me to do daily so I just started to do what I used to do occasionally and that was search recent news about Disney World. So basically I was bored at work with absolutely nothing to do and I Google searched "Walt Disney World" news and somehow I ended up here and I have never left since. It was such a great thing to waste the time at that internship. I remember looking at a resort photo thread for an entire workday and I didn't even know the time flew by!

Anyway I thought it would be interesting to find out how you all found this DIS?

Did you hear from a friend?
Did you find it similar to the way I did?
Did you run into someone at the parks and they told you about it?


Post away!

[wildeoscar]

google

[CraftyOtt]

I found DISboards in the Unofficial Guide book (page 28 to be exact).........I started browsing the discussion forums and became instantly hooked!! Now I'm on here EVERYDAY!! I just downloaded my first DIS Unpugged podcast the week before Bob's passing. I've been downloading past shows to listen to this week while working around the house here and waiting while my kids are in class. My only question is, where has this been all my life??:goodvibes

[ADP]

My love of Disney World started back in 1993. I visited once sometimes twice a year after 1993. When I got back home I was missing Disney World so much I did anything I could to start thinking of the next trip.

I stumbled across the DIS in 1997 and loved, loved, loved the fact I could spend time discussing Disney World with other members of the forum. It helped pass the time until our next trip and helped satisfy my craving of Disney World.

The boards were a bit different back then; both look and feel. As you can imagine the popluation has exploded into what it is today.

For me, I'm here constantly. I might as well consider this site my second home (or first since when I'm home I'm on the DIS).

[dixiegirl]

I found the DIS by accident while planning a trip back in 2000. I was very excited to find such an amazing place to discuss all things Disney with fellow fans and also get priceless and up to date information. (THANK YOU PETE!!!)

Back then I really felt like I was in the minority of people who were addicted to Disney and the site gave me a place to read and/or post to my heart's content. Those around me did not fully understand my love of Disney - (the Anthony effect).

Now I see it very differently - it's a place that I visit everyday because I feel I might be missing something important or just fun! And add the whole podcast thing into the mix, it's just wonderful.

[IHeartTink04]

Another thing that I forgot to mention about the DIS that I am fascinated with is how friendly everyone is!

Rarely do I see mean or negative comments. Everyone is so supportive.:goodvibes

[cyberbox2]

I found the DIS back in 2005. I was planning our first ever family vacation to WDW and I was hungry for information so I started Googling different phrases and it didn't take long before I landed on this site. At forst I didn'r know what to think but by the end of that day I was hooked!

If It wasn't for the DIS boards and my discovery of it, that first WDW visit wouldn't have been nearly as fun and complete. I would have been so unprepared. Instead (to my family) I looked well informed and up to date and all things Disney!

Needless to say, since that first family visit, we have been back to the world at least once if not twice a year so far...and even did a 4 night Wonder cruise last May:goodvibes

LONG LIVE THE DIS!!!!

[DisneyWorld Delight]

I stumbled across the DIS in 1997 and loved, loved, loved the fact I could spend time discussing Disney World with other members of the forum. It helped pass the time until our next trip and helped satisfy my craving of Disney World.

What happened that you had to re register in Sept 2006?

Another thing that I forgot to mention about the DIS that I am fascinated with is how friendly everyone is!

Rarely do I see mean or negative comments. Everyone is so supportive.:goodvibes

You don't hang out on the community board much, do you. (Dog eat dog - over there.)


I found the DIS researching a trip for a friend. I had already found another site full of up to date info, and I still like that site, BUT THE DIS, oh my goodness, it's just the best. I found it thru a random search. Immediatley told my best friend (also a Disney Nut) and we've been DISing ever since.

I love to look at register dates. And wish I had one from the start.

[daneenm]

I found it as I was planning my August 2007 'first trip in 17 years' trip. I started planning in Dec. 2006. I was actually on the TGM boards when I saw a reference to the DIS Boards and came over to check them out.

To be honest, i didn't love the DIS threads at first. The ones I was interested in seemed to have some grouches on them who would give responses as if you were an idiot when you asked. Then I found the PodCast...

This I loved from day 1! I found it so helpful and interesting to listen to. I started out trying several others too, but quickly narrowed it down to what would help me prepare for my trip. The DIS PodCast was it.

As for the boards, I came back to them after my trip and have been enjoying them more. Maybe it is because I am more knowledgeable now. I tend to think, though, it is mostly because I now spend most of my time on the PodCast thread (as opposed to trip planning threads), on which I have never seen a nasty word written, EVER.

As we have all said many times in the last week and a half, I have started to think of the PodCast crew and community as friends.

--Daneen

[LilGMom]

I have been a huge Disney fan since as far back as my little mind will go and my DH and I started going (he was my DF then) a couple of times a year about ten years ago. I never looked for Disney planning/info websites and only read one site weekly when I'd get the e-newsletter every Tuesday.

I converted a friend of mine into a Disney going nut and she is actually the one that told me about the DIS (bless her!). And I try to spread the DIS love whenever I help someone plan a WDW trip I point them towards the DIS.

:disrocks:

[Cool-Beans]

Unofficial Guide.

[ms*mountaineer]

Wow - I honestly can't remember! I must have googled something and one thing led to another - and here I am.

[IWISHFORDISNEY]

I would say in 1999 or 2000 I was searching for information about our trip and typed in wdw information and came up with Werner Technologies. That name stuck in my head beacause I had a very good German friend named Werner. I finally got my own computer and did some more researching for an Illuminations cruise for my nephew he wanted to engauge his girlfriend on one. I think that is when I actually joined the boards. They are alot different now a days. I like this forum the best. I have run across some not so nice people but in general most people are very nice. My most vivid bad memory is someone comparing my son to a farm or barnyard animal and suggesting we only eat at McDonalds until he can act human. That is the only time I have ever gotton mad. There are so many nice memories they far outweigh the bad one. I love it here. I spend to much time here too!!

I am just glad there are people out there who love Disney like I do.:lovestruc

[macheath]

I found the Dis back in 2005, when planning our trip. It was through one of the guide books (can't remember which one now:confused3 ). I registered back then and asked a few questions. Well, as it's been mentioned, it wasn't a good experience and so I left.

Beginning of 2007, I found the podcasts on Itunes and started listening. :love: Addicted immediately! So, I would come on here, but only lurked.....I watched for awhile and found everyone on this board to be so nice....Never saw negative remarks. Last month I decided to join again and start posting. I'm so glad I did!!
:dance3:

[elemusing]

I found the DIS in 1999 when researching for our 1st cruise. I was immediately addicted! I had a bunch more posts than what are listed though because I was also around during the infamous board crash when alot of us lost our user names.

Anyway, I had to start all over again after that in 2001.

I found the DIS by doing Google search for Disney Cruise.

I got hooked to the podcasts in December of this year when I finally got my own mp3 player.

[Hpyhiker]

We've been going to Disney World since the early 70's and started camping at the Fort in 1993. To stay current with everything Disney I started reading any and all forums that I could find. Most were just OK until I happened on The DIS. All I can say is WOW :banana: When I discovered the podcast, with it's cast of characters, I was hooked. Next step in my DIS addiction is the Pod Cruise next spring. Only wish Bawb could be there in person...I know he will be in spirit.

[DisneyCatMom]

Mousesavers.com link

[UrsulasShadow]

I don't really remember. I think I found it through UOG...actually I'm sure I did...back in maybe 1998? Maybe later...memory like a steel sieve here. As most here, I started out with recreational use, just to relax after a hard day's work, or for a light buzz. Then they introduced DIS Unplugged, and now I'm mainlining 2, 3, maybe 4 times a day. The withdrawal is awful.

[BeamsofLight]

I believe I came here after seeing the site mentioned in someone's trip report on another site (mouseplanet, I suspect). I wasn't planning a trip, but I remember being curious why the person who was doing the report - who I knew was a WDW veteran - felt the need to go somewhere for tips, so I thought I'd check it out. Then I saw how big the boards were - even in 2004 - and I got it. ;)

[tinkgirl2007]

I found the boards when I was planning one of my trips to Disney and googled Disney tips.

[Tonya2426]

It was March 2007 and I was searching for info on my upcoming cruise and a trip report kept coming up in my search results. http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1219471 (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1219471) It just morphed from there and in May I finally registered. I think it was right after I registered that I found the podcast. :woohoo:

[DisDarling]

I found it by searching for a Disney community- it's the best out there! :thumbsup2

Amy

[tinkbutt]

planning my May trip in march of this year I found WDWinfo.comand then the podcast!!

[CelticBelle]

I found the DIS through random google searches for generic info. I just lingered for a while before I joined. I honestly cant remember if I found the podcast first or joined the boards first!:lmao: I know I started listening to the podcast from almost the beginning, and I joined the DIS community last year.

The funny thing I didnt post much until I found the college board, community board, and now the podcast board (obviously the most personal), I went from less than 100 posts in january to over 400! Im addicted!:banana:

[fatty4iz]

I found the boards when I googled "Disney info", planing a trip in 2004. I read posts for a while and then registered in 2005. I have been lurking the boards almost daily ever since. It has turned into a healthy obsession as I have become the family "expert" (or geek which ever you perfer) on Disney world. In fact I often get calls and e mails from friends looking for help with planning their WDW trips.

[MousekaMaddi]

just REALLY REALLY good luck!:goodvibes Dis ROCKS!;)

[BernardandMissBianca]

I googled Disney after our first trip in 2004. We were hooked from day one of that vacation. But I knew we spent waaaayyy to much money and we wanted to go back asap so I started doing research. Which landed me here. I lurked for a long time but finally registered in Feb 2005. My first post was about SAHM's vs Working outside the home mom's. Talk about jumping in with both feet! LOL

I love the DIS, I have made some incredible friendships with people all over the world. Not a day goes by that I don't either visit the DIS or talk about it.

[Stacy's a freak]

I found it in 2003 when I was planning that year's trip. A now-friend, then client of the firm, and I got to talking about Disney and he and his family went every year. Since I had been many times as well, we chatted about it and that is was formed our friendship. Back then he tried to talk me into renting DVC points and pointed me to the DIS DVC forum to inquire about points. I never did rent the points as I was afriad of being taken advantage of (not knowing the seller/rentee), but I have been a DISer ever since.

BTW, that client of the firm and now-friend always rents points and never has a problem. I wish now that I had done that back then. Now, since I'm a solo, it really isn't cost effective for me to stay at the higher end resorts even though I DREAM of staying at BW. :love:

[erogers]

I was reading the Unofficial Guide before a big family trip (with my parents, DH, sister and BIL) in May 2007 and found the link for the DIS. I found the podcast first, then decided to check out the DIS Unplugged boards. I've just been a lurker for a while - haven't posted much. I guess this board feeds my Disney addiction, and since we have no trips planned for the near future :( I don't spend much time on the trip planning boards.

[bettyann29]

I actually found DIS by googling Disney World and Ive never looked back..

[WaltD4Me]

I'm pretty sure it was Google, back in 2003. I was plannning a large family trip and was looking for information. I cannot tell you how much the DIS helped with that trip. Everything I learned here made a HUGE difference and for a VERY magical trip. :goodvibes

[kab407]

My Sister. We were planning a family cruise on DCL back in 2003.

[Verandah Man]

I came across the DIS quite by accident. When I set up my online account for my old laptop back in January 2003 there was a link for the Cruise Critic Board. I went on there and starting reading trip reports on the DCL forum. One of the people had a link in their signature to the DIS, I clicked on the link, and the rest, as they say, is history. I've only been back to the Cruise Critic site on rare occasions.

[dpuck1998]

Planning a trip with a friend in 2003, he sent me a long list of Disney Sites. This was one of them....now my list contains only about 3 sites that have everything I need, except pork rinds....

[calypso*a*go-go]

I found the DISboards when I was researching Disney Vacation Club. We had gone on a tour about 10 years ago and didn't buy in (boy do I regret that now!) but I was still intrigued with the idea, so one day I googled it and found a link to the DVC board.

Not only did I learn there were DVC resales available, I also started reading posts on the other boards as well. I still don't know whether I should be happy or mad that I discovered this website as I can't even begin to estimate how much money I've spend on Disney since that fateful day!

[creativeamanda]

I was looking for a website that posted menus for Disney restaraunts and found WDWinfo.com. Then I realized there were forums. It's been a long time since I've been on any kind of forum, but I absolutely LOVE the DIS and check it out as often as possible. Hence, 550 posts in 4.5 months :)

[amyhughes]

I stumbled in here last summer. I was researching DVC, and found some discussion about renting points. I had never heard of it, and typed in DVC Rent points in Google. I found the DVC Rent/Transfer board and I haven't looked back! I registered that night and started to explore the rest of the board.

I guess to keep with the vernacular of the DIS, I had my Anthony moment. See, I get looked at really WEIRD when I start talking Disney. It even enters into discussion on my job as I will refer to marketing tactics, contests, managment, guest relations etc. throughout my tenure somewhere. Almost everyone I know, knows to call me if they have a question about their vacation. Heck, even people I DON'T KNOW will call me because my husband tells them. So, yeah, I am in a Disney Oasis if you will. Most of my friends say this, "Don't get her started on Disney unless you have an hour to spare." It's not that I purposely try to outshine their knowledge, but as I have previously posted, I can't help myself sometimes! :laughing:

But, to find an online community that I can thoroughly relate to about all things Disney. I fell in love from the start. I can talk non-stop about the resorts, attractions, food, itineraries, etc. And my DH puts is thusly, "You can talk to those folks about it, cause I get burn out hearing it!" :lmao: He means it in good fun, but I can tell when he starts to get his Disney fill!

[experiment659]

My husband's company always gives them some techo-toy for Christmas. So at the 2006 Christmas party, he received an ipod which he didn't want! I claimed it, but it was summer before I found enough time to figure out how to use it. I thought it would only be good for music and recorded books - thankfully my son introduced me to the world of poscasting.

Naturally, the first thing I looked for in itunes was a Disney podcast - and that's how I found The DisUnplugged. It sounded the most interesting and has it ever lived up to that! So since July of 07 I have been hooked on the DisUnplugged. As you can see, I'm new to the boards, but I'm finally getting the hang of checking the boards and posting. The DisBoards community truly is as wonderful as the Podcast crew always says.

Anyway, that's my story. I've enjoyed reading all of yours.
I am proud to tell everyone that the DisUnplugged was my very first podcast and you know........you never forget your first! :lovestruc

[davidand3rs]

I've been a Disney fan for 10 yrs now, but for some reason after going 3 times in one year I just became obsessed, and since I got a new iPod for my birthday, I though what better way to get closer to disney than a podcast. So I did a search iin iTunes and this was the first one I found. I started on new years eve 2007 and haven't stopped listening.

[bcvdreamer]

I found it in 2001 when I was researching our first trip as a family. I lurked for many years. I started at the Theme Parks Board and moved to the DVC board & scrapbooking board. I check out this board several times a day.

[RllngRckBrw]

I stumbled upon the Dis before my first trip 3 years ago when I was trying to learn a bit about our vacation, but it was not until we went on our second trip (about a year later) that I really got hooked. I had almost forgot about the Dis until I was looking for a way to stay up on what was new for our second trip. I then searched for the boards again and have been hooked ever since.