If it were not for the DIS I would never have...

[UrsulasShadow]

I never would have:

Driven around a part of a city I have always feared and abhorred, simply to be with my friends I've met online

Been POPULAR! (or at least infamous, feared, avoided by the masses)

Been employed in a SECOND industry that I've been passionate about for years (the first one being horticulture).

Thanks, everyone!

 

[rtobe]

If it were not for the DIS

I would not have bought DVC

Joined Facebook (and Farmville)

Met new friends on-line and in person

Broken 100,000 on TSM (hey, it's a start )

Been a flattie on PCC 1.0 (thanks Mary Jo

Had company in the form of the podcast on many business trips

 

[ckdsnynt]

I would not have all the new friends I have from all over the world.

I would not be so tired at work all the time from staying up all night keeping up with what's going on here on the Dis!

to all!

 

[DisneyKevin]

I'll have a go....

If it werent for the Dis....

- I would still probably have a job I didnt really care about. Work was always work. Fun was what I did after work.

- I would have never traveled as extensively or seen the things I've gotten to see.

- I would never have had the experience of being recognized in the parks...or recognizing others.

- I would never have known that I wasnt a freak for being as obsessed with Disney. I quickly learned I wasnt alone.

- I would never jave had the opportunity to mee the type and quality of people that I have had the luck to meet. I find it extraordinarily easy to make friends here. People seems to be genuinely concerned and helpful and we all have at the very least, one thing in common. I have met people through the Dis that I am certain that I would not have met otherwise....and even if we did have that chance meeting....would not have gotten to know.

- I would not have had access to the AMAZING collective knowledge which can be comforting, instructional, educational, humourous, touching, supportive, guiding....you name it. You have a computer question, a health issue, parenting jitters, photography, travel planning for a city you've enevr been to...again...you name it. The information is here.

- I would never have had some of my favorite life moments. I thought the cocktail party on Castaway Key was amazing. I thought the days after Bob died were sad and awe-inspiring at the same time. I never would have realized that there are people that I consider friends who are spread out across the globe.

- I never would have realized that the quiet hours in the middle of the niight when you cant sleep dont have to be lonely. There are always folks posting on the Dis.

_ I would have continued on through life traveling by ourselves and never realized the enormous amount of fun that can be had traveling with a boatload of your friends.

_ I would have never ghotten up in front of a group of people and sang ABBA. Blame Yvette for that.

I could probably go on for pages and pages.....but you get the idea.

The Dis changed my life.

 

[k5jm]

_ I would have continued on through life traveling by ourselves and never realized the enormous amount of fun that can be had traveling with a boatload of your friends.

Pun intended?

I would never have had the fantastic opportunity to conspire and propose to Christy on a beautiful tropical island paradise with 300+ friends around to make her feel like a princess!! It was just a huge series of fantastic WOW moments!

 

[IWISHFORDISNEY]

Here goes:

I would have never meet so many wonderful people both online and in person. Hiya friends!

Listened to a podcast. I just clicked that listen now button one day and I was a addict very quickly.

Moved to FL so smoothly with the advice of so many people on the boards.

Had my 40th birthday at Narcoossee's. Thank you Kevin for the wonderful recommendation and memories.

And last but not least cared about a person I have never met wheater it be Bobs passing, Kevins eye surgery, Petes woes, Kathys OC memories, Little Ferris being born and going through pregnancy with Julie and Corey (you two were/are so cute), sweet Theresa's stories, John's humor and Walters Bawb like similarities. Hence the term WOB.

Not to mention the numerous park tips and planning that has saved me alot of money and made great trips.

WE Love the DIS!!

 

[Becx N Gav]

Oh, I've got another one - if it weren't for the Dis

I would never have thought to take pictures of my food

 

[LilGMom]

If it weren't for the DIS -

* I would never have known about the 429 as opposed to taking 74 to I-4.

* Listened to a podcast.

* I would have continued to walk past the Dole Whips without trying them.

* I would have never learned the 'shortcut path at DAK.

* I would have never mourned the passing of a man that I was never lucky enough to actually know.

* I wouldn't be armed with as much WDW trivia bits and tidbits that I can share with others.

* I wouldn't have known about KKTW.

 

[corky441]

If it hadn't been for the DIS...

I would never have known what ADRs were - honestly I think I was living in a cave

I never would have listened to a Podcast

I never would have heard of the TimeShare Store

I never would have felt a sense of community with total strangers: embracing them with virtual hugs in both the good times & the bad.

I wouldn't be looking forward to all the special events I'm so very very very lucky to be attending in the upcoming year and meeting the people behind all those screen names

 

[wishspirit]

Oh, I've got another one - if it weren't for the Dis

I would never have thought to take pictures of my food

Me too!!

Here is my list:

- Going to Disney in 2 weeks!!

- Going on my first illuminations cruise with some amazing sounding Disers!

- Going to my first MNSSHP, and my first EVER time Trick or Treating (we just don't do it in this part of the UK, so I am stupidly excited!)

- First Wishes Desert Buffet (again, extra tickets through Disers)

- My mom having DVC, that was considerably encouraged by this site!

- Finding that the podcast was a perfect distraction for my anxiety, enabling me to do many things I haven't done before!

- Finding such wonderful and supportive people all over the world!

 

[hookedonears]

If not for the DIS, I'd be more productive at work.

 

[Jonereno]

If it weren't for the DIS, I would have never would have

- Known it was OK (and not freakish) to be a 40+ male who loves Disney, and has a location that he calls his 'happy place'

- Sent cheese curds in an overnight package to a bunch of people I don't know (sent to the Podcast team in April, 2009)

- Gone fishing at Disney World

- Tried any of the restaurants in the resorts where I was not staying (Jiko.... yum!)

- Become the 'go to' guy for all my friends who are looking for information about their Disney trip

- Looked forward to meeting 700 (!) people on a cruise that is more than 15 months away!


What a great thread!

Jon

 

[Becx N Gav]

Me too!!

Here is my list:

- Going to Disney in 2 weeks!!

- Going on my first illuminations cruise with some amazing sounding Disers!

- Going to my first MNSSHP, and my first EVER time Trick or Treating (we just don't do it in this part of the UK, so I am stupidly excited!)

- First Wishes Desert Buffet (again, extra tickets through Disers)

- My mom having DVC, that was considerably encouraged by this site!

- Finding that the podcast was a perfect distraction for my anxiety, enabling me to do many things I haven't done before!

- Finding such wonderful and supportive people all over the world!

Awww Kate we really can't wait to meet you and your mother too We will have a fab time

 

[Cherinva]

If it weren't for the DIS......

I would still be showing up at the Parks without a clue of what to do first, and just "winging" it. Now, with all the tips and advise, I can make a plan and get the most out of it

I wouldn't know it was ok to go other hotels in which we were not staying to check things out

I wouldn't have mourned the death of a man that I never had the pleasure to meet

I wouldn't have been so excited about the birth of baby Martin

I wouldn't have tried a Dole Whip (Thanks Bob)

I wouldn't have known about the BBB...now my DGD has the memory of being dressed up as Hanna Montana and Cinderella

Wouldn't have tried some of the resturants that we ate in


I would have NEVER gotten the courage to go on a cruise...am looking so forward to PCC 2.0

I could go on..but saved the best for last...I wouldn't have the opportunity to go to WDW and be so excited to meet many new people like the DISers.

Way to go, Pete and everyone else involved in the Pod Cast. Your creation of this company created a community of Disney Fans.

 

[DSNY4ever]

If not for the DIS, I'd be more productive at work.

Oh gosh ditto! But it has also been my savior because working from home can get awful lonely, I just sometimes have to work longer now to make up time.

Other things...

I would have never become addicted to food porn.

I never would have posted on a forum or later discovered podcasts.

I would have never known about so much of the offsite stuff and Universal stuff that I hope to get to see someday.

I would have never known so many great tips like renting DVC points (which we haven't done yet, but I hope on our next trip we can make that dream come true and stay at the WL, which we otherwise would not be able to afford).

Thank you podcast team and moderators for all that you do!!!

 

[Claudia Kellenberger]

If it were not for The DIS:

1. I would not be a Travel Agent for my co-workers going to WDW

2. I would never have known how wonderful the Swan and Dolphin is

3. I would never had the courage to do WDW totally solo for a week
( I am now working on my 11th solo for this December )

There is so many more things, but these are my big ones

 

[BriarRosie]

Oh, I've got another one - if it weren't for the Dis

I would never have thought to take pictures of my food

Oh tell me about it. Come October, I'll be an unofficial member of the Disney Food Paparazzi. I've caved in and written food reports on the dining reviews forum, and I'm going to write another one for my upcoming trips.

Gotta leave my Vegas food porn to a dedicated foodie thread on the Community Board, though.

 

[wildfan1473]

It's so funny, I was just thinking about this the other day. It was 1 year ago last month that I bought my iPod, with the explicit intent of being able to listen to "that Disney podcast I keep reading about."

I'll reiterate what many have already said:

If it weren't for the DIS, I would not have

*ever listened to a podcast
*ever gotten involved (albeit quietly) on a message board
*gotten my passion for Disney re-ignited
*ever even have considered going to Disney solo
*felt joy, compassion, empathy and sympathy for so many people I have never met
*gotten my AP at last year's MF, enabling me to save big bucks on our family trip this year and give me the ability to financially afford DISapalooza this year with the discounts
*joined, and enjoy, Facebook
*ever heard of GKTW
*Gone via flattie on a cruise

and so many others I can't think of now, but I'm sure I will later.

A huge thank you to Pete and the gang. You have created a wonderful place for those who love the happiest place on earth to gather, share, laugh, commiserate, and conspire together.

 

[lurkyloo]

Oh my goodness, I love this thread - what great answers everyone has!

If it were not for the DIS

*I never would have considered getting married at Walt Disney World
....which lead to having our wedding featured in a magazine (silly childhood dream )
... and lead to writing my very first book (about weddings in Walt Disney World, natch! )

*I never would have been able to afford our wedding and honeymoon in Walt Disney World (the tips are endless: renting DVC points, Sunshine Rewards, Costco Waters, fireworks cruise-sharing...)

*I never would have made so many wonderful new friends who actually get the Disney thing!

 

[TMcDwyer]

lurkyloo - Your wedding pictures are AMAZING!!!