One of the things Pete said he loved/appreciated about his job - we GET it too!

[Dodie]

In this week's e-mail show, when Pete was talking about the things he loved/appreciated about his job and the DIS, he mentioned meeting some wonderful people with whom he actually has become friends.

I just wanted to say that, although this isn't our "job," this is one of the things with which I would bet several us would probably agree. I know I do. I realize that some folks don't get to attend any DIS meets or DIS special events, but I think that others of us who can and have would agree...

I can honestly say that many of the people my husband Phillip and I have met over the past few years through the DIS are now truly friends. The kind of friends who you send Christmas cards to. The kind of friends who you go out of your way to meet up with between special DIS events. The kind of friends you text or call regularly.

It may be the fact that you are starting with a common interest, but I think it's way more than that. This is a good community that draws (generally) good people. Multiply this a few times by what happens when you travel with these good people and it's easy to become lifelong friends.

Just wanted to say this, even if it's maybe an obvious observation.

 

[DVCsince02]

I couldn't agree more with you Dodie. I have been very fortunate to attend some of the meets and events and have made MANY life long friends.

 

[ImTooExcitedToSleep]

While it's true all over The DIS, it's even more true here on the Podcast boards: There are NO strangers on The DIS.

Not that I need my arm twisted too much to go down to Disneyland, but I'm driving down there this weekend to meet a couple ladies from Kansas City, MO that I chatted with on the "Official" July 2009 WDW Meets Thread. I've never met them, but I feel like I know them.

Even my non-DISer wife has made comments about how friendly everyone on the DIS is. For example, we met up with Karen (klam_chowder) and Robert last year for the Christmas Fireworks at Disneyland. I'm sure I had met Karen in chat or something, but didn't know her well. Yet when we met, hugs all around, and it was like we had know each other forever. (And now she's kicking my butt on Words With Friends).

 

[ADP]

I agree Dodie. If it weren't for the DIS we wouldn't be meeting tonight. Many of us would not have met to begin with.

I use to come to the DIS for information about the theme parks, but now it's taken on a whole new life for me. It's a place where my friends hang out. Friends who have had a dramatic impact on my life one way or another.

 

[hideeh]

Dodie and other posters-I get it too. I have met some of the very best people through the DIS. It amazes me how one common interest sparks so many other common interests. I just said yesterday (on the phone to another DISer) I tend to like my DIS friends better than some of the people in my own community. My DIS friends "get it". Thank you to the entire DIS team for providing this space for us to grow and nurture such cool relationships. The special events are nice too!

 

[DisneyKevin]

This makes me smile from ear to shining ear.

I've met everyone that's posted so far and consider y'all friends.

I might not get to see you as often as I would like.....but if I could...I would.

 

[kab407]

I could not agree more Dodie. When I think back on some of the best times I've had recently, it's been with the friends I've met here. I've always been a bit reserved. But there is something about being around my DIS friends that have me doing a 180. The people I've met here have made me a better person. Thanks

 

[mainegal]

Unless you count the first TSM meet when I met people but did not get to know anyone...

I have not met most of the people here on the disboards. But I feel like I know them a bit and I think they sort of know me.

It will be interesting to see how well we get along when we finally meet in person in Decemeber.

 

[corky441]

Hard to believe but it's only been a little over two years since I found the DIS.

Just by chance, I did a search to try to find out about making ADRs. It led me to the wdw.info restaurant ADR calculator page.
Well, after lots of browsing about the site I bookmarked it for future reference.

Meanwhile, DD was telling me all about "podcasts" and I started to listen to one of the others - which led me to do a search on itunes - which led me to the DISunplugged - which led me to the Podcast forums

well, here I am 2 years later, anxiously waiting to "talk" to so many wonderful friends each and every day.

AND - drum roll please - finally, Dino (DH) understands this community of friends. We went to DAP this past year, met a few "peeps" but he wasn't quite ready for the scope of it all. Then we did the ABD podcast trip
Now - he's counting down the days until the cruise and seeing everyone again.

 

[tlcoke]

Thank you to Pete and the team for giving us the boards as a launching pad to make lifelong connections to people we may have never met and become friends with had it not been for the DIS. I think of my DIS friends as part of my extended family. I look forward just to say hello to everyone here on the board, on Facebook daily or in Chat on Wednesday Night.

I have met several of you in person and there are others I won't meet until PCC 2.0, but I already feel that bond of friendship with each of you.

Just getting back from WDW, it was great meeting up and hanging out with my DIS Friends including a few I met in person for the 1st time at various times throughout my 9 day visit.

 

[AnneR]

I am still listening to the show so I have not yet heard Pete's remarks but I can't agree more that this is an absolutely wonderful community of special people.

I have had the pleasure of meeting some of the people here and also count them as my friends/extended family.

My DIS friends have been here for me through one of the most stressful and emotional time periods in my life and I can't thank them enough.

 

[slapwhitey]

Right on the money Dodie, couldn't agree more. Tracey and I are a bit anti-social in our non-DIS life and have been trying to get better when it comes to our extended DIS family. Every event it gets a little easier. It helps that everyone we have met is so incredibly kind and generous. I'm sure our family doesn't quite understand how you can all be our friends but it's honestly how I feel. Every time we have a trip planned we're checking to see who else will be there at the same time. We almost spend more time planning meets than actual park stuff.

Kevin, I have to ask though....why are your ears shining?

Chris

 

[Disneybridein2k3]

Even my non-DISer wife has made comments about how friendly everyone on the DIS is. For example, we met up with Karen (klam_chowder) and Robert last year for the Christmas Fireworks at Disneyland. I'm sure I had met Karen in chat or something, but didn't know her well. Yet when we met, hugs all around, and it was like we had know each other forever. (And now she's kicking my butt on Words With Friends).

DH and I had the pleasure of being table-mates with Karen and Robert on PCC 1.0 and I agree completely, Tom. Everyone here is so friendly - it makes it hard to vacation on our own, without the Dis! As for kicking your butt on Words With Friends, it sounds similiar to your track record with Uno I hope you'll make the trip to DL when I am visiting in August

 

[ImTooExcitedToSleep]

I hope you'll make the trip to DL when I am visiting in August

Wouldn't miss it.

I think Nikki would hunt me down if I didn't make the trip.

 

[DVCsince02]

Dodie and other posters-I get it too. I have met some of the very best people through the DIS. It amazes me how one common interest sparks so many other common interests. I just said yesterday (on the phone to another DISer) I tend to like my DIS friends better than some of the people in my own community. My DIS friends "get it". Thank you to the entire DIS team for providing this space for us to grow and nurture such cool relationships. The special events are nice too!

 

[Cherinva]

Lovely words Dodie. You said so much and you are right on the money. Even though I haven't been able to attend any DIS events yet, those that I chat with on the boards and on FB are so warm and friendly...I can't wait to meet them on PCC 2.0...what's even better (for me) is to hear them tell me that they can't wait to meet me....are they people I haven't met ?(yes)...strangers? (don't think so)....it is true we all have one major thing in common...the love for Disney...and yes, we "get" it. When I first booked the cruise, I was a little nervous...wondering what I was getting myself (and my girls) into...Now, 9 months later, my nervous feeling has been replaced with anticipation and excitement. I too, say thanks Pete, Kevin, Walter and everyone else who has made this possible for us to have a place to plan, dream and share experiences of our Disney adventures.

 

[wishspirit]

I haven't met many Dis-ers, but I still feel like part of the community- and for that I am truly thankful. I am a bit shy in real life, but I feel I can be myself on the boards and have an extended group of friends that I can talk to every day about Disney without boring them to tears!

This makes me smile from ear to shining ear.

I've met everyone that's posted so far and consider y'all friends.

I might not get to see you as often as I would like.....but if I could...I would.

You only have to wait a month and a bit to meet me! (even if I will be standing in the corner blushing! )

 

[chickie]

Thanks, Dodie, for starting this thread. I'm also kinda reserved with people I don't know, but being with some of the folks here during the TSM meet this past year started to change that. I felt comfortable coming into that meet knowing faces and names, and it made it easier to get to know everyone a little bit better. I've never really known many people away from my home town, but I can now say that I have "friends" all over the country. And, I can't wait to see them all again!

 

[TrekBoy85]

I haven't met anyone in person yet, but have found the people of the DIS to be the kind of people who one would choose to be friends with... Very welcoming, and very caring.

 

[BriarRosie]

When I was listening to that part of the podcast today, my reaction was:

Group Hug!

It's very true what people are saying. I found a lot of people on the DIS who are now people I consider friends. My spontaneous July trip was made because I found out a group of DIS women who played VMK were going to be there. My food and wine festival trip in October will reunite me with friends who hang out on the Restaurants forum. And I would not have booked PCC 2.0 if I didn't want to be with 700 of my closest friends, many of whom I've never met!

In December, I was alone some of the time, but I would randomly see a DISer in a park. Everyone was welcoming me whenever I saw them. I have seen this overlap in many large Disney fan communities. I think it's because we all share the common bond as Disney fans who "get it".