Please allow me to introduce my students....

[TXYankee]

Hello, since im kind of a Dinsey World virgin..only been their once and it was only for like half a day...what attractions/rides would you suggest I must visit.

Do you like roller coasters? Story rides? Dark rides?

Gummy Bear, Todd is right. (as always)

We need a little more information. What do you like? What did you like the most when you went? What Park or Parks will you be going to?

I can tell you my favorite rides and attractions.(in no specific order)

Magic Kingdom:
Space Mountin
Splash Mountin
Its a Small World
Haunted Mansion
Pirates of the Caribbian
Walt Disney World Railroad
Jungle Cruise
Mickey's PhilharMagic
Big Thunder Mountin
Cinderella's Golden Carousel

Animal Kingdom:
Festival of the Lion King
Kilimanjaro Safaris
Kali River Rapids
Expedition Everest
Finding Nemo

Epcot:
Spaceship Earth
Living with the land
Soarin'
The World Showcase (not really an attraction)

Disney's Hollywood Studios:
Toy Story Mania
Rock 'n' Roller Coaster
The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror


Just to name a few......

 

[jeanigor]

Gummy Bear, Todd is right. (as always)

Now, now. This is Prof. Dave's class, he should be touted as a smarty pants, too.

When I chaperoned some college students earlier this month (nothing cool like your class, they were on an alternative winter break program) we went to the Magic Kingdom. A few of them had been there multiple times, but most of them had only been there once when they were elementary school aged.

The park was not crowded and we arrived around 1:30 or 2pm. As a group we rode:
Space Mountain
its a small world
Haunted Mansion
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
Pirates of the Caribbean

Then we split up and rode whatever we wanted. It turned out most students rerode the same rides because they enjoyed them the first time.

We then all rendezvoused to watch SpectroMagic and Wishes. It was a perfectly lovely day.

 

[DavidandLeahZ]

Gummy Bear, Todd is right. (as always)

We need a little more information. What do you like? What did you like the most when you went? What Park or Parks will you be going to?

I can tell you my favorite rides and attractions.(in no specific order)

Magic Kingdom:
Space Mountin
Splash Mountin
Its a Small World
Haunted Mansion
Pirates of the Caribbian
Walt Disney World Railroad
Jungle Cruise
Mickey's PhilharMagic
Big Thunder Mountin
Cinderella's Golden Carousel

Animal Kingdom:
Festival of the Lion King
Kilimanjaro Safaris
Kali River Rapids
Expedition Everest
Finding Nemo

Epcot:
Spaceship Earth
Living with the land
Soarin'
The World Showcase (not really an attraction)

Disney's Hollywood Studios:
Toy Story Mania
Rock 'n' Roller Coaster
The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror


Just to name a few......

Did you basically list EVERY attraction?

 

[Wonder_117]

Top three things:
- generically, the rides come top for me. The theming, the fun, everything about them!
- Dole Whips, I still remember them from when I was little
- Again generically the fireworks (Ive not been for 12 years but planning a trip this year so afraid Im being fairly generic as the specifics may have changed somewhat).

Castmember interaction
- well I've been as a kid and as a teenager and felt equally as important both times... I'm hoping that will remain the same visiting as an adult

Top tip
- dont try to do it all at once, you'll wear yourself out and miss a lot of the detail that goes into the parks and attractions... plus if you dont do everything then it gives you a great excuse to come back!

And now a quick question from me- genuine question here- I'm from the UK and cant imagine ever in a million years being able to take a course on WDW at Uni (unless it was discussing the business model behind it or as part of a film or stage course)- is this course part of a vocational degree? Like are you studying one main thing and this is just an added bonus of an excellent course that gives you credit? Sorry if that question sounds dumb I'm just curious as really this sounds like the best class ever!

Wonder (Amanda) xx

 

[DavidandLeahZ]

And now a quick question from me- genuine question here- I'm from the UK and cant imagine ever in a million years being able to take a course on WDW at Uni (unless it was discussing the business model behind it or as part of a film or stage course)- is this course part of a vocational degree? Like are you studying one main thing and this is just an added bonus of an excellent course that gives you credit? Sorry if that question sounds dumb I'm just curious as really this sounds like the best class ever!

Wonder (Amanda) xx

Amanda - I'll let my students take the first shot at that question.

 

[Beauty908]

And now a quick question from me- genuine question here- I'm from the UK and cant imagine ever in a million years being able to take a course on WDW at Uni (unless it was discussing the business model behind it or as part of a film or stage course)- is this course part of a vocational degree? Like are you studying one main thing and this is just an added bonus of an excellent course that gives you credit? Sorry if that question sounds dumb I'm just curious as really this sounds like the best class ever!

Wonder (Amanda) xx

Hey Amanda,
This class is worth honors-humanites. I'm a Bio-Ed student so this class would count toward my general education requirements (but I already have that filled) So I am taking this class for the joy of seeing Dave every Sunday plus I've never been to Florida, so I'm looking forward to traveling. Also, like almost every kid, I grew up with Disney--its a special company that rocks at anything it does!

Hope that helped!

 

[Book Belle]

Top three things:
- generically, the rides come top for me. The theming, the fun, everything about them!
- Dole Whips, I still remember them from when I was little
- Again generically the fireworks (Ive not been for 12 years but planning a trip this year so afraid Im being fairly generic as the specifics may have changed somewhat).

Castmember interaction
- well I've been as a kid and as a teenager and felt equally as important both times... I'm hoping that will remain the same visiting as an adult

Top tip
- dont try to do it all at once, you'll wear yourself out and miss a lot of the detail that goes into the parks and attractions... plus if you dont do everything then it gives you a great excuse to come back!

And now a quick question from me- genuine question here- I'm from the UK and cant imagine ever in a million years being able to take a course on WDW at Uni (unless it was discussing the business model behind it or as part of a film or stage course)- is this course part of a vocational degree? Like are you studying one main thing and this is just an added bonus of an excellent course that gives you credit? Sorry if that question sounds dumb I'm just curious as really this sounds like the best class ever!

Wonder (Amanda) xx

Like Courtney said, it counts for humanities-honors credit. I myself am a pre-nursing major, so the class is something extra I decided to do, but I believe everyone will benefit from this class because the main thing we are studying is the different types of communication in and surrounding wdw. In the classroom part of the course we are learning about how wdw uses customer service, themeing, and design to convey messages and communicate with guests. We are also learning about how word of mouth and fandom are also a major part of how wdw extends its communication beyond when a guest is in the park, which is why we are becoming part of this and other communities as well as reading blogs and listening to podcasts about wdw.

Which leads me to a question for everyone. Before I joined this class I never knew there were these types of forums and communities about wdw, and would have never thought about joining one. How did you hear about disboards.com, and why did you join?

 

[Zuzu03]

Easy! Disneyland Paris!

Been there, done that! It's hard for my students budget wise. WDW is more within their reach!

 

[jeanigor]

Which leads me to a question for everyone. Before I joined this class I never knew there were these types of forums and communities about wdw, and would have never thought about joining one. How did you hear about disboards.com, and why did you join?

In February of 2008, I was looking for information on a special anniversary trip for my partner and I. He has never been to WDW and I wanted to have a splendid time. I couldn't decide which of the three monorail resorts to stay in so I had to see what other guests thought. I found Allears' reviews and threads here on the DIS. I read them for hours that weekend. I ended up deciding that a split stay of 3 night MK view main tower at the Contemporary and 4 night Poly concierge would be the best for us. However, the economy tanked and our trip fell through. I'm still a member here on the DIS and have gone on a few DIS adventures. Due to the DIS I will be going back to WDW in 100 days! (Tomorrow I do the double digit dance!!!!) Reading the boards led me to the podcast (I'm so antique that I knew they existed by didn't know what they were...).

 

[TSWJan78]

Which leads me to a question for everyone. Before I joined this class I never knew there were these types of forums and communities about wdw, and would have never thought about joining one. How did you hear about disboards.com, and why did you join?

Like Todd I came here looking for particular information. I was planning my first trip as an "adult" and although I had been there many times as a kid planning your own trip is a whole new expierence. After that we went on atleast 1 trip a year for 6 years so I spent a good amount of time here looking at menu's resort information and asking questions. I post alot but I lurk even more. These days I spend most of my time on this board but if I had a trip I was planning I would be all over the place.

 

[WebmasterAlex]

Is this where we say, "because Alex is the greatest?"

Dave, I'm trying to be humble and your not helping!

Alex or Anyone who knows,

I am not in Dave's class but I am a student of life.
But the Dis in a great place to ask a question! ( an not much of a Tech person)
How do I find out how many hits a word or combination of words gets?
Why does Bing differ so much from google?

Thanks!
Theresa

Simple just google it and it will tell you right on the screen 1 to 10 of about xxxxx

Because they use different algorithms see below

...because Google is awesome?

It probably has to do with with both how recent this thread is, how active it has been, how active this site is, and various other factors other than site hits.

Sort of kind of

Google has a formula they use. Nobody knows the actual formula, Google regards it as a trade secret. People have guesses and you can see that here:
http://www.vaughns-1-pagers.com/internet/google-ranking-factors.htm
Beyond that we know that links from other sites are a HUGE key factor and the higher the site rank of the site providing the links the more it helps.
Anytime anyone links to the dis it boosts our rating but if they do it from a big domain, like CNN or nytimes.com (New York Times Newspaper) It counts for a heck of a lot more. This is a relatively large site. According to Big-boards.com we are the 29th largest discussion board on the internet. Tons of people provide us links including some of the large news orginizations so google ranks us very high. They tend to like discussion boards and forums in general.

To answer an earlier question Bing has a completely different ranking method that they developed so results will never match except the obvoius first 1 or 2 hits

 

[EDuke98080]

[/QUOTE]Which leads me to a question for everyone. Before I joined this class I never knew there were these types of forums and communities about wdw, and would have never thought about joining one. How did you hear about disboards.com, and why did you join?[/QUOTE]

A freind told me about the boards when we were talking about WDW and didn't know the answer to a specific question. I joined and "stay" because
1. I have met some really fun people who love Disney like I do.
2. There is a thread on the DISabilities board that has a wonderful community of people with Fibromyalgia & Celiac Disease where we have gotten to know each other and support each other on a regular basis .
3. The Podcasts are very adictive and entertaining!
4. I get really great up to date information from people who always ready to jump in and help.
5. The information is unbiased.


Erika

 

[PrincessINTraining]

I go to Disney quite a lot but most of my experiences I was younger, and the last time I spent a lot of time at Universal so my knowledge of the parks now is pretty slim. Have there been any changes/new attractions that are really good (like a must see!) I plan on going to all rides, at least as many possible, and I just want to make sure I get to the best ones.

 

[PrincessINTraining]

Like Courtney said, it counts for humanities-honors credit. I myself am a pre-nursing major, so the class is something extra I decided to do, but I believe everyone will benefit from this class because the main thing we are studying is the different types of communication in and surrounding wdw. In the classroom part of the course we are learning about how wdw uses customer service, themeing, and design to convey messages and communicate with guests. We are also learning about how word of mouth and fandom are also a major part of how wdw extends its communication beyond when a guest is in the park, which is why we are becoming part of this and other communities as well as reading blogs and listening to podcasts about wdw.

Which leads me to a question for everyone. Before I joined this class I never knew there were these types of forums and communities about wdw, and would have never thought about joining one. How did you hear about disboards.com, and why did you join?

As not to be repetitive...I'm taking it for the same honors-humanities credit but what I have found so interesting is that people hire Disney to teach their company about customer service. I am a Medical Science major but customer service can come in so many different forms and the way that Disney employees make each person get that 'magical' experience is incredible and an aspect that I think everyone should learn about.

 

[Wonder_117]

Thanks to all who answered my question about your course- genuinely interesting answers there! I definitely think that the basis of your course sounds interesting, entertaining and engaging- if there had been a course like this when I was at uni a few years ago I would have jumped on it! So much more enjoyable learning the 'dry stuff' when the way it is framed is of genuine interest.

To answer the question of how I found Disboards- I was googling Disney one day years back (probably killing time in the Uni library ) and I came across 'The Dibb' which are similar boards but aimed towards a British audience.... from there I was led to Disboards. I discovered the podcast by searching the directory for WDW when i first got my Ipod and I realised the podcast linked into this site- which has prompted me to start lurking again.

 

[chaoscent]

Which leads me to a question for everyone. Before I joined this class I never knew there were these types of forums and communities about wdw, and would have never thought about joining one. How did you hear about disboards.com, and why did you join?

Back in 1999 I belonged to another community. There was a lot of fighting and name calling and the community broke up. Some of the members found this site and one of them recommended it to me. I used the site to do research and then started hanging out in the Creative DISign forum. Before I knew it, it was 10 years later. LOL A great bunch of people with lots of good information. Penny

 

[safetymom]

Like Courtney said, it counts for humanities-honors credit. I myself am a pre-nursing major, so the class is something extra I decided to do, but I believe everyone will benefit from this class because the main thing we are studying is the different types of communication in and surrounding wdw. In the classroom part of the course we are learning about how wdw uses customer service, themeing, and design to convey messages and communicate with guests. We are also learning about how word of mouth and fandom are also a major part of how wdw extends its communication beyond when a guest is in the park, which is why we are becoming part of this and other communities as well as reading blogs and listening to podcasts about wdw.

Which leads me to a question for everyone. Before I joined this class I never knew there were these types of forums and communities about wdw, and would have never thought about joining one. How did you hear about disboards.com, and why did you join?

After my first Disney trip in 1995 I got interested in learning more about the parks. I had been on Prodigy and they closed their bulletin boards so was looking for another trip planning site and I found the DIS. I have met many wonderful people in person from posting here. I have learned so much Disney info here.

 

[exwdwcm]

welcome students!!

Okay Dave, I'm asking questions--

1) Tell me your top 3 things I must experience
2) When you are at Disney, do you feel like the staff tries to take care of everyone or focus more on children?
3) Any advice for a WDW virgin?

1) top 3 things to experience- WISHES fireworks, a character meal (preferably with big cheese himself), Tower of Terror

2) yes, as a former cast member (staff at disney are 'cast members'), i know how hard many of them work and how passionate they are about EVERY guests experience. sure, kids get some attention, but I would reach out to the parents or the elderly couple just as often to make their day special.

3) advice for a first timer - RESEARCH. you will see, do and experience more with a little research and planning. no need to plan away every minute, but at least know park hours, top attractions to hit early to avoid crowds, best dining spots, where to catch great entertainment etc.

Which leads me to a question for everyone. Before I joined this class I never knew there were these types of forums and communities about wdw, and would have never thought about joining one. How did you hear about disboards.com, and why did you join?

i remember my first time on the internet was back in like 1993. my sophomore year in a sales management class and our professor assigned us to get on the internet in the computer lab and search for something on the web. that was my first web experience. lol I actually joined this site back in 1999. I did my college program with WDW back in 1996 and there were very few sites like this back then. I was trying to find a place to share my passion for disney and ran across this site in 99. I've been a member ever since, although I did more reading than posting. I've been an active poster the last 3 years or so. My husband has been part of a similar forum/group for mustangs fans (as in the car) in DFW for over 15 years, so i was already familiar with the idea and had been posting there for awhile.

Yea but what does it mean?
if you look at how many hits each word gets
wdw- 1,600,00
teaching- 190,000,000
class -746,000,000

The combination- 112,000

So out of 112,000 we sites on the internet that have the phrase "wdw teaching class" we are number in the number 2 position in google on a thread that's only been on the internet for a few days. Why did it jump ahead of the other 111,998 sites that have the SAME keywords?

credible links- you guys have a ton- plus supposedly you get more credit for the one way credible links into your site instead of the 2 way. Plus this site is obviously really dynamic, with info being updated and changed all the time. fresh content means more credit too! Of course careful placement of keywords/metatags etc. for organic search. It seems blogs and forums get more attention (again, more dynamic) I don't know much about Bing's setup.

 

[newmouse2008]

Hey Amanda,
This class is worth honors-humanites. I'm a Bio-Ed student so this class would count toward my general education requirements (but I already have that filled) So I am taking this class for the joy of seeing Dave every Sunday plus I've never been to Florida, so I'm looking forward to traveling. Also, like almost every kid, I grew up with Disney--its a special company that rocks at anything it does!

Hope that helped!

Hi All!!! I too would take the class just to see Dave every week.....

 

[baby1disney]

I'm not sure if someone has already asked this, but WHAT college do you go to because I wanna take this class!!!!!! LOL!!

Welcome to the boards and I hope that you guys have an awesome time!! Almost everyone on here that I have met, has been awesome!! Good Luck and enjoy your "research"!!!