Tell us your DIS story...

[bellaDisneydncr]

I have been a Disney fan all my life. It's been a major part of my life growing up and now it's even more of a major part of my life. WDW was always our favorite vacation destination. As we continued going, I realized that I had to work there. I'm still pursuing that dream. (Keep your fingers crossed for me folks!)

I was told about the Dis from a fellow Disney fan I met in college. We were talking about the parks and such and she said "You should really checkout the DisBoards. You would love it." So I did- and I must say it is the best website I ever could have found. I have a rough time with people not understanding my love and obsession with Disney and the Disney Parks. Most of my friends really don't get it and don't try to get it. Here I feel like I have found a second family. Everyone here understands and shares the love and obsession. I don't have to worry about how people will react to my outbursts when something awesome happens in the land of Disney- everyone here is super excited about it, too.

That has been the best thing about the Dis for me- it reassures me that there are other people out there just like me and that they're here to support me. I feel accepted here and that's the best thing you can give anyone. The fact that it comes from strangers (who now feel like family) is even more awe-inspiring.

 

[BriarRosie]

My story starts out in January 1996. I got my first computer and discovered a Disney fan online community...

The Prodigy Disney Fans Bulletin Board.
I eventually became a chat moderator there and hosted a weekly trivia chat.

That discovery of Disney fan sites led me to find the RADP newsgroup, where I posted under my real name and not a pseudonym. (I haven't posted there in years, sadly.) I was prolific on the Yahoogroups, as well. Before it became Mouse For Less, I was a frequent poster (and moderator) of the Disney Dollarless group. Again, I've stopped posting there because the format of the DIS was easier to use. I started lurking here before I bit the bullet and registered.

And while I was discovering other Disney fan sites, I've met up with many fan communities at WDW since 1996. Many of the Prodigy and RADP people were meeting at WDW in December, as were many of the DIS folks. Over the years, a lot of the fans I knew started websites and podcasts.

When I started on the DIS...

I would browse theme parks, resorts, restaurants, but I didn't become a "regular" until I found VMK, like Nikki. From 2005-2008, you would find me posting almost every day on the VMK forums.

In that time period, I've also dabbled in making trip reports. I discovered that I'm not very good at trip reports. But I discovered food reports on the Restaurants board, and I challenged myself to make food reports instead.

So now I spend a lot of time on the Restaurants board, and I've met quite a few DISers at the Food and Wine Festival in the past couple of years because of the DIS.

I've become close to a lot of people over the years because of my search for like-minded Disney fans back in 1996.

 

[mikelan6]

I joined in September 2000 and I honestly don't remember why I joined the DIS - probably because I've loved Disney for a very long time. I do know that I became more involved ever since I started listening to the podcast.

 

[UrsulasShadow]

What really cracks me up that this thread was started 2 years ago! I'm having fun reading both the old posts and the new ones.

 

[wishspirit]

I heard about Dreams Unlimited Travel and WDW Info from this guy I worked with. I guess his boyfriend was some sort of "genius" that worked there. I went to the site a few times when I needed info, since it was easier than Disney's site. Being a "townie" I didn't really use the site that much.

Something brought me back to the site 3 years ago and I discovered the podcast. Lo and behold, that guy I worked with (we had both moved on at that point) was now doing Dining reviews. It cracked me up to hear his voice again, and I started listening every week.

I don't get to post here much. I work full time and have 2 young kids, so that keeps me pretty busy. I call in from time to time. I just recently caught back up on the podcasts after always being a week or two behind. (Lovin' my iphone for that!)

It's been great to see the evolution of the show, and how much all of you mean to each other. Hopefully, now that I'm caught up, I'll be more of a participant on the boards. If not, I'm always reading and listening!

Ok I am a bit star struck that you are a 'REAL' friend of Kevin's, rather than a dorky computernut one! Is that a bit weird?

In that time period, I've also dabbled in making trip reports. I discovered that I'm not very good at trip reports. But I discovered food reports on the Restaurants board, and I challenged myself to make food reports instead.

So now I spend a lot of time on the Restaurants board, and I've met quite a few DISers at the Food and Wine Festival in the past couple of years because of the DIS.

I've become close to a lot of people over the years because of my search for like-minded Disney fans back in 1996.

I love your food reviews Lori! Bendy and you are my all time favourite food porn writers! I am starting to look forward to your trips more than my own to get my hit of comedic gluttony!

What really cracks me up that this thread was started 2 years ago! I'm having fun reading both the old posts and the new ones.

I've been having a quick read too, and went back to see my post 2 years ago. It may sound crazy, but it made me a bit tearful, it has shown how far I have come in two years. Trains are no longer a problem for me (although the podcasts still help) and I although I have been through a rough patch recently I have realised how much I have achieved.

Thank you for making this thread resurface!

 

[OKW Lover]

What really cracks me up that this thread was started 2 years ago! I'm having fun reading both the old posts and the new ones.

[chuckle] I hadn't realized it was a 2 year old post. I was pondering what to say about how I discovered the DIS (don't really recall) and was about to post something.

Well, this will have to do.

 

[*NikkiBell*]

Don't worry, Jeff. I was just about to do the same thing. lolol I think I might have even posted already. hahaha

 

[elemusing]

I was desperately looking for any info I could find for the Disney Cruise Line for our first cruise in 2000. The Passporter for the Cruise had not been released yet, and I could find nothing on Disney Cruise for inside information save for a few measley pages in a guide book. This was the fall of 1999 and I Googled for an answer. Google took me to the DIS Cruise Board. I asked questions with a sheepish apology for being stupid in asking questions that I knew were probably simple. . . well, everyone on the Board was so helpful and did not make fun of me for my simple questions. I was blown away with all the helpful information!

Soon, I was venturing out to other boards, mostly the theme parks and the community board. I felt good in giving back to others the way I was given to when I first had questions. Somewhere along the way, there was a board crash and I lost all of my posts. I actually had to reregister, but luckily my name was not taken. (My husband was the original Robo, but someone else took his name and he had to reregister under DisneyDadFanatic).

I was so excited when I heard that you all were starting a podcast board! I believe I was the first person to post here. As trips and cruises have come and gone my time on the boards wanes and waxes, but I can always come back and be with friends.

I have not had the opportunity to go on a DIS meet or Cruise yet, but hope to some day so I can meet you people with whom I have come to count on and love.

Thank you, Pete, for creating wdwinfo and the DIS. I visit every day and sometimes for many hours!

Sincerely,
Angie Hawkins

 

[HunnyBunny]

Ok I am a bit star struck that you are a 'REAL' friend of Kevin's, rather than a dorky computernut one! Is that a bit weird?

LOL!! See, and I'm jealous that you all get to spend so much time here and form those computer relationships! You all have such great bonds!

 

[Beauty908]

My first and only Disney story (so far) happened in Dec. 1994 at DisneyLand. We lived in Reno, NV and were planning on moving that coming summer, so my parents decided to take my brother (9 yrs) and me (4 yrs.) to DisneyLand since we lived so close. "Uncle" Don came too--he could do one heck of a Donald Duck voice!!

(I guess my history with Disney started before this trip with movies and my neighbors. My neigbors would draw up lifesize ply-wood Disney figures and decorate their yard for Christmas with them. Every year was a new character. Huey, Dewey, and Louie were my favorite aside from the princesses and Ursala (that was also his wife's name )

I don't remember the drive too much, but we video recorded the trip (unfortunately, my mom accidently recorded over part of it--half way through POTC). It was a blast!! I loved the characters--at that time, they really were Pooh, Goofy, and Tigger. I don't think I ever saw Mickey.... Anyway, I was convinced that they were real--and really ticklish!! Goofy was tall and funny, and we danced!! We went close to Christmas time so the decorations were fabulous!!

Of the attractions, aside from the ones that are on film, I specifically remember riding some kind of spaceship ride with my brother--being super high, I was really proud of my courage and my favorite--Mad Hatter Tea Party!!! Absolutely the best!!

Excitingly, in less than a month, I will be expanding my Disney story to WDW in March--for a WDW class. Not only am I excited to be going, but this time I will be able to remember it all!!

 

[exwdwcm]

LOL- another thread from the dead!!!!???

Gosh- it's been so long, i barely remember!

I signed on in 1999 when the site was still a baby. I have always had a love for all things disney and after my parents took us to WDW in the early 80s, well that completely sealed the deal! I collected disney merchandise, movies, etc.

In college, I did a marketing internship one summer and one of my coworkers told me about the WDW College Program. How i had never heard of it is beyond me. This was in 1995. I had just gotten on the internet for the first time in 1993, so information was not broadly available online quite yet. The big web explosion hadn't quite started yet. I applied, was accepted and did the Fall 1996 program. It's a memory and experience I will always cherish, but I came home wanting more. That is when I found the DIS. I found a few other alumni online and while searching, came across the DIS. I loved the boards and reading news and other's experiences.

I signed on and intently read everything I could get my hands on. But I didn't post much- I was still so new to the whole forum setup and just enjoyed reading more than anything. In the last 5 years or so, I've travelled more to WDW and started finally actively participating on the DIS. My sister introduced me to the podcast two years ago and I've been hooked on that ever since and did the PCC 1.0 and DAP.

I can't tell you how many people I refer to the DIS or DU, because I feel it is one of the BEST sources of accurate and timely information out there. Why go to the 'always' broken official Disney site, when I can find what I want right here on the DIS? I've made so many friends online and a few in person, I've even found a local friend that is also a CP alum and we now meet for lunch and she is currently at the Disney Social Media Moms event right now! So the DIS has been a true treasure for friends IRL and online. The amount of information and passion I've been able to share is amazing. Not to mention the information I have learned. As a brand new DVC member (sending back paperwork this weekend!), I relied on the DVC boards most recently as my source of information from actual DVC members- the good and the bad.

That's how my DIS experience came to be. Now you can't get rid of me if you wanted to. sorry!

 

[bear_mom]

I ended up on this site when trying to plan a better trip for our family.

My dh and I went to the World for our honeymoon. I should mention that we got married on July 5th and my dh HATES the heat and really dislikes being around people. We had a okay trip, but it wasn't great or that memorable. The lines were long (pre-fast pass), it was hot and sticky, it was crowded, we didn't have any plans, we didn't really know anything.

Fast forward to after having two princess crazed dds, I wanted to go back. Dh was reluctant to say the least, but he did give me the option of a trip to DW or a new diamond ring. I choose the trip and immediately started planning and found this site. It help SOOOOO much, that we are now planning our fourth trip to the World in four years.

(Oh, I still go my new diamond ring too the next year )

Emily

Emily

 

[monkeyknuckler]

Last April my wife scheduled us for a DVC presentation at CR. Two days later we had the SSR tour and bought into Bay Lake Tower. Before the presentation, I didn't know what DVC was. When we came home, I typed DVC into Google, and here I am.
Just got my pin and lanyard today. Thanks Pete and crew!