Tell us your DIS story...

[MousekaMaddi]

I own my own business, two business' in fact-and Im a 43 yr old woman, the stress is MAMMOTH as the owner...and I come here to live in a fantasyworld and forget the stress! Thank u DIS

 

[disneycruise05]

I'm a Disney child myself. My parents took us to Disneyland when I was 2, and WDW when I was 5. Since my father is in the Army, we were always moving around and never able to make it back to the parks. We collected practically all the animated films on VHS and would watch them all the time. One tradition we had was that whenever we moved (between every year and 2.5 years), we would go see whatever Disney movie was in the theatres after unpacking the house. I still remember seeing Hercules when we moved to Georgia.

Anywho, when we moved to Germany, I met my group of friends in high school. This is the group that I count as being some of my best friends to this day (I'm in college). In fact, we still get together to go to WDW every year or two. While in Germany, we went to Disneyland Resort Paris, which re-sparked my love for the parks. We decided that as our graduation trip, we were going to do the land/sea package. Our senior year, I stayed in Germany, one friend went to Colorado, one went to Illinois, and one went to West Virginia. A month before our trip, my friend Shaun (the one who moved to Colorado) found the DIS and sent me the link to join. I did so, and we started posting on the DCL forum. This was our first cruise and we really didn't know anything.

Needless to say, everyone on the forum was incredibly helpful and friendly. We had a fabulous trip that was only enhanced by what we learned on the DIS. Afterwards, I had to stop coming here since it was just to bloody depressing, seeing everyone planning their trips and me just getting off my high. Well, it clearly shows that me staying away didn't happen for that long. I was able to come back and help others with their trips with what I had learned here. Then, last March, we decided to go on another trip to the World. The first thing I did was head back to start asking questions. Again, learning tips here made that trip great.

Probably one of the things that I love the most here is the Cruise Meets on the DCL forum. It was great being able to talk with other Disers before our trip on the Magic in December.

Then again, there's the Podcast...which all of us here can attest to helping us stay sane when were not at Disney! Pete, you and the gang are doing a fabulous job. Thank you so much for everything you do.

So, that's pretty much my DIS story. The DIS is now the one place I have to visit everyday when I'm online. It's one of the few places that I can show my Disney-dorkdom (my Dad's words...) and know that I'm not alone. It's my escape from reality.

 

[astrodrummergirl]

Well, I guess I found the DIS when I played VMK. I was searching around for a good walkthrough for a quest and when I found this forum, I signed up and started hanging out on the VMK board. After a while I branced out and found the UK Planning and Community board and the Disneyland Paris board and I ended up hanging around there. Before I joined I had already been to Disneyland Paris numerour times and had been to Disneyland in the summer of 2001.

The only thing I'm not sure about is how and when I found the podcast, but I must say, when I did, I became hooked. I didn't understand some jokes in the beginning but as I listened to more shows I started to understand.

I guess the podcast and the boards are whats responsible for me taking my first trip to WDW in summer 07, and I must admit, I wouldn't have done it without the advise and information on the DIS network. I may have been a complete WDW newbie, but I sounded like a pro!

 

[miss missy]

I found the DIS in 2005 when searching for WDW trip planning. I am an "investigator" by nature. My SIL wanted to take her mom to WDW and knew I did too, so she said lets do it, oh and you let me know how much it will be So the trip planning was put in my lap by my SIL who HATES to part with her money Oh yippy ! Well I came here and got information on how to save money and was hooked on the DIS in no time!! I became an addict Then I found the podcast last year. Hooked right away (see DUPA thread). I even learned how to get it loaded to my iPod! Oh and thanks for the iPod I won from the podcast- that really was awesome and helps me even further into my addiction!

I learn so much from these boards and the show. I learned more than I could ever share in words. Now I am the "go to" WDW person in the office and for family and friends. I pass this site along to everyone who asks about WDW... my first words are "you have to start by going to disboards.com"

Oh and in 2005 when my DD was 11, we stayed at POP and while at the hotel, she drew a picture and wrote "for more Disney information, go to www.disboards.com" and she hung it up in the window where everyone walking by could see it! I guess she is like her mom and likes to share good info

Ironically, when I was 23 I won a trip at work... to WDW!!! 7 days for 3 of us! My son was 5. I was single and young and WDW wasn't a place I wanted to go All my friends where going to Aruba and Ft Lauderdale- party places. I remember my boss called everyone together, she had a red Mickey Mouse sweatshirt in her hands, and Mickey ears... I stood there waiting for the crowd to gather, and said to my boss "I sooo have NO interest in Disney!!" and she says... and for top sales in the office...
is ... ---->insert ME<---!! I was sooo embarrassed! Well I found out it was a certain amount of money and I could do anything with it, even Aruba! But people in the office talked me into WDW, and since I had my son, I decided it was best to take him there. I took him and my gf. We had fun! I remember very little though. I have pics that show us at the parade, on rides and my son with Donald (back then, no lines, it was just swarms of kids around the characters) I remember coming back and saying it was fun. But that was it. I wasn't looking to go back. We did Universal and Sea World too. I do remember Epcot being a place I really liked though.

So until my trip back as a "real adult" LOL and bringing my DD 10 and MIL, well that is when I got hooked! I remember splitting up at MK. MIL, SIL & BIL and their kids- were going to the "baby rides" and DD wanted the "BIG kid rides" so we split up. They even decided not to go to our reservations for a character meal, because the kids were afraid of the characters! DD and I went alone and had a blast! Then we were running to Space Mountain and laughing and really enjoying ourselves. We had never been on Sp M and we came off almost peeing our pants! I said "Oh my, we are going to have to come back alone" and she said "Oh yes, yes yes"! I went home and booked it for 3 months later! We did 10 days alone and that is when our mother/daughter trips started! We have been doing them 2x a year since 2005. It helps that DH isn't into WDW at all, makes it easier to afford more trips with less people. He just doesn't get it, and he has been once himself when in his 20's.

Unfortunatly, since my son is in the working world now AND has a baby, he can't join us yet But I figure by the time my DD is grown out of these trips, my GD will be just the right age to start her addiction I dream of having us all there togther some day!

Sorry, that was long! But who would of thought me to ever become a DISNEY head between WDW, DIS and the podcast it is beyond an addiction, it is a way of life

In short...

What brought you here? yahoo search and a trip to plan

What special friends have you made? Many! I have exchanged many PM's and many posts with many of DIS peeps. I have many email friends I found here on the DIS.

What keeps you coming back? I am an addict, thats what we do LOL.
Really though, I come back to learn more and to have more to share. I like to check in and make sure all of my DIS pals are doing OK. But I really love the feeling I get when I can answer a question and teach someone something they can use that they didn't know, that is what is keeps me around!

 

[miss missy]

dupt sorry

 

[Pinky166]

.

 

[scarlett873]

My story isn't all that long and complicated, but it's my story, nonetheless.

During my childhood, my family lived out on the west coast and one of my dad's favorite places was Disneyland. Needless to say, we visited often. I don't remember these trips to DL, but I have old pictures to prove I was there! One of the most treasured pictures that I have is of my mom, her mom, and me, I think I was about one or so. I'm in my stoller and the three of us are posed in front of the Mickey head out of flowers in front of the train station. I love that picture so much...so much in fact, that when our adoption is done and we're coming back home from China with our daughter, my mom and dad will be meeting us out in California for her first steps on US soil. We will stay a few days in that area and go to Disneyland...just so I can get a picture of my daughter, me, and my mom in the same spot!

Sorry 'bout that...got sidetracked! (happens a lot!)

Fastforward to adulthood. I had never been to Disney world, but thought it sounded like fun, so my first trip was planned for May 1995. After that trip, I was hooked! Kept going at least once a year, if not more...depending on what I could get away with! Thankfully, I was working as a travel agent at the time so I was able to afford to go more frequently with the discounts.

When my husband and I were planning to get married, we knew that we wanted a destination wedding. I first looked into Disney weddings, but on our budget, we just couldn't afford it. So we turned our attention to Vegas instead! While searching for good deals for Vegas packages one day, I decided to check on Disney packages, just for fun. Expedia had this tremendous deal! It was one of those that you just couldn't pass up, so after talking to my soon to be husband, we decided just to book it and figure out the wedding later. As luck would have it, we discovered that there were lots of places that we could get married at on our budget in that area, so our plans were set!

Now enter the DIS...since we were on such a tight budget, I was looking for money-saving tips and tricks. It had been a few years since I had been to WDW so I wanted to see what else was new. I googled (or whatever my search engine at the time was) Disney honeymoon or something and stumbled upon the DIS. Blew my mind!! There was sooooooooooo much information!! I immediately registered and began lurking. I was hooked...I loved reading the trip reports and dining tips and theme park tips and everything. I was amazed at the information that was available. I considered myself a Disney expert at the time. The agency that I worked for sent me all of the Disney requests at the time and I had even typed up my own tips and tricks document that I had available for our clients. Whenever anyone had a Disney related question, they came to me. Although I was very knowledgable about all things Disney, the DIS managed to teach me some new tricks!

Eventually, I found my way over to the Community Board where a thread entitled Swan-Dolphin Cheerleaders caught my eye. I watched that thread and the ladies in it seemed to have so much fun chatting back and forth. I hopped into their conversation, even though I had never been to either the Swan or the Dolphin, and the rest is history!

I've been an active DISer since summer of 2002! Since I am no longer able to make frequent trips to WDW, the DIS really helps me to pass the time between trips. I love reading the trip reports! And I love the support that is always available from my friends on the DIS...

As for the DIS Unplugged...My DH got me hooked onto the idea of podcasts. I hated the podcasts he listened to (techie stuff), so I began to hunt for podcasts that would interest me. Low and behold...the DIS began offering a podcast! Started listening immediately and although I wasn't a fan of the original format, I continued to listen anyway. I LOVE LOVE LOVE the format that the DIS unplugged has morphed into! You guys are a brightspot in my week! And I love the DIS Unplugged community that has formed over here...you guys are awesome! I hope to find a way to meet everyone someday!!

 

[DVCJones]

I was 8 years old when my parents first took my three brothers and I to WDW for the first time in 1978. We all quickly fell in love with the place and returned every year during April for the next ten years. Sometimes, we were lucky enough to go couple of times a year. I remember one time on Christmas morning after we had opened presents, My father said "You have 30 minutes to get yourselves packed, we are going to Disney World!!!" Picture four kids scrambling to get their new toys packed away. We did it and were on the road in the family RV headed for Fort Wilderness. My parents were great with surprises!!!


Well, we all grew up and our love for Disney grew too. The family trips to Disney ended when we all started to go to college. I however, was always thinking of a way to get back there.

One year in college the Disney College Program came to town to recruit college students to work in Disney World. I knew I had to do it. So, my friend, 2 brothers and I all went for interviews. Out of four of us, three were accepted. I was thrilled!!! I had figured out a way to get back to my happy place. It wasn't to be though, three weeks before I was to go my father became seriously ill and the family needed to face a lot of tough times. I had to withdraw from the program.

Dad did get better and life went on. a couple of years later I did get a chance to return to WDW with my boyfriend for a quick trip. It had been almost 5 years since I had been to Disney!

When I was planning my honeymoon it was easy to decide where to go. I was lucky enough to find a husband who shared my love for Disney...and so we went. It almost didn't happen though. We got married 2 weeks after 9/11 and we were really worried with what was going on. We really didn't want to fly and we were really concerned with going to WDW during this time as we feared that it may be a target for terrorism. I think at that time a lot of people felt the same way. We did go...by car!!! We had a wonderful time. The parks were almost empty. It felt weird to be there when it wasn't completely packed with people. It was nice to forget about what was going on in the real world for a while and enjoy a place that was happy and relaxing.

I would often dream of the day when I would take my own children to WDW. I did just that in 2004. My DD first year of life was tough. When she was six months old she was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma (cancer) and put in a tough year with hospital visits, surgery, therapy etc. When we were given the great news that she was in remission and most likely would be fine. We knew where we would take her to celebrate. She was 16 months old and she had a blast. This trip was the one that meant the most to me. I was so grateful for a lot of things on that trip and the wishes and dreams made on that trip had special meaning.

It was on that trip that I vowed that I would take my DD and any future children to WDW every year. I wanted to continue the tradition my parents started when I was a child. So, following the birth of DD number two, my husband and I bought into DVC. We have been going in April ever since. I look forward to giving my children the same happy memories that I still hold close to my heart.

Shortly after buying into DVC I found the DIS. I was doing an internet search for information on WDW. I started out slow. I was just a lurker for quite a while and enjoyed reading all the information there was on the boards. I have learned so much!!! I have since become a daily visitor to the DIS and just recently discovered the podcasts. Love, love, love it!!!! What a friendly group of people. I have discovered that may people hold a special place in their hearts for WDW like I do. It feels good to be among friends. The Pdcast forum has quickly become my favorite forum. You guys are a hoot!!!!

Sorry for the long story, but I thought I should share the whole story on how my love for WDW led me to the DIS and to explain how nice it is to have found a group of people who share similar feelings for WDW and why it feels good to have found a bunch of kindred spirits to share a mutual interest.

 

[aGoofyMom]

I really found the DIS the first time when planning for my 1999 honeymoon. Every time I searched for Disney World, the DIS would be right near the top. I was new to the internet, and wasn’t sure about trusting anything unofficial. So I didn’t nose around the site at all. We had a 2-week honeymoon at Disney, one week offsite, near Universal and one week at CBR – under construction. Something I likely would have known had I looked at the DIS! They were working on our roof right above our heads at 8am. I told DH we had to go go go.
No stopping. We had 1 sit down meal at WDW – CRT on our last night there – my birthday. We didn’t tell anyone it was my birthday. (Who knew what I was missing!)

Then I had a co-worker planning her Disney trip, and reading trip reports at work. She was laughing so much, I had to check it out. Then I had to sign up. Then I booked a trip, using all I could find on the DIS to help plan. WOW what a difference. We surprised DD(then 4) with the 6 night trip. Tinkerbell left her a present for the morning of our flight (her first) sprinkled with pixie dust from a tip I had read. I had character meals booked, we didn’t try to do everything…it was fabulous. It was actually relaxing – we even took time out just to swim.

I hadn’t really found one board to really hang out on…then I found the podcast early last year. I was planning a big trip, and got ideas, and answers and lots of laughs. I was hooked. Since then, the podcast board seems to be my happy place. Our trip last fall was amazing and so memorable.

In chatting to another Mom at DD’s school morning and afternoon – she kept asking for help in trip planning her WDW trip, but couldn’t commit to taking her girls, no matter how much they begged. She was overwhelmed by all the planning. As soon as I started thinking about another quick trip while I still had my AP from last fall – she was in. She decided that if she travelled with us, then I would plan everything, guide everyone around and she wouldn’t have to sort out all this planning stuff. We have it all booked & leave in 68 days! Upon hearing this at work, another co-worker’s eyes shot up & he asked how he could get in on this, and asked when my pass would expire.

DD can't wait for this trip so she can be the "expert" and show her best friend, and the older sister around.

 

[Madi100]

Our first trip was to WDW was in 1998. Our DD was only a year and a half, so DH and I decided to leave her with Grandma and Grandpa. A friend of mine that I met online through a coupon website was a member of the Disney Club or something through his job. It allowed him to get special discounts on rooms throughout the year. We were able to be members because of them. We had a room booked at the contemporary for $126 a night. We decided that we would rather save the money and we stayed at the All Star Music instead at the rate of $59 a night. It still makes me sick to think that we gave up that room at the Contemporary. I know at that time that I must have known enough to request a room at the Calypso section, but not much more. We went in September and had no touring plan whatsoever. We got to Magic Kingdom, and we didn't even know what to ride. Our first night there we went to Night of Joy, and I thought that it would be dead, because how many people are actually into Christian music?? That was funny. There were so many youth groups there. I'd never do it again, but I was thrilled to see Michael W. Smith in Magic Kingdom.

Anyway, we head home and know that we want to go back. So, we started looking at going again. I found another online site first, and they had a link to this site through one of their posts. I've been hooked ever since. I've been a member here since April of 2000. Now for that many years, I don't have as many posts as some of the people. I can't say that I've ever made any friends here or that anyone would notice if I didn't come back tomorrow. However, if the DIS was gone tomorrow my life would be greatly affected. We move around quite a bit and while I have to leave friends behind, I've always got the DIS. I have been amazed by the diversity of people that visit this site. I guess I'm just a niave girl from Iowa. It has been wonderful to see how different people can be. It has also been disheartening at times to see how mean people be can. But, at the end of the day, this site is full of people who would help out a perfect stranger and help make their life easier.

I always know that I can find the answer to my questions, no matter what the subject matter. I usually only visit the forums regularly when I am planning a trip. Now I find myself checking out the podcast forum several times a day. I thoroughly enjoy it.

Nicole

 

[DexLabDeeDee]

My story isn't the most exciting or the most original but it's mine so it's important to me. I went to Disney twice as a kid in elementary school. I would love to say that I was hooked then but I remember mostly wanting to go back to the hotel and swim. Yikes! In college my younger DSis played softball and the team came down for a week to play in the round robin tournaments that are all month and all over Orlando. In order to add some variety to the week, DM, DSis and I decided to go to MK. It was POURING rain but it was the best day I had ever had. We laughed our way through the park and I found my second home.

After that, I searched for anything to do with Disney and found the WDWInfo site. I visited that for awhile and then found the boards. I lurked for a really long time (on and off for 4 years, I think), picked up some great tips for our subsequent Disney trips and cruise. It was actually the podcast that drew me in the most and convinced me that I should really sign up and belong to this great community of people! I love to hear your voices every week - it makes it more real that you all are really out there.

Thank you to the Podcast team and everyone at the DIS who have such a passion for the mouse! It lets me have my fix and keeps me sane!

 

[*NikkiBell*]

Ahh, the DIS, how do I love thee? Let me count the ways....

I joined the lovely DIS family in 2005. Although I lurked for a few months beforehand, I finally made the switch during the summer when I was home from work (I'm a fifth grade teacher). I originally visited a competitor site, but began to avoid it as the people there were so unkind and un-Disneylike. I was pleased to be welcomed with warm hearts to the DIS.

I frequented the Disney resort and restaurant boards for some time and was amazed at how nice everyone was. I then learned about a new Disney game called Virtual Magic Kingdom that was in Beta testing. It sounded like an interesting way to pass the time so I signed up. While there, I met some amazing people and began communicating with them via the community boards, and much later on, the VMK forum. I eventually became inducted into a very friendly group of women who call themselves the DIS Zetas. The rest, my friends, is history.

It is now 2008 and I still speak with these ladies on a regular basis. We have grown together personally and much beyond what the Internet can hold. We celebrate birthdays, marriages, engagements, job promotions, and births with extreme joy. We also spend time together on the phone and via email and messenger. Recently, a large group of us spent time together in WDW at the Food & Wine Festival. It was a blast and brought many memories.

Looking back, I don't think I could have gotten through the rough times of my life without the DIS. In a matter of two years, I lost my future mother-in-law, cried as my own mother developed a debilitating disease, and shook with fear as I learned of my boyfriend's being in a near fatal car accident. The kind words and encouragement I received from my DIS friends is what pulled me through these rough times. The entertainment and "escape from reality" provided by others in the DIS family assisted in coping and regenerating the life I had before all the hardship. And for this, I am most proud to call myself a DISer and plan on doing so until the end.

 

[Blue Skies]

I found the DIS when we were planning our 2000 trip; and I have been hooked ever since!

I am currently on my second user name - I lost my first one and all my posts in one of the infamous board crashes of old. I am not so much a poster - but more of a lurker now.

What I like about the DIS is the knowledge that other DIS'ers share. I always learn so much that helps us in planning our trips. I also like the sense of humor * most * people have here. I will never look at a can of corn again in the same way!

I really enjoy Disney podcasts (I am subscribed to over 10 of them), and I enjoy how the DIS podcast has more of a focus towards trip planning. The whole podcast crew has great chemistry and they really seem to like each other; it doesn't come across as being * fake *. You all seem like family.

Pete, I hope the DIS and podcast are around for many more years to come. I really appreciate all you (and the rest of the crew) do for all of us.

Thank you!

 

[kab407]

I came to the DIS through my Sister in Fall 2003. She talked me and my credit card into taking a Disney Cruise (7-Day Western) in Oct 2004. I was apprehensive in that, I thought it would be nothing but kids running around and biting my ankles. She pointed me to the DIS Boards. The DCL Forum convinced me that there were adult things on the Magic and I was not going to be attacked by kids every second of the day. It was through the threads I learned about Palo, “Secret” Deck 7, excursions and Castaway Cay.

I realized the power of the boards during August & September of 2004. My Sister lives in WPB. Those of you living in Fl during that time remember, all too well, that hurricane season (right Pete?). My Sister, being nurse, goes on “Hurricane Duty” anytime there is an impending storm. It was Francis that had her at the hospital for 4 days straight. She was unable to access her email let alone a phone line. She was able to post on our Cruise Meets thread to let us know where she was and that she, my BIL and the kids were safe.

The DVC Forum answered many of my questions on DVC and led me to buy into SSR site unseen while on the cruise.

Over the past few years the DIS has become a place where I can go to find others who simply share in my loved of the magic of Disney. Yes, I get mocked at being over 40 and loving Disney. I still get teased that I go several times a year. Guess what, I don’t care and I know that I am not alone in that feeling. (Hi Anthony!)

About a year ago I learned of the Podcasts. I downloaded an episode and listened on my way down to DC. I had to keep from laughing out loud. So, not only were there these really cool message boards that discussed every possible topic about Disney, there were these people who talked about it once a week. And, they were really funny, talked about things I never knew existed and at times, brutally honest! Yea, I was hooked.

Back in September 2007, I had the pleasure of meeting Bob at F&W. I’ve mentioned in a couple other threads, I had a hard time explaining who Bob was and what a podcast was to my Mom who was with me. (She still does not understand.) Bob holds a special place in my heart for a comment he made about our meeting during an e-mail show several weeks later. His passing comment came at a time when I needed to hear a friendly voice.

I was at the 12/6 Pod Meet where I got to meet the rest of the crew along with a few other DISers and the now famous, Will. It was the meet that changed everything for me. Pete, Kevin, John, Julie, Corey and Bob you''re no longer voices coming thru my ear buds. You’re friends. I’m looking forward to cruising with you all in May 2009. This is going to be an adventure!

 

[elemusing]

Hi Pete and the gang!

I am happy to tell you my DIS story! My husband and I went on our first Disney Cruise in 2000. We began planning in the winter of 1999. I couldn't believe there wasn't a book or anything on the Internet that I could find to help me plan! Finally, I found Barb and Tony's site and then I came across this interesting message board for cruises. It took me a few weeks to realize that this board was connected to a greater website that was linked from wdwinfo.com!

WOW! After I realized this I was hooked! The cruise board members gave me so much information that I kept coming back for more each year for every trip to WDW. After a trip a couple of years later, I was so grateful for the time saving information and the wonderful community here on the DIS that I became a lifetime member. (No - it really wasn't the promise of the DIS mug that got me to donate) ha!

My husband (DisneyDadFanatic) and I are both long time readers. When you guys had a server crash a few years ago, he lost his original name (Robo - it has since been taken by another person) and his original start date, but that's ok. He just started again!

I recommend the DIS to ANYONE who will listen. People ask me all the time to help plan their Disney vacations and the first place I send them to is wdwinfo and the DIS boards.

My husband got me an mp3 player for Christmas and I am now hooked on the podcast. I have a 90 minute round-trip commute each day and listening to the podcast makes the trip so much more bearable. I just appreciate you all more than you know and feel like you are family.

There have been lots of stories through the years that make me laugh when I remember them - if you mention mole skin and people eating corn from the cans on Main Street- that will make many of us oldies laugh. (LONG STORY) I can remember a few years back standing at the toppings bar at Cosmic Rays when someone yelled out across the room "HELLO FELLOW DISER!" (I had on my lime green DIS t-shirt). It was "Zurg" and his wife "Zurg's Wife." I felt like I was meeting a celebrity from the Boards because he is always so helpful and nice.

And then who can forget DelsWife's trip reports! Oh my goodness! Those are the funiest things you will ever read. She really deserves her own link from the main site.

So thanks again Pete and everyone who makes this site possible. I love it!

Sincerely,
Angie

 

[Annette_VA]

I found the DIS back in 2004 when I was planning our first trip to WDW with our kids. We'd been a few times before, just DH & I, but this was our first trip as parents.

We'd only done moderates before, but with the kids, we wanted more space, so I spent a lot of time on the Resorts board choosing our resort. That's also where I learned about the pay for 5 days and get 2 free deal that was going to come out for that year. Realizing that this community was full of wonderful information like that began the addicition. From there, I branched out to the Family Board, the Budget board, TPA&S, the Community board, and now the DIS Unplugged board.

As SteveGriswold noticed, I pretty much live here now. I always have a tab in IE open w/ the DIS on it and I'll check in throughout the day. There is such an interesting mix of people, personalities, etc. I keep coming back because there's always something good to read, whether it be the next big deal for Disney or something frivolous on the CB like JimFritz's oppossum in the car story. Heck, I get most of my breaking world news here!

 

[Disneybridein2k3]

My love of the Disboards began as a lurker when I was planning our Disney wedding in 2003. Every day for 14 months I was consumed by our Disney wedding (obsessive compulsive planner anyone??) and the Dis was a great resource. But the real fun began after we got home from our honeymoon on the Disney Magic - a 7 night Disney cruise. Because I spent so much time planning the wedding, I didn't plan the cruise at all and felt so unprepared for the cruise. I really felt like I missed so much! Of course, I use the Dis for all of our WDW trips so I knew just where to look when I decided to start obsessing about the Disney Cruise Line. Vacation plans were put on hold when we found out my husband, to whom I had been married just a short 8 months, was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. I reached out to the Boards for friendship and support and my online friends who had never met me or my husband offered such support and love - we will never forget them. It was a tough year in 2004 but we made it through and celebrated with a Disney Cruise vacation in 2006 which my Disboard friends helped make special. Fast forward to 2006 - My daughter's 13th birthday was in March 2007 and I wanted to surprise her with something really special so I looked to my Disboard friends for advice. After many suggestions, we decided on a "MasterCard" theme Disney Cruise Line surprise --- we booked everything a year in advance and on the day we were flying to FL, we took our daughter to the parking of my office and had her read note cards. Airfare for 7 (price) -- Hotel (price) -- Rental Car (price) --
Seeing the expression on your daughter's face when she realizes she is being surprised with a Disney cruise to celebrate her 13th birthday -- PRICELESS! - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-oMzvoDLHXU
Of course, the surprise was a big hit and the planning that I did for that year on the Dis was well worth it. Most importantly, the friendships that we created while on the boards that year planning the trip were irreplaceable. Of all of our trips, that last one was the very best because of the friends that we connected with on the Dis. My husband and I still talk about it - it was just like cruising with friends even though we had never met them before. It was so much fun to be able to see familiar faces when you walk into the club at night on the ship or at Serenity Bay. Those moments are cherished and I think is the reason I enjoy the Disney ships so much. When I think of the reason I love cruising with Disney, one of the biggest reasons is because of the wonderful people I meet right here on the Dis. These boards have become a 2nd family of sorts for me - a support group when I need it - a way for me to be able to help others plan their WDW trips or Disney cruises - and a way to connect with new Disney friends who understand what it means to be obsessive/compulsive about a love for all things Disney and who do not think I am strange because of it - all of us here have a little Anthony in us - I may have a little more than most

 

[bcvdreamer]

I've been around for awhile, but mostly lurking. I've been shy my whole life. I stumbled on the site when I was researching our first trip as a family in 2001. We decided to take a last minute trip, and only had 3 weeks to plan it. It was a fantastic trip because of the DIS. The information I got here was invaluable.

After that trip we knew were hooked, and we ended up joining DVC. We bought BCV before it was completed. Because of the DVC boards we weren't nervous about our purchase, since any question we had was answered quickly and so nicely. Those regulars over there have a wealth of knowledge, and they're so friendly!

Since I had so many Disney photos I needed a scrapbook to put them all in, so I headed over to the scrapbooking board and joined 8 or 9 scrapbook swaps. My user name was dreaming of BCV. I've forgot my password and what email address I signed up under, so then I became bcvdreamer. Those scrappers on that board are so talented. It was a lot of fun. I got busy with family and work so I didn't have time to work on my scrapbooks, so I haven't participated in any more swaps lately. I still jump over there to get ideas.

When we decided to take a Disney cruise I lived on the cruise boards. The cruise tip thread is great. I had postcards sent to my kids before we left because of the generosity of the people on that thread. I knew to pack a pillowcase to have signed by the characters. The cruise boards are great.

I started listening to the podcast about a year ago and I'm hooked for life. The first board I check every morning is the podcast board. I'm still trying to find a way to get on that podcast cruise!

Thanks for creating an awesome and friendly online community. I love the way you all make everyone feel welcome, especially through the Podcast each week.

Lisa

 

[Fitswimmer]

I was a Disney child...it all started with Winnie the Pooh and the Hunny Tree back in the 60's. My first visit to the world was in 1971, I was 11 years old and I thought it was Heaven on Earth.

Fast forward...a LOT of years. I had just gotten back from a visit to the World with a friend. We had gone on the DVC tour and she bought in right away. I was a little harder to convince, even though I loved Disney-I wanted to know how actual members felt about the Club. So, I did what everyone else does, went straight to Google. It led me to the DVC forums here, where I met some great people who helped me make the decision to buy in. Then one day I found the CB and it's been like crack to me ever since....

 

[cdnmickeylover]

I found the DIS through a link on another site and was really excited to find other Disney nuts like me. I've loved Disney since I was a child and did visit Disneyland with my family when I was about 6 or 7 although I don't remember that much about the trip except my parents arguing over the use of the coupons in the coupon book. Might be dating myself with that one!!

I then visited WDW while in high school and really fell in love with the place although we only visited the MK. Epcot was just opening but we didn't visit it. When my DS was 2 I had the opportunity to return and did so yearly until he was 12. He then went with his grandmother when he was 14 and then he wouldn't go back again until last year when he was 21 -- I don't ask what happened but something obviously did!!

My goal since I was a child was to get back to Disney as often as I could. I totally relate to Kevin "who got it" from the first time he visited.

Luckily my boyfriend is ok with my obsession although it's taken a while. When I decided that we were going on a Disney cruise back in 2003 I found a link to the DIS. I joined the DIS and then joined the cruise thread for our cruise. He thought that I was strange for corresponding with people on the internet but let it go -- afterall he wouldn't necessarily (he figured) actually have to meet these people if he didn't want to -- he believed this til I told him we were driving 12 hours to Baltimore to have lunch with some of the people we were cruising with 4 months later. He thought I was nuts but went along with it. I think he thought that we wouldn't actually meet up with my DIS friends because how would we know them? We were walking along the waterfront in Baltimore when someone called out to us and DB looked at me amazed. He had hurt his foot and was limping and I had posted this information which is how our disfriends knew who we were. Anyway we had a great lunch cruise around Baltimore harbour and my DB realized that these people weren't nuts. He still wouldn't post on the thread but at least he realized that yes he was going to meet them and more importantly he'd like them. We have since cruised with some of the same people 3 times and met up with more at WDW and here in Canada. DB has his own screen name and does post once in a while.

I found the podcasts and now DB listens to them as well. We actually listened to one on the plane going to WDW last December. The podcast also taught me how to complain -- at least in restaurants. We were at a Boston Pizza here at home and the entree came while we were half way through our appetizers. I sent the entrees back and then made them make fresh entrees when they brought the same ones to our table 15 minutes later when we were ready to eat them. I told DB if that's what Kevin says to do then it's OK and we should do it. DB was a tad mortified but I was polite and we had a pleasant meal although we did get a new waiter.

As to the DIS it's wonderful. I've made a lot of friends through the DIS and saved a lot of $$$ as well -- who knew you could fly from Buffalo on Southwest and save thousands!!

Fiona