First of all, it means I've spent WAY to much time around here.
But why?
It started January 2009 when I booked my families vacation to WDW. It was the first time I would take my kids to see the most magical place on earth, a place that I would daydream about day in and day out after my first vacation, and the promise of experiencing it again through the eyes of a my children.
At that time, I knew that there was a lot of catching up to do, to ensure they would have a vacation they would never forget. So I went to my most trusted source of all information -
GOOGLE. I asked my question, and was linked to a website that seemed to have my answer. I asked my ext question, and again got linked to a website that seemed to have the answer. Then I realized every question about Disney I had
GOOGLE linked me to the DISBOARDS! Then I though, why I am asking
GOOGLE, when
GOOGLE simply asks the DISBOARDS, so I cut out the middle man, and linked directly here.
I couldn't believe the wealth of knowledge and experience I found from people such as Robo, Bradk, CheshireFigment, and others on the Theme Park boards. I knew I found a friendly place of other nuts like me!
I continued to check in every day, reading up on park strategies, why Rope Drop is so important, secret paths, hidden mickeys, and that fast passes can be used after the posted return time (who knew, right). I quickly began to really become obsessed with all things Disney. But it's not just the theme parks, not the movies, not the family entertainment; but it is the First Rate, top notch, A+ service that Disney provides. The incredible business plan to keep everything Disney the piece de resistance of all things Entertainment.
So I asked my questions, got my answers... and then found myself answering more of questions then I was asking. Was I becoming one of these experts (self proclaimed maybe).
So why was I still there? I had learned everything I needed to, but still found myself checking in on a daily basis. Was it because I needed to know what was going on at DIsney every waking hour? Which celebrity was there today? Why was there a backup of buses at the TTC, and for godsakes why are they refurb'ing that attraction when they know the crowds will be 7's accoringing to touringplans.com?
To answer the above question - yes, it was partially that.
But the real reason I keep coming back, is because during my searching around all of these forums, I found a group of guys that call them self DISdad's. They had a thread in the Family board. The first post had a huge list of criteria that will help you identify if you indeed are a DISdad.
As I sat there with a pencil and paper checking off reasons I may be a DISdad, I then realized I am not alone. So what if all my ties have Mickey on them. So what if the only CD's in my car are Disney music. So what if all life lessons I've learned can be traced back to Alladin, Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, or Lion King. I finally found a bunch of grown men who aren't affraid to admit they have a thing for Jasmine.
With such a huge presence (and a little help from Stopher's mad tears of speed posting to close threads), our presence was recognized and we got out own forum.
The DISDad's has been more then a group of Disney loving fathers. It has been a place where we can all get together and talk openly about problems in our lives, celebrations we want to share, and even tell a fart joke once in a while. The DISDad's is not a group of strangers on the internet, but a group of men from all corners of the globe who all share the love of Disney and Family, a group I am proud to call my Friends.
So I couldn't think of a better place to post my number 5000.
Thanks guys.