tutter99
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Aug 20, 2009
- Messages
- 951
Maybe we can have a guest Princess!
I don't know why but I have this image i my head that that this is turning into the Happy Days episode where Howard takes Richie to the convention.

Maybe we can have a guest Princess!
These are some great topics to get the discussion rolling. Here's my comments:
1. I think a DisDads convention would be AWESOME. I highly recommend either September or early December/January (just avoid Christmas through New Year's) as time-frames for WDW. Disney works pretty hard to attract convention groups during these traditionally slow time periods. There are deals to be had both at the Disney convention hotels and in Downtown Disney.
2. While we could certainly include GKTW fundraising into the convention, I don't think it serves us well either to incorporate as a charitable organization or really at all. 501(c)(3) registration brings with it lots of legal obligations, including reporting requirements, that are much more onerous and expensive to comply with than necessary for our purposes. I'm not sure what incorporating the group would gain for us either.
3. I think a keynote event with a guest speaker would be great (perhaps a kickoff breakfast or closing dinner), I don't think we want a too heavily programmed schedule. If we wanted to be indoors listening to speakers, why be at WDW?
4. I'm EXTREMELY disinclined to associate ourselves with any religious-based organization. I know that we have active members representing a wide-range of faith traditions here, and I don't think it serves us to alienate anyone on a religious basis.
5. I agree that brief is better. A long weekend, for example, helps make it more affordable and doable for more people. If folks want the rest of their families to either come down with them or meet them after the convention, that can always be arranged.
6. I'd LOVE to do a live podcast (I'd even invest in some hardware, if necessary).
7. As for marketing, I'm not sure how much broader the initial marketing needs to be. We have a number of DisDads who are travel agency contractors, and at least one I know of is at least exploring the possibility of opening his own agency. We have over 650 members here on Disboards, and over 1,500 unique downloaders of the podcast, plus any Facebook and/or Twitter followers that all of those people have. Should we decide to do this, plenty of people will find out about it. I've got contacts with several other podcasts and blogs as well, who would probably be willing to help promote the event.
A disdad would realize he's in one of the most magical place on earth and "weather" (sorry horrible pun) or not things are going perfect everyone on this board would like trade places with him in a second. We're like the mail man; neither rain, nor sleet, nor fire will keep us from enjoying the time with our families...and star tours2.
Oh, that's too good to be just a criteria. A tiny bit of rewording and we have:
"Neither rain, nor sleet, nor fire will keep us from enjoying time with our families...and Star Tours 2."
I say, MANLAW!
Good point... SECOND!
I'll THIRD that.
We are still talking about the Vader flight with Star Tours 2. 100% agree.
if you want to see some old pics of the mk while it was being built, this web site is cool. ive posted stuff from here before. this shows some old pics of the ultilidors taking shape and the castle. if you get time, route around this site, theres alot of cool stuff on here.
http://www.imagineeringdisney.com/blog/tag/behind-the-scenes
These are some great topics to get the discussion rolling. Here's my comments:
1. I think a DisDads convention would be AWESOME. I highly recommend either September or early December/January (just avoid Christmas through New Year's) as time-frames for WDW. Disney works pretty hard to attract convention groups during these traditionally slow time periods. There are deals to be had both at the Disney convention hotels and in Downtown Disney.
2. While we could certainly include GKTW fundraising into the convention, I don't think it serves us well either to incorporate as a charitable organization or really at all. 501(c)(3) registration brings with it lots of legal obligations, including reporting requirements, that are much more onerous and expensive to comply with than necessary for our purposes. I'm not sure what incorporating the group would gain for us either.
3. I think a keynote event with a guest speaker would be great (perhaps a kickoff breakfast or closing dinner), I don't think we want a too heavily programmed schedule. If we wanted to be indoors listening to speakers, why be at WDW?
4. I'm EXTREMELY disinclined to associate ourselves with any religious-based organization. I know that we have active members representing a wide-range of faith traditions here, and I don't think it serves us to alienate anyone on a religious basis.
5. I agree that brief is better. A long weekend, for example, helps make it more affordable and doable for more people. If folks want the rest of their families to either come down with them or meet them after the convention, that can always be arranged.
6. I'd LOVE to do a live podcast (I'd even invest in some hardware, if necessary).
7. As for marketing, I'm not sure how much broader the initial marketing needs to be. We have a number of DisDads who are travel agency contractors, and at least one I know of is at least exploring the possibility of opening his own agency. We have over 650 members here on Disboards, and over 1,500 unique downloaders of the podcast, plus any Facebook and/or Twitter followers that all of those people have. Should we decide to do this, plenty of people will find out about it. I've got contacts with several other podcasts and blogs as well, who would probably be willing to help promote the event.
We are still talking about the Vader flight with Star Tours 2. 100% agree.
We have to make this happen! Let me know what I can do to help make this dream come to pass!![]()
Good Morning Dads!
I hope everyone had a good weekend. Mine was super busy with work and pumpkin-picking. DS is now 6 months old as well! I need to go back and catch up on what everyone's been up to. (Seems like i am saying that a lot lately)
One other bit of news on my end is that last month I applied for the Walt Disney World Mom's Panel. I found out Saturday that I actually made it to the second round of the application process!!I honestly wasn't expecting to.
So that means I'll be busy answering the next batch of questions this week, which are due on Friday. One of those questions has to be answered with a video (under 1:00). So, I need to get myself a haircut!![]()
Norm brought up a good point that we could become a not for profit and have a convention at DW or DL for that matter. It got me thinking what the structure might look like. Maybe some higher level manager dads could offer some insight as well.
- Have it on a two or three year rotational basis
- Line up guest speakers from Disney, i.e. IT folks, GKTW people, Make a Wish Foundation
- By lining up with a charity maybe we could be more visible.
- We could work with All Pro Dad as well. Have workshops on the imprtance of fatherhood, family, etc.
- be no longer then 2-3 days
- for fun we could do 101 uses for bacon (thats for you Randall)
- I could see Mark and Aaron doing a live podcast from the Poly.
- Of course the must have photo of all the Disdads on Main St!
Let me know what you guys think. It may be a pipe dream, but other organizations have started on less!
These are some great topics to get the discussion rolling. Here's my comments:
1. I think a DisDads convention would be AWESOME. I highly recommend either September or early December/January (just avoid Christmas through New Year's) as time-frames for WDW. Disney works pretty hard to attract convention groups during these traditionally slow time periods. There are deals to be had both at the Disney convention hotels and in Downtown Disney.
2. While we could certainly include GKTW fundraising into the convention, I don't think it serves us well either to incorporate as a charitable organization or really at all. 501(c)(3) registration brings with it lots of legal obligations, including reporting requirements, that are much more onerous and expensive to comply with than necessary for our purposes. I'm not sure what incorporating the group would gain for us either.
3. I think a keynote event with a guest speaker would be great (perhaps a kickoff breakfast or closing dinner), I don't think we want a too heavily programmed schedule. If we wanted to be indoors listening to speakers, why be at WDW?
4. I'm EXTREMELY disinclined to associate ourselves with any religious-based organization. I know that we have active members representing a wide-range of faith traditions here, and I don't think it serves us to alienate anyone on a religious basis.
5. I agree that brief is better. A long weekend, for example, helps make it more affordable and doable for more people. If folks want the rest of their families to either come down with them or meet them after the convention, that can always be arranged.
6. I'd LOVE to do a live podcast (I'd even invest in some hardware, if necessary).
7. As for marketing, I'm not sure how much broader the initial marketing needs to be. We have a number of DisDads who are travel agency contractors, and at least one I know of is at least exploring the possibility of opening his own agency. We have over 650 members here on Disboards, and over 1,500 unique downloaders of the podcast, plus any Facebook and/or Twitter followers that all of those people have. Should we decide to do this, plenty of people will find out about it. I've got contacts with several other podcasts and blogs as well, who would probably be willing to help promote the event.
Boy, I take a few days off and see what I miss?!
I'd be definitely in for this! A few threads ago, I brought up doing a Dis Dad's trip, but it probably got buried in bacon posts.
I would agree with Aaron that we should stay away from affiliating with any organization. Plus, from my own personal experience incorporating a fraternity-type organization, it can be a nightmare (and this was a well-established group filled with attourneys that already had a charter!). I would recommend starting some regular annual trips first and seeing how it plays out.
Good Morning Dads!
I hope everyone had a good weekend. Mine was super busy with work and pumpkin-picking. DS is now 6 months old as well! I need to go back and catch up on what everyone's been up to. (Seems like i am saying that a lot lately)
One other bit of news on my end is that last month I applied for the Walt Disney World Mom's Panel. I found out Saturday that I actually made it to the second round of the application process!!I honestly wasn't expecting to.
So that means I'll be busy answering the next batch of questions this week, which are due on Friday. One of those questions has to be answered with a video (under 1:00). So, I need to get myself a haircut!![]()
It does sound like a lot of fun! I think my biggest issue would always be whether or not I had the funds to attend. But I'm sure not everybody would be able to go all the time...just whenever it could be worked out.
I'm up for making breakfast.... I'm not too sure about the delivery though.Don't you remember?
You volunteered to make all of us fresh donuts and coffee in the morning. I'mm eagerly awaiting personal delivery.
On an unrelated note (because let's face it, there really aren't many notes related to rivers of chocolate flowing through the Great White North), next year the Florida Marlins are moving to a new stadium, have re-branded themselves the Miami Marlins, and have a new logo. Someone on a sports-related blog I read pointed out that is is strikingly similar to an old WDW advertisement.
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Agreed. I think it'd be a lot of fun, but the issue would be coming up with the $ to cover the trip especially park tickets. DW and I struggle with spending $ on a trip for us to the World instead of doing a nicer family trip, so doing a trip completely by myself would likely get shot down.It does sound like a lot of fun! I think my biggest issue would always be whether or not I had the funds to attend. But I'm sure not everybody would be able to go all the time...just whenever it could be worked out.