What happened to Libertybelle?

[bjakmom]

safetymom- please pass along best wishes to LB for me - I will sorely miss her input and, hopefully, she can rejoin us, perhaps in a more anonymous way, and share her love and joy of WDW - she is certainly one of the 'awesome, pixie-dusting !!!' CMs that we always remember when they help to make our stays at WDW so 'magical' !!! - Great CMs are the 'keepers of the magic' (IMHO) - they are invaluable both to WDW and to those of us who love it - many, many thanks to LB, not only for her help, but for sharing her enthusiasm with us over the years- we'll miss you (hopefully not for too long)!!!!

 

[canwegosoon]

Please pass along my good wishes to Libertybelle...she will be missed, and hoping she can come back sometime in the near future I will be looking for her on my next trip to OKW!!!

 

[Sammie]

You know I am so glad that SafetyMom in her official capicity stated what I had already posted.

Obviously even though I had been in contact with LibertyBelle some of you just could not believe that my version was correct.

What possible motive would either I or LibertyBelle have to try and deceive anyone. In fact I am somewhat hurt my word was doubted.

Personally I think my version just did not provide enough drama and intrigue, therefore it was disputed.

As someone stated, it truely is no one's business, but hers and I think you insult her to doubt it.

It is one thing to let her know she is missed, its something entirely different to doubt her reasons for leaving for a while.

 

[wtpclc]

I believe/hope that most of us were just concerned. Many weird things seem to have happened lately. In addition, the timing after the most recent posts made me worry. She's always had such wonderful insight for us in her post and truly possesses the Disney Magic.

To those of you incontact with her, please let her know that she will be missed and that we really appreciate the time she's given us in the past. Hopefully, she will return to us soon!

 

[BCV23]

I'll miss LibertyBelle, too. Please pass on my good wishes, Sammie and safetymom. Thanks!

 

[ErinC]

You know I am so glad that SafetyMom in her official capicity stated what I had already posted.

Obviously even though I had been in contact with LibertyBelle some of you just could not believe that my version was correct.

What possible motive would either I or LibertyBelle have to try and deceive anyone. In fact I am somewhat hurt my word was doubted.

Personally I think my version just did not provide enough drama and intrigue, therefore it was disputed.

As someone stated, it truely is no one's business, but hers and I think you insult her to doubt it.

It is one thing to let her know she is missed, its something entirely different to doubt her reasons for leaving for a while.

Sammie, relax, I think people were just voicing their concern. I don't think that any one is accusing you of lying. Lets face it, not many people on this board have even met one another in person let alone "trust" strangers. It's nice to have things confirmed by more than one person. I think everyone was grateful for your original post, I'm not sure that I understand your hostility now. I had some PM's with LibertyBelle several days ago, so I know about her break from the boards, I knew you were telling the truth. But just because people question the sudden departure doesn't mean that they don't believe the info that you have provided. Even if they don't believe you(just human nature), or question you, that's just something to be expected from this type of internet situation. For all I know, your name could be Fred, and you have never even been to WDW before!! Just Kidding, please don't take offense, I for one, appreciated the info, because I wasn't sure that I should post a thing about LibertyBelle's departure.

PS. I miss LibertyBelle too! She was very knowledgeable and sweet to offer her "free" time to those of us posting.

 

[Dean]

You know I am so glad that SafetyMom in her official capicity stated what I had already posted.

Obviously even though I had been in contact with LibertyBelle some of you just could not believe that my version was correct.

What possible motive would either I or LibertyBelle have to try and deceive anyone. In fact I am somewhat hurt my word was doubted.

Personally I think my version just did not provide enough drama and intrigue, therefore it was disputed.

As someone stated, it truely is no one's business, but hers and I think you insult her to doubt it.

It is one thing to let her know she is missed, its something entirely different to doubt her reasons for leaving for a while.

I'm sorry you took my post this way, it was not intended as such. But the situation and vague references did not offer a full explanation. I never doubted the sincerity of your post. As I noted, her business is her own, I was merely responding to the OP and subsequent posts at hand. Do I believe one is likely to ask to be removed from the DIS membership and have her posts removed for simple personal reasons like illness, busy, school, and the like; the answer is no I do not believe it. But that's me, no need to try to convince me otherwise, it isn't necessary and likely would be unsuccessful anyway. I could venture guesses as to what "personal reasons" might be at hand that would fall in between work and this board but I won't, no need. If she were receiving emails and PM inappropriately, there are other and better ways to deal with it by simply changing the profile.

I do miss the hands on perspective and the upbeat CM approach. I think she, among others, really have added a dimension to these boards that is impossible to have without truly inside knowledge and experience. Thus she will be missed and I, along with my family, wish her the best.

 

[Doug7856]

I too miss LibertyBelle's postings! I always enjoyed reading her comments and appreciate that she shared her knowledge of Walt Disney World. She is missed and hopefully she knows that! Please extend our best wishes to LibertyBelle.

 

[Beca]

As someone stated, it truely is no one's business, but hers and I think you insult her to doubt it.

It is one thing to let her know she is missed, its something entirely different to doubt her reasons for leaving for a while.

Sammie,

We are all grateful for your input. But, I echo the thoughts that someone "just taking a break" and pulling their entire profile seems worrisome....like a euphemistic labeling of, "I really need to disassociate myself from the boards." And, with the problematic threads that have been posting that Libertybelle responded too...and, with Disney's feelings of keeping all things "happy" and private....people are just worried. It doesn't mean that we are looking for "drama" or "intrigue". We are just worried about someone who seemed very helpful on these boards. I think our concern is not "to be nosy", but to ensure that her relationship with WDW was not harmed by these boards, and more specifically...her conversations with us. For that, I for one would feel very bad (and, somewhat responsible).

Sorry if you were offended...it REALLY wasn't any reflection on your credibility (in fact, it probably had VERY little to do with you). Kind of like when someone is late coming home, and someone else says, "Don't worry. I'm sure they are fine." But, you still worry. I think that would be much more accurate.

Thanks again for the info, and please send Libertybelle our best!!!



Beca

 

[goofy4tink]

Another one who will miss LibertyBelles perspective and quiet approach. Wish her only the very best and hopefully to see her back on the boards in the future. Thanks for all your advice in the past!!!

 

[Terry S]

Sammie, I also did not mean to offend you. I was just concerned for Libertybelle as well. I guess it would be far easier in my mind if someone wanted to take a break they could just stop posting. They wouldn't have to be erased from existance.

 

[TCPluto]

As someone stated, it truely is no one's business, but hers and I think you insult her to doubt it.

It is one thing to let her know she is missed, its something entirely different to doubt her reasons for leaving for a while.

You are absolutely right it is her business, and hers alone.

However, someone else doing the talking for her, "assuring" everyone that all is well, is a bit disturbing.

No one should feel comfortable hearing others speak for others, no matter the situation. Everyone would feel much more comfortable hearing it from her.

And to have all traces of existence erased, as if it never happened? Please. It may not be any of our business as to the real reason, but we can't be faulted for offering genuine concern for someone who was so helpful and uplifting.

There's much more to this than just "taking a break". It still doesn't make it our business.

If I or my posts show up missing.....please call 911!!!! It is not of my choice, this place is too much fun and too informative.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Okay, just guessing- Perhaps the reason everyone is speculating, is because of the undeniable coincidence of wdwzues "hate" thread. The timing fell right into place, including a poster who sent the thread to Disney management.

Now, I'm not suggesting a relationship between the two posters, but rather that Disney may have put out some sort of cautionary memo to CMs.

Libertybelle, I hope all is well, and hope to see you on the DIS boards again in the future...

MG

 

[DrTomorrow]

Of course, I'm always trying to turn lemons into lemon-ade, but to me this just means we'll have to plan a trip to OKW to chat with LB in person!

 

[HumphreytheBear]

I too have had a situation (about 4 years ago) here on the DIS that caused me to have to ask for my sign on to be removed. There are many reasons that a CM would ask for that, LB is not the first nor will she be the last. As was stated the reasoning behind it is not any of our business, LB obvisouly felt that there was a need for that whatever it may have been. I personally say Thank you for all the great posts and the help that she provided, thank you for all the personal time that she took to help people out in person, while on their vacations. If she is anything like me, she probably already has a new sign on and is posting again...

DrTomorrow I like your attitude That was a great comment....

 

[donmil723]

Liberty Belle--Thank you for all the good advice you gave to all of us. We'll miss you! Best of luck to you!

Donna

 

[Bexx]

Of course, I'm always trying to turn lemons into lemon-ade, but to me this just means we'll have to plan a trip to OKW to chat with LB in person!

Great point - I'll have to wear my DIS badge, and hopefully I might get the chance to thank her in person for being such a wonderful link with OKW. But just in case I don't, if she's reading this - Many thanks LibertyBelle!!

 

[Doctor P]

I thank LB for all her contributions and glad to hear she is OK. I respect her decision to disassociate with the DIS (at least as LB) and know others who have done so but still really been here or found their way back eventually. I hope that is the case with LB. Thanks again!