ADP
<marquee><font color=red>I'm a huggin' fool</marqu
- Joined
- Sep 2, 2006
Hi Everyone,
With the 20th Anniversary of the DIS coming up I felt compelled to write my DIS story because it's been quite a journey. The DIS has affected my life in many ways from friendships, Disney knowledge, trips to Orlando, blogging, fitness, and even charitable meets.
Back in 1997 when I was already hooked on the Orlando theme parks and information on the Internet was not very prevalent I would search for what little information I could find. I still recall to this day stumbling across the Disboards. At the time, I felt like I hit the jackpot of Disney World information. Visiting the site hourly became my addiction. Even though my wife and I visited Orlando once a year I still couldn't help visiting the boards all the time everyday. Finding out the latest information about the parks seemed to consume my life.
Right around 2001, after getting in touch with some local friends in the Indianapolis area, we decided to meet at a local restaurant. During that meet I learned a lot more about the Disboards. A couple of board moderators were in attendance. They told me about the staff behind the Disboards and some of the workings of the boards. I found the discussion interesting and it really opened my eyes to how cool the site really is. But, more importantly, I met with people who were no longer just a board name. It was great to know people in the area who shared the passion of the parks.
Over the next several years, and after the birth of our daughter Anna, trips to Orlando became more frequent. Again, visiting the Disboards was a constant. The boards became more sophisticated and accessing the information was much easier. Visits to the boards became more than just accessing information. Chats started up and the DIS started a podcast. Listeners of the podcast and visitors of the boards became close friends of our family. Some of those visitors were local to me. We were able to connect with those new friendships face-to=face.
In 2006, after another local meet with Disboards friends, I decided to make these meets an annual event. In 2007 I rented space in a local county fairground for as many people who wanted to join could gather for a day of Disney fun and discussion. I told anyone who wanted to come to please bring a food item to share. About 35 people showed up and we had a great time. We decided we needed to continue meeting each year at the same time in the same venue.
In 2009 the DIS planned its first Podcast Cruise where our family got to meet several of the posters on the DIS and other listeners of the podcast. It was a great cruise (aren't they all) with events scheduled before and after the cruise. Before the cruise a group of us planned to raise money for Give Kids the World through a local Orlando race called the Muddy Buddy. Several of the DIS staff showed up to support us. It was a great day full of fun, meeting new people, raising money for charity, and creating new friendships. I still remember the smell of the mud like it was yesterday. I still have gifts from that day in my den at home. I knew very little about Give Kids the World at the time, but I thought it would be a great idea to incorporate Give Kids the World in our annual meet in Indianapolis. Each year we raise money for the Village.
In 2010 I began writing live trip reports on the DIS. Each day I would chronicle our Disney day on the boards with my family. I really enjoyed sharing our trips with followers. I began uploading photos and our events each day. It really helped others with their Disney trip planning. It was a year or two later when I asked the DIS if I could be a contributor to their blog. They graciously allowed me to write blogs which I really enjoyed. As I look back on writing those blogs it was one of the best experiences of my life. As life changed with me and my family, sadly, I had to discontinue writing for the DIS. Other time constraints with my wife and daughter caused me to step aside. But, I absolutely loved writing the blogs.
After the Muddy Buddy in 2009 and after my first runDisney race I began to take my health and fitness more seriously. I proceeded to get into the best shape of my life in 2011. Working out and running became my new norm. For the next 5 years I became a gym rat (8 hours a week). I loved combining my fitness and Disney obsession together through the boards and runDisney. I was doing something I never thought I could do in my life; run half and eventually a full marathon. After a long Marathon Weekend in January of 2014 Pete and the team invited me and a friend to join them in the studio to talk about runDisney and Marathon Weekend. I still can picture sitting in the studio discussing the race with Dustin, Kathy, Teresa, and others. It was really a surreal experience. Again, something I'll never forget. Although I am not in the same shape I once was I really enjoyed the 5 year "run" I had being in great shape. I know if the DIS wasn't around it wouldn't have happened.
Over the past 10 years our annual meet in Indianapolis has really taken off. It not only has become a local event, but I'd venture to say it has become regional (a true Midwest event). We love raising money for Give Kids the World. And, believe me when I tell you, our meet would not be possible without the DIS. The money being raised for Give Kids the World would not be possible without the DIS. Again, the DIS is a big part of my life and our meet in Indianapolis is a true testament of that.
Over the past 10 years I got to know a lot of people from the DIS; including Pete and team. I love calling them my friends. When I visit Orlando it's always great to see them. I know I'm not a resident of Orlando, but someday soon my family will be and I hope I can lean on them for advice and closer friendship. They've become my Orlando family. The day we move to Orlando I know I will feel like our lives have come full circle. The DIS and Orlando has had such a positive impact on my life moving to Orlando only makes sense at this point. I can't wait for the day to become a resident.
To Pete, the DIS Team, and those who have come and gone THANK YOU!! My life was, still is, and will always be impacted by the DIS in a very, very positive way. Congratulations on 20 years of not only providing great content, but changing peoples' lives. Because through the site you have done just that.
I'd love to hear other stories out there. Even if you've only been on the DIS for a month or all 20 years please post your story here. Let's reminisce about the past 20 years together.
With the 20th Anniversary of the DIS coming up I felt compelled to write my DIS story because it's been quite a journey. The DIS has affected my life in many ways from friendships, Disney knowledge, trips to Orlando, blogging, fitness, and even charitable meets.
Back in 1997 when I was already hooked on the Orlando theme parks and information on the Internet was not very prevalent I would search for what little information I could find. I still recall to this day stumbling across the Disboards. At the time, I felt like I hit the jackpot of Disney World information. Visiting the site hourly became my addiction. Even though my wife and I visited Orlando once a year I still couldn't help visiting the boards all the time everyday. Finding out the latest information about the parks seemed to consume my life.
Right around 2001, after getting in touch with some local friends in the Indianapolis area, we decided to meet at a local restaurant. During that meet I learned a lot more about the Disboards. A couple of board moderators were in attendance. They told me about the staff behind the Disboards and some of the workings of the boards. I found the discussion interesting and it really opened my eyes to how cool the site really is. But, more importantly, I met with people who were no longer just a board name. It was great to know people in the area who shared the passion of the parks.
Over the next several years, and after the birth of our daughter Anna, trips to Orlando became more frequent. Again, visiting the Disboards was a constant. The boards became more sophisticated and accessing the information was much easier. Visits to the boards became more than just accessing information. Chats started up and the DIS started a podcast. Listeners of the podcast and visitors of the boards became close friends of our family. Some of those visitors were local to me. We were able to connect with those new friendships face-to=face.
In 2006, after another local meet with Disboards friends, I decided to make these meets an annual event. In 2007 I rented space in a local county fairground for as many people who wanted to join could gather for a day of Disney fun and discussion. I told anyone who wanted to come to please bring a food item to share. About 35 people showed up and we had a great time. We decided we needed to continue meeting each year at the same time in the same venue.
In 2009 the DIS planned its first Podcast Cruise where our family got to meet several of the posters on the DIS and other listeners of the podcast. It was a great cruise (aren't they all) with events scheduled before and after the cruise. Before the cruise a group of us planned to raise money for Give Kids the World through a local Orlando race called the Muddy Buddy. Several of the DIS staff showed up to support us. It was a great day full of fun, meeting new people, raising money for charity, and creating new friendships. I still remember the smell of the mud like it was yesterday. I still have gifts from that day in my den at home. I knew very little about Give Kids the World at the time, but I thought it would be a great idea to incorporate Give Kids the World in our annual meet in Indianapolis. Each year we raise money for the Village.
In 2010 I began writing live trip reports on the DIS. Each day I would chronicle our Disney day on the boards with my family. I really enjoyed sharing our trips with followers. I began uploading photos and our events each day. It really helped others with their Disney trip planning. It was a year or two later when I asked the DIS if I could be a contributor to their blog. They graciously allowed me to write blogs which I really enjoyed. As I look back on writing those blogs it was one of the best experiences of my life. As life changed with me and my family, sadly, I had to discontinue writing for the DIS. Other time constraints with my wife and daughter caused me to step aside. But, I absolutely loved writing the blogs.
After the Muddy Buddy in 2009 and after my first runDisney race I began to take my health and fitness more seriously. I proceeded to get into the best shape of my life in 2011. Working out and running became my new norm. For the next 5 years I became a gym rat (8 hours a week). I loved combining my fitness and Disney obsession together through the boards and runDisney. I was doing something I never thought I could do in my life; run half and eventually a full marathon. After a long Marathon Weekend in January of 2014 Pete and the team invited me and a friend to join them in the studio to talk about runDisney and Marathon Weekend. I still can picture sitting in the studio discussing the race with Dustin, Kathy, Teresa, and others. It was really a surreal experience. Again, something I'll never forget. Although I am not in the same shape I once was I really enjoyed the 5 year "run" I had being in great shape. I know if the DIS wasn't around it wouldn't have happened.
Over the past 10 years our annual meet in Indianapolis has really taken off. It not only has become a local event, but I'd venture to say it has become regional (a true Midwest event). We love raising money for Give Kids the World. And, believe me when I tell you, our meet would not be possible without the DIS. The money being raised for Give Kids the World would not be possible without the DIS. Again, the DIS is a big part of my life and our meet in Indianapolis is a true testament of that.
Over the past 10 years I got to know a lot of people from the DIS; including Pete and team. I love calling them my friends. When I visit Orlando it's always great to see them. I know I'm not a resident of Orlando, but someday soon my family will be and I hope I can lean on them for advice and closer friendship. They've become my Orlando family. The day we move to Orlando I know I will feel like our lives have come full circle. The DIS and Orlando has had such a positive impact on my life moving to Orlando only makes sense at this point. I can't wait for the day to become a resident.
To Pete, the DIS Team, and those who have come and gone THANK YOU!! My life was, still is, and will always be impacted by the DIS in a very, very positive way. Congratulations on 20 years of not only providing great content, but changing peoples' lives. Because through the site you have done just that.
I'd love to hear other stories out there. Even if you've only been on the DIS for a month or all 20 years please post your story here. Let's reminisce about the past 20 years together.