In June of 2004 we had just made the decision to move to Orlando from the Las Vegas area where we had bought a house more than four years prior. In the time since we put the 1st deposit on the home, the Dot-Com bubble burst lowering my job opportunities, 9/11 happened and nearly put a nail in the local economy, then we were struck by a drunk driver. That was three strikes and a clear signal we needed to move.
I had been keeping an online journal, now called a weblog, in one form or another since 1998 and had started another blog to track our home sale and move. I had also been writing for LaughingPlace.com since helping it launch in August 1999. So when I looked online and found no one blogging about the Walt Disney Company, I knew I had a niche I could fill. I was even able to secure this great domain name.
Nine years is a long time for a blog. Heck, the only things I’ve done for a longer period of time with as much dedication and purpose in my life is my wonderful marriage and raising our son. I’m looking forward to a lifetime more of all three.
I wouldn’t be able to sustain a blog for this long if it didn’t have great readers and excellent guest bloggers. a huge thank you to everyone who had played a role in its success.
As The Disney Blog embarks on its 10th year I look forward to completing a few big projects. Among them is the printing of Dispatch From Disneyland (which has been delayed while legal issues were sorted out, but now has a green light to proceed) and another attempt a opening a place for The Disney Blog community to share & discuss their love of the mouse. There are other plans in the hopper too.
What I’d like to hear from you is how you found The Disney Blog, how long you’ve been reading and what you’d like to see more of. In the end we owe all of this to one man and his dream. So lastly let me say “Thank You Walt” you’ve made a billion dreams come true.
I found your blog by doing a google search. I had gotten a bit tired of the negativity over at Mouse Planet, and needed something new, something a bit more refreshing. I stumbled upon your blog, and now it’s a daily must-see in order to keep up on changes happening in the Disney universe.
I would love to see more interviews, more trivia, and possible rumors discussed about what’s coming down the pike at the parks. Those are really interesting to me. I have to say that I could do without videos because I tend to sneak a peak while at work and watching a blog about Disney might be frowned upon when I’m working (this says nothing about my work ethic…it’s on my lunch!!!). Sometimes I don’t have time to watch a video, but I do have time to occasionally read/skim a story so I feel like i’m staying up to date on the happenings.
Thanks for all your hard work. And congrats on nine years!
Congrats John!
Your blog is a daily stop for me. Your insightful, honest, and very refreshing!
Congratulations!
I love this blog. I have been reading it for quite a while. Congrats on 9 years! Thanks!
Honored to be a writer for the site and wish you a happy 9th anniversary with the site.
I think I started reading around ’06 which was shortly after my first visit to Disney as a mom and right when I started using Google Reader pretty frequently…funny since I need to find an alternative to Reader now! Happy 9 years!
congrats on 9 years! This blog was actually one of the first that Google Reader “recommended” when I first started using it in July-August 2008. kinda weird, as that venture ends tomorrow.
Hi John! Congratulations on 9 years, it’s certainly an achievement to be celebrated – keeping a blog is more work than it seems!
I also found you searching on Google, I wanted to find an unofficial blog to read in anticipation of my upcoming trip to WDW and I’ve stuck around ever since. I like your news type articles about the parks, link round ups and flashback type features especially anything about Epcot since its always been my favourite. Keep up the great blogging!
What an accomplishment – congratulations! I found you through WordPress. Love the updates on changes in the parks (especially the pics and videos). Keep ’em coming!
I found your site about a year ago while planning a September 2012 trip to WDW. The trip has come and gone but I still visit your site a few times a week because I love it so much – especially the mix of nostalgia for Disney past and the current Disney news. I’d love to see more park news and history/trivia pieces.
Keep up the good work! :)
Congrats!! I also used google looking for Disney trivia, and now your website is one that I must read every day. I love all of your posts, especially Disney nostalgia. Keep up the great work!!
I’m a Disney addict! I love the true history of Walt himself and though I’m a huge fan of all the Disney parks, I love what Walt himself did for our world. He was definitely a man ahead of his time. I’ve been reading Disney blogs, books, magazines, and anything else that I can get my hands on for as long as I can remember. I stumbled upon your blog one night about two years ago and now check it daily. Thanks for sharing about the parks, but also being true to Walt and who he was too. Many blogs just focus on the parks, but Disney means so much more!
Thank you for the kind words Kelly
At this point, I don’t even know how I found the blog. I just know I’ve had a fun time contributing off and on over the years. And I’ve learned so much about my favorite company from you, too.
Thanks for your hard work and keep it all coming.
Hi i found you through slashfilm, your blog is very informative and bring back lots of memories about disneyland. I was 10 when i went to florida with my parents to visit WDW, and it left such strong memory to me that 12 years later i still dream of going there (it’s hard for me to come back because i live in south east asia).. Please keep up the good work, i’ll be a loyal reader!
Sorry for the bad english
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