What Would Walt Do? The Disney Online Community

In this installment of What Would Walt Do?, I want to take a moment to think about what Walt would think of the Disney Online Community and what the Disney Online Community has done for me. There is a network of literally millions of Disney fans around the world who tweet, blog, post on forums, facebook, google+, tumblr, etc. every single day. And this girl is one of  'em!

In the early planning of EPCOT, Walt envisioned a Utopian city where people would live, work, and connect with each other. Although this idea never came to fruition, I think that a part of Walt's original idea has taken shape in the form of the Disney Online Community. I think that Walt Disney would revel in the idea that his legacy lives on in a network of fiber optic cables and network connections where people from all over the world can connect with each other to share ideas, stories, and most importantly, knowledge.

My first experience with the Disney Online Community was in 2007 when I joined the WDWMagic forum. I remember thinking "A forum where Disney fans talk about Walt Disney World all day? Yes please!" And so my obsession began. I gravitated towards the trip report section of the site where people from all over the world posted pictures and stories from their recent trips to Walt Disney World. I couldn't get enough! At that time, I had not been to Walt Disney World since 2003 so it had been quite a few years. I loved reading about all of the new changes and getting tips for seeking out the hidden treasures in the parks.

Over the years, I have joined many other Disney forums (the DIS, Passporters, WDW Radio to name a few) but I always came back to WDWMagic because I felt like I had made real friends there. This past year, I began noticing more posts for real life meets in and around the Disney parks. Jason and I started going to meets in May 2012 and I am proud to say we have now been to six meets so far sponsored by WDW Radio, Touring Plans, and Studios Central. We have made friendships that will last a lifetime and they all began online!

I want to thank everyone in the Disney Online Community. You have given me the largest network of friends I could have ever dreamed of. You all inspire me every day through your stories, photos, and videos. Let's keep our community growing so that it becomes more beautiful every year!