The Disboards

Those of you that know me well know of my ridiculous love of Disney.  I wouldn't say I'm obsessed with all things Disney, but if you ask me where I want to go for vacation, I'm going to answer with Disney World.  I blame my parents, as they brainwashed us into loving it as children.  Actually, they just gave us the family vacations they never really had, and both Ryan and I associate Disney with some of our happiest family memories.

To feed my addiction, I resort to a couple of different "drugs".  I've been known to hit up youtube for Disney park music.  Ryan texted me not too long ago, calling it "crack".  As that's all I've been listening to for the past two days, I really can't disagree with him there.  I will also watch specials about Disney.  I actually have a set I bought at Sam's Club that has multiple discs, all with shows about the parks, cruise line, etc.  There are always pictures, as well.  Goodness knows I have taken enough of them.  Finally, when I'm really jonesing for Disney, I spend a lot of time on the Disboards.

If you have any interest in a trip to Disney, or if you just love Disney, you really need to visit the Disboards.  The disboards consist of a multitude of discussion forums that cover pretty much any Disney related topic.  Planning a trip and don't know what hotel to stay at?  They have an entire forum dedicated to resorts.  Unsure where you want to eat while you're there?  There's a board for that.  Curious about Universal Studios?  They'll even answer your questions about that.  Frankly, if you're taking a trip to Disney, you should tap the resources that can be found on the Disboards.  Think you know everything about Disney?  Share that knowledge with people who do not.

I tend to lurk about on the boards, rarely posting unless I can't find information that I need.  Luckily, there is an effective search function to help you out.  Posts that may be needed my a multitude of people are stuck at the top of each forum to be assist you.

I guess the best way to illustrate how great the boards are is to explain why I keep going back.

1.  Food porn - There are entire threads dedicated to pictures of the food at Disney.  You think that sounds silly, until you're trying to figure out where to eat for your upcoming trip.

2.  Resort pictures - If I'm planning to stay at a resort I'm already familiar with, I like to see pictures in case something has changed.  If I'm trying to pick a  new resort, I want to see pictures to see if I'll like it.

3.  Random questions - Sometimes I need to know if Mark can bring a four foot long toy sword into the park.

4.  Expansion updates & pictures - Did you know they're expanding Fantasyland?  Well, they are.  If you had been on the Disboards, you would know that.  You would even have seen pictures showing the construction before it was cool, you hipster you!

5.  Validation - Sometimes, I just like to complain, but I don't want to go on and post it.  Luckily, someone else is usually complaining about whatever bothered me.  I can see people's opinion on the matter and feel less crazy.*

6.  Trip reports - I can read reports about other people's trips.  One guy, when introducing his family in the trip report, gave them stats.  I get the feeling we could be friends with him.  There was another girl who I'm pretty sure was a redditor, based on some of her random comments.

If you like Disney and want an occasional fix, pop onto the disboards.  There is something for everyone there.

*I am a stickler for rules.  The Disney fastpass has always had a return window on it that is a one hour window.  The ticket asks that you return between those times.  Because cast members have allowed people to return whenever they like, people have used it as a touring strategy.  They will gather as many passes as they can and just use them when they feel like it.  My family has never done that, and it always bothered me that others abused them that way.  I never did anything to encourage Disney to stop honoring them at any time, but I never participated in that way.  It turns out that now Disney is enforcing the return times.  I feel like this deserves a success kid meme.