So, you’ve never been to a DIS meet to benefit Give Kids the World, but you’ve been thinking of going. What’s holding you back? Here are the top reasons to go to your first meet-up:
8 – It’s a great excuse to meet up with your fellow Disney-fan friends
We all have them. Those “special” friends. The ones that get it. The ones that don’t give you a quizzical look when you mention that you are going to Walt Disney World “again.” The friends with whom you can get into a deep debate on which is the better version of “Pirates,” WDW or Disneyland (Disneyland), or whether Dole Whip or Mickey Bars are the ultimate treat for a hot day (Dole Whip). Well, this is a place you can go – besides a Disney Park of course – where you can discuss your passion and not be the only geeks sitting in the corner at the party that everyone is afraid to talk to.
7 – It’s a great chance to make a bunch of new Disney-fan friends
And while you’re at it you can meet a whole bunch of other folks who share your passion. And most of them are not crazy. Most of them.
6 – You get to wear your Disney swag
Go ahead, wear that tank top with “I believe in fairies” written in green rhinestones. This is a judgement-free zone. You’re among friends. This is a safe place. The biggest issue you may have is that someone else will try to steal your designer Carousel of Progress-inspired mouse ears.
5 – You get a chance to get some really cool stuff
Want a place to get that limited-edition Haunted Mansion tea set you’ve always wanted? You just might find it here! Sometimes it requires a bit of luck (like with the raffles), and sometimes it just means straining your wallet (like with auctions). And sometimes it just means out-bidding Pete. Yeah, good luck with that. Helpful hint: if there is an item in the raffle you really want, simply take all the other tickets and distribute them among other items. Nobody will mind. (I’m joking! I did not do that! Honest!)
4 – There’s food.
Good food. Lots of it. But no booze. Not unless you pay for it. Or if you stay up until after the bar closes and convince the guy who won a bunch of craft beer in the the raffle to break it out. (The preceding was based on an actual event)
3 – You get to see what goes on “behind the scenes” making the podcast
You get to see how the magic is made. Or maybe it’s more like seeing how the sausage is made. Whatever. Either way, you get to see a live show – how cool is that?
2 – You get to spend quality time with the podcast team members
Did you know that Dustin has mad improv skills? Or that Craig is really lousy at beer pong? Or that Teresa sings to herself and thinks that she’s not doing it “out loud?” These are the things that you learn when you get to hang out with the podcast team. Some things you never knew. Some things you never wanted to know. But the main thing you’ll learn is that they really are as nice as they seem on the show. Even Craig.
1 – You get to help out an amazing cause
As Disney fans we all know that special feeling that we get from everything Disney. Now imagine how much that can mean to a sick child, a child who wants nothing more that to stop thinking about their illness and take a few days to just be a kid by visiting Walt Disney World or one of the other Central Florida attractions. Think about how much that can mean to a family struggling with the emotional as well as financial burden of having a sick child. Each of us can do something to help – something substantial and meaningful. And while we’re at it we can have fun with a bunch of terrific folks who share our love of Disney. How great is that? So what’s your excuse? Come to a DIS meet. And if you can’t, be sure to donate to benefit Give Kids the World Village.
About the author: John Thompson and his wife of over 20 years are the parents of two wonderful young women. John, who grew up in Southern California in the shadow of Sleeping Beauty castle, is a life-long Disney fan. He has been blogging about travel – Disney in particular – for 17 years. He is also the host of the Runner of a Certain Age podcast.
