The title of this article is a line from a Bruce Springsteen song that kept running through my head as I sat down to write about my two years here at MousePlanet. The Boss goes on to write in “Glory Days,”
“We just sit around talking about the old times, she says when she feels like crying, she starts laughing thinking about…glory days.”
I think you get the picture. A lot of Bruce’s music is about old times and good friends. While I fully admit that I don’t have the body of work that he has, I like to think that my writing and my stories breed a certain type of familiarity. Most of my articles have been about things that are important to me or about places and moments that we as Disney fans can all identify with. It’s a comfort zone for me as a writer and I hope it has been to you as my readers.
The past year has seen 10 Disney Stuff articles, 11 Disney Top 5’s, 4 DVD reviews and 1 report on the Princess and the Frog Ultimate Disney Experience. Not a bad year really.
When I started my second year the Disney Top 5 series was just beginning. A year later, I think it’s taken on a life of it’s own. I look forward to writing them and look forward even more to hearing your responses. Here’s a look back at a few of my favorite moments from a year’s worth of Top 5’s. All but one Top 5 was about Walt Disney World. Write what you know is a good rule of thumb, and I’ve certainly grown to know and love the “World.”
I started the year off with “Top 5 Places to Retreat to at Walt Disney World.” Peace and quiet in a Disney park? Definitely. Real serenity can be found. Many of you agreed and shared some wonderful spots. My personal favorite was that set of rocking chairs off to the side of Fort Langhorn on Tom Sawyer’s Island.
My daughter in my favorite rocking chair on Tom Sawyer Island. Photo by Chris Barry.
In July I caused quite a stir in some readers with my George W. Bush comment in the “Top 5 Things I Have Yet to Experience at Walt Disney World” article. (Really, it was just a joke.) We took a trip shortly after this article ran and ironically I still didn’t make it to any of the attractions or places on my list. Yes, once again, I was shut out of Test Track. It’s not meant to be. We’ll see what happens on our next trip.
Someday, I’ll make it inside…I guess. Photo by Brian Bennett.
Yet another stir was caused when I dared to list the San Angel Inn in Epcot’s Mexico pavilion as one of my “Top 5 Dining Moments at Walt Disney World.” It was like I said that the food at Denny’s was better than the Chef’s Table at Victoria & Albert’s. So many of you blasted me that I had to write a follow-up article supporting my “Top 5 Reasons That I Love Dining at the San Angel Inn” a month later. I stand by the San Angel and many of you did as well.
My favorite pavilion interior in World Showcase. Photo by Frank Anzalone.
An article that was close to my heart was the “Top 5 Things I’m Looking Forward to Doing on my Kid-Free Trip to Walt Disney World.” As I’m writing this, we haven’t gone yet, but trust me; I’m counting the days with unbridled anticipation. I adore my kids, but Mommy and Daddy have a really special trip coming up. I’ll report when I get back. We’re in the market for some serious magic and we can’t wait.
Home base for my kid-free trip. Photo by Brian Bennett.
The series that started my tenure here on MousePlanet was Disney Stuff. We’ve all got lots of it and I love writing about it, sharing my stuff with you, and hearing about all of your prized Disney Stuff as well. Here’s some of the stuff I wrote about over the past year.
One of my true prized possessions. Photo by Chris Barry.
The cover of the program from Fantasia’s original theatrical release. ©1940 Walt Disney Productions.
A sample of a Walt Disney Company stock certificate. © Disney.
Mickey and the castle on the 2009 “deal watch.” Photo By Chris Barry.
A postcard of a Toy Story 2 Storyboard by Jill Culton. © Disney Enterprises Inc./Pixar Animation Studios.
Bought on Main Street U.S.A and hanging happily on our Christmas tree. Photo By Chris Barry.
Two of my dear friend Robert’s vintage ceramic Jiminy statues. Photo by Chris Barry.
Robert’s Walt Disney World jacket, that I now proudly call my own. Photo by Chris Barry.
Tinker Bell watch face art by David Mitchell. Photo by Chris Barry.
Writing for MousePlanet has been a real pleasure for the past 2 years. There’s a great bunch of people here and it’s great to work with them. Whether it’s reviewing DVD’s, covering special events in nearby Manhattan, sitting down with my wife and kids to devise another Top 5 list, or dusting off the collectibles on the shelf to photograph them, it’s really become one of the joys of my life.
The responses from you, the readers, are the best part of doing this. We share the same passions, the same feelings and same enthusiasm for this crazy Disney universe that’s been created around us. It grounds us and brings us home. After a tough day at work, it’s great to sit down and write, or read for that matter, about these films, these characters, these places and this magic that draws us all together. Thanks for being a great audience.
It’s like talking to a good friend or slipping on that favorite old sweatshirt. Kind of like a great Bruce Springsteen song.
So, here’s to 2 years of “Glory Days” and I’ll see you next time with more Top 5’s, more DVD reviews, and for sure lots more Disney Stuff.
