Seven has long been thought of as the luckiest number. There are seven days in a week, seven seas, seven continents, seven colors of the rainbow and let's not forget about the Seven Dwarfs. This past Saturday was my lucky seventh anniversary of writing here on MousePlanet. April 25, 2008 was the date that my first installment of Disney Stuff ran here and it's been a long, interesting journey ever since.
As Disney fans, we need places like this to come together and share our passion. We read, we write, we discuss and we escape the mundane for just a little while. We come here to be a part of something. Sure, we're Walt Disney World or Disneyland fanatics. We pore over the minutiae of the Disney parks and resorts like they were our own creations. We speak about the Disney films and their characters like they were our friends and family. We wait with bated breath for the latest piece of Disney news to pique our curiosity or we just check in to remind us of someplace that we'd all rather be or just to make us smile. We gather here to conduct these rituals of Disney fandom together and that's what I love most about it.
Year after year, I hear from and respond to the most fascinating individuals from all over the globe. The Disney Stuff column brings out the unquenchable collectors and accumulators out there that have a seemingly undying need to surround themselves with items and paraphernalia from the world of Disney that we love so much. My Top 5 articles call out the great debater just lurking under the surface in each of us. The Parenting Panel helps spread tips and advice about how to tackle the world of Disney parks and resorts with a family in tow to Disney diehards and first timers alike. This place is where it all comes together for many, many different people.
MousePlanet has given me new friends and connected me with kindred spirits from all walks of life. It's the fascinating staff of writers and thinkers behind the scenes that make it all happen, the devoted readers that consistently take part in the collective journey, and the seekers requesting Disney trip advice or tips on where to find that awesome collectible that I just discussed and shared. This unique spot in cyberspace brings it all into focus and I cherish my time spent here taking part in it all.
Each year in spring, I like to take a look back and reflect on the past year we've shared together here on the wonderful world of MousePlanet. Disney Stuff got me started on this journey and there was plenty of stuff to discuss.
I took a look at one of my favorite fan produced guidebooks with the Walt Disney World Guide to the Magic for Kids.
The Walt Disney World Guide to the Magic for Kids is a great way to chronicle your trip. © Celebrations Press, Inc.
We played games with the Disneyland 50th Anniversary Board Games.
Walt Disney's Fantasyland Game was released in 1956. Photo by Chris Barry.
I'm still listening to the Awesome Mix Vol. 1 playlist on my iPod.
The Awesome Mix Vol. 1 has an awesome cover that resembles the mix tape in The Guardians of the Galaxy. © Hollywood Records 2014.
After returning from my most recent Walt Disney World pilgrimage, I shared some of the loot that made it home in Brand New Walt Disney World Stuff.
It's true, we bought his and hers watches. Photo by Chris Barry.
Halloween brought out the Jack Skellington Stuff.
An empty Jack candy dish waits to be filled. Photo by Chris Barry.
I shared one of my favorite Mickey Mouse characters with the Brave Little Tailor Mickey Plush.
The Brave Little Tailor Mickey plush remains in mint condition inside its package. Photo by Chris Barry.
Christmastime was also Mickey and Friends Blown Glass Ornament time.
A full set of blown glass ornaments stands at attention. Photo by Chris Barry.
The endless world of fast food toy collectibles presented these items from the Happy Meal Disney Masterpiece Collection.
These Happy Meal clamshells resemble their full-sized video counterparts. Photo by Chris Barry.
I was more than thrilled to discuss one of my favorite Disney park collectibles with the Theme Park Collection Die Cast Attraction Vehicles.
Mickey drives this miniature replica of a Walt Disney World bus. Photo by Chris Barry.
Figment entered the world of comics and so did we.
The cover of Figment issue number one features the title character and a young-looking Dreamfinder. © Disney/Marvel Enterprises.
There seems to be a never-ending list of lists on my iMac to discuss with you all and this year was certainly no exception. The Top 5's kept coming.
I started out year number seven hungry with my Top 5 Walt Disney World Resort Hotel Restaurants.
The comfortable elegance of Citricos makes it my third favorite resort restaurant. Photo by Brian Bennett.
We took a look at two different types of rides in Walt Disney World in the Top 5 Dark Rides and the Top 5 Thrill Rides.
Peter Pan's Flight at the Magic Kingdom is my favorite dark ride. Photo by Samantha Barry.
Splash Mountain and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad are two of my favorite Magic Kingdom thrill rides. Photo by Chris Barry.
We shed some collective tears and had a lively debate on the Top 5 Saddest Moments in Disney's Animated Films.
The Fox and the Hound breaks my heart every time. © Disney Enterprises.
I counted down my Top 5 Things to Look Forward to at Disney's Yacht Club Resort.
The Yacht Club has beautiful landscaping. Photo by Sue Holland.
We sang together with the Top 5 Walt Disney World Attraction Songs.
Sing along with the birds to one of my favorite attraction songs. Photo by Chris Barry.
The latest Disney animated classics were given their due with the Top 5 Animated Films of the Disney Revival Era.
Tangled tops my list. © Disney Enterprises.
We stayed in the parks and counted down the Top 5 Things to Love About Disney's Hollywood Studios and lamented the Top 5 Recent Walt Disney World Losses.
The Fantasia topiary garden outside of Disney's Hollywood Studios is one of the park's best features. Photo by Samantha Barry.
The loss of the Plaza Rose Garden in the Magic Kingdom is hard to bear. Photo by Chris Barry.
Things turned to the dark side most recently with my Top 5 Disney Animated Villains.
Judge Frollo is the meanest of them all. © Disney.
Throughout the past year it has been my ongoing pleasure to think about, write about and go back and forth with you all about Walt Disney World, Disneyland, the Disney films and characters, and so much more here on MousePlanet. It's a special thing we got going here.
Thank you all so much for coming along for the ride and if you'll still have me I'd like to keep it going for many more to come.
As always, click on the link below to let me hear your thoughts and I'll see you next time with more Disney Top 5 lists and more of that great Disney Stuff.
