My name is Lil' Lisa and I am a Fort Fiend...
I have been a daily Dis Camping Board user for more than a year and a half. I stumbled upon this board as well as several other websites while searching for information on our upcoming trip to the Fort.
My trip has come and gone, and I will occasionally venture off to other websites for a Disney fix, but I come here daily... often multiple times a day. Why would I do such a thing? I do it because, not only did I find the information that I was looking for, but I also found something more... much more.
What I found when I came to the Dis was a sense of community. I can't say for sure, but I would bet that it extends from the sense of community that you feel at a campground too. When you are camping, folks are more than happy to help out other folks in need without even blinking an eye. After all, the family parked next to you aren't just people, they are your neighbors too. At least that's how it feels.
I found that same thing when I arrived here at the Dis. The users here are more than happy to rattle off the same facts over and over again as the new users come and go.
It is rare that someone's post is overlooked or they are told to "use the search feature". On other boards, that is something that I have experienced first hand. Not only are the users here happy to answer your questions, they know what they are talking about as well. Friendly and smart! Now that is a winning combination.
And did I mention funny? We can't leave out funny! If laughter is food for the soul, then the Camping Boards are a buffet!!! No wonder Dave likes it here!
As I hung out here longer, I got a bit braver and I asked to be "let into the fold". To my surprise, they welcomed me with open arms. Imagine that! Without even a vote, I was a FIEND!!! It turns out that anyone who loves the Fort is a fiend, and without even asking, every good hearted fiend is welcome here. My fiendships here have blossomed and I have also had the pleasure of spending time with many of them outside of the boards. I even got to meet some of them when I was at the Fort and it was the highlight of my trip.
Fast forward to today. What I see going on here just makes me want to cry.
The underhanded actions of one malicious user and the misguided actions of a moderator who was unaware of the problems this user has caused have turned this once peaceful community into a war zone. Many Fiends have left of their own accord and others have been forcibly removed. I doubt that this place will ever be the same. I am unsure of my future here as well. After all, without the fiends, it is just another forum...
I am thankful for the friendships that I have forged on this board and those will live on, regardless of what happens here. I hope that this message will be read and understood by the powers that be and that they will find it in their hearts to see this crazy band of Fiends for what they are. A community of souls brought together by their love of camping and their addiction to the Fort. Like Dave, I love you guys too!
My name is Lil' Lisa and I am a Fort Fiend...
