Wow! It's been a year already - can you believe it? I certainly can't - and come to think of it, actually it has been a bit longer, since planning for the site began almost a year before we made our online debut.

As you all may know, the online world has changed quite drastically since we began this adventure - and one thing the staff here at MousePlanet has learned to count on is the constant change the web is going through. This brutal pace has hammered some companies, humbled many of our online brethren, and even scared a few folks back to where they originally came from.

And I can't say I would blame them - as the competition never ends, our subject matter continues to provide us with unending new material to work on, and the fruits of those efforts are seemingly only savored for what seems moments before we have to start all over again with the next day's content.

In other words - it's crazy around here! ;)

But as with any business, either on or off line - it takes time to establish a voice, find your audience, get the pace worked out, and if you keep at it diligently enough, insure that eventually everyone who has worked so hard to make it happen can then start to benefit from it.

As we've continued to grow and evolve we've maintained a core group of contributors with a growing readership that works hard to insure you get more than just a press release or a rehash of a PR event. We get you the story from behind the scenes, provide a community forum (via MousePad) that is a great place to hang out, and we now regularly break news.

Most importantly though, we provide you with our experienced opinions and advice - which you can utilize to do your own planning with. You never have to agree with the offerings here, but by providing you with the whole story, not just the packaged one, you can make a much more informed decision.

Where are we going? Honestly, we don't know yet. We've all been working very hard these past two years to make sure this site stays around for a long time to come. How that will be accomplished we are still figuring out, as many other companies online are. (And as always, if you have any suggestions or ideas, write us ! You all do a very good job of communicating with us, and it is important that you continue. How else do we know what you want or need?)

I guess what I can tell you to expect is this - lots more change. We'll keep tweaking the product, and we will continue to try to remain your premiere destination online for your theme park travel needs. It is about the content, and that we will continue to work hard on.

We are thankful to you the reader for clicking through on those ad banners, and patronizing our advertisers and sponsors. And when we started the Amazon Honor Program, (with the online donations) we were floored with how responsive you all were, and continue to be. If the pace holds up, it may allow us to do a few new things sooner rather than later. We'll let you know what that may be soon, in the meantime keep on contributing as you read - it help keep things flowing around here.

Before I sign off here - everyone (including myself nightly) should be thankful for all the MousePlaneteers who work so hard everyday to bring you the site. Our goal is to always have at least one item (out of our usual three) that you will want to read that day. Our rather astounding typical fifteen minute length of visitor stay proves many of you are finding something you like here on a regular basis. Our continued 6% monthly rate of growth tells us you are also telling your friends about us.

As I was working on this note, I reread one of our opening messages - and found one section worth repeating again. It's sort of our rulebook I guess:

What we are not

We are not a fan site.

We do not rehash press releases and pass them off as news.

We are not in this for the perks.

What we are

The number one site by far on the net in online traffic for coverage of the Disney parks.

Truly independent - in what we cover and in how we report it.

First in telling you what to expect so you can plan and budget your resources better.

Thank you for joining us on this journey - and do remember to keep those hands and arms inside the car at all times!  Permancer sentados por favor. ;)

OH - and before I forget - the presents aren't for us today, they are for the kids. Stop by Adrienne Krock's special page to see what we are up to for our birthday. I think you will really appreciate it. :)

Now where's the cake and ice cream?

Al Lutz - editor

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MousePlanet® is not associated in any official way with the Walt Disney Company, its subsidiaries, or its affiliates. The official Disney site is available at www.disney.com. This MousePlanet Web site provides independent news articles, commentary, editorials, reviews, and guides primarily about the theme park resorts of the Walt Disney Co. All information on this site is subject to change. Please call destinations in advance to confirm the most up-to-date information.