The Fabulous Disney Babe
Page 2 of 2

After our split, I found myself back in Hawaii, wondering how on earth I'd ever keep the newsletter going from there. Enter the Internet. I started posting late into the night on alt.disney.disneyland and rec.arts.disney.parks, and attracted the attention of many people. My brother, Jim, had started a company called All Points, kind of an umbrella company. He and his friend Kela Holt had a delivery service, he did financial planning as an actuary, his partner Tony did personal training, and he suggested that I do travel. I thought travel writing would be better, as commissions had plummeted in the passing decade. I changed the name from Orlando Insider to All Points, and by the time we moved to California in 1997, I had a huge following for my webpage...when people could find it, that is.

One of the people I had met online, Al Lutz, had a Disneyland Information Guide (DIG), and kindly offered me space there so that people could know where to find me, as I was experimenting with different servers and liking none of them. I jumped at the offer.

The DIG evolved into MousePlanet, and I worked my butt off to help the site grow and become successful and respected, as did just about everybody else over there. Unfortunately, Creative Differences reared it's ugly head, and I parted ways with MousePlanet earlier this month. Although I'm no longer part of it, so many people have worked so hard to make the site what it is, and I wish them all of the success they deserve.

So, here I am with old friends Doobie and Rebekah, with the idiotic, business-related difficulties behind us and a bright future ahead. I will be turning in articles and opening my mailbag here on their lovely site every Friday. When it comes to Reader Mail, I'll answer everything, and put up those emails that comply with LaughingPlace's posting guidelines. If you want to be anonymous, just put a little note in there, otherwise, I will use your name. Pseudonyms are fine, and the funnier the better.

I'll go a little more in-depth for some of my articles than I've ever had the luxury to do so before, so look for history, biographies, and interviews, which you haven't seen from me anywhere else. I want to thank everyone who has helped to make this transition a smooth one for me, and to all of my friends who have emailed or called with amazing love and support. I am truly humbled, especially from you, Doobie and Rebekah. I hope I can make you glad that you had faith in me.

Want to see something? Have an oddball question? Write to me!

-- Michelle Smith

-- Posted February 16, 2001