Adios, Au revoir, Lebewohl, å†è§, Addio, Farvel, ã•ã‚ˆã†ãªã‚‰, وداعا, Goodbye!
I just said “goodbye” to you in all the languages of the World Showcase countries in Epcot. Why? Well after two wonderful years of blogging here on AllEars I’ve decided to retire (again!). As many of you know, my wife and I moved down here to Central Florida to retire. And we were living the good life until one day I got a message from my good friend Deb Wills asking if I had any interest in blogging for AllEars. Any of you who know Deb will understand how difficult it is to say “no” to her; not that I really wanted to. She’s a very special lady; one that you want to know and be around. Anyway, before long she had me convinced to give it a try.
Well, two years and over 130 blogs later I’ve decided to give up the blog. In the past two years a lot has changed for me that prevent me for being as committed to blogging as I had been. My wife and I now have two beautiful grandsons and a third on the way. And our daughter and her family moved from Massachusetts (where both our families are) to Illinois. So, God willing, in 2011 and beyond there will be a lot of traveling in our plans to both IL and MA for family visits.
There is nothing more important than family! As much as I’ve loved blogging and interacting with all those who have read my blogs I have to put my family first. I’m sure you understand.
I want to thank each and every one of you who have taken the time to read any of my blogs. In the two years that I’ve been blogging my blogs have received almost three thousand comments from readers. Just wonderful. I’ve met so many wonderful folks through the blog, Facebook, emails and the various AllEars meet and greets. Thank you to all for being so kind to me! It’s very much appreciated!
I want to thank Deb for giving me the opportunity to have my fifteen minutes of fame. Deb is a courageous individual, a pioneer and visionary who led the way for Disney fans on the web with her Deb’s Disney Digest web site that has turned into the premier Disney information site that it is today; AllEars.net!
Since I love all things Disney and have really loved my time blogging, I’m not going away completely. I am going to remain part of the AllEars team working in the background doing whatever I can to help Deb and the rest of her team. You may even see me do a “guest” blog from time to time.
Well it’s time to close this out. I couldn’t find a better way to end it than this:
Happy trails to you, until we meet again.
Some trails are happy ones,
Others are blue.
It’s the way you ride the trail that counts,
Here’s a happy one for you.
~Dale Evans
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Your friend….DizneyMike
I will miss reading your blogs. Enjoy visiting with your grandchildren.
Mike, I’ve enjoyed reading your blog so much, especially your walking tours. Enjoy your grandchildren and travel safe!
Happy Trails to you i was glad i met and talk to you at the electric umbrella till we meet again
tom
Mike,
Thank you so much for all your wonderful blogs. They really helped me prepare for my first trip last year and helped keep the magic alive afterwards. Thank you and best wishes for you and your family!
-Julie in North Dakota
So long, Mike.
I really enjoyed your blog – especially the walking tours of Epcot and the Eat To The Beat reviews.
Good luck with the grandkids – and thanks again!
Wow! Mike, It’s been a pleasure getting to know you through your blogs. Thank you for sharing your views and insights, allowing those of us on the “other” coast to live vicariously through your adventures around the “World”:) You will be missed!! Barb in San Diego
Mike,
It is a very sad day in The World, but life has blessed you with a wonderful family-and that is more important than anything. Congrats on the grand children and all your family. You will be missed here on the blog, but thank you for all the great times. Wishing you all the best in the future–I will make sure I have an extra Winter Lager in your honor.
Thank you for all your wonderful blogs! Enjoy your retirement and your family!
Thanks Mike! I have really enjoyed your blogs and wish you all the best in the future!
Congratulations on your 2nd retirement. Thank you so much for all your wonderful blogs. You will be missed very much from all of us. Like you said though, family is the most important and I agree 100%. Enjoy your time with your wife and family. Best to you.
Your friends and faithful readers from my household
Thanks for all of the blogs! I hope you enjoy your second retirement.
I hope AllEars is going to keep all of your old blogs. Any word on that?
DizneyMike replies: Michael, yes you will still be able to access my blogs. I’ll make sure I post something shortly with instructions as to how to do that…Mike
Thank you so much for all of your informative posts. I have always looked forward to reading your blog for another fanatic’s in depth analysis. That being said…
Congratulations on the growth of your family. You definitely have to enjoy the early years of your grandkids; you’ll never be able to get it back. Safe travels, and many happy returns!
There is nothing more important than family. Every day I cross off my calendar is gone for good. The ones that come my way after today are gifts. I too have grandchildren and realize the importance of my presence in their lives. I tap dance with my granddaughter who is 11 whenever possible and spend time with my wonderful 16 year old grandson. Through the years I’ve taught them games learned in my childhood and other lost wonders. This year I’d like to video our ancestry with them. I wish you good health and much enjoyment with your grandchildren. We will miss your blogs.
Well Mike, I will miss your regular posts here on AllEars. I hope to bump into you again during one of my park visits….Soon I will be a Grandma too so I understand how you want to be free to travel to other places to visit your family. I will watch for notice of a guest blog from you. Did you ever do a “Walking Tour of UK ” ? There is a young CM named Chris who works there. He informed me he is one of your biggest fans and wanted to meet you the day of the marathon but we had already had our AllEars Meet. I could not tell you to go find him @ work in the UK gift shop.
Happy Trails !
Hi There Mike,
Always enjoyed reading your blogs! Hope to still see a few guest posts! Enjoy the retired life and spending time with your family!!
Hi Mike,
A big thank you for giving of your time for so long. I’ve enjoyed reading your blogs. Thanks for your labor of love.
Regards,
Laura
I have really enjoyed your blogs and will certainly miss reading them. I hope that you enjoy the time with your family and enjoy your retirement. Will be looking forward to any guest blogs that you may do in the future.
Mike,
Thank you for all of the infomative and interesting blogs. I am going to miss reading them. I do appreciate your help in planning some of my WDW trips.
I am glad that you will be able to spend some time with your grandchildren. I know that you will pass along your love for WDW to them!
Mike, I will really miss your blog! Enjoy those grandbabies! They grow up so fast. Safe travels on your commute to Illinois. It was so good meeting you and getting to see you during so many meets. Happy trails!
Stephanie
I have enjoyed your blogs so much. I’m a paraprofessional at a special needs school and this past Christmas I introduced the classrooms to Disney Mike and his Holiday Storytellers blog. They loved it!! I’m always looking on allears to see what I can bring to the classrooms. I will miss your blogs but look forward to your guest blogs. Have a great retirement.
Will miss your great work !
Mike — thank you so much for your wonderful blogs. Enjoy your retirement and time with family. And yes — family comes first!! Be careful on those roads to Illinois and Massachusetts!!
Congrats Mike! Going to miss your blogs, but I sure understand family comes first!!!
I enjoyed reading your blogs….& looked forward to all your info on Disney…..I used to talk to your sister when she worked @ NSMC…about Disney, Fla etc…..
.Enjoy your retirement & your family…The most important thing in life is enjoying family & friends……& Happy Trails to you too!!!!!
Dear Mike,
Thank you so much for the wonderful blogs. I will miss your great stories.
Please give my best to your family.
Sincerely,
Lori Mullins
Hi just wanted to thank you for your excellent blogs. i have enjoyed reading every one you have written. enjoy visiting your family, and i look forward to your guest blogs
alison
Mike, I can’t begin to tell you how much you will be missed. I have loved your insights so much. I do hope we will hear from you once in awhile as a guest blogger – after all, you’ll be taking those grandkids to WDW at some point, if you haven’t already!
I also hope very much that the material you have written will be archived somewhere so we can go back and re-read it. I have found it a valuable planning resource.
Best wishes to you,
A.D. Johnson
– Littleton, CO
Mike,
It’s been a real pleasure reading your blogs in the past. Enjoy the extra time with your family and I hope this year is full of wonderful events for you!
Our fondest wishes and warmest regards to you and your growing family. Filling the void you leave behind will be difficult. Many, many happy memories to you and yours Mike.
Mike,
Thank you for all the wonderful blogs over the last 2 years. I have read and enjoyed every one. I look forward to any “guest” blogs you might do in the future. Enjoy your family, but remember you gave us all great joy…Happy Trails to you our Disney friend.
We will miss you, Mike! Come back for a “visit” to this site soon and take us on another “walking tour”!
sorry to read this last blog, I liked them a lot, you always found interesting details and topics to share with us.
Family comes first, of course, and I hope that in due time you will have quality vacations with all the family in our favourite place on Earth!!!
ciao from Italy
Gabriella
I always enjoyed your blog. The topics were interesting and loved your point of view. You will be missed. Enjoy your family time. Thanks! Please remember to visit once in awhile.
mike my friend “may i call you may you my friend”i have made many DISNEY FRIENDS over the years through my visits to the WORLD castmembers & entertainers alike. doggoneit dont go !! but alas you must. enjoy your grandchildren thanks for all you have done on your blog. dusty cheatham
When I opened this blog I expected info on Fort Wilderness! Your Disney wisdom will be greatly missed. Thanks for all the wonderful blogs, and enjoy spending time with your family!
Happy Trails to you Mike.
I have enjoyed reading your blogs these past few years. Thank you for bringing us along on your walking tours.
Enjoy your re-retirement and your family.
Tiffany
Hello Mike —
Thank you so much for all the great posts! I will miss them, but wish you well in your next retirement . . . although if there are grandchildren involved, I suspect they will keep you busy! Take care and best wishes.
What sad news… for us readers. But of course there is a time we have to say good-bye to some things in life to make way for new. As “someone” once said “Keeping Moving Forward,” (Walt Disney).
I will surely miss your blogs and know others will probably will as well, but congratulations on the upcoming new addition to your family and Good Luck with whatever life brings your way.
Hi Mike thanks for everything, my daughter and will miss your in depth reports on the special little things in WDW, good luck with your retirement and enjoy your grandchildren
Thanks again for all your hard work
Randy Hatch
What can I say – I am so sorry to see you going – I have really enjoyed reading (and contributing to your blogs) – but I totally agree that your family must come first. So hope you have a long and happy retirement – who knows – I may even recognise you in one of the parks and come up and say hello (if that’s OK with you). All the best for the future. Ruth from the UK x
I guess I found allears about the time that you began blogging for them, and you have always been one of my favorites. Loved the EPCOT walking tours and continue to go back to those blogs frequently. Best wishes on your new adventures!
Dear Muke,
So sorry to hear this news but I’m
happy I did get a chance to meet you in Dec.
I will miss reading your blogs but I wish you the best.
Enjoy the grandchildren!
Disney Cathy
As a reader from Australia I have to say I will miss your blogs very much. I love your old school writing style and gentle humour. Your blogs which covered the Epcot walking tours and Eat to the Beat concerts were very much appreciated. It has been 8 years since I visited WDW but you made it feel like yesterday. All the best for a happy retirement. Thank you for all your hard work.
I’ve been enjoying your posts and will miss you. We’ve talked about retiring to FL but with 9 grandchildren here, we just can’t do it. Enjoy your family!
Happy Trails Mike! You will be missed. I have really enjoyed your blogs. Good luck and enjoy your time…..See ya real soon!
Mike,
Thanks for all the fun, picture-filled blogs. I will miss reading your posts, but as so many before me today have said, family is certainly number one, and we understand your decision. Enjoy spending time with those little kiddos! Maybe someday we’ll see you at WDW and have a chance to say hi!
Samantha in PA
Mike, congratulations and thank you for sharing all your wisdom and enthusiasm with Disneyphiles. You have been a regular part of my Saturday mornings and I’ll miss your blog.
Enjoy your time with your family, you’re right family should always come first.
I will truly miss your blogs. I have my Blog Central favourites and yours was up there in my top three.
I won’t say goodbye to you, just See ya real soon pal!
I want to thank you so much for your blogs. Whenever I need a Disney fix, I read one of your entries and that craving is more that satisfied!! You’re the best!!!! Please know that you will be truly missed. Thank you again and ENJOY your family!!
Well Mike as many have already said you will be missed.I too looked forward to your blogs, and you a correct family always comes first, so I can’t wait to see ya as a “guest” blogger in the future to see what you’ve been up to.
Mike,
I will miss your blogs. A couple times each week I log on and check first to see if you have written anything new. Your love for Disney World shows through your writing. We can tell you have fun doing the research. Enjoy your retirement.
Sorry to see you go, Mike! I’ll still be keeping up with you on Facebook. I hope to still see lots of Disney pictures in the future! Best of luck to you!
Mike,
You will truly be missed. Thank you so much for all the informative and entertaining blogs you have written.
Family is more important than any other single thing in this world. Enjoy spending time with them.
I will miss reading your entertaining blogs. They always brought me a little bit of Disney while between trips. Enjoy your retirement and your grandkids!!
We’ll sure miss your blogs, Mike! Although all the blogs here are great in their own way, yours was always our favorite. Your happy-go-lucky attitude would always bring a smile, and you always projected the true feelings of being in WDW. We hope that your guest blogs are plentiful!
Thank you for the enjoyable reads and allowing us a little Disney fun and magic between our visits
Mike: We’ll miss you (but look forward to guest spots) but completely understand. Enjoy and thanks so much. – Shirley
Enjoy your retirement, play lots with your grandkids and thank you so much for all your blogs.
You will be well missed….you and Jack are the only ones that kept to talking Disney happenings and didn’t venture off to your own world of promotion.
I’ve said that this site more and more is forgetting about the daily happenings inside the parks and that’s what you and Jack brought.
Good luck and have fun with the family!!!
Not goodbye, but farewell. God speed. Don’t be a stranger.
Now we’ve met our cliche quota for the day. However, past the over used and often trite phrases, the truth of the sentiments abides.
p.s. great touch with the World Show loop at the beginning of the blog.
Mike, enjoy your re-retirement! As a life long Illinoisan (East Peoria, IL) I welcome you and your family for visits, however don’t come in the winter. There’s nothing but snow, ice, and cold! Thanks for all your writing!!!
Mike – I can not tell you how much I have enjoyed your blogs. My favorites were the walking tours of World Showcase, the way they were written, along with the photos, could bring my favorite place in the world into my work day.
Best wishes to you and your family, and enjoy your second retirement!
Dale
Dear Mike,
Congrats on your growing family! You’re right, nothing is more important (not even the Mouse himself!). That said, I just wanted to let you know how much you’ll be missed. You’ve enlighted us with your extensive knowledge of all things Disney, made many,many vacations more magical, and have brought a sprinkle of pixie dust to daily life for all of us. Your humor, enthusiam, and insight will be sorely missed.
Thank you for all the good times, and I look forward to hearing from you on Allears from time to time.
Best wishes!
Becca
Oh wow, that was a surprise announcement! Well, I wish you and your family much luck and happiness. I will certainly miss your insightful blogs with all the great photos and reviews and your obvious love of all things Disney. I will look forward to your guest appearances on Allears.
I am glad I met you and your wife last March.
So long, and Happy Trails to you until we meet again.
Penny
Mike,
I have really enjoyed reading you blog the past two years.
Thank you!
Hello, Mike:
Your weekly blogs brought sunshine and happiness to many a disney fan’s heart. For selfish reasons, I am sad to see you go. Your love of all things Disney surely showed through your wonderful blogs. Thanks for sharing your talent! You will be missed. Best of luck to you and your family – present and future! :o)
Mike,
It is sad to see you leave. all of your information about all things Disney has always been such a great part of my day. It is very honorable that you choose to spend time with your family as that is truly what Disney is all about. Glad to see you will still be part of the allears team and contributing your wealth of knowledge. Enjoy you time and have fun with the grandkids get them prepared to be future Disney Fanatics.
I have enjoyed all your blogs, I will miss reading them but also look forward to reading your guest blogs in the future.
Enjoy all your time with your family!!
I have enjoyed reading your blog, and wanted to thank-you for all your time in helping others plan their vacations, I know you certainly helped me! Wishing you nothing but the best for you and your family! Enjoy your grandkids!! Happy trails!!
Thanks for sharing all your knowledge and love of all things Disney. I always looked forward to reading your latest blog. As a grandmother, I do understand the desire to want to spend time with the grandkids. My husband and I are considering retiring and buying a RV (Fort Wilderness here I come). We want to travel and take the grandkids on trips to see this wonderful country. Best of luck with this new stage in your lives. I look forward to hearing about how much fun you will be having introducing a new generation to the magic of Disney.
May love and laughter light your days,
and warm your heart and home.
May good and faithful friends be yours,
wherever you may roam.
May peace and plenty bless your world
with joy that long endures.
May all life’s passing seasons
bring the best to you and yours!
Hey Mike
Sorry to see you fading away but will look forward to what ever you can give us Disney nuts. Thank you very much for all the great work you have done.
Blake Schmidt
Hi Mike,
I’ve never posted on here even though I’m an avid AllEars reader, but I just wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed your blogs, and how sad I am that you are going. I understand that family comes first though! Good luck on everything, and I hope we still hear from you once in awhile!
I just wanted to add to all the others’ well wishes above. I, too, have thoroughly enjoyed your blogs. They have always been informative & entertaining. I’ll miss reading them but look forward to any guest blogs you may write. Enjoy your retirement & go love on those grandchildren!!
Of course family comes first!
But, please know that I have enjoyed you blogs immensely. I live here in Florida and am able to visit Disney pretty much whenever I want to – and your blogs have been so informative, interesting, and just FUN!
Thanks for the memories!
Thank you Mike for all your wonderful information. I will miss your blogs. Enjoy your re-retiremnt! And enjoy your family!
Oh I am so sorry to see you go but I do understand where your priorities are and that’s great! Enjoy your family as much as you can they are a gift I’m sure. I really enjoyed reading you and even checked everyday to see if you had written something that would put a little sunshine in my cold Canadian winter months….. well I’ll re-read you is what I’ll do and now all I have to say is ‘there’s a great big beautiful tomorrow shining at the end of everyday….!’
Congratulations on your retirement!
I will miss your blog but understand the requirements of family! Now, go enjoy those grandkids!
Hi Mike,
Thank you for all your blogs over the years – my favourites were your “walking tours” of Epcot and the ones where people specified their “favourite things”.
I completely understand about making family a priority – there is nothing more important than that!
Enjoy your time with them and I’ll look forward to your guest blogs.
Wendy
Thank you, Mike! Enjoy your retirement and spending more time with your family!
So sorry to hear you’re retiring again. I will miss your blogs. But, as someone like you who has relocated from Mass to central Florida, I realize how difficult it is to be a distance from family. So, hug your grandkids and enjoy!
I truly enjoyed reading your blogs and will miss checking out what you have written next. Enjoy your retirement and your family, you have earned it.
Mike congrats on your second retirement! i just wanted to let you know how much i enjoyed reading your blogs! they are a wonderful addition to this site. Happy Trails, and i will be eagerly awaiting a new adventure tale!
Mike,
I’m really going to miss your blogs. Happy Trails!
We will miss you, Mike! Have a great time with the family, and I can’t wait to read some of your guest blogs in the future!
Thanks for all you have shared. I will miss your blog. Happy traveling! 🙂
Thank you for all your fantastic blogs, DizneyMike, and bringing some of the ‘magic’ into my days. I’ll miss you.
Anne from England.
I will miss your blogs greatly! But, I look forward to reading your guest blogs.
Enjoy your re-retirement!
Mike,
My wife and I always have enjoyed your fun and informative blogs. We certainly understand why you’re leaving, but we’ll miss your posts. Hopefully you’ll get plenty of chance to bring the little ones to WDW!
Take care, Mike.
I cannot help but think of the closing song to the old Mickey Mouse club.
“Now its time to say goodbye…”
I will miss your blog.
So sad to see the end of your blog Mike! But thank you so much for all the great posts, I’ve loved reading everyone.
Enjoy your retirement 🙂
Oh no! You have been my favorite blogger, giving us those little tidbits that are so interesting. Time to share the magic with the grandkids. Enjoy! And thanks for all the blogs. It’s been great.
Mike, I will miss your blogs. As a fellow Massachusettsian(Spelling?), I feel as if I am there with you in every blog. Good luck on your second retirement!!! Hope to bump into you some day in WDW with your grandchildren and mine. The only thing better than WDW is family and especially grandchildren..
Just wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed reading your blogs. I always looked forward to new posts. I had the pleasure of meeting you in December at a meet and greet at the Animal Kingdom. Best wishes to you and your family. Please know that you will truly be missed!
Thank you for sharing so much information with us! I will miss reading your posts! Happy Trails…..