Friday, August 17, 2007

The Duckman's Inside Report: Celebrating 10 Years Today!


Wow! Where has the time gone? It's hard to believe it's been 10 years since I decided to start a website on the Walt Disney Classics Collection. It seems like yesterday the website reached it's 5th year.

Knowing the anniversary was coming up this week, found myself reflecting a lot over the past 10 years (making for a nice diversion at work). Like anything, it has had its ups and downs, long hours and the making of both good and bad decisions. It's been a great learning experience, that's for sure .. LOL!

At the end of the day, it's been an experience I wouldn't trade for anything! It has given me the opportunity to meet and interact with so many great people. To try and list everyone, I would be so afraid of leaving someone out, you all know who you are. Your support and contribution has been greatly appreciated. Words cannot thank you enough. You Rock!

There are two people who I do want to personally thank -- my wife Mary and my daughter Amanda. There were many times over these past 10 years where the website took a lot of time whether working on updates, dealing with situations, on the phone with dealers and/or fellow collectors, etc. and they were always there by my side both supporting and understanding. Thanks SO much!

The biggest thrill for me was this past year was Amanda joining me on the website. I can't describe what an awesome experience this has been and what she's accomplished in such a short time, I see a very bright future for her. I'm SO proud of her!

The line has had it's ups and downs over the years, change of ownership, etc. but has endured celebrating its 15th Anniversary this year and feel the team at Enesco are on the right track. This past year, we have seen some awesome releases and sounds like there are more of the same to follow for the balance of this year and 2008.

Here's to the next 5 years!!

19 comments:

Kushal Ruia said...

The Duckman's Inside Report was and is the ONLY comprehensive WDCC site out there and may i add, got me excited about getting serious about collecting WDCC pieces 2years ago!
So,thanks and Many Congratulations!
:-)

.kUSHAL

Matthew said...

Don, I can't adequately describe how much the web site, the blog and your friendship have meant to me over the years.

Many, many thanks and a wish for MANY more happy years to come!

Herc said...

Congratulations Don!!

We all love the site. The website is beautiful. Love the new Blog section. That was a great addition. Of course, there is the comprehensive gallery of all things WDCC. We love it.

I'm glad I had the opportunity to be a part of it. And the best thing of all, I made a wonderful friend in the process.

Jeff

Timon said...

Congratulations Mr. Duckman on 10 Ducky years with many more to come! I thought without the Greenbook and Tomart's I'd miss out on a lot, but thanks to you and the work you do, that's not the case.

Continued success in the future and Disney/Enseco as well as the collectors of this fine line have a true advocate in you and your site!

Tim

Unknown said...

Don, congratulations on ten great years. it's been a pleasure knowing you. You have the best website out the for information about WDCC. Thanks for all the hard work you and now Amanda have put into this site.

Jason S. said...

Don, what can I say? Your site is THE location on the internet for WDCC information. Without it, I might never have found the Board and made such wonderful friends over these past years, including yourself and your family. I look forward to when we can celebrate your site's 20th anniversary. Many congrats to you and Amanda for continuing to provide us WDCC collectors with an invaluable resource.

Unknown said...

Hi Don,
Congratulations on an amazing accomplishment. I only found your site about a year ago and am so sorry to have missed the other nine years. The website is astonishing and such a wonderful resource for so many of us WDCC aficianados. I thank you. I hope it will continue to be as rewarding to you and your family as it is to us. Warm regards.

sparklingrose said...

Congratulations on 10 great years, Duckie!!

Of course, you know who it all started with....The Queen!! You knew that was coming, right?!?

Here's to 10 more years, my Friend!

Art Partners Collectibles Inc. said...

AnimationArt.com

A wonderful and big congrats and heres to another 10 year

Mark, Rosa, & Val

Magic Mirror said...

Well done to you all on a wonderful 10 years.
Your site is and I am sure will continue to be a mine of WDCC information in years to come, and to top that you are such a great guy.

All the best to you and your family Don.

Tony

Babette said...

Don
What can I say??? Even though I started collecting 15 years ago as a charter member, I don't think I would have the depth of understanding and appreciation of our beloved Walt Disney Classics Collection sculptures without the insights and knowledge provided by your website. The facts, trivia, background stories, secondary information, sculptor information, images and dealer info have truly enriched my collecting experience. I don't think I'd be as much of a WDCC fanatic if there was no Duckman website to show us all of what is great about the line.

Thanks for all the hard work you do to keep the website alive and full of all the latest WDCC news, thanks to Amanda for giving you a helping hand, and thanks to your webserver hosts at the Cartoon Factory for maintaining the website in the background.

I am proud to know you as a friend and so grateful for the Disney friendships I have which were all kindled by the love of WDCC.

Cheryl S. said...

Congratulations Don! This site has meant the world to me over the years. Whenever I had a question I ALWAYS turned to the Duckman's site to address it.

I know my family thought I was crazy when I almost fainted meeting you at the Gallery! It was better than meeting any movie star!

Your hard work touches the lives of so many and enhances a collection that brings me great joy! Many, many, thanks!

Congrats again and an extra thank you to your family too! Here's to 10 more years!

~Cheryl

Unknown said...

Don,
congratulations, what a milestone for you. This site truly has to be a labor of love for you. I can only imagine the enormous amount of time and energy you put forward to make this THE site for all WDCC collectors. Thank you for your effort.
Bob & Toni

Tony said...

Congratulations Don!

Time has sure flown. Your site was the start of something special to me, and 10 years later, we're still here :-)

Here's to the next 10 years!

Tony

DC Pop Fanatic said...

I want to thank each and everyone of you (and those who emailed and/or phoned) with well wishes and congratulations!

It's been some week at work, so was a nice diversion checking into the blog throughout the day reading all the nice comments. Each and every comment and well wishes are greatly appreciated by both Amanda and myself.

This collection has been a passion of mine since I became a charter member in 1993 and that passion has never waned over the years and the support and friendships I've made over the years through this collection has been amazing!

You Guys Rock!

Gregory said...

I found Don's site 10 years ago as a college student wishing I had money to buy all the cool WDCC pieces his site highlighted. Now 10 years later his site is THE authority on WDCC collecting and Don has become someone I'm proud to call my friend.

CONGRATULATIONS ON TEN YEARS! And THANK YOU for the great service you provide to all of us WDCC fans.

Sergio Bardon said...

Congratulations for this 10th Anniversary of such a wonderful work. This website is my home page since 1999, what else can I say?

As I live in South America, it happens that I found WDCC just because of this website many years ago. Thank you for that!!

Sergio

Koen said...

Hello Don,

It's been since 2000 that i visit your site, the messageboard and now the blog and where has the time gone? I can't believe it's been 7 years since i first found your site.
You should be on a payrol with Enesco, for making such a great site and provide all the info anyone could want.
Over the years your site changed and improved and i want to take this oppurtunity to thank not only you, but also everyone who ever helped you, like Ant, and now Amanda. And who ever said you should start the webpage, deserves a big thank you.

Keep up the good work

Dennis said...

Congratulations on your 10 year anniversary!

I found Don's site five years ago and can always count on finding the answers I need. I can't imagine the hours you must put into it.

Hope someday the opportunity to meet you in person and thank you personally.

Here's to many more years!

A Loyal Fan!