(April 2008) - PCM's Joe spoke to the dynamic Pete Werner, the founder and CEO of Dreams Unlimited Travel, an Internet agency that sells only Disney products. Combining creativity, customer service and cutting-edge web marketing, Werner's company has become hugely successful. You can visit the following site to find out much more, "Pete Werner's Unofficial Online Guide to Disney" site. Joe and Pete discovered that they share a love of the 'Spiderman' ride at Universal, too! Now, go ahead and read our interview below!

J: Well, I want to start by asking, what got you started? What made you decide in 1997 that you wanted to try this?

P: Well, it started a few years before that. I had been to Disney World. Everything was larger than life, it became an addiction for me almost. I was going to Disney suddenly two or three times a year and I figured I'd do a business site to start out with, wdwinfo.com.

J: That's a pretty popular site!

P: We are a very, very big site. It exploded on me, it wasn't intentional. It wasn't a grand plan. I was smart enough to just see the opportunity and do something with it. We launched Dreams Unlimited Travel that addressed the issues that people were having with Disney vacations. We created a travel service and agency that helped with that.

J: I did look at the site when I went with my family to Orlando. I noticed that Disney is very protective over their copyrighted characters; did you have trouble when you were making your site? Any roadblock?

P: We were very careful with the characters; we take pictures of the parks that have a character in it. That's different. We are careful about trademarks. To be honest with you, they have been terrific in that regard. They haven't tried to make our lives difficult or the least threatening. I can't say that they've been in any way, shape or form a pain to us! My site is much more editorial than many others that could get in trouble. The site sends a lot of business to Disney, you know? But I definitely worried about things like that in the beginning. We have a good working relationship with them now!

J: How often do you go to Disney now?

P: Oh, well, I live in Orlando. I try and be in the parks as often as humanely possible. We have to stay on top of things!

J: Now, let me ask you, what is next for you? Do you consider yourself a travel agent or a Disney fan?

P: (laughs) I've been asking myself that question! I look an myself as an entrepreneur. You can relate to that with your site. My passion for Disney runs deep. I have a very personal connection with it. But I am more of an entrepreneur though, than anything else.

J: How did your passion for Disney start? Was there something as a kid that triggered it off and you went, "Ah-Ha!"

P: I told myself when I was a kid that I would someday go to Disney and the opportunity to do it around 24 or 25. Disney provided for me what I would get when I used to do drugs. It was larger than life. But now, I just love what I do! I am so lucky, it's so rare. I can't wait to sit down behind my computer and start each day. My computer is everywhere I go with me!

J: Are you big on Disney paraphernalia or memorabilia?

P: I used to be. I met my partner, Walter, the exact opposite of me, not a Disney fan! When we moved in together, he told me that some of it was going to have to go into storage. (laughs) But there's a lot in my office right now!

J: What are your favorite rides?

P: Pirates Of The Caribbean will always be number one!

J: Always?

P: Always was, always will be! But also, Space Mountain, too!

J: Do you go to Universal, too? I love the Spiderman ride.

P: Oh, I go there often! It's incredible. They have a lot of stuff that is great. It's better now than it has ever been! There's a lot that's happening and being put in there. There's a good competition between Disney and Universal there. But Spiderman is awesome, my favorite there. It's great.

J: That makes two of us then! I loved that ride. Great attraction. What about SeaWorld?

P: Funny you mention that, I am headed down there today. It's the cleanest theme park in the world. It's such a different experience that Disney or Universal. Those animals are so well cared for. The animal trainers are so well taken care of. They are so happy to be working there, it's great.

J: I love the monorail from the hotels there, too!

P: They are the best. So spacious and a beautiful ride. Beats a car.

J: Now, you are a Disney expert, do you have any favorite Disney characters?

P: I can't say that I really do. I've never been that into the characters themselves. I'd never really sit down and watch a Mickey Mouse movie. But if I'd have to pick ... (pause) you know, I really don't know.

J: Have you met anyone really interesting due to your Disney association?

P: Oh, I've met so many great people. The 'Imagineers' in general are tremendously creative and passionate people that makes the parks great. The visitors from our site from all over the world have been great to meet. People from Australia contacted me and wanted to experience Disney! I'd never be able to meet them otherwise if not for the site. It's very special.

J: Thank you so much for your time today, it was so interesting to talk to you.