[mickey]

Perhaps using the referral feature of the vBulletin forums to rank current users in number of referrals and have that information available to the community might be an incentive to spread the word more?

I have activated the referral program, and it is now working. I will get the referral leaders on the front page, with an explanation, so that every one can see.

Once people are here they like to see their member status change. Perhaps the first two statuses or so could change at a lower number of posts to sort of tease new members into posting a bit more to progress through the ranks

I will work on this. Any suggestions for the lower level ranks? I think right now it goes Jr. Mouseketeer, Mouseketeer, Senior Mouseketeer and Big Cheese. I wouldn't mind adding a couple more in there.

Oh! Another idea! Since you want to improve the activity in the forums maybe have awards for things like the most helpful topic, most intriguing topic, most helpful response, etc. The nominated member's prize can be a custom avatar that will show off to the entire virtual world that they are a helpful and vital part of Disney Central's forums. This may encourage other, newer members to try and do the same.

Great idea. We could have a monthly contest, and give a couple of people custom avatars and allow them to change their user title to what ever they want for the month in which they are the winner. I will work on that for February.
Thanks again for the great suggestions!