New Year's Eve 2015

The last day of the year. I needed  21 laps (times) on Radiator Springs Racers to hit my goal of 5555. 

I started the day by coming in with the Extra Magic morning guests. One of the security guards, I've become friends with, asked the ticket takers if they could give us some magic. They let a group of us in at about 7:05 am. 

I arrived at Racers at 7:10am. The ride went down briefly and at 7:20am, the racing began. I got 4 laps before the ride went down from 8:24am until 8:38am. A single car faulted. I was in a car before race start. So we were able to get another lap without getting out of the car.

I took my first break from 10am until 10:12am. Eleven laps so far today. 

After lap 12, another car faulted. The ride was back up after 12 minutes. I asked a friend if I should stop when I hit 5555 or continue for the rest of the day. She told me to, "Keep going. See what you can hit before next year".

At 2:42pm I got the 21 laps and 5555. I lost the race in purple 3. I usually lose on the big laps. And I kept going. While I was in line, a group of cast members were leaving for the day. They wished me Happy New Year with hand shakes and hugs. After 28 laps and at 7:25pm, I took a break. I went by Tower of Terror. I saw cast member Jamie K. We got a 5555 and Happy New Year photo. She also let me on ride through Fastpass entrance. Other cast members recognized me from my Racers photos and gave me high fives for my racing. Jamie ended up dispatching me on the attraction. 

I got back to Racers and got a total of 33 laps before they closed the ride for fireworks at 11:15pm. I reached 5567 laps. I watched the fireworks with the Pit Crew in front of the attraction. More Happy New Year wishes and hugs. 

The ride went down about 20 minutes before closing. It looked like I would not get to ride with the cast members. But they were able to fix the problem quickly. At about 1:30am, I was able to ride with my Pit Crew Friends. Now at 5568. I need to thank the Leads Carlene and Ryan for allowing me to wrap up 2015 in a special way. 

Everyone at Racers has helped make 2015 an awesome year. They are truly my brothers and sisters. Their support and kindness have kept me going. I hope I've been an example on how these great people should be treated. I love them with all my heart and look forward to a great 2016. KA CHOW.

Carina and John

Teresa and Alicia

Kristen

Carlene

Jamie

Tower of Terror 

Sean, Greg and Heather

Marie and Brian

Stephanie, Marie, Greg and Catalina

Alyssa

Karla

Carlene

Jonathan, Joel, Brittany and Heather

52

Christmas Eve 2015 was a very special day. I walked over to the entrance of Disney California Adventure after parking my car at 6:30am. I was able to come in the park with the Extra Magic morning guests at 7:00am. I arrived at Radiator Springs Racers at 7:11am. And the racing began. After 9 laps, I met up with Larissa F. and her son Riley. They were visiting from Washinton. We became friends through the Drama Free Disney Facebook page. We were able to ride together for that lap. Lap 5416 for the year. They also went on once in the single rider line. It was great talking to them. Like we were old friends catching up. They left saying they would come back later that day, around 8pm.

The laps kept turning one after another. I took my first and only break between 2 and 2:28pm. I had 25 laps (rides) for the day so far. Eight and a half hours to go. This is when I started to think something magical could happen. I did not want to leave the ride, fearing I would jinx what was occurring. The longest wait in the single rider line was under 20 minutes. Most of the day it was under 10 minutes. Larissa and her son showed up at 8:00pm. Riley gave me a Piston Cup because he liked my story. I thanked him for the thoughtful gesture. We got to ride again in the same car. Lap 42 for the day. They also went one more time in the single rider line. It was great meeting them and spending some time talking about this adventure. We wished each other a Merry Christmas. 

Then the real fun began. Wait time was as fast as I could get off ride and cycle back around. At about 9:15pm, I tied my record, for one day, 47.  Then 48, 49, and 50 at 10:15pm. I asked the cast member Leads, Carlene and Robbie, if I could ride in the last car of the evening. So I was able to ride for the 51 time at 10:48pm. Then at 11:05pm, I turned lap 52, in a car by myself. I always wanted to have a 50 lap day. But I never thought it would occur on Christmas Eve.

It was a special day. Meeting new people, taking 5400 photos with my Pit Crew friends and reaching 52 rides in one day. My own little Christmas magic. 

Me, Riley and Larissa in front row

Riley and Larissa with Piston Cup

Larissa and Riley 

Carlene

Jamie

Bethanie

Alejandra

Meli

Alessa, Kristen and Teressa

Lap 52 for the day

Finishing Strong

Only 19 more days left in 2015. Let's see if I will be able to achieve the year end goals I set, after my 5000 lap on November 2nd. 

Last night, I came to Radiator Springs Racers to get in a few laps. I thought I would ride only 2 times. But ended up with 7 laps, from 7:05pm until 10:45pm. After the 1st ride, some awesome things happened. I got some 5200 lap pictures with Pit Crew members I don't get to see that much. Jessica G., Delaney P., Martha C., Sandra P., Austin P., and Melissa L. I then got in line for ride 2, and a young kid and his sister, who were in the Fastpass line, came up to me. He asked if I was Jon. He shook my hand and his sister was going to take a selfie of us. But it was too dark. So we had a guest,  from the single rider line, take a picture with the three of us and my 5200 sign. They right after, 3 more guests recognized me from the newspaper and also wanted a photo. And also a couple other people in the single rider line with me. Almost like they were lining up. 

It really makes me humble, when people want my picture. I'm sure we all know how much I love taking pictures. Just ask the Pit Crew. I will never turn down anyone who wants a photo. It really helps encourage me to keep riding.

I talked to a few more people about my story, as I was waiting to turn 5 more laps. I also took more Pit Crew photos. Photos with Cristian A., Jamie K., Robbie C., Nick S., and Karla S.

So the 7 laps got me to 5255 all time and  2483 for the year. 

Goal number 1 was to reach 2600 times this year. Only 117 away from that goal. That one will be achieved for sure. The 2nd goal to hit 5500 by year's end will be challenging. I'm 245 laps away. 

I'm planning on coming to the ride 11 more days. So I need an average of 22.2 laps per day. I will be there December 14,  15, 17, 18, 21, 22, 24, 25, 28, 29, and New Years Eve, the 31st. 

There are a few X factors that could slow this goal. But will not mention them. It all comes down to this. If it is meant to be, it will happen. Last year, I would of been disappointed if I did not reach 2400 on the 31st. But everything worked out. 

This year, I will put in the days and hours to reach this goal. Let's see if the Racing Gods will allow 5500 to be achieved before 12am midnight on the 31st. KA CHOW !!!!!!!

There will be a video of all the 5000 photos in a few days. You will be able to see this video and my Racers story on my You Tube page. Here is the link: 

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCB_hQOLJ30HfvkhT4JhzIqw

Jessica G.

Delaney P.

Martha C.

Sandra P.

Austin P.

Melissa L.

Cristian A.

Jamie K.

Robbie C.

Nick S.

Karla S.

Video about my Racers story

A friend of mine interviewed me about my journey at Radiator Springs Racers. He then edited the piece with video from the ride and photos of the cast members. This is my story in my own words. I think you will enjoy this story.

http://youtu.be/4_5autwF0vo

You can check out other of my ride videos on my you tube page 

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCB_hQOLJ30HfvkhT4JhzIqw