9000

I was 7 rides away from 9000 times on Radiator Springs Racers. I did not want to chance not getting those 7 rides today, so I came last night to get on the ride at least twice.

I left work at 5pm and arrived at the single rider entrance of Racers at 6:50pm. I was feeling a little nervous until I got on that first time. I met some nice ladies that recognized me. They wanted to get a couple pictures, which I always love taking. The single rider line got shorter, so I knew I could do at least 3 laps. On the 3rd ride, I was in a car with a couple families. They wanted to get pictures with me and their kids after we got out of the car. I was able to get back in line right before they closed the ride for the night. Four rides to reach 8997. 

I got to the Mickey and Friends Parking lot at 7:03am. The parking lot opens at 7:30am. Just a bit anxious today. Got to park entrance at 7:50am. Came to Racers after rope drop at 9am. Turned 2 laps by 9:51am. Now at 8999. Time to relax until the big ride tonight. It also gave me time to write about my friends who will be joining me tonight in the 9000 car.

I met Ken and Sandra W. at 5am, waiting to get in the 2013 D23 convention at the Anaheim Convention Center. We saw each other at panels during the convention and have been friends ever since. We've been to a few Disney Halloween parties and a friend of a friend of Sandra got us in Club 33. Dick Van Dyke was even eating when we were there. They were in the 2400 car and also the 7500 car. I think I've ridden the most times on Racers with Sandra.

I've been friends with Heather H., since we worked at HRTV together. Over 7 years now. Also friends with her mom, Dorise. Heather now works with the horses on Main Street in Disneyland. And at the off site ranch, were they stable the horses at night. Saw her and her boyfriend Jon, in Orlando at the Star Wars Celebration. They mainly went to get a photo with Sarah Michelle Gellar. They maybe bigger Buffy fans than me. But not by much. 

Katie H., was one of the first cast members at Racers that I became friends with. We hit it off from the start. She and her husband Glenn even invited me to their wedding. Katie had to leave Disney because of back issues. But I still see her from time to time. Glenn still works in the parks. She always had the best hugs. 

Carlene was also one of the first cast members I got to be friends with. By chance she was in the very first photo I got with the Racers crew. She is the only one who has been in every big lap car. 1000 and 2000 were by chance. But the day I reached 3000, she came in on her day off. We got in the single rider line. And she was in the front seat and me in the back. So ever since then, I make sure she is in the car. She is one of my favorite "sisters" at Racers. 

I also need to mention my other favorite "sister", Catalina S.. She came up to me a few months ago to tell me she would not be able to ride in the 9000 and 10000 cars. I knew immediately what that meant. She was pregnant. I'm so happy for her and Deane. They even told me they are having a girl before they told everyone. Catalina and Carlene have been my 2 buddies from the start. They really treat me like their big brother.

I went over to Disneyland and spent some time with my friends Lesa and Liz. I met them last night in the single rider line at Racers. We got a snack at Starbucks. We then went on Buzz Lightyear. I still have it. I scored over 1.4 million points. Liz and I then went on Hyper Space Mountain. And I did not lose my phone. I kept it in my tote bag. 

I then caught up with Heather driving the Horse "Lucky" on the Main Street Trolley. She is getting pretty good with the horses. 

I came back over to DCA at 2pm. I went by Hyperion to say hi to Amos. I also got to say hi to Sarah P. Always great to see one of my Tower favorites. I guess now it will be Guardians. Back to Racers to visit with the crew a little bit. I got to see the 10,000 showing of DJ. They have a show several times a day in front of Luigi's. 

I had a Fastpass for Soarin', so I went on the ride at 4:30pm.

Found out Ken got stuck at work and will not be able to join us tonight. So I asked Glenn to join us. 

Everyone showed up around 7pm. We got on the ride about 7:25pm. Heather's boyfriend Jon took video with my phone. On the ride, Carlene and Heather had my Go Pro cameras and Sandra took a much of Selfies. My friend David will put together a video for You Tube. 

Now 1000 more rides to reach 10,000. It took 4 months to go from 7000 to 8000 but 5 months to go from 8000 to 9000. I hope I can get to 10,000 by the end of August. Which would be 4 months. 

Katie, Heather, Sandra, Glenn and Katie

 

Sandra, Heather, Carlene, Katie and Glenn

 

The goofy shot 

 

Sandra and Ken 

 

Heather 

Katie

 

Katie and Glenn's wedding 

 

Carlene

 

Catalina

 

Liz and Lesa

Buzz Lightyear with Lesa

 

Liz on Hyper Space Mountain 

 

Sarah

 

DJ's 10,000 show 

 

Sarah Michelle Gellar

You know I most certainly needed to do a blog about my favorite actress. This is the first time that Sarah Michelle Gellar has ever gone to a convention. Even during the Buffy The Vampire days, she never did any photographs or signings. So when I saw she was going to be at the Star Wars Celebration, I had to sign up for a photo and autograph. This could be my only chance ever. My friends Heather and Jon also came to the Celebration. They only came to get the photo and autograph. Also to visit the Disney World Resort while they're in Orlando. Like Amos and I are going to see starting tomorrow night.

Amos and I got to the Convention Center at 6:30am. We got in the queue to the showroom floor. They started letting people onto the floor at 10am. I went straight to the Photo and Autograph hall. I waited there until they called us into the line for Sarah at 11:30am. At noon they started letting people in to get photos with her. When it was my turn, I said  "hi". Sarah also said, "hi". After the photo I thanked her and she said, "your welcome". Heather and Jon got there photo right after me. I also got the download besides the hard copy photo. We then got into the line for the autograph. She was not signing until 2pm, but they let us line up at 1pm. She starting signing at 2pm. A bunch of us in line sang her Happy Birthday. When it was my turn to have my photo autographed, I also wished her a Happy Birthday. She thanked me. She saw our photo and said, "that a good picture". I said, "because she was in the photo". She said "awe".

Today was a dream come true for this fan. Feel very blessed to have gotten this opportunity. I will treasure this moment the rest of my life.

Sarah Michelle Gellar

 

Sarah before signing autographs 

My photo after Sarah signing

 

My friends Jon and Heather