Jon's Racers Update: Tower of Terror

Wednesday, December 13, 2017

10101 and The Cree Family

I first met Tara Cree in September 2015. She was visiting from Oregon. She is Racers Cast Member, Carlene Beckius’ best friend. It was right around the time I was close to 5000 rides. I even got to ride with Tara. We became friends instantly.

Tara came down to visit the next time in November 2016. She came with her aunt to participate in the Avengers Run Disney weekend. I did the 10K that weekend. Tara did the half marathon and Carlene did the 10K and half marathon. Catalina Simpson (Pit Crew Cast Member) and I came out to support Carlene and Tara as they were doing the half marathon. We cheered them on from several race locations.

I also got to meet Tara’s parents Mark and Mary Katherine. I got to go on a few rides and spend sometime with them in the park. We also got some pictures along the way. They made me feel part of their family. At one point, I was waiting to go on Tower of Terror while they got photos in front of the hotel. Tara came over and told me “ you’re part of this group. Come get pictures with us”. It was great spending time with them.

I also had a special ride while they were here. The 8,000th time on Radiator Springs Racers. Tara and her mom were part of the big lap. They got in the car with Carlene. Catalina, Heather Hebenstreit and myself. I was lucky they got to ride with us. Tara even took a selfie from the front row.

Tara and I kept in touch with text messages. She would always encourage me in my training for the Disney Run events and to just ask how I was doing.

When I reached 9700 rides she told me I only have 401 to go. It took me a second but realized she meant the 10,101 ride with her and the rest of her family. Tara, her Mom and Dad and 2 sisters, Katherine and Mary Beth. It will be the first time I will meet her sisters. That is one of the reasons I set a date for the 10,000th ride. I needed time after the milestone lap to get to 10,100 before we ride on December 8th. I’m so excited for this ride that I had to make 3 signs before I settled on the one to use.

On Monday December 4th, I was at 10078 rides on Racers. I started out pretty good. I had 8 rides by 10:35am. Then the ride broke down. Single car fault for only 19 minutes. I took a couple more laps and took a break. Some other friends from Oregon were down visiting. Michelle, Lindsay, Nicole and Hannah and their moms. In fact Nicole went to school with Tara and Carlene. We went on Guardians. It was there first time and my 118th time. They love it as much as I do.

I came back to Racers for 2 more rides and it went down again. Got on for the 10085th time then took a break from 3:01 to 5:26pm. I met the ladies again. This time at Disneyland. We were about to get on Big Thunder and it broke down. We then went to Indiana Jones and were able to ride after it just came back up from being down. We took some pictures and said our goodbyes. It was great to spend some time with them. Some of them are coming back in April.

I got back to Racers and it broke again as I was in the single rider line. Took in 2 more rides and it broke again. I think I was the bad luck for Racers and rides in Disneyland. I ended up with 15 rides for the day. That put my total at 10094.

On Tuesday, I was able to get 6 rides to reach the 10100 mark. I went over to Disneyland to visit with my friends Jessica and Heather. They were working on Main Street. Heather with the Horse Trolley and Jessica with the Main Street Cars. I also went on Star Tours. And got a picture with Chewbacca in The Star Wars Launch Bay. I went back to DCA to walk around and go on Guardians a couple times. That put my total to 120 rides. I went back to Disneyland and walked around with Heather after she got off work. She did some shopping. Then I went back to DCA and went on Soarin and Monsters, Inc., before calling it a day.

Thursday night. I came to the parks after work. The Crees flew in from Oregon. We met and went into DCA. Carlene was with them in a Lion Kind onesie that they brought for her. We all went on Guardians. It was the first time for Tara,, Mary Beth, Mary, and Mark. Tara loved Tower of Terror. But I think she likes Guardians now also. We also went on Heimlich’s train and Luigi’s. We got a picture with Snowy Mater before heading over to Disneyland. Carlene left us since she had to work early in the morning on Friday. The rest of us went in Star Tours. It had all the new scenes from the Last Jedi. I think I was a bit of bad luck. The ride would not start. So we had to move to another transport. It was Tara’s first ever ride evac. But not the one she was hoping for. After, I said my goodbyes so I could get to bed and rest for tomorrow’s big ride with the Crees.

We meet up at 10:15am on Friday. Tara handed me a shirt to wear. We all ha e matching shirts celebrating their visit this year. We went on Guardians. My 122th time and we got “Give up the Funk”. Just like last night.

We walked over to Racers. We used a Fastpass to go on the ride together. So at 11:45am, in Purple 3, on Ramone side for race, we turned the 10101 lap. We won the race. I’m glad I was able to share this special ride with them. They even gave me a Lightning McQueen plush car. They all signed the car. We took pictures. And Carlene could not hold the sign upside down. It is the same back or front or upside down.

As soon as we got out of the car, the attraction went down. I could hear Rosanna (Cast Member) yell out I broke it.

We took a food break at The Pilot’s Grill. We also saw the Coco Preview. We got on Soarin. We then met up with Carlene after she got off work. We all went in Guradians and got the song, “I Want You Back”. I also got to say hi to Sarah G., who grouped us on the ride.

As we were walking over to Disneyland, we got pictures at the DCA Christmas Tree. We had dinner at The Pizza Port. We then went on Big Thunder. It was my 100th ride. We also went on Indiana Jones and Jungle Cruise. We got photos in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle. We were able to see the Fantasmic show. The Crees had not seen the new update. We went on Buzz Lightyear and fit on Space Mountain. On our way out of the park, we took pictures in front of the Disneyland Christmas Tree. We said our goodbyes for the evening. It was a great day. A milestone lap and spending time with my “family” from Oregon. We plan to hook up again on Monday.

The 10101 ride

The first ride with Tara

After the Avengers 10K

After Carlene and Tara finished the half marathon

Tara sad Tower was closing

In front of Tower of Terror. Tara faking Mickey ears on my hat.

With Minnie

Starting the 8000 ride

Tara, Carlene, Catalina, Heather, Mary Katherine and Mark

Hannah, Lindsay, Michelle and Nicole

On Guardians

Ready for Indiana Jones

Jessica

Heather

The 10,100 car

Chewbacca

Heather

Mark, Mary, Katherine, Mary Beth, Carlene, Tara and I

Tara and I on Luigi’s

Mark, myself, Tara, Carlene, Mary, Katherine and Mary Beth

The shirt we all wore

Tara, Mary Beth, me, Katherine, Mary and Mark.

On our way to race 10101

Mary Beth, Mary, Tara, Katherine and Mark

With Carlene holding plush Lightning

Carlene can’t hold side upside down

Goofy shot

With Pluto

Katherine, Mary Beth, Carlene, Tara, Mark and Mary

Sarah

Castle. I was doing most of the lifting

Saturday, December 24, 2016

Tower 260 and Christmas Eve 2016

On Friday night, December 23, I came to Tower of Terror after work. I wanted to go on Tower for the 260th time, with the Bellhops. That was my goal for Tower. Why 260? The Bellhops said I should have a 13 in the number. 260 is 13 times 20. So at the end of the night, I got to ride with my friends. Sarah G. helped set up the ride. This was a great Christmas present from the Bellhops. Tower means a lot to me and I'll miss it when it closes after January 2nd. My Bellhop friends have been awesome and I love them all. I'll come on the last day and see if I can somehow be the last "guest" to ride.

Left to right: Alex, Juston, Jose, Travi, Sarah, Walter, Brisa, Jeff, and Felix

Now for Christmas Eve.

I got to Disney California Adventure at 7am. I was able to come it with the Extra Magic Morning guests. Radiator Springs Racers did not open until 7:30am. I was able to get in the first car out of the station. The goal was to get 40 rides to reach 8300 all time.

I got 3 rides before they had a minor issue. I got on Racers 10 times by 10am. Then 10 more by 12:45pm. I took a brief break at 2pm and had another 10 laps at 4:15pm. Only 10 more to reach 8300. Three more rides before a break from 5pm until 5:12pm. Three more rides by 6:10pm. I got another 2 rides before a 30 minute downtime because of a single car issue. After 2 more rides, I hit the 8300 mark at 8:21pm. I was in Silver 2, on Luigi's side for race, and lost the race. I got 40 laps for the day. That was enough for this day.

Throughout the day, I also went by to see some of my cast member friends. I visited with Jess and Minerva at Mater's, Tracie at Luigi's, Amanda working the shop by Grizzly River Run. I also saw Desiree at Disney Junior. At night, I went by to see Cameo at Flik's and Lisa at the Viva Navidad parade. I got Merry Christmas pictures with them and pictures with my friends at Racers.

When I left Racers at 8:21pm, I walked over to Tower of Terror. I took 4 trips to the 13th floor. I'm now at 264 times on Tower. I also got photos with Jessica, Tyler and Aubree.

It was a pretty good Christmas Eve. I got 2 presents at the park. Getting to ride with the Bellhops at 260 and reaching 8300 laps at Racers.

One week to go for this year. I'll be at the park Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday, New Year's Eve. I'd like to reach 8400 at Racers but also need to say goodbye to Tower. The friendship I've made at Tower has really been my Disney Magic. The ride may go away but the relationships will last a lifetime.