Racers Recap 2015

Last year was the best year so far at Radiator Springs Racers. I hit a lot of milestones along the way. On February 17th, I hit the 3000 lap on Racers. Almost 5 months later, on July 7th, I hit 4000. Then on November 2nd, I hit lap 5000. 

There were also 3 all time one day lap records attained. On June 27th, I got 46 laps. Then on September 28th, I was able to get 47. The best day ended up being on Christmas Eve. I turned 52 laps. I was hoping one day I could have a 50 lap day. But never expected it to happen on Christmas Eve. Most of the day, the wait in line was less than 5 minutes. I do not think I ever want to break that record because it happened on Christmas Eve. And getting past 5555 on New Year's Eve, ended the year on a great note.

A friend told me I doubt myself too much in hitting my goals. Every goal I've set at Racers has been achieved. I know it is because of the support from my Pit Crew friends and even the Ride itself wanting me to succeed. It has a way of testing me from time to time. Seeing if I stick it out on the tough days. And also support from the various Disney Group members. Everyone and everything has a way of bringing me luck and Disney Magic. Hopefully for years to come. 

What is ahead for 2016? I really don't set goals at the beginning of the year. But I can say, I'll hit 6000 and 7000 this year. After those laps are achieved, we will see how the year may end. Now here are my stats for 2015:

I turned 2795 laps (rides) on Racers in 2015. That's 395 more laps than 2014. My won lost record was 1429 wins and 1366 losses. 63 more wins than losses.

By lane of race:

Ramone: 1405 times and record of 703-702.

Luigi: 1390 times and record of 726-664.

By color of car:

Red: 505 times and record of 293-213

Teal: 385 times and record of 188-197

Silver: 368 times and record of 187-181

Purple: 336 times and record of 169-167

Blue: 325 times and record of 168-157

Cranberry: 307 times and record of 138-169

Green: 290 times and record of 136-154

Yellow: 279 times and record of 148-131

Winning records in Red, Silver, Purple, Blue, and Yellow. Losing records in Teal, Cranberry, and Green.

I came to Radiator Springs Racers 157 days in 2015 for an average of 17.8 laps per day.

Laps per month:

January: 130

February: 159

March: 238

April: 200

May: 210

June: 282

July: 186

August: 204

September: 366

October: 251

November: 191

December: 378

An average of 232.9 laps per month.

Carlene 

Ruth, Catalina, Carlene and Katie

Ruth, Catalina, Carlene and Katie

Catalina, Ruth, Katie and Carlene

Catalina, Katie, Carlene and Ruth

Friends Erin, Sandra, Dorise, Heather, Claudia, Mark, DeShawn and Michelle

The 5555 lap

Jonathan, Joel, Brittany, and Heather in the last car out on New Year's Eve. Number 5568 all time.

Other rides with cast members during the year: On June 22nd with Alessa, Teresa, Zeina and Bethanie

On July 10th with Jared, Andres, Cameron, Bethanie and Blanca

On August 25th with Alejandra

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

16 Hour Day at Racers

I arrived at The Mickey and Friends parking structure at 6am. Parking lot opened at 6:30am. I then walked over to Disney California Adventure Park entrance to see if I could come in with the Extra Magic Morning guests. It worked. Came into the park at 7:08am. Got to Racers at 7:13am. 

In the first ride of the day, the cars stopped moving at 7:20am. I was in car next to Sheriff. The delay kept getting longer, waiting for the ride to start back up. Got me thinking how many times I've been evacuated from the ride. Twice at Frank's. Once at tipping tractors. Twice at belt check, once at starting line. Once before crossing finish line. I was walked out under the finish line. So I counted that lap. One time after the race, I was at low bank. And one today at Sheriff. They turned power off and I was taken out. Now the waiting game until they can get the ride operating again. I took a couple selfies with the crew and just hung out waiting. I was first in line when they started to walk us to the load area of the ride at 9:24am. I got in a car at 9:27am. And away we go part 2. Turned 2 laps and at 9:50, the ride powered down again. Maybe the ride is testing me today and wants to see if I can last until 11pm tonight. Challenge accepted.

The ride was running again at 11am. I waited for the single rider line to open up. They let in Fastpass guests first. At 11:05am they opened single rider line. At 11:10am I turned lap 3 for the day. At 11:49, lap 4 for the day was completed. Then the single rider line was all the way to the front entrance. I visited with cast member Catalina, who was at single rider entrance. Then at 12:12pm, I got back in line. By 1:50pm, I was at 6 laps for today. About ready to take my first break for the day. Took break from 2:35 to 3:10pm after lap 7. 

At 5:30pm, I turned lap 10 for the day. Five and a half hours to go. At 6:40pm, lap 11 was achieved.

Lap 12 at 7:30pm.

Lap 13 at 8:31pm.

Lap 14 at 9:22pm.

Lap 15 at 10:00pm.

Lap 16 at 10:23pm.

And using my readmission pass from this mornings evact, lap 17 at 10:45pm. I'm tired. I need days like these to see if I really want to reach my racers goals. 

I need to bake cookies for the Crew in a couple weeks.

Ivan, Andrew and Doug

Mary, April and Teddi