Diehard Disneyland fan Jon Hale will break his own record that he has held for more than a decade when he hops aboard Radiators Springs Racers for his 15,000th lap around Ornament Valley from the 2006 “Cars” animated film.
“I don’t know of anyone who has done more rides on Radiator Springs Racers than I have,” Hale said via email.
Hale will ride Radiator Springs Racers for the record-setting 15,000th time on Monday, Dec. 8 at 11 a.m. in Cars Land at Disney California Adventure.
The $200 million DCA attraction themed to Pixar’s Cars franchise features a dark ride introduction that travels through the fictional town of Radiator Springs followed by a slot car race finale based on Epcot’s Test Track attraction in Florida.
Hale started his epic road trip in 2012 during the annual passholder preview for the new attraction ahead of the grand opening of Cars Land.
The symbolic and life-changing 13-year journey has been a story of perseverance, transformation and joy for the Brea resident.
Hale took the inaugural ride in celebration of his successful twin knee replacements, gastric bypass surgery and losing over 150 pounds.
“When I realized I could bend my knees enough to fit in the car, I instantly fell in love with the ride,” Hale said via email.
He marked his 300th ride by holding up a sign for the ride photo.
“The cast members clapped when I got out of the car,” Hale said via email. “That moment really encouraged me to keep going.”
Since then, Hale has meticulously tracked every ride during more than 1,000 visits to Disney California Adventure.
“I use a little notebook to keep track of my rides,” Hale said via email. “I record the color of the car, which lane I raced in and whether I won the race.”
According to his records, Hale has ridden in all 36 cars — with only 31 in use at a time.
Hale attributes his record-keeping prowess to his parents, who were both accountants.
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Milestone laps at 2,000, 5,000 and 9,000 rides were taken with friends he’s made at DCA or Radiator Springs Racers cast members — Disney parlance for employees.
Over the years, Hale has become friends with the Racers cast, bringing them cookies, baking them pumpkin bread and attending their employee softball games. He’s even been to a few cast member weddings.
Hale’s 10,000th lap in 2017 made news with the UPI wire service and KABC News covering the accomplishment.
His pace has slowed in recent years. It took him just over three years to reach 5,000 rides, two more years to top 10,000 and then another eight years to get to 15,000.
He snapped selfies with Racers cast members holding a 14,999 sign during his most recent ride in preparation for his record-setting lap.
Why did he choose Radiator Springs Racers for his record-setting run rather than the Incredicoaster, Soarin’, Pirates of the Caribbean or Haunted Mansion?
Hale loves the Cars characters, dark ride theming and Cadillac Mountain Range rockwork of the expansive attraction that fills 6 acres of the Anaheim theme park.
The Magic Keyholder visits Disney California Adventure once a week — usually on Tuesdays or Wednesdays on his days off from work.
Monday will be Hale’s 1,124th visit to DCA to ride Radiator Springs Racers. He averages 13.3 rides per day. His single day record: 52 rides on Dec. 24, 2015.
Hale joins a Mount Rushmore of theme park enthusiasts who have set records for consecutive visits or most rides on a single attraction.
Jeff Reitz, of Huntington Beach, set a 2,995 consecutive day streak of visiting Disneyland that ended with the yearlong COVID-19 closure of the park.
Gwen Reimann, of Diamond Bar, rode Indiana Jones Adventure more than 10,000 times, according to the Orange County Register.
Hale has no plans to stop riding Radiator Springs Racers anytime soon.
“If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that you should never give up on what brings you joy,” Hale said via email. “Keep moving forward, lap after lap.”
