In brief
In a heartfelt celebration, Jon Alan Hale, a Disneyland regular, completed his 15,000th ride on Radiator Springs Racers. After extensive surgeries in 2010 and 2011, Hale became drawn to the exhilarating experience and began a record of his visits, which now totals over 1,100 trips to the park. With each ride, he emphasizes the joy of unpredictability and the community he has fostered with park staff and fellow fans.
SANTA ANA, Calif. — Marking a monumental milestone, Disneyland enthusiast Jon Alan Hale achieved his 15,000th ride on the Radiator Springs Racers attraction at Disney California Adventure on Monday. For Hale, the experience of riding is more than just about winning — it's about the thrill of the ride itself.
Hale started his Disney journey after undergoing gastric bypass and knee replacement surgeries in 2010 and 2011. Since the Radiator Springs Racers debuted in 2012, he has become completely captivated, meticulously tracking each ride in a notebook, noting details such as the car’s color and lane.
“I fell in love with the ride,” said Hale, a television technician from Brea, California. To celebrate his achievements, he began carrying a sign for every hundred rides, with Disneyland staff cheering for him as he reached milestones such as the 1,000th ride.
Dressed in a ‘Cars’ themed cap and holding a 15,000 sign, Hale rode the attraction with friends who work at the park. He has visited the Anaheim resort more than 1,100 times, averaging 13 rides per visit, often utilizing the single rider line which allows for a quicker turnaround.
Hale expressed that the ride never feels repetitive as the outcome of each race varies, saying, “You don’t know who is going to win the race. There is no pattern of who wins or loses.” While there are no formal records of the ride counts, both Disneyland officials and Guinness World Records have not tracked such achievements.
However, Hale's journey reflects more than mere numbers; he has forged friendships within the park, promoting a family-like atmosphere where he feels welcomed and supported by both staff and fellow enthusiasts.
“It’s like family,” Hale said. “Everybody recognizes me, they’re rooting for me.”
