Today marks the last day of my 20s. Yes, tomorrow I will reach the milestone I’ve been eyeing for years as I turn 30. While my wife (who will still have 18 more days of 29 after me before it’s her turn) and I have joked about simply spending our birthdays crying, I actually have little fear turning 30 and admittedly may even be a little bit excited.
Now taking a huge pivot, those who know me are aware that I’m not a huge fan of sports. This is to say I don’t really follow them much, although going to an occasional baseball, football or (preferably) hockey game is something I find enjoyable. However, I have an odd fascination with sports documentaries, namely ESPN’s film series 30 for 30.
Pivoting once more, this entry actually has little to do with my birthday or sports beyond the allusion of the title. Instead, I thought I’d share 30 random facts, opinions, confessions, or whatever that have to do with Disney or just me. So I hope you enjoy, in no particular order, my 30 for 30:
- Though I’ve stated it before, it’s worth saying again: DisneySea = best park but Disneyland = favorite park.
- Everyone was gushing about #HSM10 this week but I’ve never seen any of the High School Musical films.
- I’ve also never seen an episode of That’s So Raven.
- I have zero regrets about #2 or #3.
- Meanwhile, I’ve seen every episode of Jonas and Jonas L.A. and wanted to write a spec episode.
- Speaking of which, I once saw the Jonas Brothers in concert on back to back nights and was a member of Team Jonas in order to get early tickets.
- My favorite Magic Kingdom attraction might be the Peoplemover.
- Carousel of Progress, Splash Mountain, and the Country Bear Jamboree are all also vying for the title depending on my mood.
- As far as Tokyo, as much as I love Pooh’s Hunny Hunt and Monsters Inc. Ride and Go Seek, I think my favorite ride in the resort is Sinbad’s Storybook Voyage.
- This theme song is on my phone and I listen to it often:
11. My “untouchable” list for Disneyland is remarkably pretty short.
12. Last year I only saw four movies in theatres (one of them twice), but half of those were Disney (including the one I saw twice… any guesses?).
13. While the conventional options are great as well, my favorite snacks in any domestic Disney park are potstickers from Lotus Blossom Cafe in Epcot or anything from Bengal Barbecue in Disneyland.
14. But, popcorn or churro? 100% churro (but that’s probably because I worked at a movie theatre).
15. Unless we’re in Tokyo Disney Resort, in which case 100% popcorn.
16. Speaking of which, as excited as I am for Shanghai, I’m not sure it could ever live up to Tokyo for me for the same reason Tokyo can’t overtake Disneyland — emotional connection.
17. Never once did I ever pet a goat in Disneyland.
18. I have been on every ride in Disneyland at least once but some of them only once.
19. The same can’t be said for Magic Kingdom because I refuse to go on Stitch’s Great Escape and so I don’t bother doing Tomorrowland Speedway either.
20. I think this cover is brilliant because it not only shows another side of the Muppets but also reveals a side of Alkaline Trio I’ve never heard:
21. I thought I was done with this list, but realized I had the same one twice, which I am now replacing.
22. I might make my wife watch Recess later today because yesterday I said she was dressed like Spinelli and she didn’t get the reference.
23. I have been a D23 member since day one.
24. But I don’t think I’ve ever read a full article in any issue of the magazine.
25. I pretended to like Chicken Little at the time because I love Zach Braff, but I remember nothing about it.
26. I never saw Home on the Range and I mocked its tagline, but, over a decade later, I still remember it: “On April 2, Bust a Moo.”
27. <— is my favorite number and, incidentally, was the age I got married at.
28. It’s only been two months since I was last in a Disney park but it feels far, far longer.
29. My dad just mailed me the pins he won playing Who Wants to Be a Millionaire — Play It! in Disney’s California Adventure as a gift because…
30. I’m turning 30 tomorrow. :-/
Come back next week for more stories and be sure to pick up your copy of The E-Ticket Life book on Amazon or get a signed edition from Laughing Place Press!