A Disneyland fanatic has officially reserved his place in the Guinness World Record for visiting the theme park for 2,995 days in a row.
It took Jeff Reitz, 50, eight years and more than three months to break the record for most consecutive visits to California’s theme park, Guinness World Record officials said Tuesday.
An Air Force veteran, Reitz wandered in and out of the happiest place on earth from 2012 until the pandemic closed theme parks in 2020 in a joyous challenge to himself.
“It started as a joke among friends when Disneyland announced they were going to have an ‘Extra Disney Day’ when they announced the 24-hour leap day event in 2012,” Reitz told Guinness World Records.
The veteran posted his daily adventures on social media and began taking his daily Disney trip more seriously after receiving media attention on his 60th visit.
It took Jeff Reitz, 50, eight years and more than three months to break the record for most consecutive visits to California’s theme park
An Air Force veteran, Reitz immigrated in and out of the happiest place on earth from 2012 until the pandemic closed theme parks in 2020. He is pictured above with Tonya Mickesh in 2012
As Reitz’s visits continued, he became well known among performers and visitors looking for his autograph.
He recalled visiting the park with friends and even alone, making sure to snap a photo of something new for his Instagram followers each time.
“I used to take a walk through the park,” Reitz told the news agency. “I love taking photos, so I’ve always been on the lookout for pictures to take and post to share.”
While every day at the park looked different for Reitz, he was always trying to wander around a different area.
“Some days I would visit many attractions, and other times I would focus my attention on a single section of the park.”
One of Reitz’s favorite rides at the park is Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride.
The veteran posted his daily adventures on social media and began taking his daily Disney trip more seriously after receiving media attention on his 60th visit. He is pictured above in 2020
Reitz is up with his girlfriend Karen Bell at his 2,995. Visit to Disneyland pictured. Since then he has not returned to the park
As Reitz’s visits continued, he became well known among performers and visitors looking for his autograph
He recalled visiting the park with friends and even alone, making sure to snap a photo of something new for his Instagram followers each time. He is pictured above with the character Moana and his girlfriend Karen Bell
While every day at the park looked different for Reitz, he was always trying to wander around a different area
Disney representatives paid tribute to Reitz’ ongoing commitment to the theme park and presented him with honorary citizenship and a gift basket on his 366th visit
The pandemic broke Reitz’s Disneyland streak when it closed in April 2020, and the theme park’s new regulations for annual pass holders don’t appeal to the Disney superfan.
Before the pandemic, pass holders would visit Disneyland on a whim. But now Disney-goers need a reservation before going to the theme park, even for the most expensive pass, which costs $1,599 and only allows pass holders to make up to six reservations at a time.
“The idea of having to make reservations was a huge downer,” Reitz told the New York Post.
“I used to go there after work and, you know, maybe grab a bite, you know, enjoy some rides or shows… It was nice to just be able to pop in whenever you wanted.”
Reitz estimates that he probably spent $100,000 at the theme park over the eight years of his visits.
Disney representatives paid tribute to Reitz’ ongoing commitment to the theme park and presented him with honorary citizenship and a gift basket on his 366th visit. After his second full year of visits, he was offered a dinner.
“The last time they presented a gift backpack was when I reached day 2000 in 2017,” Reitz told the Guinness World Records.
Now that Reitz doesn’t meet his daily Disney goal, he can now travel further than a short distance from the theme park, his friend and Disney partner Karen Bell, 46, told The Post.
“We have time to do these overnight trips, weekend trips, go to concerts and whatever, wherever,” Bell told the news outlet. “It doesn’t have to be within a day’s drive from Disney, so we can do ‘normal life’.”
The veteran is also spending his time at Tibor Rubin VA Medical Center in Long Beach.