My relationship with Disneyland runs deep.  Really deep.  Here’s 10 things about me and Disneyland I cannot deny.

1.  I can pick out Disneyland French fries, hot or cold, in a blind taste test.

2.  I have crawled underneath and walked behind the scenes at the Haunted Mansion and experienced the ballroom scene from the other side.  It was AWESOME.

3.  I once got “trained” on Pirates of the Caribbean in anticipation of a ride operator strike.  We went to Alcapulco for drinks beforehand, so it’s a good thing the strike never happened.

4.  I once got paid overtime to dance at Tomorrowland Terrace with some of my closest friends, Will Friedle and some of the other cast from the show Boy Meets World.  In some instances, getting paid to escort someone and dance with them has a negative connotation.  (Especially when you are asked if you will give your guest a kiss before heading up to ride the Rocket Jets.)  At Disneyland, it’s called being a tour guide in the ’90s.

Dean Cain and me at the world premiere of the Indiana Jones Adventure

5. I took a lot of celebrities around Disneyland back when I wore plaid.  Robin Williams was intelligent, funny, and a great dad.  He was gracious to all of the children who thought he was Peter Pan and to the kids who said, “Aren’t you that lady?” (Mrs. Doubtfire).  Dean Cain was incredibly sweet, respectful, and by far the most considerate VIP I ever hosted.  I also took Lenny Kravitz around Disneyland.

That’s me and Robin Williams!

After the tour, Robin Williams sent me a hard bound copy of the script for the movie “Toys.”  The inscription reads, “To Lisa You give great tour Robin Williams”

6.  The coffee at Disneyland is the BEST.  Period.  I don’t know what kind of magic pixie dust they put in it, but I can’t get enough of it.  And speaking of coffee, I had my first “fancy” coffees (cappuccinos, mochas, etc.) at Club 33 while on my VIP tours.  I suppose there’s no better place to learn about premium cups of joe!

7.  My favorite princess is Snow White.  My husband played Snow White’s prince in Fantastmic! for a very brief time before we met.  Talk about Disney fairy tale magic!

8.  While at the premiere of The Lion King, held at Disneyland and shown at the Disneyland Opera House, I bumped into Roy Disney while staring at Eddie Van Halen sitting in the theater waiting for the movie to start.  And when I say bumped, I really mean SLAMMED into him head on while I was looking the other way.  When I looked up and saw who it was, my mouth dropped open and I started to cry…instantly.  He asked me if I was ok, but I couldn’t speak.  I couldn’t believe it.  It was ROY DISNEY!  He looked so much like Walt…and I just looked like a fool.

9.  I sometimes tear up when my kids get excited to see a character.  Ok, more than just “sometimes.”  Oh, and did anyone catch on to the fact that I didn’t elaborate on Lenny Kravitz?

10.  When I’m doing press events at Disneyland, I sometimes have to pinch myself.  I seriously can’t believe how lucky I am to get to work with such an amazing institution.  From the special events to getting to live out my dream of reporting on camera, having this blog has changed my life in ways I never imagined.  I am really excited for what is to come when my book comes out!