Date of birth: March 12, 1959

Residence: New Boston, N.H.

Top: Jim Hill; David Koening [enlarge photo]

Profession: Founder, owner, and editor-in-chief of JimHillMedia.com, covering everything Disney: new annual pass policies, rumors about upcoming films, tributes to artists behind the scenes, and so forth

Earliest Disney memory: "Being sprawled out on the floor at my parents' house on some Sunday night, watching The Wonderful World of Color--on our black-and-white TV--as Walt introduced that week's episode."

His first time: "July 1970. My family was on a cross-country trip, with seven of us crammed in a Dodge van. The day we finally visited Disneyland it was brutally hot, but I remember we still had a wonderful time. I didn't get to ride or see every single thing that day, and that might have been the start of my obsession--that I need to see it all."

Favorite ride: "Probably Star Tours in Tomorrowland. I especially like the clever storytelling in its queue area."

Number of visits: More than 50 to Disneyland, more than 100 to Walt Disney World (Hill lived in Orlando during the mid-1990s)

Why the fascination? "I enjoy the way you're surrounded by detail, and all the care and planning that's gone into creating this seemingly carefree atmosphere."

Most exciting Disney moment: "In 1985, I was working as a reporter for the U.S. Army, and scored an invite to Disneyland's 30th-anniversary party. I totally took advantage of the backstage access I had as a member of the press, and wandered across the rooftops of Main Street, U.S.A., looking down at the crowds."

Favorite piece of Disney memorabilia: "The souvenir map of Disneyland that I purchased with my allowance money back in 1970."

Take it from the Dweebs

Disneyland