In honor of the 40th anniversary today of Walt Disney World, I wanted to share with you all one of my favorite things – Disney license plates.

When I started working at Disney in 1998, I decided I wanted to collect something.  Pins were starting to become the big thing, but I easily could see that getting out of control.  Mostly because you know it’s pretty impossible to own every single one.  And what’s the point of collecting something if you can’t have a goal to complete the set?

A friend of mine, Bruce, mentioned that he started buying Disney license plates.  I had always had a thing for regular license plates – not sure why – don’t ask….so I figured it could be interesting just to see how far I could take it.

I quickly became obsessed.  I have a plate for almost every single Walt Disney World Resort and attraction – I’m only missing the new Hawaii resort. (Hint to my Disney friends!!!)  But I have plates from Tokyo, Hong Kong, Paris, Vero Bech, Hilton Head, all over really!  All thanks to friends and eBay!

I have well over 200 license plates.  I especially like cast member only plates.  Sadly, Disney is making less resort-specific items lately.  I haven’t seen any cast member plates at all.  Hopefully I can get a 40th anniversary plate – but so far, no luck!!!

Many have asked me…”but what do you do with them?”  Good question!

I have used some of the plates as a border in my son’s bedroom.  They are something great to look at – and his friends love seeing them when they come over. I also use them as a border in our garage.

Some of my favorite plates can be seen here:

True story – one day I walked out of our kitchen door into the garage and there was a guy standing at our open garage door with a dog on a leash – in our garage.

He scared me to death – and just said…”I’m sorry…I noticed the license plates from the street and couldn’t help myself.  They are so cool!”

I now make sure to always keep the garage door closed 🙂