Disney Parks are some of the most magical places on Earth. With rides, characters, attractions, and tasty treats, it’s hard to resist getting into the fun. Even some of our favorite celebrities have done their part to bring us a little magic in some of Disney’s most famous rides.
Since Mickey, Donald, Goofy, and all the rest don’t work alone, several Disney attractions feature cameos by some of our favorite performers. From Martin Short to Aerosmith, not even the top-billing A-listers can resist a little Disney charm. Here’s our list of ten celebrities to watch out for on Disney Rides.
Patrick Warburton In Soarin'
Some might know him as David Puddy, others as Joe Swanson, but Disney fans know him for two prominent roles, Yzma’s lackey Kronk, and our in-flight guide on Soarin’ at Epcot. While other theme park rides might offer a standard intercom voice for their safety instructions, Disney gives us the deep tones of Patrick Warburton.
Surprisingly, Warburton’s role as the guide has become somewhat of an easter egg to the hardcore fans. Honestly, we’d be lying if we said his calm and confident delivery didn’t put us in the mood to take a scenic flight around the world for some reason.
Judi Dench In Spaceship Earth
There have been a few different celebrities to narrate the iconic Spaceship Earth at Epcot, including people like Jeremy Irons and even Walter Cronkite. But we have to include the attraction’s current narrator on today’s list, Dame Judi Dench. Who better to narrate the highlights of human history than M from the Secret Intelligence Service?
Dench’s performance, much like the previously mentioned Patrick Warburton’s, is one many Disney fans look forward to experiencing whenever they board the attraction. If you know how to read your ABC’s, thank the Phonecians. If you’ve experienced Spaceship Earth’s history lesson, thank Judi Dench.
Paul Reubens In Star Tours/Oga’s Cantina
To some, he’ll always be Pee-Wee Herman. Not to us Disney fans, however. To us, Paul Reubens will always be Captain Rex of the original Star Tours. Since the Hollywood Studios ride has since gone under refurbishment and been given some new droids in the cockpit, RX-24 has been reassigned to Oga’s Cantina as the new DJ in Galaxy’s Edge.
Does anyone else smell charred circuits? Though he’s no longer on the flight deck or going lightspeed to Endor, Rex seems perfectly happy dropping sweet sci-fi beats while guests have some refreshments at Oga’s Cantina.
Martin Short In O’ Canada
Our next celebrity takes us back to Epcot, this time for a fantastic film presented in circle-vision about our neighbor to the north, Canada. And though we don’t have the melodious voice of Celine Dion to serenade us, we do have the delightful comic stylings of Martin Short to give us a tour.
Accompanied by Short’s performance, we see beautiful projections of some of the most iconic places and structures in Canada. From Vancouver Island to the bustling city of Montreal, this is a great way to introduce Epcot guests to the country’s most attractive features.
Michael Jackson In Captain EO
Though replaced by the Disney/Pixar Short Film Festival, true Epcot fans will always remember Michael Jackson as Captain EO in the attraction of the same name. The music-video-based attraction was a collaboration between Michael Jackson, George Lucas, and Francis Ford Coppola that gave us some sweet ’80s kitsch that won’t soon be forgotten.
Essentially, Michael Jackson leads a ragtag group of space explorers against an evil empress played by Angelica Houston. They defeat her robot army through the power of dance and music and everyone goes home happy. It’s not exactly Spaceship Earth, but it’s still a fun slice of sci-fi cheese.
Aerosmith In Rockin’ Rollercoaster
And now we take you from the King of Pop to some classic rock with Aerosmith’s Rockin’ Rollercoaster. It would have been so easy just to have a rollercoaster with an Aerosmith soundtrack or imagery, but since when does Disney ever go halfway in their parks? This ride doesn’t just feature Aerosmith, it stars them.
As shocking as it might sound, many rollercoasters have a plot, and Rockin’ Rollercoaster involves Aerosmith giving their fans some backstage passes and a ride in supercharged limousines. It’s a prime experience for fans of the famous band or those who just want to rock out.
Eric Idle In Journey Into Imagination
When he’s not singing “Always Look on the Bright Side of Life” with the cast of Monty Python, he’s hanging out with a certain purple dragon at the famous Epcot Imagination Institute. Eric Idle plays opposite Figment in Journey Into Imagination as Dr. Nigel Channing, head of Imagination Research in this wonderfully whimsical ride.
Seeing Idle get flustered and pestered by Figments imaginative antics is always a highlight for any trip to Epcot, and it’s some of the silliest work the actor has ever done. Though some might miss the original version of the ride, we can’t deny a little Eric Idle goes a long way.
Vincent Price In Phantom Manor
If you’ve ever been to Disneyland Paris, you’ve no doubt seen that they have their own version of the Haunted Mansion. You also know that this version is far more scares than silliness and what better way to reiterate that fact than featuring the Master of Horror himself, Vincent Price.
Price not only provided the original narration for the attraction, but his Thriller-inspired cackle was used for the villainous Ravenswood Phantom. With the attraction’s latest refurbishment, Price’s performance has returned once more to haunt the halls of the manor for a new generation of foolish mortals.
Johnny Depp In Pirates Of The Carribean
No, we’re not talking about that one time he suddenly appeared in the attraction, we’re talking about Depp doing the voice work for the animatronic of Captain Jack Sparrow himself. Since the famous film franchise got so popular, Disney had to give the ride that inspired it a makeover to tie in with the movies.
Depp isn’t the only character actor making an appearance either. Ian McShane, Bill Nighy, and Geoffrey Rush all make appearances as their swashbuckling personas in different versions of the ride. Dead men might tell no tales, but these actors help bring the adventure to life.
Robin Williams In The Timekeeper
A circle-vision attraction hosted by a robotic Robin Williams? Yes, please! This retired Disney attraction is The Timekeeper, a time-traveling trip through the ages and to various landmarks, landscapes, and events in history, including the 1900 World’s Fair. It was a nifty little attraction that featured some retro-sci-fi charm and is one of the late comedian’s most underappreciated performances.
Heavily inspired by the works of Jules Verne and H.G. Wells, this trip through the eras was astoundingly immersive and brilliantly performed by all involved, but it’s Robin William’s role as the Timekeeper himself that earns it high honors on our list.
