Hey, there are plenty of celebs hanging out at theme and amusement parks, even if you can't always see 'em. Whom have you seen at a park, and what were they doing?
I for one ran into Tom Cruise and his girlfriend... Penelope Cruz over at California Adventure... He's kind of short.
But my biggest day ever was when I ran into Robert Niles at California Adventures Media thingie for Fliks Fun Fair. Robert, you seemed busy, being bored.:) Didn't want to bug you... (pun intended) :)
Jason, I had no idea you had a side gig working as Heimlich! I know it's tough to recognize people where they're wearing those big latex costumes, but I'll try to say hi next time I'm there.
Seriously, this is a great thread for all you other ex-Disney and Universal folks out there who've backdoored celebs into your attraction. Here are some of the incidents I can remember off the top of my head:
The best though, happened to my sister. She was clearing the street for the afternoon parade, when she stepped in front of a silver-haired gentleman who was walking up the street. "Excuse me, sir," she said to him, blocking his way, "but you'll need to get behind the ropes." At that moment, two rather large men in suits appeared, gently brushed her aside and let her know that they were going to be continuing just they way they were, thankyouverymuch. They did, and the other CM working my sister's crosswalk stared at her with his mouth hanging open. "Do you know who that *was*?" he asked. "No," my sister responded. "That was Jimmy Carter!"Gotta love it. Believe me, I never let her forget that I could recognize the mayor of Paris, but she couldn't recognize a former U.S. president.
From Tom Hash
Posted October 26, 2002 at 3:07 PM
Yes, We sat by Barry Bonds and his family at the Character Breakfast In MGM/DISNEY ( Hollywood & Vine)
Later that day he was the Special guest in the parade,he seemed like a great guy
From Bobby Cole
Posted October 26, 2002 at 3:56 PM
Yea, I saw a couple famous people at BGT. I didn't really care about seeing any of them though, so it's hard to remember who they were.Some wrestler (the body) or something like that. He was giving some autographs to a couple people. Even employees were asking him.
I ran into Tony Dungy (coach of the bucs) quite a few times with his kids.
Warran Sap, Mr Busch, ... If someone mentioned someone I might remember. Sorry shoulda paid more attention
Working at Paramount Canada's Wonderland, I get the opportunity to see some famous names in the park. One of my co-workers had to endure teasing for the remainder of the season after he over-enthusiastically escorted Colby and Roger from Survivor for the entire day.Personally, I had Tie Domi and his family walk by me one day as I was blocking a queue line. I noticed him as he looked directly at me, and it didn't hit me until he was past me that this was TIE DOMI! I didn't say anything because the guy was there with his family, and I'm sure the last thing he wanted to do was to sign autographs.
I also had Curtis Joseph's kids ride my ride. I didn't find this out until I went to leave the ride and the guy at the photo booth stopped me to tell me that he'd just spent thiry minutes talking to him while his kids waited in line.
Of course, the guy at the photo booth had to tell CuJo when his kids came off the ride, because, of course, CuJo was letting everything go right by him....Sorry, couldn't resist. I'm an Avalanche fan, after all. :-)
From Bryan Hall
Posted October 27, 2002 at 1:46 PM
Saw Usher and that girl from TLC (Chili, I think) at Animal Kingdom. They were running through the park, each pushing a stroller with a kid in it, pretending they were racing or something. Pretty cool.
From Anonymous
Posted October 27, 2002 at 6:24 PM
I have seen or stood in line next to a couple of tv stars at Disneyland throughout the years such as Jurnee Smollett she was on The tv show Fullhouse a couple of times as Mary kat and Ashleys friend and had a show with her 5 brohters and sisters called On Our Own. We were standing behind her in line on Space Mountain. We also saw Dustin Diamond AKA Screech from Saved by the Bell we saw him in from of Indianna Jones ride a couple of months before it opened as soon as we realized who it was we started yelling "we love you Screech!" And we also saw Orville Redenbocker at the Blue Byou inside of Pirates of the Carribean. My family have had lots of run ins with stars at different amusment parks but I happened to not be there at the time such as my sister met Corey Feldman at California Adventure park.
From Anonymous
Posted October 27, 2002 at 7:40 PM
i was at disneyland with some friends and we went into guest relations to ask a question. When we went inside there was a group of people standing the right of us talking to a cast member.She was giving them 8x10 pictures of disney characters. It happened to be on of the guys from the rap group KID and Play, he was there with is kids.
Having worked at Disney, just like Robert has, I've met and/or loaded many celebrities onto the attractions. Here are the high-lights:*Rode Splash Mountain with Alex Trebek. The ride was down for some problem when guest relations walked him into the station. We were cycling logs and the lead said he and his son could ride. Some of us CM's also got to go with him. He was really nice and was interested in knowing how the ride system and PLC's worked.
*Had Will Weaton (Wesley Crusher) come through the queue line for Thunder Mountain. No special treatment for him! LOL!!!!
* Darryl Hannah at Thunder. I was in the tower and all these maintenance guys started showing up on the main-side unload platform. I wasn't sure what was going on until the GR person walked this lady in who was wearing dark glasses and a baseball cap. She sat in the back of the train and when it dispatched she took off her cap and all this long blond hair poured out. She was very pretty
*Loaded Charles Fleisher onto Spaceship Earth. He was in Orlando to perform comedy at the Central Florida Fair and I heard he bombed big-time. His humor is very strange. I think he was happy that someone recognized him. He walked through the line with no GR escort.
* Had Betty White on my boat at the Land Pavilion. Patty, my lead, put her on my load because I was the best spieler. Unfortunately, they put her in the last seat so I wasn't able to talk with her.
* Met Bill Nye the Science Guy one day at Innoventions
* Met the actor who was the voice of Cid in Toy Story (he was the surfer boy, too, in Princess Diaries)
* My all-time favorite was meeting Weird Al Yankovic while working at MoHo (World of Motion and Horizons). He was a really nice guy.
* The first celebrity I met was Roger Ebert. This extremely large person in a bright red sweater walked up to me at Pirates of the Caribbean load. I put him and his wife (girlfriend?) in the front row. They were the only ones in it. I was afraid I put too much weight in the front of the boat and it would get hung-up in the ride.
I'm sure there were others but nothing else comes to mind right now.
I saw Scott Hamilton(the ice skater) walking towards the Swan Hotel at Walt Disney World with a HOT babe on each arm.
From Anonymous
Posted October 29, 2002 at 2:46 PM
I saw Ron Howard in Tomorrowland complete with obligitory baseball cap. The funny part is that, just like in all his movies, his brother Clint was tagging along.
From Mr. D. T.
Posted October 29, 2002 at 9:52 PM
Me? I did run into some famous people in Great America (as well as outside the park), but most of them are radio or TV announcers. One afternoon, in June of 1998, Tatanya Ali performed on the Hometown Square stage (or entrance to train ride), but I never saw or met her. July of 1999, I saw a man who I thought was Microsoft chairman Bill Gates asking me where the nearest Subway was (I might be wrong, but one of my leads told me he saw a huge, huge stretch limo in the parking lot). In the meantime, a couple famous TV actors rode in cars down the alleyway at MGM studios back in Feb/Mar 1998 (Nell Carter of 'Gimme A Break', Clarence from 'Walker, Texas Ranger').
To finalize, Angela Bassett narrated the EPCOT Candelight Processional in late November of 2000.
Too bad I didn't ride a ride with one.
From
Posted October 30, 2002 at 3:16 PM
At six Flags over georgia in the opening of superman I met the dad from Smallville and the greats Bolinger and mabillard who made the ride and the hulk!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
From Anonymous
Posted October 31, 2002 at 12:20 PM
While working at Tower of Terror, I met a number of celebs. Mariah Carey is a huge ToTs fan and came in all the time. On one memorable occassion, she came to my elevator and while I did my spiel, she touched my arm the entire time then asked me to ride with her. I didn't and then later wondered what I had been thinking. I definitely would have bought that picture. This was a while before she went off the deep end.I also saw Dan Marino there with his kids. He was actually pretty nice though I've heard stories that said otherwise. I also met Drew Bledsoe the same day. I think they were all there for the Quarterback Challenge they hold yearly.
Let's see who else....Leonardo DiCaprio was there with a bunch of guys. All the girls were swooning but to me he looked like he was some goofy 18 year old kid. Diana Ross came in and she looked a bit rough. There was a lot more that I can't seem to remember right now.
Oh, I did run into Mike Eisner one day at AK before it opened. I was just mentioning to my wife that "Satan," as any good CM refers to him, will probably be there soon and POOF, I turned a corner and almost ran him down. The smell of brimstone was unmistakeable.
Great post. I was going ask why you posted anonymously, but after the Mariah Carey incident, I understand. You'll never live that one down!
:-)
Oh, and Reid, in a few weeks I will share *my* Alex Trebek story....Y'all will be amused.
Can't wait, Robert. For now I'll tell you a story that happened to a CM I worked with at Tower of Terror. I ran into him last month and he told me this story:He was loading at Tower when a VIP group come up to be loaded. The CM recognized the VIP as Rebecka Romane-Stamos [SP?]. As the doors closed he picked up the intercom to the tower and simply said "Hottie in Bravo [the shaft he was loading]," so the guys in the control tower could check her out. This is somethnig a lot of the guys would do. Well, his intercom buzzed and someone said to him something to the effect of "Hi. This is John Stamos. That was my wife you were talking about." The thing was he was not offended at all. during this time Rosie O'Donnell was filming her show at AK and John Stamos was one of her guests. He thought the incident funny enough to repeat to her viewers. I'm sure many high-ups at Disney were not pleased.
From Anonymous
Posted November 4, 2002 at 11:01 PM
i met adem sandeler at disneyland and rode the haunted mansion and indeana jones adventure with me
I met Nikki Taylor at Seaworld Orlando in 1997. She was with her twins and we were standing in line together to rent strollers. She and her sons started to play with my daughter (who was six months old at the time) and I kept thinking that she looked really familiar. She is very tall and thin and she looked like a gangly high-schooler.
Then after putting the twins together with "the mole", I realized that she might be Nikki Taylor. I asked her if she was and she said yes and smiled. The minute she smiled her face just lit up. Like a 10000 megawatt smile. Up until then, she looked pretty, but ordinary. She seemed very pleasant. My husband missed the whole encounter and every male I tell this story to is green with envy!!!
From Anonymous
Posted November 11, 2002 at 12:24 AM
there are many so called celebrities who perform at the theme park where i work, but if they are so fabulous then why dont i know who they are! and the ones i do recognise arent ones i want to meet, who gets to choose them to perform there anyway.
From Anonymous
Posted November 11, 2002 at 3:01 PM
I know a friend who worked as an assitant ride operator at the Cat in the Hat ride at IOA. He said one day actress Kate Winslet was in line and asked him to ride with her, since she was riding alone. He said at several points during the ride, she kept gently squeezing his leg, as if scared that something around the next corner would scare her(on the Cat in the Hat ride?!). Her grabbing his leg was a little bewildering...he said he wasn't sure what to think! Anyway, he said Winslet is every bit as beautiful as we see her in the movies.A few years ago a friend & I were in line at Space Mountain at Disneyland and the person in front of us was noneother than Geddy Lee of Rush. Since Rush has always been my absolute fav band, this was a particular thrill. It got even better when I was able to chat small talk with him, without geeking out & spewing typical fan worship at him(ie, "I think you're the greatest", etc.). He was in line with a woman(wife or girlfriend perhaps). He told me he saw a Radiohead concert the other night in LA. Geddy's a really nice guy & funny to boot.
Being in line for Space Mountain in front of Tone Loc (anyone remember him) at Space Mountain D-landBeing in Disneyland while Tom Hanks was shooting some scenes for 'That Thing You Do"
Helping Eddie Murphy's family board Bigfoot Rapids at Knotts. (Is that close enough to count?)
Oh, I almost forgot the time that I met one of the members of Devo while running the KBF Merry-Go-Round
From Anonymous
Posted April 15, 2003 at 2:30 PM
I saw Tyra Banks at Six Flags Magic Mountain. I wouldn't have recognized her except everyone in the park was talking about her being there-she looks VERY different. But she was really nice to everyone.
From Anonymous
Posted April 16, 2003 at 3:33 PM
Disneyland ~Michael Jackson in the Magic Shop with a grip of guys. They cleared the store so he could watch a private performance, I was at Pooh Corner (Main St).
Kiefer Sutherland staggering drunk in pre 24 fame. He loved Club 21(??) Been too long 5+ years since....
Andy Garcia in Emporium, not too charming in real life.
Various soap opera stars over the 1 1/2 sentence (working at DL wasn't the greatest).
Julia Roberts, in Star Trader looking for a little clock of some sort.
Harrison Ford, sweet sweet man.
There are way too many to list, but those above were kind of stand outs.
From Anonymous
Posted April 16, 2003 at 9:43 PM
I worked for Six Flags Great Adventure in New Jersey and we had Eddie Murphy and his girlfriend in the park years ago. He was affraid to Ride The Great American Scream Machine. We did finnaly get him on it and he loved it. We also had Donald Trump and his kids one day.
Mick Foley at SeaWorld in Orlando Florida. He was there with his wife and 3 children. We spotted him in the Childrens play area outside of the Shamu Stadium. I got a cold chill that ran through me when i saw him. He seemed like he would be a nice fellow to talk to, however I left him alone to enjoy his day and didnt want to make a scene. He did over hear my wife saying, "OMG, There is Mankind". He smiled, and we went on our way.Only other celeb that I have run into is CHIP CAREY. He used to commentate the magic game and was related to the late Harry Carey. However this was in the Orlando Airport!
From Coaster X
Posted April 18, 2003 at 9:29 PM
Dolly Parton at Dollywood
Universal and IOA while working there: Michael Douglas, Patrick Swayze, Jenna Elfman, Eddie Murphy, Ricky Martin, Rosie O'donnell, Katie Couric, Britney Spears, Weird Al Jankovic, Jimmy Buffet, Kevin Bacon, Boyz to Men, lots others can't remember names! Always really friendly interactions, never had a negative celeb experience there!
From Kevin C.
Posted April 20, 2003 at 12:25 PM
My brother works at Universal Florida. He has seen AND met: Sylvester Stallone, Steven Spielberg, members of the band AC/DC, Micheal Jackson, and Jami Gertz(Melissa in Twister). He works at Twister
Drew Carey - while waiting for my car at The Grand Floridian (he was there for the Rosie show). And, the guy who played Urkel at Disneyland, on New Year's Eve 1994. He was waiting in line in front of us for Splash Mountain.
From Anonymous
Posted May 5, 2003 at 12:35 PM
I don't know what you were thinking anonymous about that Mariah Carey thing,what was wrong with you
From Anonymous
Posted May 5, 2003 at 12:50 PM
This might be weird coming from a 10 year old but i have seen Justin Timberlake,Barbar Winsor(Peggy Mitchell from Eastenders)Mariah Carey,Tom Cruise and Penelope Cruz and Sandra Bullock. They were all looking ruff.
Check ouy my buddy Jason's LiveJournal for a description of a recent encounter he had with James Brown - http://www.livejournal.com/users/guywithpants - You will laugh, I promise.
From Anonymous
Posted May 6, 2003 at 12:35 PM
We had just pulled into the valet circle at DD Anaheim and two SUV's pull up behind us. An obvious personal body guard got out of the second SUV and opened the door of the first. Out pops Kobe Bryant and his pregnant wife (at the time). Thought they were going to ESPN zone but ended up going towards Catal.
I met Jamie Lee Curtis at Legoland. She was amused that both myself and my co-worker were both named Justin. She also told me I was the better Justin since the other guy gave her some bad advice earlier in teh day about what rides to hit.John Travolta and Kelly Preston went to Legoland once. The next day, their publicist (or someone or another like that) sent the park a notice that any pictures taken of the couple by employees had to be confiscated immediately for fear they would appear in the tabloids. I thought that was humorous.
Just recently saw Ray Liotta (of Goodfellas fame, recently in Identity). He did not have any special treatment and was waiting in line like a regular guest. He was wearing a hat, sunglasses, and was not clean shaven though, which disguised him well.
My experience is that most actors and actresses get a park guide to take them around through the exits, some even get security escorts (as Lisa Cudro of "Friends" did recently), but most of the athletes just cruise around the park like normal. I recall Ron Harper of the Lakers and several San Diego Charger football players waiting in lines and just acting normal amongst everyone else.
Justin
From Anonymous
Posted May 8, 2003 at 8:18 AM
When I was at Islands of Adventure last year, me and my friend saw Hulk Hogan.
Sunday May 4th- At Paramount's Kings Island in Cincinnati, Jessica Simpson and her security/media entourage walked right past me and my kids right inside the front gate. Having been a past employee I saw the group come barreling out of the "secret employee entrance." My 14 yr old son rode Top Gun right after she rode. Yes-celebrities-even in the hinterlands of Ohio.
I was at Sea World Orlando last Summer and saw Wrestling Superstar Mick Foley (AKA Mankind and Dude Love). He was there with his wife and kids, and standing in line for Kraken like everyone else. He was cool to the people who knew who he was, shook hands, took pictures, and signed a few things for some fans.
His wife was very nice, who waited with his younger children while he and his older two children went on the coaster.
From Anonymous
Posted September 25, 2003 at 4:20 PM
Sat next to Nancy Kerrigan at the character breakfast at the Beach Club Resort. She drew a lot of attention to herself. Got to talk to her father and get a picture with her.
From Jeff Arons
Posted September 25, 2003 at 4:55 PM
I rode next to Ricky Williams on Splash Mountain at WDW. That hair got in the way of things! :-)
From Mr. D. T.
Posted September 25, 2003 at 7:36 PM
Dang!
I had the honour, and privilege of not only meeting Guitar legend Jeff Healey...but also of checking his restraint on a Vekoma Boomerang!
From Anonymous
Posted October 3, 2003 at 2:20 AM
As an Ex-Cast memeber I tended to run into them a bit considering some of them got my ride shut-down for them. Which was an extreem headache, but the list of people I've met is as follows.Most of the band Aerosmith, due to the fact I worked at Rock'n'roller coaster.
Robin Williams.
Brendon Fraiser
and for the moment I'm drawing a complete blank on the third name, I'll think of it after I go to sleep I'm sure. Oh yeah, Whitney Huston, that was it. Because we delayed fireworks at Fantasmic for 20 minutes cause she wanted to see them, or that was the excuse we where given for the delay. Though she was present that night.
Carrie
Sinofhope@aol.com
From Anonymous
Posted October 13, 2003 at 1:57 PM
I loved everyone`s stories on meeting weird al btw,as I LOVE HIM!!!
Anyway, I met the hurricane [wwe cruiserweight wrestler on Raw] at a autograph session in the gazebo of six flags new england.
My friends at weirdalforum.com saw weird al at king`s dominion going on anaconda and Volcano as he goes on a coaster or two at every theme park he does a concert at, though I didn`t see him cuz when he was on volcano i waited for a hour or so in Flight of fear which was a unbareable wait.
From Mr. D. T.
Posted October 19, 2003 at 6:37 PM
Yesterday I heard that a Cubs pitcher visited the park and rode the Giant Drop. Not Kerry Wood, if that's what you're looking for.
I saw Chili from the group TLC at Six Flags over Georgia in 1996
Michael Jackson at Magic Kingdom. Flip WIlson and Lola Falona (sp.) rode my boat on the Jungle Cruise. Donny Osmond at Epcot.Whitney Houston and Bobby Brown toured 'Men In Black' before it opened.
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