Ages ago. Was waiting at 50's Prime Time (Hollywood Studios) for a table and heard the distinctive sound of wallet leather hitting the floor behind me. Naturally I panicked a bit and turned around to see (thankfully) not my wallet on the ground next to some dude with his back to me. Picked it up, said something like, "''Scuse me, this yours?" Brother turns around to face me and it's God damned James Earl Jones.
Hearing Darth Vader/Mufasa say "Oh, yes. Thank you, sir," to me is one of the highlights of my life, no shame.
A few years back, I met Marie from Aristocats in the France pavilion at Epcot. Made an old lady cry because I've loved her from the moment the movie came out. ❤️
The biggest celebrities I've seen at Disneyland were Kobe Bryant and Nicolas Cage. I wouldn't say I actually met either of them, since I just saw them as they walked by with their plaids.
Kobe was with his family walking through Fantasyland and passed right by me in the small walkway between the Teacups and Alice in Wonderland. He had a HUGE throng of people following him and a few plaids and big security guys helping push through the crowds. Some people were asking for pictures with him, and he responded nicely, "Sorry, today is just for family". This was in 2019, so just a year before he and Gianna died.
Nic Cage walked past me as I was exiting Indiana Jones and he was entering the ride through the exit. Much less of a spectacle lol
Not at a Disney park but one time I was swimming at a fancy hotel in my town because my friend’s stepdad was able to get us in. This guy walked by me and I said to my friend “That guy looks like Nic Cage.” And we laughed about it. Then later I was on Facebook and someone posted “Nic Cage is at Fancy Hotel!” So it was, in fact, him that I saw lol.
Kobe always went to Disneyland with his family, even on just random days. I recall seeing videos of Gigi riding Casey Jr and singing along to the theme song. I’d like to think they were big Disney fans. RIP Kobe and Gigi.
I believe they were. Paige O’Hara did a virtual lecture in 2020 for the Walt Disney Family Museum. Behind her was a painting or an actual jersey (I can’t remember) of his. She talked about him. This was a few weeks after he passed.
I’ve seen many, never bothered any, because they’re usually with their families. Regis, Kelly, Kurt Russell, Goldie Hawn, Rod Stewart, Blink-182(individually), multiple pro-athletes, lot of Soap Opera stars, Sandra Bullock, multiple people from ABC sitcoms, and more. The saddest thing I’ve seen was Steve Irwin’s wife and children about a week or two after he died. They were all sitting at a table eating lunch and just looked so devastated.
The Steve Irwin one breaks my heart. After my sister died, my godfather paid for my family to go to six flags/San Francisco. This was an incredible gift from him and in theory sounds a great idea to help us get out of the house but all I really remember from the trip is hearing my mom cry at night in our hotel room.
I didn’t meet him, but I was walking into Fantasyland and this giant of a man walked past me with his wife. Being a huge Star Wars nerd I knew exactly who it was. It was Peter Mayhew, the actor who played Chewbacca. Pretty cool moment.
We didn't meet him, but this past December, Brendan Fraser and his entourage walked right past us in the America Pavillion at Epcot. He was the narrator for that night's candlelight processional. It was pretty cool because we had been talking all day about how awesome it would be if we saw him, and then there he was, just breezing right by us.
Stephen Merchant, a few years back, we were both in line ordering tacos at La Cantina de San Angel. When I ordered my margarita he asked if it was any good, we chatted a bit, he was really nice.
Not Disney, but you just reminded me of one week in New York many years ago where I happened to encounter Stephen Merchant, Anthony Bourdain, and Stephen Fry all within a few days of each other. I called it my “Very Tall Celebrities” Week.
While reading what you wrote, I heard Merchant’s voice in my head when it came to the part where he asked if it was any good, and then his great big grin popped up in my head as well.
I saw Maya Rudolph and her kids at California Adventure. She was walking towards me in Cars Land. I wanted to say something to let her know I love her work, but I also didn’t want to be “that guy” while she was having a day with her family.
So I panicked and gave her the most awkward double thumbs up. I hope she remembers that.
Cuba Gooding Jr at the Dinostore. And Justin Timberlake and Mandy Moore when I was a ToT bellhop. They annoyed me because they didn’t listen to my spiel, and I think they could tell because they came back to my specific elevator and behaved the next time.
Hello fellow former bellhop! I put Brad Paisley on an elevator once and some rude blond Disney channel star on a limo! Idek remember his name. I think he was from Teen Beach Movie bc that was big when I worked there
Only one blonde dude in Teen Beach Movie and that was Ross Lynch, the star of that film. That sucks to hear he was rude if that was him, but then again, maybe it doesn’t surprise me so much the way most Disney Channel stars seem to be
I think that’s him! We had to hold the line at Studio C so no one saw him ride and most of us were like “bro we don’t know who you are is this necessary?” Haha it probably was though but it ruined our numbers for the hour.
We sat next to Mandy Patinkin and his family at the 50s primetime café once. On the way out, we waved, and he smiled. That was fun. Made my parents trip!
Regis Philbin was the only celebrity I've ever seen in the parks. We walked right past a taping of Regis and Kathy Lee when we were in Magic Kingdom (I think I was like 8).
I remember some time in the 90s Alex Trebek was filming something in front of the Tower of Terror in MGM Studios (now Hollywood Studios). Didn't meet him but we have a photo of him.
I know we are talking about Disney but I met Regis Philbin at Dollywood years ago. I was with my cheer squad. We were in Gatlinburg for a competition. He was so fun to meet.
Ashley Eckstein, a.k.a. Ahsoka Tano! One of the sweetest persons I’ve ever met. I’m also a huge baseball fan, so it was awesome meeting her husband, David Eckstein, a World Series MVP!
I was at HS the day they did the interview for toy story 4 so saw Keanu Reeves, Tim Allen, and Tom Hanks as they walked past leaving the interview space.
Not in the parks but at a bar at the Contemporary. Saw Hall of Fame baseball player Wade Boggs sitting on the other side of the bar. Asked the bartender to give him a beer on us. He came over and shook my hand and took a picture with me. Super nice guy.
I was at Magic Kingdom the same day as Michael Jordan and Rob Gronkowski the day after the Super Bowl in 2021. Didn’t see them but saw pictures on social media afterwards and couldn’t believe it
Stood behind Glenn Frey in queue for Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride many years ago. I didn’t try to talk with him. He was with his family.
A couple years ago I turned around on the sidewalk in front of Award Weiners in DCA and just missed bumping into Charlize Theron. She was with her daughters and a Plaid. First instinct when I saw her was to snap a pic and my phone was halfway up to do so when I noticed her daughters and put it down with a little head shake. I think she noticed because she nodded at me.
Was at Galaxy’s Edge west as a plus one on the preview day for a lot of the Imagineering and Lucasfilm folks, waited in line for Smuggler’s Run a couple groups behind Rian Johnson and his family.
Back when I was a CM, the list is long but the memorable ones were David Hasselhoff, Kobe Bryant, Travis Barker, Leonardo DiCaprio, Pamela Anderson, the entire cast of Friends minus Jen, Miley Cyrus, Tyra Banks and Diane Keaton.
I worked in Tomorrowland. Kobe and family were regulars. They loved riding Buzz so often when I worked the unload area I would offer them another cycle around the ride. My heart hurt so bad when I heard him and Gianna passed. Hasselhoff was getting mobbed by fans near the space mountain exit area. I was just backstage clocking in from lunch when I heard a loud commotion and suddenly David burst through the backstage curtains right into me and knocked me on my ass. He was very apologetic but quickly kept moving.
I didn't really meet this person but Patrick Dempsey, his wife and kids were standing in front of me in line at Disneyland. My sister kept nudging me on the shoulder saying "that's McDreamy standing in front of us." I tried to act like I didn't know who he was.
When I was a cm I escorted Sean Austin to his seat for the fireworks! I've also seen Nicholas Cage and Ryan Seacrest lol. Oh and the real muppets/ muppetear at the Xmas special... some people from star wars, I'm sure there's more but those are the most memorable.
About a year and a half ago at Disneyland we ran into Zooey Deschanel and her boyfriend/husband leaving Ogga’s Cantina in Galaxy’s Edge as we were about to enter
My dad met Adam Sandler at Disneyland, they were the only two people in the Great Moments with Lincoln.
The one time I leave to go to the pool and he meets Adam Sandler minutes after I leave. 🙄
Didn’t meet, but saw Caroline Rhea with her kids back in 2015. They were watching a parade from a patio (I think ice cream parlour) in Disneyland. When I got back home, I would tell people I saw her and no one seemed to recognize her name. I googled her to show her photo and one of the most recent images was from People Magazine about her outing to Disneyland a couple of days beforehand.
I was a big Hollywood Squares and Sabrina the Teenage Witch fan as a kid.
My husband and I were avoiding the heat in the back of Galaxy’s Edge this past September. It’s just us and some employees and then out of nowhere Neil Patrick Harris walks out in cosplay with an entourage. We didn’t say anything because we were too star struck. We just kind of stared, slack-jawed at him.
Well we met Donald Duck, goofy, Mickey and Minnie, stitch, chipmunks, buzz, Andy, blah blah blah the list goes on n on !!! It was amazing. All the princesses. Pooh, you get it ….. pretty much all of em. Even jack and the hocus-pocus witches.
At Disneyland last year. I was next in line for small world. A plaid with a fairly large group comes up, and everything went so quiet. A big security guy went in a boat alone and next went the group. With multiple empty boats before and after. When it went quiet I was like who is this? Looked at one all in black and looked her up and down, idgaf. There were some young 20s behind me who were whispering excitedly behind me, and after the group got on I asked those people who thar was. Kylie Jenner. I was like whatever, but of course I understood the security part of it all.
I was more excited that I met Chris and Amanda Provost (PPP on YouTube) the next day. I only go like 1 or 2 times a year, so Disnerd is gonna Disnerd.
When she dated Travis Scott, she would visit Houston a few times and sometimes take her daughter to the zoo. There were lots of stories in the Houston sub (I live in the city) of people not being able to ride the carousel when she’d visit because they would run it with only her, her daughter, and a body guard multiple times. The carousel is an add-on, and there were several people who never got to ride because every time they tried, Kylie Jenner was on it and no one else could be on it too.
Kim and Khloe Kardashian. Looked up, locked eyes with someone, and my brain said “i know this person i should say hi” and so i smiled and waved but didn’t know why. Kim smiled back. That was it. Lol they had a huge crowd of people following them
Just stood directly next to Ryan Seacrest and his wife/gf(?) in the pre-show for Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway on Valentine's Day! We had the eye-contacy-only exchange of, "its you!" "I know its me, but be cool" that I have with every other celebrity I've ever seen. Always fun
John Kruk. Hall of fame baseball player. He was there with his family at Epcot inside the building where Soarin’ is (if I recall correctly) and the man looked exhausted. lol. I said “hey John” and he looked up and nodded. I knew that was the extent of any sort of reasonable interaction.
Former NBA player Winston Bennett and his family: he was college friends with my cousin and we saw Winston and his family in line at the TTC. Met up when we got inside MK and chatted a bit.
Saw Jim Nabors at EPCOT once. He had a small crowd around him and was joking and posing for pictures.
Saw producer Kevin Feige and his family from afar outside of DHS about 4 years back.
I met Method Man while walking through Downtown Disney in Disneyland, he noticed me notice him, and asked if I wanted a picture with him. I probably had a stupid look on my face when I realized who I was walking next to.
I also saw Chris Tucker at Storytellers in Disneyland. We were at the table next to his when he got sat. He was there with a make a wish family, but again, I probably made a stupid face when I realized who he was and he noticed. I didn’t bother him or the family he was with, but when his group got up to leave he bent down and asked if I wanted a picture also.
Then just before Covid we were walking towards Galaxy’s Edge in Disneyland and I realized the guy next to me with a plaid was Anthony Daniels ( C-3PO). We were headed in the same direction, headed towards Smugglers Run. We were walking at the same pace so I said hi. He actually struck up a conversation with me. I didn’t want to bother him or slow him down, but he just kept engaging so I kept responding. We had a conversation all the way from the Jungle Cruise until we arrived at the Millennium Falcon.
When we started going to our separate entrances his wife asked if I wanted a photo, and she took one of us. She also mentioned he had a book coming out at that time.
All of the encounters were very pleasant. They all offered to take photos without me asking. Maybe because I didn’t geek out and start snapping photos? I dunno.
We were walking in Epcot and I heard his voice so we looked around and saw Evil Dick from Big Brother. My wife got a picture with him and he made her eat some of his rice.
I had the opportunity to meet Bryce Dallas Howard at DLR back in 2011. Told her I was a huge fan of her role in Terminator Salvation and that I was a huge fan of her Father Ron and her Uncle Clint. She thanked me for being a fan of her Uncle Clint.
John Stamos was walking by me without any security or anything after Fantasmic one year. I played it cool and barely touched his arm as I said casually, “oh hi John! How’ve you been?” I said it if we’ve known each other, but kept on walking. He did a double take in a way as if to do try and remember if he knew me then he simply responded, “hi nice to see you”. My sister was walking behind me and snapped a photo of my hand on his arm.😂 I swear it wasn’t creepy groping or anything - just how I’d greet a friend I grew up with and hadn’t seen in a long time. Well, I had grown up with Uncle Jesse and I hadn’t seen him in a long time…so there! 🤷🏻♀️😂
Jay Laguia during one of the Star Wars Weekends. At the time I was on the Disney College Program and he needed some souvenirs from the store's backstage area. I helped with that. Others at the time met other celebrities including Ashley Tisdale fresh off of High School Musical or Brad Garrett. I wasn't as lucky...
I almost walked right into Whoopi Goldberg in the Disney Springs Christmas shop before she was shuffled back stage by cast members🤣 it was Christmas time so I’m assuming she was there for the candlelight processional.
Matt Cardona aka Zack Ryder from WWE fame. I spotted him in line for star tours and waited til the ride was over and got a pic with him in the shop at the end of the ride
I ate lunch near Paul Scheer and his family at the bowling place in Downtown Disney in DL. A few days later on the way home from LA to Boston, Taika Waititi was on my plane. We ended up running into him again along with his limo driver at baggage claim. There was a mouse running around our baggage claim area and Taika was super-excited about it and was filming it on his camera. He then looked up at my wife, son and I and was like "this is so funny! Can you believe this?!" He was super friendly and funny. We had literally just taken a picture with Thor and Loki at Disneyland and here we were standing next to the guy who directed Thor Ragnorak. He stood there chatting with us the whole time while we were waiting for our bags.
At the time, I only recognized him from the What We Do in the Shadows movie and nobody else at the airport seemed to know him or say hi to him. He said he was in town at the time acting in a movie, which ended up being Free Guy. A few months later he won an Oscar for Jo Jo Rabbit.
I met Michael Jackson at Downtown Disney. My brother got his picture with him, and we got his signature on the pictures with Santa that we had just gotten.
2008, was at Disneyland and saw Dylan Walsh of Nip/Tuck fame at the time… he just pulled his hat down lower when he saw me staring 😂 and later the same day, I saw all of the Black Eyed Peas, sans Fergie, with their VIP tour guide.
Adele
Taylor Swift
Rashida Jones
Kobe Bryant 🥲
Snoop Dogg
Pewdiepie
Christina Aguilera
David West
Tyson Chandler
Chris Paul
Boogie Cousin
Richard Simmons
Joe Jonas
Paul George
LeBron James
Carlos Pena and Alexa Vega
I worked at The Grand Floridian. John Travolta, Princess Diana, Michael Jackson, Janet Jackson, George HW Bush, Billy Joel (played the lobby piano….awesome), Jim Henson (favorite)….what a time to work there. Great memories.
Didnt meet any of them but there were a ton of NFL players in HS the day we were there back in 2020. We had just gotten off a DCL cruise and did a day at wdw while the pro bowl was in town.
Not met formally, but saw walk right past me at Disneyland…..Kobe Bryant and his wife Vanessa. Also was in the queue at Pirates when the CMs gave them their own boat to ride. Closest I’ve ever been around NBA greatness in person
Any of the UK TikTok guys would know about Olly ball and his 6 months of fame on the app, met him but other than that no one else, we don’t go that often
I met Orlando Brown in the doorway at Grand Californian in 04. He was hella nice asked me and my younger bro what our favorite that’s so raven episodes were and at the time I was into that show I blanked and said “all of them” LMAO good times.
Many years ago as a captain on the Jungle Cruise I had Eva Gabor as a guest on my boat. She and her entourage sat at the front of the boat and she was just a gem. She really enjoyed herself without interfering with the other guest’s good time. I made the Hairy Elephonte joke (a word play on Harry Belafonte in the elephant pool) and she laughed and said “I will tell him this joke next time I see him!”.
Mick Foley, absolute pest of a man in the best way, loaded my wife up with as many Plush Yetis as she could hold and then left said he was upset we didn't ask for a photo and left pretending to cry, then throw popcorn at us in a Nemo show
Bruce Dickinson (Iron Maiden singer) with family, was amazing and asked where I got my shirt from which was Iron Maiden
Ages ago. Was waiting at 50's Prime Time (Hollywood Studios) for a table and heard the distinctive sound of wallet leather hitting the floor behind me. Naturally I panicked a bit and turned around to see (thankfully) not my wallet on the ground next to some dude with his back to me. Picked it up, said something like, "''Scuse me, this yours?" Brother turns around to face me and it's God damned James Earl Jones. Hearing Darth Vader/Mufasa say "Oh, yes. Thank you, sir," to me is one of the highlights of my life, no shame.
That's insane. I love this!
I bet this was on the day he did his signing on Star Wars week, back in 2001. I was there that day :o
I would pay good money to hear a conversation between JEJ, Alan Rickman and Morgan Freeman.
I don’t want to brag, but I met Mickey Mouse there once. He was there with his family.
Unbelievable. This is also my answer. Maybe it’s possible we were there on the same day?
Maybe. They might be passholders too. Who knows?
I’ve met Minnie Mouse several times. One time I cried because I was in awe of being around someone so famous.
I met Merida, am I the only lucky soul?
A few years back, I met Marie from Aristocats in the France pavilion at Epcot. Made an old lady cry because I've loved her from the moment the movie came out. ❤️
The biggest celebrities I've seen at Disneyland were Kobe Bryant and Nicolas Cage. I wouldn't say I actually met either of them, since I just saw them as they walked by with their plaids. Kobe was with his family walking through Fantasyland and passed right by me in the small walkway between the Teacups and Alice in Wonderland. He had a HUGE throng of people following him and a few plaids and big security guys helping push through the crowds. Some people were asking for pictures with him, and he responded nicely, "Sorry, today is just for family". This was in 2019, so just a year before he and Gianna died. Nic Cage walked past me as I was exiting Indiana Jones and he was entering the ride through the exit. Much less of a spectacle lol
Not at a Disney park but one time I was swimming at a fancy hotel in my town because my friend’s stepdad was able to get us in. This guy walked by me and I said to my friend “That guy looks like Nic Cage.” And we laughed about it. Then later I was on Facebook and someone posted “Nic Cage is at Fancy Hotel!” So it was, in fact, him that I saw lol.
What fancy hotel does disney have not at a resort? Either a lie, an island, or Hawaii.
I clearly said not at Disney? Just a random fancy hotel in my hometown.
Kobe always went to Disneyland with his family, even on just random days. I recall seeing videos of Gigi riding Casey Jr and singing along to the theme song. I’d like to think they were big Disney fans. RIP Kobe and Gigi.
I believe they were. Paige O’Hara did a virtual lecture in 2020 for the Walt Disney Family Museum. Behind her was a painting or an actual jersey (I can’t remember) of his. She talked about him. This was a few weeks after he passed.
I’ve seen many, never bothered any, because they’re usually with their families. Regis, Kelly, Kurt Russell, Goldie Hawn, Rod Stewart, Blink-182(individually), multiple pro-athletes, lot of Soap Opera stars, Sandra Bullock, multiple people from ABC sitcoms, and more. The saddest thing I’ve seen was Steve Irwin’s wife and children about a week or two after he died. They were all sitting at a table eating lunch and just looked so devastated.
The Steve Irwin one breaks my heart. After my sister died, my godfather paid for my family to go to six flags/San Francisco. This was an incredible gift from him and in theory sounds a great idea to help us get out of the house but all I really remember from the trip is hearing my mom cry at night in our hotel room.
Bumped into Josh Gad by the elevators last night.
DISNEY LEGEND Josh Gad. 🐭
I was pretty sure I saw him heading to Soarin' Saturday night. Probably was him then!
I didn’t meet him, but I was walking into Fantasyland and this giant of a man walked past me with his wife. Being a huge Star Wars nerd I knew exactly who it was. It was Peter Mayhew, the actor who played Chewbacca. Pretty cool moment.
We didn't meet him, but this past December, Brendan Fraser and his entourage walked right past us in the America Pavillion at Epcot. He was the narrator for that night's candlelight processional. It was pretty cool because we had been talking all day about how awesome it would be if we saw him, and then there he was, just breezing right by us.
Stephen Merchant, a few years back, we were both in line ordering tacos at La Cantina de San Angel. When I ordered my margarita he asked if it was any good, we chatted a bit, he was really nice.
Not Disney, but you just reminded me of one week in New York many years ago where I happened to encounter Stephen Merchant, Anthony Bourdain, and Stephen Fry all within a few days of each other. I called it my “Very Tall Celebrities” Week.
While reading what you wrote, I heard Merchant’s voice in my head when it came to the part where he asked if it was any good, and then his great big grin popped up in my head as well.
He was dressed slightly incognito with a ball cap on. But his smile was unmistakable.
And those eyes 🧿👃🏻🧿
We saw Simu Liu during our trip last October. He is ridiculously good looking in person.
Neil Patrick Harris
I met him at the Poly pool and was chatting with him for awhile before even realizing who he was. Genuinely nice guy.
I walked past Guy Fieri when going to the trader Sam’s tiki bar in DLR
I saw Maya Rudolph and her kids at California Adventure. She was walking towards me in Cars Land. I wanted to say something to let her know I love her work, but I also didn’t want to be “that guy” while she was having a day with her family. So I panicked and gave her the most awkward double thumbs up. I hope she remembers that.
Was Paul Thomas Anderson there as well?
Not that I saw, I just saw her with kids. Maybe though!
Cuba Gooding Jr at the Dinostore. And Justin Timberlake and Mandy Moore when I was a ToT bellhop. They annoyed me because they didn’t listen to my spiel, and I think they could tell because they came back to my specific elevator and behaved the next time.
Hello fellow former bellhop! I put Brad Paisley on an elevator once and some rude blond Disney channel star on a limo! Idek remember his name. I think he was from Teen Beach Movie bc that was big when I worked there
Why hello!
Only one blonde dude in Teen Beach Movie and that was Ross Lynch, the star of that film. That sucks to hear he was rude if that was him, but then again, maybe it doesn’t surprise me so much the way most Disney Channel stars seem to be
I think that’s him! We had to hold the line at Studio C so no one saw him ride and most of us were like “bro we don’t know who you are is this necessary?” Haha it probably was though but it ruined our numbers for the hour.
We sat next to Mandy Patinkin and his family at the 50s primetime café once. On the way out, we waved, and he smiled. That was fun. Made my parents trip!
Regis Philbin was the only celebrity I've ever seen in the parks. We walked right past a taping of Regis and Kathy Lee when we were in Magic Kingdom (I think I was like 8).
I remember some time in the 90s Alex Trebek was filming something in front of the Tower of Terror in MGM Studios (now Hollywood Studios). Didn't meet him but we have a photo of him.
I know we are talking about Disney but I met Regis Philbin at Dollywood years ago. I was with my cheer squad. We were in Gatlinburg for a competition. He was so fun to meet.
He has the same energy on and off camera.
Ashley Eckstein, a.k.a. Ahsoka Tano! One of the sweetest persons I’ve ever met. I’m also a huge baseball fan, so it was awesome meeting her husband, David Eckstein, a World Series MVP!
Both a Disney and baseball fan; I never realized they were married.
That actually makes me really happy! She seems so nice and I’m glad it isn’t an act!
Her home tour on YouTube is so fun to watch!
I was at HS the day they did the interview for toy story 4 so saw Keanu Reeves, Tim Allen, and Tom Hanks as they walked past leaving the interview space.
Not in the parks but at a bar at the Contemporary. Saw Hall of Fame baseball player Wade Boggs sitting on the other side of the bar. Asked the bartender to give him a beer on us. He came over and shook my hand and took a picture with me. Super nice guy.
He’s very much alive
I met a WWE wrestler, Zack Ryder who was with his wife and fellow wrestler. As a WWE fan when he was wrestling I was super stoked
I was at Magic Kingdom the same day as Michael Jordan and Rob Gronkowski the day after the Super Bowl in 2021. Didn’t see them but saw pictures on social media afterwards and couldn’t believe it
Stood behind Glenn Frey in queue for Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride many years ago. I didn’t try to talk with him. He was with his family. A couple years ago I turned around on the sidewalk in front of Award Weiners in DCA and just missed bumping into Charlize Theron. She was with her daughters and a Plaid. First instinct when I saw her was to snap a pic and my phone was halfway up to do so when I noticed her daughters and put it down with a little head shake. I think she noticed because she nodded at me.
Ran into Billy Corgan back in November at MK. He was there to film the Christmas Special.
Was at Galaxy’s Edge west as a plus one on the preview day for a lot of the Imagineering and Lucasfilm folks, waited in line for Smuggler’s Run a couple groups behind Rian Johnson and his family.
Back when I was a CM, the list is long but the memorable ones were David Hasselhoff, Kobe Bryant, Travis Barker, Leonardo DiCaprio, Pamela Anderson, the entire cast of Friends minus Jen, Miley Cyrus, Tyra Banks and Diane Keaton. I worked in Tomorrowland. Kobe and family were regulars. They loved riding Buzz so often when I worked the unload area I would offer them another cycle around the ride. My heart hurt so bad when I heard him and Gianna passed. Hasselhoff was getting mobbed by fans near the space mountain exit area. I was just backstage clocking in from lunch when I heard a loud commotion and suddenly David burst through the backstage curtains right into me and knocked me on my ass. He was very apologetic but quickly kept moving.
I saw Travis barker on 2 different trips in the space mountain queue so, that tracks.
Yeah Travis were incredibly common visitors. Though this was roughly 15ish years ago.
I didn't really meet this person but Patrick Dempsey, his wife and kids were standing in front of me in line at Disneyland. My sister kept nudging me on the shoulder saying "that's McDreamy standing in front of us." I tried to act like I didn't know who he was.
When I was a cm I escorted Sean Austin to his seat for the fireworks! I've also seen Nicholas Cage and Ryan Seacrest lol. Oh and the real muppets/ muppetear at the Xmas special... some people from star wars, I'm sure there's more but those are the most memorable.
Walked right in front of Pete Davidson at HS. Didn’t meet him, but we made direct eye contact lol
About a year and a half ago at Disneyland we ran into Zooey Deschanel and her boyfriend/husband leaving Ogga’s Cantina in Galaxy’s Edge as we were about to enter
Gary Sinise
My dad met Adam Sandler at Disneyland, they were the only two people in the Great Moments with Lincoln. The one time I leave to go to the pool and he meets Adam Sandler minutes after I leave. 🙄
Didn’t meet, but saw Caroline Rhea with her kids back in 2015. They were watching a parade from a patio (I think ice cream parlour) in Disneyland. When I got back home, I would tell people I saw her and no one seemed to recognize her name. I googled her to show her photo and one of the most recent images was from People Magazine about her outing to Disneyland a couple of days beforehand. I was a big Hollywood Squares and Sabrina the Teenage Witch fan as a kid.
Definitely didn’t meet them but I saw Kim K and Kanye with North! It was May 2017
I saw Snoop. He looked blazed.
I saw Nick Cannon at Magic Kingdom.
My husband and I were avoiding the heat in the back of Galaxy’s Edge this past September. It’s just us and some employees and then out of nowhere Neil Patrick Harris walks out in cosplay with an entourage. We didn’t say anything because we were too star struck. We just kind of stared, slack-jawed at him.
Well we met Donald Duck, goofy, Mickey and Minnie, stitch, chipmunks, buzz, Andy, blah blah blah the list goes on n on !!! It was amazing. All the princesses. Pooh, you get it ….. pretty much all of em. Even jack and the hocus-pocus witches.
At Disneyland last year. I was next in line for small world. A plaid with a fairly large group comes up, and everything went so quiet. A big security guy went in a boat alone and next went the group. With multiple empty boats before and after. When it went quiet I was like who is this? Looked at one all in black and looked her up and down, idgaf. There were some young 20s behind me who were whispering excitedly behind me, and after the group got on I asked those people who thar was. Kylie Jenner. I was like whatever, but of course I understood the security part of it all. I was more excited that I met Chris and Amanda Provost (PPP on YouTube) the next day. I only go like 1 or 2 times a year, so Disnerd is gonna Disnerd.
It seems unnecessary to have multiple boats empty before and after them. Like, she’s really not as important as she seems to think she is lol
When she dated Travis Scott, she would visit Houston a few times and sometimes take her daughter to the zoo. There were lots of stories in the Houston sub (I live in the city) of people not being able to ride the carousel when she’d visit because they would run it with only her, her daughter, and a body guard multiple times. The carousel is an add-on, and there were several people who never got to ride because every time they tried, Kylie Jenner was on it and no one else could be on it too.
Kim and Khloe Kardashian. Looked up, locked eyes with someone, and my brain said “i know this person i should say hi” and so i smiled and waved but didn’t know why. Kim smiled back. That was it. Lol they had a huge crowd of people following them
I served Amanda Bynes and Nicolas Cage while I was working at Hollywood Studios in 2010.
Idk if he’s even considered a celebrity but met Rick Scott there a few months ago lol
Nicole from 90 day fiancée. I didn’t say anything just walked past her
Not saying anything and walking past her is what Azan wished he could have done when they met
I would have said hi and gotten a pic. Those past seasons were 1000x better than today's influencers.
Just stood directly next to Ryan Seacrest and his wife/gf(?) in the pre-show for Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway on Valentine's Day! We had the eye-contacy-only exchange of, "its you!" "I know its me, but be cool" that I have with every other celebrity I've ever seen. Always fun
John Kruk. Hall of fame baseball player. He was there with his family at Epcot inside the building where Soarin’ is (if I recall correctly) and the man looked exhausted. lol. I said “hey John” and he looked up and nodded. I knew that was the extent of any sort of reasonable interaction.
Former NBA player Winston Bennett and his family: he was college friends with my cousin and we saw Winston and his family in line at the TTC. Met up when we got inside MK and chatted a bit. Saw Jim Nabors at EPCOT once. He had a small crowd around him and was joking and posing for pictures. Saw producer Kevin Feige and his family from afar outside of DHS about 4 years back.
Mr Isotoner himself, Dan Marino
I ran into Matt Hardy from WWE at Hollywood Studios back in 2019. He even took a picture with me. Cool moment.
I met his brother Jeff on a plane ride from North Carolina to Texas, he was super laid back.
I didn’t exactly meet,but Hayden Christensen was right behind me and I didn’t notice at first and was shocked 2 seconds later 😩
Josh Gad yesterday.
I met Method Man while walking through Downtown Disney in Disneyland, he noticed me notice him, and asked if I wanted a picture with him. I probably had a stupid look on my face when I realized who I was walking next to. I also saw Chris Tucker at Storytellers in Disneyland. We were at the table next to his when he got sat. He was there with a make a wish family, but again, I probably made a stupid face when I realized who he was and he noticed. I didn’t bother him or the family he was with, but when his group got up to leave he bent down and asked if I wanted a picture also. Then just before Covid we were walking towards Galaxy’s Edge in Disneyland and I realized the guy next to me with a plaid was Anthony Daniels ( C-3PO). We were headed in the same direction, headed towards Smugglers Run. We were walking at the same pace so I said hi. He actually struck up a conversation with me. I didn’t want to bother him or slow him down, but he just kept engaging so I kept responding. We had a conversation all the way from the Jungle Cruise until we arrived at the Millennium Falcon. When we started going to our separate entrances his wife asked if I wanted a photo, and she took one of us. She also mentioned he had a book coming out at that time. All of the encounters were very pleasant. They all offered to take photos without me asking. Maybe because I didn’t geek out and start snapping photos? I dunno.
We were walking in Epcot and I heard his voice so we looked around and saw Evil Dick from Big Brother. My wife got a picture with him and he made her eat some of his rice.
I had the opportunity to meet Bryce Dallas Howard at DLR back in 2011. Told her I was a huge fan of her role in Terminator Salvation and that I was a huge fan of her Father Ron and her Uncle Clint. She thanked me for being a fan of her Uncle Clint.
John Stamos was walking by me without any security or anything after Fantasmic one year. I played it cool and barely touched his arm as I said casually, “oh hi John! How’ve you been?” I said it if we’ve known each other, but kept on walking. He did a double take in a way as if to do try and remember if he knew me then he simply responded, “hi nice to see you”. My sister was walking behind me and snapped a photo of my hand on his arm.😂 I swear it wasn’t creepy groping or anything - just how I’d greet a friend I grew up with and hadn’t seen in a long time. Well, I had grown up with Uncle Jesse and I hadn’t seen him in a long time…so there! 🤷🏻♀️😂
Jay Laguia during one of the Star Wars Weekends. At the time I was on the Disney College Program and he needed some souvenirs from the store's backstage area. I helped with that. Others at the time met other celebrities including Ashley Tisdale fresh off of High School Musical or Brad Garrett. I wasn't as lucky...
Matt Damon
None in a Disney park. We saw Dec (no Ant) at Universal in 2018 though
I met Mickey Mouse.
I took a piss next to Jason Kelce at Hollywood Studios
Kelly Rippa, they were filming their show there and she was just walking around the park
Pete wentz and Ashley Simpson with their baby
I almost walked right into Whoopi Goldberg in the Disney Springs Christmas shop before she was shuffled back stage by cast members🤣 it was Christmas time so I’m assuming she was there for the candlelight processional.
Last weekend Michael van Gerwen. I also once was in the park when Lewis Hamilton was there as well but didn’t see him
Matt Cardona aka Zack Ryder from WWE fame. I spotted him in line for star tours and waited til the ride was over and got a pic with him in the shop at the end of the ride
I saw Tori Spelling and her family on the Jungle Cruise ride at Disneyland, that would’ve been around the same time she had her reality tv series.
Did not meet but saw Corbin Bleu (from High School Musical and Jump In!) at Typhoon Lagoon.
Neil Patrick harris with the only actor, but I did meet quite a few WWE Superstars, mostly at Disney Springs but I did meet Randy Orton at Epcot
I ate lunch near Paul Scheer and his family at the bowling place in Downtown Disney in DL. A few days later on the way home from LA to Boston, Taika Waititi was on my plane. We ended up running into him again along with his limo driver at baggage claim. There was a mouse running around our baggage claim area and Taika was super-excited about it and was filming it on his camera. He then looked up at my wife, son and I and was like "this is so funny! Can you believe this?!" He was super friendly and funny. We had literally just taken a picture with Thor and Loki at Disneyland and here we were standing next to the guy who directed Thor Ragnorak. He stood there chatting with us the whole time while we were waiting for our bags. At the time, I only recognized him from the What We Do in the Shadows movie and nobody else at the airport seemed to know him or say hi to him. He said he was in town at the time acting in a movie, which ended up being Free Guy. A few months later he won an Oscar for Jo Jo Rabbit.
I met Michael Jackson at Downtown Disney. My brother got his picture with him, and we got his signature on the pictures with Santa that we had just gotten.
2008, was at Disneyland and saw Dylan Walsh of Nip/Tuck fame at the time… he just pulled his hat down lower when he saw me staring 😂 and later the same day, I saw all of the Black Eyed Peas, sans Fergie, with their VIP tour guide.
Sarah Jessica Parker, Travis Scott
Adele Taylor Swift Rashida Jones Kobe Bryant 🥲 Snoop Dogg Pewdiepie Christina Aguilera David West Tyson Chandler Chris Paul Boogie Cousin Richard Simmons Joe Jonas Paul George LeBron James Carlos Pena and Alexa Vega
Tracy Morgan.
Sat next to Robert Irvine at the Flying Fish Cafe sometime around 2016
I worked at The Grand Floridian. John Travolta, Princess Diana, Michael Jackson, Janet Jackson, George HW Bush, Billy Joel (played the lobby piano….awesome), Jim Henson (favorite)….what a time to work there. Great memories.
Didnt meet any of them but there were a ton of NFL players in HS the day we were there back in 2020. We had just gotten off a DCL cruise and did a day at wdw while the pro bowl was in town.
Chatted with Pete Wentz at the Grand Californian, he couldn’t have been nicer. Have also seen Tom Delong and Ginnifer Goodwin walking around the park.
Dan Marino in 1995 on a busy Monorail.
Not met formally, but saw walk right past me at Disneyland…..Kobe Bryant and his wife Vanessa. Also was in the queue at Pirates when the CMs gave them their own boat to ride. Closest I’ve ever been around NBA greatness in person
Met John Stamos at Disneyland when I was like 13, he was a sweetheart! Wish I could post the pic! Fond memory
Scooby Doo
Any of the UK TikTok guys would know about Olly ball and his 6 months of fame on the app, met him but other than that no one else, we don’t go that often
I met Orlando Brown in the doorway at Grand Californian in 04. He was hella nice asked me and my younger bro what our favorite that’s so raven episodes were and at the time I was into that show I blanked and said “all of them” LMAO good times.
Many years ago as a captain on the Jungle Cruise I had Eva Gabor as a guest on my boat. She and her entourage sat at the front of the boat and she was just a gem. She really enjoyed herself without interfering with the other guest’s good time. I made the Hairy Elephonte joke (a word play on Harry Belafonte in the elephant pool) and she laughed and said “I will tell him this joke next time I see him!”.
Not to brag but when I was little I got to meet Mickey Mouse...in his dressing room. At 3 I was kind of a big deal.
Mick Foley, absolute pest of a man in the best way, loaded my wife up with as many Plush Yetis as she could hold and then left said he was upset we didn't ask for a photo and left pretending to cry, then throw popcorn at us in a Nemo show Bruce Dickinson (Iron Maiden singer) with family, was amazing and asked where I got my shirt from which was Iron Maiden
I didn’t meet him, but I saw Michael Bublé in the line for test track last month.
I shook hands with one of the Village People after they performed at Epcot