Walt Disney World and Disneyland ship out numerous press releases about celebrities visiting the parks. Regardless of this being a surprisingly well-liked factor, this weblog doesn’t sometimes cowl it for 2 causes: I don’t care and/or I have no idea who these individuals are.
Nevertheless, I’ve to make an exception and take a degree of private privilege, so to talk, to shortly cowl a go to by a vital movie star–and one who’s “Disney well-known” as well. Fortunate friends at Disney California Journey acquired a shock welcome from their very personal Chief Flight Attendant, Patrick “Puddy” Warburton, in celebration of the restricted time return of Soarin’ Over California throughout Disney California Journey Meals & Wine Competition, happening now via April 22, 2024.
For greater than twenty years, Patrick has greeted friends to Soarin’ sights at Disney California Journey in California and at EPCOT in Florida with some “necessary security ideas” in a pre-recorded security video earlier than chickening out. Puddy’s look is so endearing that it endured the change from Soarin’ Over California to Across the World, even. (Truthfully, I used to be kinda disenchanted when Hovering: Implausible Flight opted towards the Puddy pre-show. Warburton might’ve develop into the brand new Tommy Lee Jones or Bob Harris of Japan!)
This time, Patrick determined to conduct his closing security test in particular person earlier than shocked friends flew via picturesque places in California, together with Yosemite Nationwide Park, Napa Valley, Lake Tahoe, Palm Springs, San Diego, Malibu at nightfall and the frenzied headlights of rush hour visitors via Downtown Los Angeles, all earlier than returning for a triumphant flight over Disneyland at Christmas, circa 2000.
As we argued lately, the unique Soarin’ stands the take a look at of time–similar to Impressions de France, which remains to be proven in EPCOT 30+ years later. (Soarin’ Over California vs. Across the World is sort of polarizing amongst followers–it looks as if it’s about 50/50!) A part of that’s the nice real-world (non-CGI) footage, and half is Patrick’s timeless efficiency.
See how the shock took flight on this video launched by Disney:
“It’s simply magical to see how beloved Soarin’ Over California nonetheless is in any case of those years,” Patrick shared. “I can bear in mind my first journey to Disneyland on the age of 5 and I proceed to be an enormous Disney fan, so to be a part of a Disney attraction that has lasted this lengthy has simply been such a candy and great factor for me.”
“Attending to shock friends at the moment was tremendous enjoyable, and it’s nice to see the affect that this security intro has made for the previous 23 years and the way individuals nonetheless adore it. It was such a blast attending to be the Chief Flight Attendant for Soarin’ Over California as soon as once more!”
Warburton beforehand revealed to D23 that being a part of a Disney journey was one of the crucial particular alternatives that he had been granted whereas working within the trade. Including that Disneyland is a particular place for him to share together with his kids. “It’s been an honor to be related to a Disney journey,” Patrick added.
On social media a couple of years in the past, a former Imagineer who labored on the unique Soarin’ Over California revealed that Warburton was chosen for the function after the staff noticed him as Kronk in The Emperor’s New Groove.
Two months earlier than Disney California Journey opened in 2001, the Imagineering nonetheless hadn’t shot the pre-show. There had been curiosity from John Travolta, however his capturing schedule and beard made that tough–and it was the humor of Kronk that sealed the deal on Warburton for Imagineering.
Which begs the query, have been Imagineers not followers of Seinfeld?! Truthfully, that’s what ‘bought’ me on Soarin’ years in the past. Clearly, the attraction itself is great, but it surely’s the Chief Flight Attendant who offers it persona and humanity–serving to elevate Soarin’ to a wonderful Disney attraction as a substitute of only a actually good journey. (To make certain, it’s not simply the pre-show. The rating, the little particulars within the video–all of it provides up.)
Warburton being excellent for the Chief Flight Attendant function would’ve been apparent to Seinfeld followers, as Warburton performed David Puddy, the on-and-off once more boyfriend of the Elaine Benes, in that present. Puddy stole so many scenes due to Warburton’s deadpan humor in enjoying the dopey man. You get somewhat glimpse of that within the Soarin’ pre-show, which is (I believe) even funnier in the event you’re conversant in Puddy.
In fact, it’s no secret that this weblog is stridently pro-Seinfeld. Festivus is a recurring matter each December 23, and virtually each publish used to include nods to Seinfeld. (These have been dialed again dramatically through the years because it’s been off the air for thus lengthy; I might make extra Curb Your Enthusiasm references, however most would in all probability be inappropriate for a Disney weblog.)
Round our home, Seinfeld references are nonetheless fairly frequent, with considered one of my favorites being Puddy’s “We’re the Devils! The Deeeeeevils! Hissssss.” Among the finest episodes in a collection of nice episodes. (I’m frankly shocked it has seen a resurgence on Netflix–the youngsters at the moment don’t admire true artwork.)
It’s in all probability meaningless, however I hope this implies Warburton is doing extra with Disney. Years in the past, we flew down particularly to see John O’Hurley (J. Peterman) narrate Candlelight Processional, and would do the identical for Warburton. Who is aware of, perhaps this opens the door for Larry David to do one thing with Disney. I doubt it, however he did simply characteristic Disney in an episode of Curb Your Enthusiasm this yr.
The purpose is that we’re actually massive Seinfeld followers and need we might’ve been there to see Warburton in particular person…yada yada yada… “Good work, Pal!”
Planning a Southern California trip? For park admission offers, learn Ideas for Saving Cash on Disneyland Tickets. Find out about on-site and off-site accommodations in our Anaheim Resort Critiques & Rankings. For the place to eat, take a look at our Disneyland Restaurant Critiques. For distinctive concepts of issues that’ll enhance your journey, take a look at What to Pack for Disney. For complete recommendation, seek the advice of our Disneyland Trip Planning Information. Lastly, for guides past Disney, take a look at our Southern California Itineraries for day journeys to Los Angeles, Laguna Seaside, and plenty of different SoCal cities!
Your Ideas
Are you a fan of Patrick “Puddy” Warburton in Soarin’s pre-show? Do you hope that he’s all the time the Chief Flight Attendant, irrespective of what number of future movies exchange the present aerial footage? Would you like to see Soarin’ Over California or Soarin’ Across the World…or each? Do you agree or disagree with our evaluation? Any questions? Listening to your suggestions–even while you disagree with us–is each fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas beneath within the feedback!
