Walt Disney World and Disneyland ship out a variety of press releases about celebrities visiting the parks. Regardless of this being an incredibly common factor, this weblog doesn’t usually cowl it for 2 causes: I don’t care and/or I have no idea who these individuals are.
Nonetheless, I’ve to make an exception and take a degree of private privilege, so to talk, to rapidly cowl a go to by an important celeb–and one who’s “Disney well-known” in addition. Fortunate company 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 Pageant, going down now by April 22, 2024.
For greater than twenty years, Patrick has greeted company to Soarin’ points of interest 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 upset when Hovering: Incredible Flight opted in opposition to the Puddy pre-show. Warburton may’ve turn into the brand new Tommy Lee Jones or Bob Harris of Japan!)
This time, Patrick determined to conduct his last security test in individual earlier than stunned company flew by 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 by Downtown Los Angeles, all earlier than returning for a triumphant flight over Disneyland at Christmas, circa 2000.
As we argued not too long ago, the unique Soarin’ stands the check 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 keep 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 fantastic factor for me.”
“Attending to shock company at this time was tremendous enjoyable, and it’s nice to see the impression that this security intro has made for the previous 23 years and the way folks nonetheless like 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 experience was probably the most particular alternatives that he had been granted whereas working within the business. 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 experience,” Patrick added.
On social media a number of years in the past, a former Imagineer who labored on the unique Soarin’ Over California revealed that Warburton was chosen for the position after the crew 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 taking pictures schedule and beard made that troublesome–and it was the humor of Kronk that sealed the deal on Warburton for Imagineering.
Which begs the query, had been Imagineers not followers of Seinfeld?! Truthfully, that’s what ‘bought’ me on Soarin’ years in the past. Clearly, the attraction itself is great, however it’s the Chief Flight Attendant who provides it character and humanity–serving to elevate Soarin’ to a wonderful Disney attraction as a substitute of only a actually good experience. (To make sure, it’s not simply the pre-show. The rating, the little particulars within the video–all of it provides up.)
Warburton being good for the Chief Flight Attendant position 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 because of 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 acquainted with Puddy.
In fact, it’s no secret that this weblog is stridently pro-Seinfeld. Festivus is a recurring subject each December 23, and virtually each put up used to include nods to Seinfeld. (These have been dialed again dramatically over time because it’s been off the air for thus lengthy; I’d 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 certainly one of my favorites being Puddy’s “We’re the Devils! The Deeeeeevils! Hissssss.” Top-of-the-line episodes in a collection of nice episodes. (I’m frankly stunned it has seen a resurgence on Netflix–the youngsters at this time don’t respect 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, possibly this opens the door for Larry David to do one thing with Disney. I doubt it, however he did simply function Disney in an episode of Curb Your Enthusiasm this yr.
The purpose is that we’re actually large Seinfeld followers and need we’d’ve been there to see Warburton in individual…yada yada yada… “Good work, Pal!”
Planning a Southern California trip? For park admission offers, learn Suggestions for Saving Cash on Disneyland Tickets. Find out about on-site and off-site inns in our Anaheim Lodge Evaluations & Rankings. For the place to eat, take a look at our Disneyland Restaurant Evaluations. 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 lots 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, regardless of what number of future movies exchange the present aerial footage? Would you favor 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 attention-grabbing to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas beneath within the feedback!
