Celebrity sightings at Disneyland?

[CalGal]

Just to let you know, they have to wait in line like everyone else unless they paid for the privledge to skip it. Last time I checked - it was over $1000.00 a day to take advantage of it. My best friend works in security at the Park and advised me of this when I complained (saw Cindy Crawford and family) and few years back.

I saw Daniel Dae Kim this past week on Buzz Lightyear (He plays Jin on Lost). I am a big Lost fan, and so I was totally psyched. I had just entered the room where they load the cars, and he was passing me in a car just about to enter the ride -- I could almost reach out and touch him! He was sharing a car with a Disney cast member and my guess was that he had entered through the back and had NOT waited in line.

I emailed myself his picture from the ride.

 

[dwheatl]

Caroline Rhea must like to hang out there as much as I do. We saw her there too. Also saw Jean Smart, looking like the Unabomber with her dark hoodie pulled close around her face. Last time we were there (Feb.) we saw Mike Krukow, announcer for the S.F. Giants. He was very nice and stopped traffic so my husband could get through with his ECV.
When I was a kid, I saw the boy from Escape from Witch Mountain (the original). I was so jealous, because I was sure he got in for free because he was a Disney star, and DL meant everything to me then (not so different now).
I already posted this on the WDW forum, but we got stuck in line for POTC at WDW so Princess Diana and the boys could ride. We didn't know who it was until we got back to the hotel and turned on the news.

 

[Dukland]

I emailed myself his picture from the ride.

LOL That's totally hilarious!! what a great idea, I never would have thought of it.

 

[JKanownik]

We were at DL from Mon. 6/12 to Fri. 6/16 and we saw several celebrities including Bob Saget, Antonio Sabato Jr. and some NBA player. There were a few others, but neither my husband nor myself could identify them.

I was curious about those Cast Members with the red and green plaid vests who are usually seen escorting a celebrity, so I went to Guest Services to inquire. The CM that I spoke to advised that there are 2 levels to working in Guest Relations. There are general Guest Relation CMs and Hosts. Apparently, you have to work in Guest Relations for at least 6 months to become a Host. Other than that, there were no specific qualifications. I was speaking directly to a Host, so I asked who could be escorted and how much does it cost. He said that anyone could purchase the VIP tour and that there are a variety of prices depending on the level of service you want provided. The tours start at 75/hr. and are a minimum of 4 hours.

I told him that a few years ago, I saw Scottie Pippin, his wife and daughter on a VIP tour in WDW. The Host was pushing Scottie's daughter in a stroller as they all walked along, so I asked exactly what kind of services are provided, but he seemed uncomfortable answering the question and said that "there are just different levels." I asked if they are allowed to accept tips from the celebrities, but he declined to answer leading me to believe that they may. I could tell he was a bit uncomfortable answering some of my questions, so I thanked him and ended the conversation there.

On a side note, DH asked the CM outside of Pirates if the celebrities get to ride even though it is closed until June 26 and he was told that they are not. Not even the CMs have been able to see the new renovations that have been made yet.

 

[quadaunt]

I took the Walt in Walt's Footsteps tour on a Saturday morning in July 2003. No one else had signed up for the first tour of the day as I had, so they asked if I would be willing to wait a half an hour to see if anyone signed up for the second tour of the morning. When no one did a VIP host (in the plaid vest) came out and said I would be the only one on the tour and since none of the regular WiWF tourguides were available he said he would be my guide. He also said that since I was the only one on the tour there would be no need for me to wear a nametag as he could obviously remember one person's name. During the tour my guide would occasionally stop to chat with other guides and I noticed a few curious quick sideways glances. It dawned on me that since I was being escorted solo by a VIP host they assumed I must be 'somebody.' I laughed and told my guide that later he could tell his friends that I was just a boring middle-aged woman from the Midwest! Anyway, during our tour lunch on the Disney Gallery balcony John (guide) said that some VIPs are just harrassed too much by guests for autographs, photos, etc. and so are shielded from the crowds by being taken in through attraction exits, etc. He said other celebrities prefer to brave the crowds and don't ask for a VIP guide.

 

[Alex2kMommy]

That's funny! I wonder how many people went home wondering, "Who was that woman? She looked kinda familiar..."

 

[Lithium_picnic]

Back in '97 I saw Debbie Dunning (the tool-girl from Home Improvement) in line for the Haunted Mansion, and they were right in front of us! I didn't notice until about half way through the line. We got a quick picture and she was really nice.

I also saw Leslie Nielson and Jake Gyllenhaal at LAX a few years ago, but I didn't aproach either of them.

 

[Amy&Dan]

I saw Diane Keaton last month near the exit of Splash Mountain. I believe she had two kids with her. A CM was leading them through the exit to the ride. She did not ride herself. She attracted a small crowd, but nobody seemed to want to approach her. I don't think she liked the attention. She was kind of hard to miss, though. She was wearing all black and gloves, and it was a very warm day.

That is too funny, since we saw Diane Keaton on June 20 in DCA. First she was coming out of the GCH entrance with her two kids and some other people then we saw her later near the big Sun Wheel waiting with her son to meet Max. She was also dressed a bit strange this day, wearing a full dark brown poodle skirt, black leggings and boots and a long sleeved shirt. It was extremely hot that day, I don't know how she stood it. I guess she dresses that way when she goes to Disneyland. And she did have a plaid vested cm with her, escorting her around. Although she waited in line to get her kid popcorn just like everybody else, so I guess they can't cut in line for food!

 

[PinkTink63]

[ She was with her kids and no nanny or anything and looked kinda frazzled. We saw her and I said "she looks like Kathy Ireland". I saw her again and she was just walking up to rides without having to wait and I said "OK, that IS Kathy Ireland."

You mentioned she was just walking up to rides without waiting in line. Do all celebrities get this luxury? That doesn't seem fair.

When we were there a few years back, we saw Tim Matheson. He was directly in front of us, waiting to get on the coaster in Toon Town. He had two little boys with him. He was very friendly. We had a conversation about the kids. He waited right along with us.

 

[MateasMom]

We saw Micheal Jackson there too when I was little (in the 80s some time...I think during that blast to the past thing). He was walking past Matterhorn in a crowd of his 'people'. I know we've seen other people over the years, or the 'hub bug' about others in the past, but can't think of who.

We saw Marie Osmond once

And 2 years ago at WDW we saw Mariah Carey (she did some Xmas thing there that day).

That's all I can think of off the top of my head though.

I also agree that they probably usher any celeb willing to be ushered into the exits so that they don't have to deal with the crowds of people getting in the way of the Disney magic.

 

[NotSoLittleMermaid]

About a year ago I spent a few days at DL. After the first couple of nights, I'd figured out the best place to view the fireworks was at the hub, in the open area between the Partners statue and the castle. I went there early (7:30 or so) to stake out my spot and was most annoyed to find that that whole "spoke" of the hub had been roped off and one of the park benches had been placed right in the center. It was obviously for a VIP, but the cast members were very tight-lipped about who it was. The bench stayed empty until right before the fireworks started, then when the lights went down Kobe Bryant and a woman (I presume his wife!) were quickly ushered in and seated on the bench. As soon as the show was over they were wisked away.

Another night that area was roped off again, but this time it was occupied by several Asian men & women in business attire. I heard people talking that they were affiliated with Honda and since Honda sponsors the fireworks show, any time anyone from their company wants to see the show they're given the VIP treatment.

 

[PrincessAbby'sMom]

Well it was at WDW in April - we were dinning at O'Hana's in the Polynesian Hotel & 4 tables away was Scottie Pippen (Former Chicago Bull's Player) was there with his family. I heard for the next couple of days people complaining that they saw him & his family at the Parks & they were escorted to the front of all lines & no one was allowed on the ride until they were off.

 

[maberlyne]

We were just there at the end of June and my bf and friends spotted Corey something or other from the Goonies and Surreal Life. They were just standing right in front of the Mickey flowers, taking a picture. They may have been taking a picture with fans, though. Obviously, I had no interest, I just wanted to get on some rides

 

[Twinprincesses]

I would not mind if they got to go ahead in the line as I am sure it would be some sort of a disruption if they stood in line and had a ton of fans screaming at them. But I would be mad if nobody else could ride the ride till they were done.

 

[PrincessSitka]

I love to read this. Wondering if anybody else has seen anybody there?

 

[50thisyeartoo!]

We were there last fall; say Ryan from American Idol; many years ago Richard Simmons was there...that was in the 80's. Heck, EVERYBODY goes to Disneyland!

 

[prov3v56]

My friend was there last week and saw Kate Hudson with her son. They too were taken to the front of the line.

 

[twinmommyks]

In all my years of traveling, I've never seen a celebrity nywhere. I guess I'm usually too busy taking care of the 3 kiddos!!!

My dh did think he saw one when we were there in May. He said some tall really attractive female (with dark sunglasses) walked by and everyone was staring, but he couldn't figure out who she was - this was on May 25. Anyone see any celebrities that day??

 

[disneycutie84]

I have seen celebrities a few times while at DL/DCA.
One time I went to ABC Primetime weekend at DCA and saw George Lopez, Andrew Firestone (the bachelor), and Lindsey Lohan. (she was just starting to become famous)
Then I was at DL the night they were premiering the new Snow White show. They kept the park open and rolled out a red carpet in front of the theater. I saw Elizabeth Shue, some of the disney channel actor-kids, and the last person to come....MICHAEL EISNER.
It was interesting to see him. Some people booed him when he walked by.

 

[kitashus]

A couple of yrs ago I saw Marie Osmond at DCA. She was waiting outside of Soarin' with an Ambassador and her little one. That's what I was doing too. We both had family inside the ride and little ones not big enough to ride. I didn't bother her and no one else did either.