Celebrities are always at Walt Disney World, and a lot of times, you may never even know it. They are almost always walking along with the VIP Cast Member guides or walking backstage between attractions to avoid a lot of attention and fanfare.
There are others though, that look for the attention and don’t mind ending up on TMZ or some other site, and having the universe know they were at Walt Disney World.
The thing is, most guests at the Disney Parks are probably not going to be there at the same time as multiple celebrities or maybe even any at all. During my first three-month Walt Disney World College Program…I actually got to see more than my fair share of them.
Sure, we can be starstruck and all that, but we’re to treat all guests equally as they should be. Cast Members are not (or at least weren’t in my time) allowed to ask for autographs, pictures, etc… of celebrities. A number of celebrities know that as well.
With that being said, the last “Tales of a Former Cast Member” revealed that my first job at Walt Disney World was working in Outdoor Foods at the Magic Kingdom, and it was mostly on the popcorn and ice cream wagons spread throughout the parks.
Well, one oddly slow and rainy day in July, I was working the Tomorrowland popcorn wagon that sits in front of Space Mountain. It was only about 10:00 a.m., and there was hardly anyone in the area whatsoever.
Standing behind the wagon, a couple guests formed a line.
The first two ordered a couple items and went on their way. Then, I stepped to grab another bag of popcorn kernels and could feel another guest had stepped up, so I simply advised them I’d be right there.
Upon stepping back into vision, there before me stood…Robin Williams.
Here is an actor and comedian that I’ve watched, loved, and enjoyed for years. He’s the Genie for goodness sakes, and that made it all that much more shocking to see him in front of me. With that though, I completely froze and know my eyes widened.
At that exact moment, Williams arched backward and widened his eyes as well in the same fashion.
Doctor Disney: “Hello…{long pause}…how…how may I help you?”
Robin Williams: “Well, hello there…{squints and leans in close to read my nametag}…Doctor!”
{Obviously not what my nametag said, but you get the idea}
Doctor Disney: “H…hello!”
Robin Williams: “Yes…hello. Have we said that already?”
Doctor Disney: “I’m incredibly sor…yes. Yes, we have sir. I’m sorry.”
Robin Williams: “I’ll have a popcorn and one soda, please.”
Doctor Disney: “Here you go, sir. That will be $4.25.”
At this point, Williams gets a sly smile on his face. He steps forward, pays for the items, and calmly places his hands on the wagon ledge.
Robin Williams: “You know who I am, don’t you?”
Doctor Disney: “Yes, sir. I do.”
Robin Williams: “You can’t ask for my autograph.”
Doctor Disney: “Sir, I never…”
Williams places his hand up to hush me. He then reaches out, grabs my pen and a napkin, and signs “Robin Williams…your friend, The Genie” on it. He throws it at me, grabs his items, and begins to walk away.
Robin Williams: “No…NOOO…it’s too much. You can’t make me take it back. You didn’t ask, but I gave it and now I must go. It’s too late…TOO LATE!”
I reach down and pick up the autograph, fold it and put it in my pocket. As I look up, Williams is just getting back to his family and he looks back at me and gives a big smile with a wink.
The Disney magic exists in all of us. No matter how famous one may be.
