Arriving at our favorite vacation destination is always a surreal experience for me. I often find myself hovering in an odd emotional space of feeling like I’ve never left and also like I can’t believe I’m finally here! Disney has a wonderful way of welcoming back old friends that encompasses all of the senses. That “finally here” moment can happen when we first see the Train Station or the Castle in Magic Kingdom. Or it can happen when we smell the Confectionary on Main Street or the burning of Alexandria in Spaceship Earth. It can even happen when we step off the plane and feel that classic Florida warmth and humidity. But Disney can always welcome us home with what we hear. I often have that “finally here” moment when it’s triggered by some of the lines from Disney’s classic park attractions.
In no particular order is a list of some of the most quotable Disney attractions and some of their standout phrases. I’ve limited this list to the top ten most quotable attractions, because otherwise this article would go on forever and eventually include every attraction, show, parade, and even safety warning.
Disney Transportation
You may be lucky enough to find your favorite Disney quote on a t-shirt.
Before you even step foot in the parks, you’re immersed in the “Disney bubble” with the cleanliness, service and details Disney is renowned for, even on the transportation to the parks.
The Monorail safety spiel is so popular, it even has a cult following t-shirt. Whenever I hear: “Please stand clear of the doors. Por favor, manténgase alejado de las puertas”, I know I’ve arrived!
“Hello everyone, and welcome aboard the Walt Disney World Transportation system. We’re on our way to insert Park name here. For your safety and the safety of others, please remain seated while the motor coach is in motion. If you’re standing, we encourage you to use the handrails above or to the side and remain clear of the doors and stairwells. We also ask that you refrain from eating, drinking or smoking while onboard the motor coach. And now we invite you to relax and enjoy the ride.”
When you think of this attraction, you most likely envision these scallywag pirates and the dashing Captain Jack, but you can’t experience this classic attraction without the famous “Dead men tell no tales”. This warning pre-dates the phenomenon of “what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas” but generally embraces the same idea. Journey further into the attraction; you’ll hear many more iconic quotes.
As the mayor is being lowered into the well, you’ll hear his wife advise him: “Do not tell him Carlos! Don’t be chicken!”
A pirate auctioning wives tells a bride-to-be: “Shift yer cargo, dearie, show ‘em your larboard side”
While anxious bidders cry out: “We wants the redhead! We wants the redhead!”
Of course, the most famous of all is the song that repeats throughout the attraction:
You can’t get through a Walt Disney World vacation without getting this catchy tune stuck in your head at least once. There’s no doubt that some find the song down right obnoxious, when you take the time to listen to the lyrics the Sherman brothers wrote, it really a beautiful idea:
Housed in the iconic 180 foot tall geodesic sphere in Epcot, Spaceship Earth has some of the best quotes of any attraction.
“Like a grand and miraculous spaceship, our planet has sailed through the universe of time”
“Remember how easy it was to learn your ABC’s? Thank the Phoenicians, they invented them.”
“Call it, the first back-up system.”
“So here’s to the next 30,000 years on Spaceship Earth. While no one knows for sure what we’ll see or do. I do know it will be quite an adventure, an adventure that we’ll take and make together. See you in the future!”
Every time I walk by Spaceship Earth, I always thank the Phoenicians.
This whole attraction possesses a myriad of classic quotes that haunt your memory long after you leave the parks. Often when I’m in an elevator, I find myself saying: “This chamber has no windows and no doors.”
I’ll restrain myself from quoting the entire attraction here, but I’ll list a few of my favorites.
“When hinges creak in doorless chambers, and strange and frightening sounds echo through the halls; Whenever candlelights flicker where the air is deathly still – that is the time when ghosts are present”
“Do not pull down on the safety bar, please; I will lower it for you.”
“Actually, we have 999 happy haunts here, but there’s room for a thousand. Any volunteers?”
“Now I will raise the safety bar, and a ghost will follow you home!”
“Hurry back! Hurry back! Be sure to bring your death certificate…”
Mostly remembered for its classic rock soundtrack and pulse-pumping start, this attraction also has some great lines that really solidify your Disney experience.
“Make it a stretch. . .On the other hand, make it a super stretch.”
Nothing puts me in vacation mode quite like a wholesome, corny Muppet joke or two, and MuppetVision 3D in Disney’s Hollywood Studios does it every time!
Sam the Eagle – “It’s called a ‘Salute to All Nations, but Mostly America.”
Sam the Eagle – “Upon entering the theater, please move as far to the end of the row as possible. Stopping in the middle is distinctly unpatriotic.”
Sam the Eagle – “Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, it is my honor to present to you… Mr. Mickey Mouse! Wait a minute! You are not Mickey Mouse! You are a rat!
Rizzo the Rat – Rat, schmat! Besides, they’re tourists. What do they know?”
This attraction resonates with me probably because I consider Walt Disney World, my Laughing Place.
Everybody’s got a laughin’ place,
A laughin’ place, to go ho-ho!
Take a frown, turn it upside-down,
And you’ll find yours I know ho-ho!
“It’s the truth, it’s actual, everything is satisfactual”
“If you’ve finally found your laughin’ place, how come you aren’t laughin’?”
Zip-a-dee-doo-dah zip-a-dee-ay
Brer Fox and Brer Bear are gonna get it today
Zip-a-dee-doo-dah zip-a-dee-ay
That hungry gator’s getting his way
Well, those are my top ten quotable attractions, and it doesn’t even put a dent in all of the wonderful experiences Walt Disney World holds for everyone. Which ones are your favorites? Tomorrowland Transit Authority? Country Bear Jamboree? American Adventure? Star Tours? Did I list one of your favorite attractions but not the quote you love?
Be sure to include all of your favorite attraction quotes in the comments below!
My passion for Disney runs deep; I've got pixie dust in my veins. Everyone loves the famous Mickey Mouse, but Disney vacations host a wealth of sophisticated experiences, too. On my bucket list is to seek out and enjoy every last one of them!
Disney Transportation: “Thanks for riding with us, and welcome home”. I always like hearing that after a long day in the parks. The only time I dislike it is on the last day of the trip, and I no longer have access to the hotel room!
I love the “please stand clear of the doors” quote because it’s been the same for so long – it’s still the guy with the very baritone voice with the very clear phrasing. It’s so great, and my friend found some Etsy magnets with that spiel on it and bought them for me!
The Illuminations spiel done by Jim Cummings right before the lights go out is also one of my favorites. “Reflections…of Earth.” WHOOOSH.
That moment when he “blows” all of the lights in the entire park out is the most special thing I think. Therefore I have also memorised most of the the “we’ve gathered here tonight, as people of all lands have gathered for thousands and thousands of years, to share the light and share a story….” spiel.
On most transportation, including the parking trams and the monorail “…please collect all personal belongings and take small children by the hand.” My DD hates it, because my DH and I will often repeat “Take small children by the hand” and then hold her hand. She rolls her eyes at us, but it makes us giggle (she’s 11).
“Lightspeed to Endor!”
The sounds and the voices are magic to me.
I love the pre-parade announcements. “Ladies and Gentleman, boys and girls…”
Aaall the waaaayyyy dooown!!! Aaall the waaaayyyy dooown!!!
Disney Transportation: “Thanks for riding with us, and welcome home”. I always like hearing that after a long day in the parks. The only time I dislike it is on the last day of the trip, and I no longer have access to the hotel room!
The back side of water.
I love the “please stand clear of the doors” quote because it’s been the same for so long – it’s still the guy with the very baritone voice with the very clear phrasing. It’s so great, and my friend found some Etsy magnets with that spiel on it and bought them for me!
The Illuminations spiel done by Jim Cummings right before the lights go out is also one of my favorites. “Reflections…of Earth.” WHOOOSH.
That moment when he “blows” all of the lights in the entire park out is the most special thing I think. Therefore I have also memorised most of the the “we’ve gathered here tonight, as people of all lands have gathered for thousands and thousands of years, to share the light and share a story….” spiel.
On most transportation, including the parking trams and the monorail “…please collect all personal belongings and take small children by the hand.” My DD hates it, because my DH and I will often repeat “Take small children by the hand” and then hold her hand. She rolls her eyes at us, but it makes us giggle (she’s 11).
Also for Maelstrom, “disappear disappear! Back back over the falls!” Is one my favs
Really? No Carousel of Progress quotes?? “There’s a great, big, beautiful tomorrow, shining at the end of every day!”
“Oh Papa! All these people…I’m indecent!”
Whenever our family is going somewhere, the standard phrase is, “Ready when you are, CB!” from The Great Movie Ride.
“Remain seated please, permanecer sentados por favor” even quoted in Toy Story 2.
What about the Carousel of Progress? The entire script!