Disneyland Florida: The unlikely place that “made a huge impact” on Ryan Gosling
Riding the line between being an arthouse icon and a blockbuster movie star, Ryan Gosling is one of the most beloved actors in modern cinema. Sharing his star status with such acclaimed co-stars as Margot Robbie, Chris Evans, Harrison Ford, Russell Crowe, Brad Pitt and Christian Bale, Gosling is undoubtedly one of the most multifaceted talents in contemporary Hollywood.
First rising to success way back in his youth, Gosling was one of many child stars who thrived on Disney Channel’s The Mickey Mouse Club from 1993 to 1995, with the actor sharing the screen with the likes of Britney Spears, Justin Timberlake and Christina Aguilera. Providing the perfect platform to catapult him to future career success, Gosling later shone in such movies as Remember the Titans as The Believer.
But, his career would truly catch fire upon the release of The Notebook, a commercially celebrated romance flick that saw him rise to fame alongside co-star Rachel McAdams. From the release of the film in 2004, Gosling would become a Hollywood darling, starring in romantic comedies like Crazy, Stupid, Love, as well as celebrated dark dramas such as Nicolas Winding Refn’s Drive.
You’d think that the film would be the hinge of Gosling’s career, giving him the biggest life lesson, but in an interview upon the release of Drive, the actor revealed another place entirely that “made a huge impact” on the star.
In fact, the place was integral to the actor’s early career, telling The Telegraph that his time working with Disney had a profound impact on his life. “It became clear to the producers that I wasn’t nearly as talented as some of the other kids,” he told the publication, “I couldn’t sing or dance like they could – they stopped using me in the show so much” as a result, the actor found himself roaming the Disney park at night.
“It made a huge impact on me, the park,” the actor stated, speaking rather prophetically about the vibrant world of Disneyland Florida. “I rode the Haunted Mansion Ride and saw destiny staring me straight in the face. When you come around the corner on the dune buggy and all the ghosts are dancing in the ballroom I knew, I saw my future. Whenever I wasn’t involved in the show, I would just go and ride that ride. It’s such an interesting place”.
In a sense, this essence of curiosity and wonder has never left Gosling as a performer, with the actor constantly striving for variety. Whilst thriving in such brooding dramas as The Place Beyond the Pines and Only God Forgives, he has also demonstrated his comedy chops, standing out in The Nice Guys, La La Land, and Barbie, where he stole the show as Ken, the title character’s clingy wannabe boyfriend.
Take a look at a clip of Gosling during his time in The Mickey Mouse Club below.
