Disney Parks Celebrates St. Patrick’s Day By Shining the Spotlight on a Surprising Irish Star
In honor of St. Patrick’s Day, Disney took to social media today to pay tribute to one of its most iconic Irish stars.
No, I am not talking about The Little Man of Disneyland, Darby O’Gill, or Kyle Johnson (any Luck of the Irish fans out there?), I am talking about Michael from Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room.
Photo: Society of Explorers and Adventurers Wiki
For over 60 years now, Michael has been welcoming guests to the Tiki Room, where he hosts the musical revue alongside Jose, Pierre, and Fritz. While Michael usually shares the spotlight with his fellow emcees, today he got a moment to shine all by himself.
Why Does Michael Talk With an Irish Accent?
We have to go back to the beginning to understand why Michael was given an Irish accent. Walt Disney himself came up with the idea of having the Enchanted Tiki room hosted by four parrots, each with their own distinct personality.
When writing “The Tiki Tiki Tiki Room,” the Sherman Brothers suggested that a McCaw serve as the host of the attraction. Walt loved the idea so much that he suggested that there be four emcees. To bring the fine feathered friends to life, Disney turned to a group of legendary voice actors.
Image Credit: Walt Disney Family Museum
Wally Boag (Jose), Thurl Ravenscroft (Fritz), and Ernie Newton (Pierre) voice the Tiki Room’s other three masters of ceremony. Disney legend Fulton Burley voices Michael, the fourth host.
Fulton Burley’s Irish Charm
Best known for his 25-year run at Disneyland’s Golden Horseshoe Revue, Burley was born in Tipperary, Ireland, and often marveled at his “Irish” luck. Thus, Michael’s distinctive Irish accent was born.
Interestingly, Burley was new to the Golden Horseshoe Revue when Disney asked him and his frequent co-star Boag to voice the Tiki Room birds.
Photo: D23
Burley would later reprise his role as Michael in The Enchanted Tiki Room (Under New Management).
So, as we celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, let’s take a moment to honor one of Disney Parks’s biggest stars.
Why does Michael in Walt Disney’s #EnchantedTikiRoom have an Irish accent? 🦜☘️ #StPatricksDay pic.twitter.com/kp1SIu5e92
— Disney Parks (@DisneyParks) March 17, 2025
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