Throughout the years over 250 characters have walked the streets of Walt Disney World. Of these, only a small percentage actually meet with guests, and an even smaller percentage have staying power. The rest only live on in our memories.
One such character is Roger Rabbit. The goofy character from the 1988 live action/animated film Who Framed Roger Rabbit. Though plans for a Roger Rabbit themed attraction at Disney’s Hollywood Studios were cancelled many years ago, Roger, Jessica, and Eddie are still very much alive and well represented in Walt Disney World. They might not be obvious, but the crew you love is still making people smile to this day.
1. Maroon Studios Billboard
Image © Genevieve Pelletier
Location: Just off Hollywood Blvd across from Echo Lake and Hollywood & Vine
This billboard is hands down the clearest example of Who Framed Roger Rabbit in Disney’s Hollywood Studios. On the sign guests will notice Roger, Jessica, and Baby Herman in an advertisement for Maroon Studios.
2. Valiant Private Investigator
Image © Genevieve Pelletier
Location: Second story windows above Hollywood & Vine
Across the street from the Maroon Studios billboard guests will find two very interesting windows. They are easy to miss, but great examples of the movie in the park.
The first window reads “Eddie Valiant Private Investigator”. This is a reference to Eddie Valiant and his brother Teddy. Eddie is the alcoholic detective hired by R.K.Maroon, and Teddy was his brother who dies at the hands of a Toon. The second window shows a hole shaped like a rabbit. Demonstrating the very famous scene where Roger breaks out of Eddie’s office after having a nervous breakdown.
3. Toon Patrol
Image © Genevieve Pelletier
Location: Outside seating area of the Backlot Express Quick Service Restaurant
After purchasing a meal at Backlot Express, many guests will choose to eat in the outdoor seating area. That’s also where guests will find many Who Framed Roger Rabbit examples. They will eat lunch beside one of the most recognizable props from the movie; the Toon Patrol Car. In the movie Judge Doom, the villain, deploys the Toon Patrol to track down Roger. The Toon Patrol consists of his five weasel henchman.
Unfortunately, you cannot enter the car, but it does make a great photo opportunity.
4. Benny the Cab Car
Image © Genevieve Pelletier
Location: Inside seating area of the Backlot Express Quick Service Restaurant
Another Backlot Express prop is the car that Bob Hoskins sat on before Benny was drawn over him in the film. This piece of movie history is easily missed because the vehicle is tucked away in a corner. Guests need to keep their eyes open to see it.
In the movie, Benny the Cab was an outspoken yellow taxicab who helps Eddie and Roger escape from Judge Doom and the Toon Patrol. Later in the film he tries to save Jessica and Roger but gets injured and crashed into a pole.
5. Benny the cab kids area
Image © Genevieve Pelletier
Location: Inside seating area of the Backlot Express Quick Service Restaurant
Right beside the Benny the Cab vehicle there is a small wooden table. This children’s play area may be tiny, but is covered in Benny the Cab drawings. The table teaches children how the animation for the movie was created.
6. Foot and hand prints
Image © Genevieve Pelletier
Location: In front of The Great Movie Ride
Here guests will find the hand and footprints of the world’s biggest stars. Guests will also find the ones belonging to our wacky friend. Look for Roger’s prints and see how yours match up. They are located on the left side of the front section of the theater forecourt facing the Chinese Theater. A cast member will be happy to help guests locate them if they have trouble.
7. Tracks to nowhere
Image © Genevieve Pelletier
Location: Sunset Blvd towards The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
Remember the aformentioned cancelled Roger Rabbit artaction? Work actually began on a whole Roger Rabbit themed area, and train tracks were laid that would lead to the new Roger Rabbit themed area. These tracks remain today.
8. Watch Out!
Image © Genevieve Pelletier
Location: Prop Shop Gift Shop
When walking past the Prop Shop make sure to look up. Many Who Framed Roger Rabbit references are just above guest’s heads. They will see the bricks that fell on Roger’s head near the end of the film when he showed up to rescue Jessica and Eddie. Also, there are huge magnets that appear in many scenes, along with a 1000 pound weight.
9. Catalina Eddie’s
Image © Genevieve Pelletier
Location: Near the end of Sunset Blvd across from the Beauty and Beast Show
Although it is currently closed for renovations, guests can still see the billboard above the construction walls. In the film Eddie and his girlfriend Delores speak about going to Catalina. Whether or not this is a direct reference to the movie or just a coincidence is widely debated.
10. Pop Century Resort
Image © Genevieve Pelletier
Location: Pop Century Resort
The biggest example of Who Framed Roger Rabbit is not in Disney’s Hollywood Studios, but at the Pop Century Resort. In the 1980s section, guests will find a huge Roger Rabbit statue. It makes for a great picture opportunity.
11. Ink and Paint Club
Image © Disney
Location: Art of Animation Resort
Within this resort, the gift shop is called “The Ink and Paint Shop”, and is a fantastic nod to Roger and his gang. The shop represents the “Ink and Paint Club” from the movie. It’s where Jessica Rabbit performs, and where Eddie first lays eyes on her.
It may have been 27 years since Roger and Jessica Rabbit first displayed their love on screen, but they are still very active in the Disney Parks. Disney may have gotten rid of the giant boxing glove on the Backlot Tour, or the Steamroller for pictures, but there is still plenty to see.
What’s your favorite Who Framed Roger Rabbit memory from Walt Disney World?
