The voice of Big Thunder Mountain is silent: Disney World voiceover artist Dallas McKennon has died

July 15, 12:12 PMOrlando Theme Parks ExaminerBarbara Nefer

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Voiceover artist Dallas McKennon, whose voice is well-known in the Disney theme parks at various attractions, including the American Adventure, the Country Bear Jamboree, and the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad roller coaster, has died at age 89.

McKennon also did movie work for Disney, using his vocal talents in Sleeping Beauty, Lady and the Tramp, Mary Poppins, 101 Dalmations, and Bedknobs and Broomsticks. His voice was familiar to many cereal-muching Saturday morning cartoon watchers in shows such as Gumby and Archie, in which he spoke for the title character.

McKennon did some live film work, too, most noteably as innkeeper Cincinnatus in the series Daniel Boone with well-known co-star Fess Parker. He also appeared in an Elvis Presley movie, Clambake, as a gas station worker.

McKennon died on Tuesday, July 14, just five days before he would have turned 90. However, he will live on every time he warns Magic Kingdom guests to "hold on to your hats and glasses 'cause this here's the wildest ride in the wilderness!"

Want to read about Tampa roller coasters? Click here for my series on the coasters of Busch Gardens. Click here to read about the latest rumors on the Islands of Adventure Harry Potter section. Click here to read my other articles, and check out the cartoon below to hear McKennon's talents: