“High School Musical’”s Chris Warren Shares 5 Things You Never Knew About the Iconic Disney Movies (Exclusive)

From the character he originally auditioned for to the truth behind his singing voice in the first film, Chris Warren opened up to PEOPLE about all things 'HSM'

<p>DISNEY CHANNEL/FRED HAYES</p> Ashley Tisdale, Vanessa Hudgens and Chris Warren

DISNEY CHANNEL/FRED HAYES

Ashley Tisdale, Vanessa Hudgens and Chris Warren

Chris Warren is looking back on his time as a Wildcat.

The actor, 34, appeared as Zeke Baylor in all three High School Musical films starting with the first Disney Channel movie in 2006. Now — nearly 20 years later — the actor just wrapped filming season eight of Tyler Perry's Sistas and is a proud father to his two children, whom he shares with wife Layla Warren.

Though its been many years since he hung up his Wildcats jersey, Warren took a trip down memory lane with PEOPLE during a recent chat and revealed five secrets even the biggest High School Musical fans might not know.

There's a Reason Zeke's Voice in the First 'High School Musical' Sounded Familiar

<p>Getty(3)</p> Zac Efron, Drew Seeley and Chris Warren

Getty(3)

Zac Efron, Drew Seeley and Chris Warren

While it is well documented that Drew Seeley was the the singing voice behind Troy Bolton's epic solos in the first High School Musical film, Warren says Zac Efron was not the only one whose voice was dubbed.

"Drew Seeley was Zac's, mine, and I think someone else's as well," Warren recalls to PEOPLE.

"It came together very fast," Warren continued of the first movie, explaining that "by the time I got to set everything was recorded and everything was done."

Warren had previously starred in the national tour of The Lion King, so for the second and third films, he and Efron sang their own parts.

"I got on High School Musical 2 and 3 soundtrack, which I was very proud of just because it was such a cool thing to do and I wanted to do it properly. You know? So I was glad I got to do that," he says.

Chris Warren Originally Auditioned for Chad in High School Musical

<p>Disney Chan/Everett/Shutterstock </p> Corbin Bleu and Chris Warren

Disney Chan/Everett/Shutterstock

Corbin Bleu and Chris Warren

While the parts are hard to imagine being played by anyone else, Warren initially auditioned to be Chad Danforth — the part that would eventually go to Corbin Bleu.

"I go to the callback and they tell me, 'Wow, you're taller than we thought you were,'" Warren remembers. "I'm like, 5-ft.-10.5-in., but I'm 15, so I guess for a 15-year-old maybe that's tall."

He ended up coming back a week later to read for Zeke, "a tall basketball player that likes to bake."

"I go in, there's like 20 people in this room, I do my bit. I say my 'creme brûlée.' That was a wrap," he says, referencing his character's famous line.

The Most Challenging Dance Number to Learn Was "Night to Remember" in HSM 3

<p>Disney</p> Chris Warren and Ashley Tisdale in 'High School Musical 3'

Disney

Chris Warren and Ashley Tisdale in 'High School Musical 3'

Though all three films had their share of intricate choreography (just ask Efron about "Get'cha Head in the Game") Warren remembers one song in particular that was the toughest for the cast to learn.

"As far as challenging, Kenny [Ortega] and Chucky [Klapow] were such great choreographers that they made everything easy," he says. "But I remember for the prom number in High School Musical 3, it was partner dancing and waltzing, and I never waltzed before."

"So it was cool learning with Ashley [Tisdale,]" he says of the actress who played Zeke's crush, Sharpay Evans. "We both had to learn how to waltz together, so that was a really fun experience, learning a new dance style."

Someone Crashed a Golf Cart on the Set of 'High School Musical 2'

<p>Disney/Everett/Shutterstock</p> Lucas Grabeel, Ashley Tisdale and Chris Warren in 'High School Musical 2'

Disney/Everett/Shutterstock

Lucas Grabeel, Ashley Tisdale and Chris Warren in 'High School Musical 2'

When thinking back to his time on set, Warren says he remembers one incident on the set of High School Musical 2, which was shot at a resort n St. George, Utah.

"We played golf," he remembered of the set, which he described as "like a vacation." "And some of them had a golf cart and they crashed the golf cart. I remember that. I wasn't there for that, but that happened."

Who was the cart-crashing culprit? Warren claims he can't recall.

The Cast Got Disneyland All to Themselves For a Special Visit

<p>Steve Granitz/WireImage</p> The cast of High School Musical 2 and director/choreographer Kenny Ortega at the premiere of 'High School Musical 2' at Disneyland in 2007.

Steve Granitz/WireImage

The cast of High School Musical 2 and director/choreographer Kenny Ortega at the premiere of 'High School Musical 2' at Disneyland in 2007.

As members of one of Disney Channel's biggest franchises, it's no surprise that there were some perks that came along with that title.

While the exact timeframe is a bit fuzzy all these years later, Warren remembers a time — likely ahead of the High School Musical 2 premiere — where the cast got to have Disneyland all to themselves.

"They emptied the entire park for the cast of High School Musical to just enjoy the day at Disneyland," he says.

"My first time going to Disneyland I got to have the entire park empty and I got to go with all our castmates and just ride the same rides over again," he says. "And then they did the fireworks and it was just us there ... I'll always remember that that was such a magical thing."

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