“The Suite Life of Zack and Cody” turned 18 years old this year. The anniversary of this iconic Disney Channel staple has prompted many 90s and 2000s kids to revisit their fond memories of watching the show.
The series follows twin brothers, Zack (Dylan Sprouse) and Cody (Cole Sprouse), who live in the luxurious Tipton Hotel with their mother, Carey (Kim Rhodes), who works at the hotel as a lounge singer. The show also follows the hotel owner’s daughter, London Tipton (Brenda Song), the hotel’s candy-counter girl, Maddie (Ashley Tisdale) and the hotel manager, Mr. Moseby (Phill Lewis), who often catches Zack and Cody in the midst of their schemes.
To celebrate the show turning 18, here are the most iconic episodes from “The Suite Life of Zack and Cody:”
6. “Lip Synchin’ in The Rain” (Season 3, Episode 9)
Many Disney Channel viewers knew that Brenda Song and Ashley Tisdale appeared in other Disney movies and TV shows. Hence why in “Lip Synchin in The Rain,” the creators poked fun at Tisdale playing both Maddie and Sharpay in “High School Musical” simultaneously.
This episode follows Maddie and London competing for the role of Sharpay after discovering their school is conducting a play of “High School Musical.” Maddie is convinced she will get the part because she looks like Sharpay, but the cast of “The Suite Life of Zack and Cody” does not see the resemblance. London ends up winning the part, leaving Maddie as an understudy.
Although the running joke was frustrating to watch as a child, the episode was still unforgettable. For instance, incorporating “High School Musical” into an episode of “The Suite Life of Zack and Cody” was both creative and exciting. Also, the performance from Antonio (Mark Indelicato) singing “Floss” for his audition as Ryan is a musical number that I still can recall to this day.
5. “Bowling” (Season 2, Episode 13)
This episode revolves around a bowling competition between the Tipton Hotel employees and their rivals at the Saint Mark Hotel after Mr. Moseby discovers his team can beat Saint Mark’s with Zack as a star bowler. Unfortunately, Zack gets grounded and is unable to play in the tournament. However, Zack discovers Arwin (Brian Stepanek) is a retired bowling champion and convinces him to play on the team.
“The Suite Life of Zack and Cody” didn’t often have episodes that focused on side characters like Arwin, so having him as the main character of this episode was refreshing to see. Plus, his character was amusing this entire episode, making it fun to watch. From Arwin screaming every time he heard the word bowling to his back story on why he gave up on the sport, this character will have you laughing throughout the episode.
4. “That’s So Suite Life of Hannah Montana” (Season 2, Episode 20)
Every child during the 90s and 2000s always looked forward to watching Disney’s crossover episodes where all our favorite Disney Channel stars appeared together in one show. So, of course, I had to include “That’s So Suite Life of Hannah Montana.”
If the title didn’t give it away already, this episode featured characters Raven (Raven Symoné) from “That’s So Raven” and Hannah (Miley Cyrus) from “Hannah Montana.” The guest stars met and interacted with the “Suite Life of Zack and Cody” cast while they stayed at the Tipton Hotel.
This was the first Disney Channel sitcom crossover, and it holds great significance and nostalgia to me; seeing all my favorite characters come together in one show was a dream come true.
3. “Commercial Breaks” (Season 1, Episode 25)
“Commercial Breaks” was the 25th episode of the show, and it did not hold back with its sizable musical number.
This episode is about Mr. Tipton wishing to film a commercial at the Boston hotel and wanting the staff to be a part of the production. Auditions are held for the lead in the commercial and the role goes to London after the director discovers that London is Mr. Tipton’s daughter. However, London forgets her lines throughout the production and gets fired, leaving Carey and the boys as the commercial stars.
The culminating musical performance was one of the show’s best musical numbers and highlighted why Disney viewers loved the series. For instance, the commercial featured all characters in a vibrant dance number where they each got their shining moment in the performance. The commercial included elements of the twins’ life at the hotel with lyrics such as, “The Tipton is our place to play. Room service, movies and ice cream”.
2. “Ghost of 613” (Season 1, Episode 19)
Disney Channel during Halloween was one of the best times growing up. I always looked forward to watching my favorite Disney shows having spooky and spine-chilling Halloween episodes. “Ghost of 613” was one I remember being the scariest.
This episode follows Zack and Cody, who hear a rumor about a ghost in suite 613. The twins decide to place a bet on who can stay the longest in the suite by spending the night with Maddie, London and Esteban (Adrian R’Mante).
This episode stands out because of Esteban’s remarkable performance during the seance scene where he tries to channel the ghost’s spirit and shockingly does. For most children that scene alone spooked us, including me, making this episode stand the test of time as one of the greatest.
1. “Cody Goes to Camp” (Season 1, Episode 10)
To some, it will be no surprise that this episode is No. 1 because it is truly the most iconic out of the entire series.
“Cody Goes to Camp” follows Zack, who misses Cody after he goes to a two-week math camp. He asks London, an inexperienced driver, Muriel (Estelle Harris) and an unwilling Maddie to take him to see Cody.
This episode is one of the best and most memorable because of how relatable and hilarious it is. For example, the driving scene of London and Mr. Moesby, where London calls the gear shift the PRNDL and drives the car into the Tipton hotel are scenes that most 90s and 2000s kids quote and remember to this day.
“The Suite Life of Zack and Cody” is available on Disney+.