2009 Worldwide Disney Park Ambassadors go back to where the magic began

As part of a recently started tradition for 43-year history of the Disney Ambassador program, the worldwide 2009 Disney Park Ambassador team gathered for a week of training at the Disneyland Resort. Each of the eight Ambassadors pictured above represent the five Disney Resort locations around the world – Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World Resort, Tokyo Disney Resort, Disneyland Resort Paris and Hong Kong Disneyland – and will serve as emissaries of goodwill in their respective communities for the year.

The training included meet and greets with Disney executives, a complete overview of the history and heritage of The Walt Disney Company, visits to Walt Disney Imagineering, Walt Disney Studios and the Walt Disney Archives. After training at Disneyland, the team of eight flies to Florida for a similar experience at Walt Disney World Resort. The extensive training schedule prepares the Ambassadors to represent their Resorts, as well as The Walt Disney Company, for the duration of their term as a Resort representative.

The Disneyland Ambassador program began in 1965 under the supervision of Cicely Rigdon. Julie Riehm was the first Ambassador and was selected by Walt to help celebrate the 10th Anniversary of Disneyland.

2009 Worldwide Ambassador Team (From Left to Right in Photo): Chi-ho Law, Hong Kong Disneyland Ambassador; Makiko Okamoto, Tokyo Disney Resort Ambassador; Vanessa Rosas, Walt Disney World Resort Ambassador; Quinn Shurian, Disneyland Resort Ambassador; Danielle DuBois, Disneyland Resort Ambassador; Clay Shoemaker, Walt Disney World Resort Ambassador; Prisca Vigana, Disneyland Resort Paris Ambassador; and Julien Lothier, Disneyland Resort Paris Ambassador.