Former Disney Parks President and longtime Walt Disney World President Meg Crofton was recently recognized with a Main Street, U.S.A window. At the ceremony were Walt Disney Parks & Resorts Chairman Bob Chapek and current Walt Disney World President George Kalogridis. The Main Street windows… Read More »Former Walt Disney World President Meg Crofton honored with Window on Main Street
Around the time that Walt Disney was first presenting the 1964 World’s Fair in New York City, Mary Poppins was about to be released, and he was also trying secretly buying up land in a mosquito-ridden swamp land we now know and love, he realized he needed a little help in representing the Company at all the events where he was asked to appear. Thus the Disney Ambassador program was born and has been in place ever since, 47 years later.
Today at Epcot, a ceremony was held to choose and announce the two new Ambassadors from five finalists for the 2013-2014 season. On hand were Vice President of Epcot Erin Youngs, President of Walt Disney Parks and Operations, United States and France, Meg Crofton, current Ambassadors Norman Vossschulte and Jennifer Mason, and 65 former Walt Disney World Ambassadors to welcome the new team members.
Ambassador Finalists 2013-2014.The five Walt Disney World Ambassador finalists with Meg Crofton
In a twist a little like a Miss America pageant, all five finalists were called to the stage and were able to say a few words about themselves and their journey, while their fellow Cast Member friends and family cheered on. World Showcase Cast Members stood behind them with giant posters featuring their faces and names as we waited with anticipation for the announcement. Mickey and Minnie joined in, carrying the Ambassador pins and scroll featuring the Ambassador pledge. The scroll was read aloud before the names were chosen, while the Voices of Liberty sang softly in the background. Meg Crofton had the honor of announcing that Tye Arnold and Richard Tamayo were to be the newest Walt Disney World Ambassadors as confetti and applause filled the American Gardens Theater.
Read More »2013 Walt Disney World Ambassador Announced in Ceremony
To become a Disneyland Ambassador is a great honor for any cast member. It’s a tradition that goes back to 1965 when Walt Disney himself selected the first Ambassador, Julie Reihm, to help with community awareness and media interviews. The ambassador represents the 23,000 other… Read More »Disneyland Names 2013 Ambassadors
Often unheralded, but used every day, Walt Disney World has top of the industry support and services for accommodating guests with disabilities. So it’s nice when they get recognized for it. The most recent award has come from across the pond. The Gold Autism Award was presented to Disney on behalf of The United Kingdom Autism Foundation for Disney’s efforts supporting and accommodating autistic guests.
The Gold Autism Award, accepted by Greg Hale, Chief Safety Officer and Vice President of Worldwide Standards and Auditing, was presented by Ivan Corea, father of an autistic child, Charin Corea. The award recognizes Disney’s initiatives to help guests with disabilities navigate the Walt Disney World Resort properties in an easy and effortless way.
Charin has inspired an entire autism movement in the United Kingdom. His parents initiated 2002 as Autism Awareness Year and they founded Autism Sunday which is now a massive international event celebrated in many countries including the United States. The inspiration behind all of this is Charin, a teenager with autism spectrum disorder and a communication disorder, who has inspired world leaders to speak up for people with autism and Asperger syndrome.
Read More »Walt Disney World Receives Award for Autism Awareness
It makes me incredibly happy to hear that Disneyland has finally decided to honor the accomplishements of Alice Davis with a window on Main Street USA at Disneyland. These windows serve as the ‘credits’ to the full experience of the park, Davis’ husband Marc has… Read More »Alice Davis to Finally Appear On Main Street Window at Disneyland
Our west coast correspondent Pam has send along the good news that Imagineer Mary Blair has been given a portrait in the Disneyland Opera House. One wonders if this is a sign of bigger things to come to honor Mary. Also added was a copy… Read More »Mary Blair Photo added to Opera House
It’s Veterans Day. Time to turn to those you know who served in the armed forces and offer them a word of thanks or perhaps pick up their check for a free meal as many restaurants are doing this year. If you’re at Disneyland or… Read More »Honoring those who would give everything…