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Disney Celebrates Cast Members' Milestone Anniversaries at Exclusive Party in the Park

Congratulations to the nearly 2,000 Disneyland Resort cast members who were invited to celebrate their milestone service anniversaries, beginning at 10 years and ranging to 50 or more years of service, for this annual event in Disney California Adventure park. President of Disneyland Resort Josh D’Amaro, who happened to be celebrating 20 years, stated, “There are many special moments and events that take place throughout the year at the Disneyland Resort. But the annual service celebrations are most special to me because we honor our cast for their passion and dedication. After all, they are the ones who make the magic happen.” Celebrants enjoyed attractions, food and entertainment including a surprise performance by Ashley Brown, who portrayed the title role in the national Broadway tour of “Mary Poppins.” In addition, the 85 cast members celebrating 40 or more years of service were treated to dinner at the award-winning Carthay Circle Restaurant.

Housekeeping Cast Members Recognized During International Housekeeping Week

Earlier this month, Disneyland Resort housekeeping cast members, across all three hotels, were recognized during International Housekeeping Week, which is a week dedicated to housekeepers across the globe. Elliot Mills, vice president of Hotel Operations at Disneyland Resort and Aulani, said, “I can’t say enough about the great guest service and hospitality our housekeeping team delivers every day. This celebration is a way we show our appreciation for everything they do to create happiness for guests and fellow cast members.”   The cast participated in a number of fun events, including a salsa making and tasting contest, and the week was highlighted with a special lunch celebration.

Disney Legend Bob Gurr Visits for 60 th Anniversary of Main Street Fire Engine

Guests have cruised down Main Street, U.S.A, in popular turn of the 20 th century vehicles since 1958. Cast members celebrated 60 years of the Main Street Fire Engine on Aug. 27 with a very special guest: Disney Legend, Bob Gurr. Gurr developed and designed vehicles for many Disneyland attractions, including Autopia, the Matterhorn Bobsleds, the Disneyland Monorail and the Main Street Fire Engine. Visit Disneyland park and enjoy a ride on any of the classic Main Street, U.S.A. vehicles including the horse-drawn streetcar, omnibus or fire engine!

Disneyland Resort Honors Hispanic Heritage Month

The Disneyland Resort honored Hispanic Heritage Month throughout September with a number of fun events both at the resort and out in the community.   Hundreds of Anaheim residents joined us to kick off our celebration with a special viewing of Disney·Pixar’s “Coco” in Spanish at Ponderosa Park, enjoying an evening under the stars. A week later, the Grammy Award-winning Mariachi Divas performed during a special event alongside entertainment from Disney California Adventure park’s Plaza de la Familia at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa. Disneyland Resort presented Anaheim’s Rythmo Mariachi Academy , a nonprofit that teaches students to play and read music, with a $10,000 donation.   Concluding the month, the Disneyland Resort Diversity Resource Group, HOLA (Hispanic Organization for Leadership Advancement and Allies) hosted a panel discussion for cast members moderated by ESPN’s Bernardo Osuna, with the Sotelo brothers: Jorge Sotelo, executive pastry chef at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa; Eddie Sotelo (aka Piolín from “El Show de Piolín”); and Edgar Sotelo (aka Shoboy from “Shoboy In The Morning” on Amp Radio). The brothers talked about overcoming adversity and pursuing their dreams.

Cast Members Perform in Annual “Flashback” Fundraiser Benefiting Anaheim and Orange County

Disneyland Resort cast members from all lines of business kicked their knees up for a supercalifragilisticexpialidocious performance of “Mary Poppins” in this year’s Flashback production, directed and produced by and starring cast members! As part of this annual fundraiser, the Disneyland Resort made a special donation of $10,000 to ACT Anaheim, and audience members donated more than 3,000 pounds of canned goods as admission for Flashback. Kumari Small, from Disney Photo Imaging, was cast as Mary Poppins and noted, “I grew up watching ‘Mary Poppins,’ so when they announced that I got the role, it was so surreal. I was just so taken aback because I’m a person of color, and you don’t see people like me play roles like that. It means a lot, especially for my mission statement as a human being and as my purpose in life to diversify theater. It’s an incredible honor.” Congratulations to all the cast members who were a part of Flashback for their incredible performance!

#WeCANMakeAnIncredibleDifference Congrats to the Disney Design and Engineering team on their win for "Best Original Design" at the 2018 CANstruction Orange County build. Watch as the team created their INCREDIBLE Jack-Jack structure from Disney·Pixar’s “Incredibles 2” out of canned goods, which were donated to the OC Food Bank!

#DisneyTeamofHereos Meet brave, little Sawyer, 4-year-old daughter of Disneyland Resort cast member Andrew Geis, who takes part in CHOC Walk in the Park at the Disneyland Resort each year! Learn more about Sawyer and her experience with CHOC Children’s.

At the Disneyland Resort, every role is a starring role. This video feature gives a behind-the-scenes look at the unique jobs and employment opportunities at the Resort. Whether onstage or backstage, each cast member plays an important role in making the magic come to life for our guests. Role: Costuming Assistant What They Do: Assist performers with costumes during the “Frightfully Fun Parade,” part of Mickey’s Halloween Party, and ensure they are show ready to create the best viewing experience for our guests Where You Can See Their Work: Disneyland Resort #cooldisneyjobs

I have been a part of CANstruction Orange County for the past three years. CANstruction is a charity art exhibition featuring structures made entirely of canned foods created by teams of volunteers. After the event, the food is donated to the OC Food Bank.   When I started, I was an intern at the Disneyland Resort and was able to be heavily involved in the planning, design and build. Being able to lead the event this year, and to donate a large quantity of food to the OC Food Bank in the form of a 9-foot-tall baby is incredible!   CANstruction Orange County gives me and my fellow cast members an opportunity to use our professional skills, coupled with our own artistic touch, to spread awareness, but in a fun and engaging manner. Could we simply donate money to our local food banks? Sure, but this also allows us to donate our time and knowledge, which goes to a great cause.   While it’s fun for people to analyze the clever use of cans, it also makes them stop and think, “Why are these made from cans?” Hopefully, the idea that these cans are being donated to those in need brings about awareness in a positive way.   I would like to thank my team for their tireless work that helped make this such a successful project, and Disney Design and Engineering for continuously supporting CANstruction Orange County and the OC Food Bank.   Andrew Flores Associate Engineer

October 2018 Calendar of Events

Oct. 4: The newly announced Disneyland Ambassadors will participate in a cavalcade down Main Street, U.S.A. at 11 a.m. Oct. 4-7: Norco Horse Affair featuring Circle D horses in Norco Oct. 24: A culinary and housekeeping job fair will be held from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa Oct. 27: Anaheim Fall Festival and Halloween Parade in Downtown Anaheim Oct. 31: Last day to experience Halloween Time at the Disneyland Resort

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