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Frightfully Fun Times For Disney Cast Members and Community

Disneyland Resort cast members and their “little monsters” had a frightfully fun time at the special, annual Little Monsters event at Disney California Adventure park on Sept. 25. More than 100 VoluntEARS handed out treats to cast members and family members in costume, and those who attended, showed support for MOMS Orange County by bringing baby supplies for those in need. “These types of cast-exclusive events are very much appreciated,” said Kristie Montalbano Garcia, a material specialist for engineering services at Disneyland Resort. “I love bringing my granddaughter and niece for a fun and safe way to go trick-or-treating.” Disneyland Resort extended Halloween fun into its community as well. Cast members donated more than 250 costumes to Illumination Foundation, to support the Stanton Children’s Resource Center’s Spooky Halloween event on Oct. 26. And Mickey Mouse greeted residents with Disney Ambassador Alexa Garcia in the Anaheim Fall Festival & Halloween Parade Oct. 27. An Anaheim tradition since 1923, Disney has participated since 1953, when Walt Disney offered to have The Walt Disney Studios design six floats prior to opening Disneyland in 1955.

Disneyland Resort Announces Collaboration with CHOC Children’s to Reimagine the Patient Experience with Disney Magic

In March, Disney Chairman and CEO Bob Iger, announced an innovative plan to dedicate more than $100 million in company resources to reinvent the patient and family experience in children’s hospitals worldwide, as part of the Disney Team of Heroes initiative. Last week, Disneyland Resort announced that CHOC Children’s was selected to participate in the program. Disney will work with patient care experts at CHOC to create a combination of customized experiences with favorite Disney characters and legendary creativity to help inspire young patients and their families, helping to ease the stress of a hospital stay. “We are thrilled to partner with Disney to leverage the power of imagination, creativity and make-believe in creating memorable experiences for our patients,” said Kimberly Chabalas Cripe, president and CEO, CHOC Children’s. “We believe nothing – especially illness of injury – should put childhood on pause.” Disney has a rich legacy of providing comfort and happiness to families with children facing serious illness dating back to Walt Disney, who was on the community committee that helped open CHOC. “We are proud to provide our resources and creativity to CHOC Children’s to support the amazing work they do in our community,” President of Disneyland Resort Josh D’Amaro said. “We hope to deliver some joy to CHOC’s young patients by infusing their hospital stays with some Disney magic.”

Downtown Disney District Transformation Continues

On Oct. 26, World of Disney celebrated a grand reopening after being reimagined with nods to Disney heritage in animation. The newly refurbished flagship store is housed with the biggest selection of Disney merchandise on the West Coast, offering guest a chance to see an animator’s loft-inspired setting with many artistic touches that come to life in magical ways. The ongoing, promenade-wide transformation of Downtown Disney District includes the reopening of Earl of Sandwich in early October and the new Salt & Straw scoop shop which opened Oct. 12 as the only location in Orange County. And, there are even more great things in store with new tenants Ballast Point brewery and Black Tap Craft Burgers & Shakes opening soon.

Cast Members Announced as 2019-2020 Disneyland Resort Ambassador Team

In a tradition started by Walt Disney in 1965, Disneyland Resort President Josh D’Amaro announced that cast members Rafa Barron from Tomorrowland Attractions and Justin Rapp from Entertainment will represent the Resort and its 30,000 cast members as the 2019-2020 Disneyland Resort Ambassador Team. The pair will take the magic of the Resort into the community by acting as emissaries of goodwill. Rafa and Justin were selected from nearly 100 applicants and will spend a two-year term representing the Resort at a variety of events, such as hospital visits with Disney characters, special promotions and cast recognition ceremonies. In addition, the pair will serve as spokesmen for the Resort, as well as host dignitaries and other VIPs. While the tradition started at Disneyland Resort, today there are Ambassadors at every Disney Park around the world. “Congratulations to Rafa and Justin,” said Josh D’Amaro, president of the Disneyland Resort. “An engaged, thriving cast makes the magic stronger at the Disneyland Resort, and I am proud to welcome such talented new Disney Ambassadors to represent them.”

Kids Design New Accessible Anaheim Park in KaBOOM! Design Day

Recently, representatives from Disneyland Resort met with Anaheim children and parents at Barton Elementary School for a special design day to inspire the next Disney-sponsored KaBOOM! playground at the school’s park. The new playground will feature several adaptive and accessible play features for children with physical disabilities, which is the first fully ADA playground Disneyland Resort is building with KaBOOM! in Anaheim. Prior to determining where the next KaBOOM! playground would be built, CastABLE, a Disneyland Resort diversity resource group serving cast members with disabilities, met with Disney leaders to propose the idea. Jennifer Brooks, Disneyland Resort financial accounting manager and CastABLE leadership team, noted, “When I had my son, I wanted him to have the same childhood memories of visits to playgrounds I had. However, life often takes us on unexpected journeys and mine would include learning my amazing little boy was challenges by a physical disability, which limited him in playing alongside same-aged peers. That’s why I am beyond excited about the next Disney-sponsored KaBOOM! playground in Anaheim.” Disney has sponsored 10 other KaBOOM! playgrounds in Anaheim.

Pedestrian Bridge Added to New Parking Structure at Disneyland Resort

The new 6,500-space parking structure currently under construction near the Mickey & Friends structure is starting to take shape and is expected to open next year. In October, the Anaheim City Council unanimously approved the addition of a new pedestrian bridge, connecting visitors from the structure – over Magic Way – to the rest of the resort. The new bridge eliminates the foot traffic crossing the street at Disneyland Drive and Magic Way which is not only convenient, but also greater pedestrian safety and better traffic circulation. When the structure is completed, it is expected to speed up guest arrival with a 60 percent increase in the number of access lanes and adding parking capacity on the west side of the resort.

Anaheim Schools Receive $55,000 donation from Disneyland Resort for Traveling Scientists Program

Everyone’s favorite pal Mickey Mouse was on hand to surprise a group of fourth-grade students from Orange Grove Elementary School in Anaheim with a $55,000 donation from Disneyland Resort to Anaheim schools. With the donation, Disneyland Resort and the Orange County Department of Education (OCDE) are launching a hands-on science lesson, led by the Traveling Scientists from the OCDE’s Inside the Outdoors Program. As many as 5,000 students in fourth-grade classes in Anaheim will have the chance to engage in STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math) programs through the end of the year.    “We are delighted that now every fourth-grade student in Anaheim will be able to participate in the Traveling Scientist program, and we appreciate the Disneyland Resort’s generosity, which makes it possible,” said Anaheim Elementary School District Supt. Christopher Downing. “Sometimes when we think of imagination we only think about the arts, but by nature scientists are curious and use their imagination in their exploration of the world.”

#disneyaspire With a $150 million initial investment, Disney Aspire directly contributes to the career development of both full- and part-time hourly Disneyland Resort cast members. Disney Aspire is the nation’s most comprehensive education program for hourly employees with 100 percent of tuition paid up front and full reimbursement for books and fee.

#dreamersanddoers Dreamers & Doers celebrates the power of possibility and honors Anaheim students who are taking action to improve their communities and schools. All Dreamers & Doers will receive theme park tickets, and select students also will receive grants for their high school, favorite charity and college scholarships.

60 Years of the Guided Tour Program at the Disneyland Resort

For 60 years, guided tours have provided guests with the opportunity to view the Disneyland Resort in a different way. From “Walk in Walt’s Disneyland Footsteps” to Disney’s Happiest Haunts tour, guests have been provided with up-close opportunities and behind-the-scenes knowledge filled with fun facts and trivia. The program officially began in 1958, and in a single month, more than 18,000 guests enjoyed more than 800 separate tours. “The best part of my job is sharing stories with guests about my passion for Disneyland Resort, and hearing their stories in return,” said Mehlanie Kayra, a Guest Relations host and tour guide. “It is truly magical to know we are part of the tradition that Walt Disney started.”

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: Guest Relations Hostess - Tour Guide What They Do: Escorts guests throughout the Disneyland Resort by immersing them into the rich history and heritage by providing them insight into Walt Disney’s original Magic Kingdom: Disneyland park. Where You Can See Their Work: Disneyland Resort #cooldisneyjobs

The MS150 Bay to Bay bike ride is one of the nation’s largest charity biking events with more than 2,500 riders pedaling from Orange County to Mission Bay in San Diego to raise funds for the fight against Multiple Sclerosis. The team from Disneyland Resort is traditionally one of the largest corporate teams, with nearly 100 riders this year.  For the last 15 years, I have supported this important cause with my fellow cast members. I began supporting the MS Society after one of my colleagues – a dear friend here at the Disneyland Resort – was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. For the past decade, I have been a part of the MS Society’s “tour of champions” who are riders that raise $10,000 or more on a given ride. Overall, I am proud to have raised $265,350 over the 15 years I have been riding.  The Walt Disney Company is so supportive of the causes that are important to its cast. The company matches qualified donations raised by our cast members, and last year Team Disney raised $131,000. The MS150 ride brings together all the riders at the Disneyland Resort with healthy camaraderie and a good cause. I am really proud of our group of Team Disney riders!   Rona Kay Senior Manager, Grand Californian Hotel & Spa Food & Beverage

Nov. 4: Last chance to enjoy Dia de los Muertos experiences including Plaza de la Familia Nov. 9: Holidays at the Disneyland Resort begins Nov. 15: National Philanthropy Day Nov. 18: Happy birthday, Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse! Disneyland will celebrate with a cavalcade featuring some of his special friends and the Disneyland Band from “it’s a small world” to Main Street, U.S.A.

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