Walt Disney World cast members honored in annual service celebration
Walt Disney World Resort celebrated and honored thousands of cast members during its annual Service Celebration at Magic Kingdom this week.
The park was closed at 4:30 p.m. earlier this weekend and about 4,200 Cast Members, Crew Members and Imagineers were honored for their service. Those honored were able to ride attractions, partake in specialty foods and featured entertainment.
The Service Celebration dates back to an event that Walt Disney hosted for his theme park staff back in 1965 and has been held every year since. During this year’s Walt Disney World Resort event alone, nearly 200 Cast Members were celebrating milestones of 40 years or more.
“Our resort has provided unforgettable experiences for nearly five decades because of the passion our Cast and Imagineers have for the Disney brand,” Josh D’Amaro, president Walt Disney World Resort, said in a news release. “They create magic for our guests and it’s incredibly heartwarming to celebrate all that they do for our company by watching them enjoy an exclusive night in Magic Kingdom making all new memories alongside their family and old friends.”
The honorees and their guests entered the park by walking down a red carpet on Main Street U.S.A. leading to Cinderella’s Castle Courtyard. Those celebrating 40 years or more received a toast in their honor before dining insideat Cinderella’s Royal Table.
In addition to the rides, the honorees received service award photos and an event-exclusive firework show, “Celebration in the Sky.”
The Walt Disney Company Milestone anniversaries are celebrated every five years beginning with the 10th year of service. On the West Coast, Disneyland Resort’s Celebration took place on Nov. 21 at Disney California Adventure Park and the Burbank and Glendale event took place on Oct. 17 at the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles.
