A few months ago, I interviewed TC Newman, one of the two 2008 WDW Ambassadors on The WDW Radio Show, where we learned about what the role of being a Walt Disney World Ambassador is, and what her life has been like since being awarded such an honor. Since then, I have gotten to know TC and her sister Ambassador Kerri MacPherson who has also been on the show as well.
This past Friday, October 17, 2008, two Cast Members were selected to step into the time-honored Ambassador role and represent the Walt Disney World Resort and its 62,000 Cast Members in a Ceremony at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Vanessa Rosas and Clay Shoemaker were named as the 38th Walt Disney World Ambassador Team and will serve from Jan. 1 – Dec. 31, 2009.
This 37-year tradition at the WDW Resort started with Walt Disney himself, during the 10th anniversary of Disneyland when he was overwhelmed with requests for appearances and needed a few good surrogates. He selected the first Ambassador in 1964, and the tradition has continued ever since.
Walt Disney World President Meg Crofton, who led the ceremony, said: “Being an Ambassador is one of the greatest achievements a Cast Member can attain. During the last thirty-seven years, these men and women have represented Disney Cast Members with purpose and grace, and have brought the magic of Walt Disney World to the world at large.”
I was invited to attend the ceremony this past week, and also had a chance to speak with the two new Ambassadors one on one. You can hear this on episode #89 of The WDW Radio Show.
To learn more about the position and process, please go and listen to episode #68 – May 25, 2008, where I spoke with TC Newman at length. I’m sure you’ll also be hearing from Clay and Vanessa on the show in the coming year.
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